It’s unfortunate that a number of people have the opinion that metal beds can only go into a Victorian or elaborately fanciful setting. That school of thought couldn’t be farther from the truth. Any antique iron bed can be adapted to the setting by it’s surroundings and the way the owner chooses to dress it.…
Throughout history how we dress, where we live and the homes we live in, flect the attitude of that period. So it should come as no surprise that iron beds were also a direct reflection of the times they were designed and built in. The rigid conservatism of Victorian England fostered beds that spoke volumes…
Religion is not something you’d normally associate with iron beds. But……..throughout time there is very little that religion hasn’t had some influence in in some way or another. Whether in architecture, furniture design or clothing, we have always chosen to display our beliefs in a visual manner……be it subtle or demonstrative. The two topics most…
Over the years I’ve sold iron beds to people that have had every imaginable style home, apartment, estate, farmhouse, beach house,adobe, penthouse , etc. that you can imagine. But I’ve never sold a bed to anyone with a more unique home than a couple in upstate Maine who happen to live in a “lighthouse”. From…
Not something traditionally seen in this country…….but the Butler’s bedroom was a common setting amongst the upper class throughout England. Because the butler held a rather important role in the families day to day living, it was important his private sanctuary be befitting his station in life. Often great pains were taken to make his…
Antique iron beds came in every possible design and after having been in the business for forty years I continue, to this day, seeing designs I’ve never come across before. But there is one consistency when it comes to styles and designs that you can count on. Iron beds will always fall into one of two…
What, you ask is “gendered iron beds“…….. Quite simply it means taking any antique iron bed and establishing it’s gender by the “finish” you apply. It’s actually quite simple. You can take a beautifully scrolled Victorian or Art Nouveau bed that has soft flowing feminine curves and design……. and make it look masculine. Maybe not…
“The Hills are Drying Up”, has become the catch phrase for every antique picker that is still in the business. When I started as a wholesale “picker”, over 40 years ago back in Washington DC., the “hills” were load with merchandise. The “hills” are the backwoods, that are away from cities and densely populated metropolitan areas.…
As you probably know, the largest size bed being made back in the 1800’s was a double/full. And you probably know that these old iron beds can be converted to accommodate a modern queen size mattress. But did you know that it can be done in two ways: The most difficult is done by cutting…
Quite often I have people come to me that are looking for that “special” bed for their master bedroom. If you know anything about antique iron beds, you’ll know that they came in more shape’s and designs than you could count. I’ve been in this business for around 40 years and continue to see beds…