Give Your Bedroom a Little Heavy Metal
by James on Aug.23, 2010, under Bedrooms, Beds
Metal beds have been around for centuries and remain a classic, versatile choice for a range of bedroom design styles.
Traditional Victorian antique metal beds, hand-wrought by skilled artisans, are popular showpieces for collectors. Because of their detailed handcrafting, no two heirloom metal beds are exactly the same. Though finding a genuine historic wrought iron bed can be thrilling, keep in mind that mattresses back in the 18th century were much different than they are now. You may have trouble fitting your bed with a modern mattress and might even have to commission a custom-made mattress or box spring to fit the unique dimensions of your antique bed. This can be very expensive. There is also the risk of damage that has occurred over time, which can interfere with the way your bed sits on the floor or holds a mattress. Always inspect and measure an heirloom metal bed carefully before you buy so you know what you’re getting into.
If you’re unwilling or unable to purchase an expensive antique metal bed, there are plenty of other options with equal style and durability. Modern metalwork ranges from traditional heirloom reproductions to contemporary abstract designs. You’ll find metal beds and headboards with delicate Art Nouveau themes, ornate decoration, and sleek geometric designs. Thanks to advances in technology and new metalwork techniques, metal beds are more affordable than ever before. Ask your retailer about the steel gauge used on these modern beds, as higher grade steel means a better quality bed.
September 1st, 2010 on 3:53 am
I picked up a couple of victorian wrought iron steel framed beds from a lawn sale cheap as chips. They had been painted badly several times over the years and didn’t look so great, so I got the sand blasted and the powder coated with a mat black finish. This made them still maintan the rustic look and feel while being preserved for centuries to come. The matresses were a problem, but i soon found a good supplier who made them out of foam and cut them to fit. All in all it to a bit of time but in the end I paid no more than i would of for a brand new set of beds, but with this I got some authentic antiques as well.