“The Blue Bed”

When most people think about antique iron beds, they think “white”. What most people aren’t aware of is that “white was probably the least popular color that beds were painted back in the 1800’s. “White” only became popular when “reproductions” started to help satisfy the demand for the lack of original antique beds that were…

“Half Tester”…..What Is It and What’s It For?

A “half tester” is a form of canopy. The manner in which it differs from traditional “four poster” canopies is that it is only attached to the headboard…..not the foot-board. So why, you ask yourself, would someone want a canopy just at the headboard and not at the foot-board, where it would encompass the entire perimeter…

What Good Are Old 3/4 Size Metal Beds?

Over the years, I’ve come across a good amount of the old 3/4 size bed frames. You might ask yourself what possible purpose did they have and their usage. A 3/4 size iron bed measures between 44″ and 49″ wide. An antique  twin size measure between 38″ to approximately 41″. A Full/Double size measures right…

Industrial “Finishes”

Although antique faux’ finishes are still the most popular we do, “Industrial” finishes, along with more modern styles have been gaining in popularity more than any other style or design. Industrial finishes include any finish that have  a new “unused” look. They can be “powder coatings”, which is a type of coating that is applied as…

Furnishing: Determining Gender & Mood Through Color

Regarding your home, color has long been used to create feelings of comfort, peace or space. Not only on interior walls, but also on furniture. Throughout history predominant colors have given us insight into a societies mores and beliefs. The Victorian Era was dominated by oppressive dark colors. Primary colors were unheard of. Iron beds were…

What Determines a Beds Value ?

So you’re hunting for a bed….. not a “replica” or “reproduction”, and you want to know where to start. You should first know that there is no comparability between an authentic old antique iron bed and a reproduction. They are constructed very differently, the reproduction being produced with aluminum castings and thin wall tubing and the original…

Antique Faux’ Finishes

When it comes to achieving a true rustic looking antique finish, the most important thing you can remember is “experiment”…….. There are so many variables when trying to mimic an old look, that your best bet is to give yourself a lot of time…… don’t rush it. The more samples and experiments you do, the…

The Craftsman Era

Sometimes referred to as the Arts and Crafts movement or the American Craftsman style, this period in design history became popular toward the end of the 1800’s and  continued until the 1930’s. It is probably one of the more “revived”  schools of design and to this day experiences a larger share of popularity, than all…

Refinishing Your Antique Bed Where To Start

If you bought your antique iron bed earlier than 1977, you can count on on it having been painted with lead based paint.  Back in the 1800 s, when these beauties were being made,  lead based paint was being used on all furniture and pretty much all iron beds of that period.  Lead was added to paint to help the speed…