1800’s Antique Iron Military Quartermaster Beds, also known as “campaign beds“, opposed to many beliefs that these were just simple twin size iron beds, were used by military officers in the field. They were popular because of their ability to be disassembled and carted to a new location without much effort. Yet the enlisted “grunts”,…
Although I’ve posted more than one reference to the use of unnecessary force in assembling iron beds………it continues to be one of the major requests I get from people over my website on what to do “after” the damage has been done. Take a moment to read this so that “damage” doesn’t happen to your…
What do you do if your antique iron bed doesn’t have a pair of side rails ….. or the set that came with it doesn’t fit? Usually I’d tell an inquiry with such a dilemma that their goose is cooked. But in fact, you do have a couple of options open to you. Ebay has…
Many of the initial conversations I have with my customers involve their “likes” and “dislikes”, regarding the style of iron beds. I usually ask if the like the straighter line more Austere styles or are they more looking for something with more curves and fluid designs. That question usually prompts one of two responses…….almost universally.…
So what is it that really elevates the value of an antique iron bed? Above all else……… it’s “rarity”. The fewer times I’ve seen a bed means it was probably not a practical design to continue to produce. That’s even the case with manufacturers of reproductions today. Their main concern is the bottom line and…
I’m often asked why some style iron beds are more plentiful than others? Sounds like a simple enough question, and should have a rather uncomplicated answer………. not the case. There are a couple of things that can effect how prolific one particular style bed is. One of those things is the size of the foundry…
Few iron beds, I’ve had in the past 40 years, have ever gotten the response that this one did after being used in a photo shoot with Halle Berry in People Magazine. We had always referred to that bed as the “Peacock” bed because of the similar shape and style of a peacocks feathers and…
How is it that original old antique iron beds often have as many as a dozen or more layers of paint on them? In the early 1800’s iron beds came from the manufacturer with a good strong coating of lead base paint. As the bed went through normal use, after a few years, it would…
The beginning of a large iron and steel industry in the Chicago region during the nineteenth century was a function of entrepreneurial effort and a geographical advantage. Mills could obtain raw materials from the vast iron ore deposits in the Lake Superior region relatively cheaply and easily. Because most of the iron ore used by…
What are the pro’s and cons of using an interior designer ?The profession of Interior Design is relatively new, constantly evolving, and often confusing to the public. The best way to know if you should be using a interior designer for any of your decorating needs is first to ask yourself what will they be…