Posts Tagged ‘Original Bedstead’

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Simple sanctuary

Friday, July 30th, 2010
Metal beds from The Original Bedstead Company.

Metal beds from The Original Bedstead Company.

FOR THE MAJORITY of us, life is hectic.

We’re busy juggling a hundred different things and becoming stressed and tired in the process.

Family, career and personal responsibilities will always take their toll. So for those times when life seems like a runaway train, it’s important to have a private retreat where we can lose ourselves and recharge away from the intrusions and distractions of our day.

Most homes have a quiet corner that we make a special spot that is ours alone. In fact it’s surprisingly easy to escape without setting a foot outside our front door.

Older, more traditional homes, by their very nature and the style of architecture and room design, have natural little hideaways that might be just perfect. Attic rooms and eaves as well as under-stair closets have great potential for easy conversion to a calm sanctuary.

More modern homes might have less natural potential although still harbour obvious possibilities.

A private space need not be small, but it does need to be furnished with your favourite things. Should you long for a quiet space to curl up with a book, you will need good light, a comfortable chair, some plush cushions and a warm throw and a handy place to stand a cup of tea. If your dream is to escape to a deep foamy bath tub, then go for subtle lighting, some background music and light loads of candles.

Every individual has his or her, own thoughts on what makes the perfect private space. Looking around the home, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a place away from the telephone, computer and other intrusions.

A corner of the study or maybe the conservatory, might be ideal, although for most of us the sanctuary of the bedroom is the natural and most obvious choice. A bed during waking hours offers the perfect solution for weary, overburdened people looking for a little escape.

There is something rather enticing about an iron bedstead or brass bedstead when it is adorned with rich linens, bolsters and plush throws, that rather draws us in.

It makes for a great personal retreat with an ottoman or chaises longues offering alternative comfort whenever space permits. And when the atmosphere is just perfect, the view out of the window tranquil and soothing, and peace decends at last, stick on a little classical music, turn off the mobile, and enjoy one of life’s most simple but elusive pleasures!

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Interior design styles to reflect our personality

Monday, June 28th, 2010
Mandallay brass bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Mandallay brass bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

It need not be difficult to add verve and sparkle to our homes by choosing decorative styles that are a reflection of our uniquely individual personalities.

Too often we have themes and colours with which we are not comfortable, inflicted upon us, particularly when we move home and inherit someone else’s design choice, or in the case of a new home, when we’re at the mercy of the taste of the Interior Designer.

And yet, in a world crammed with vast colour, texture and style options, there’s clearly no need to settle for anything that is less than perfect  (as we would perceive it), when, with a little imagination our home environment can be a calming space and a true reflection of ourselves.

Find a style -

Many people might find a style preference based on fond childhood home memories, whilst others are inspired by interior magazine influences, television makeover programmes, or internet features. Sometimes we are attracted to textures and colours that might not be entirely practical or appropriate for our living spaces and lifestyle. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it is wrong, but it’s a good idea to take some time to settle on a look that you won’t quickly tire of that can be carried throughout the house and that fits in with seasonal changes and our lifestyle patterns.

The importance of colour -

Colour choice has the ability to effect mood faster than just about any other aspect of our home. Colour can add instant extra interest and verve but can also soothe and calm depending on our requirements and the room setting. It’s also one of the cheapest and easiest aspects of decorating to change or put right if we suddenly realise that we’ve made an awful mistake.

And yet the boldest approaches can often be the most successful, and book room reds, deep moody blue rooms, and even primrose yellow bedrooms, can all work well with the right fixtures and accessories. Bold coloured fabrics in the form of curtains, cushions, bolsters and throws also have an important part to play as do accent rugs and any fabric with a floral theme or stripes and patterns that harmonise with the background colour theme.

Furniture choice -

Choosing furniture wisely will pay great dividends. Getting it wrong can mean an expensive mistake, so it’s important to plan the room layout carefully to get the proportions just right. Furniture that is too small for it’s surroundings can look lost and sad, but a far more common mistake is to buy oversized furniture that you have to shoehorn into place. Furniture always looks smaller in the vast expanse of a furniture store, so it’s worth taking a tape measure and deploying a lot of self discipline, however attracted we might be to the colour and design.

No more true is this than in the lounge or bedroom, where an oversized sofa can spoil the day, however plush and comfy it might be!

In the bedroom it is even more crucial to get the proportions right, as without sufficient space around the focal point, the bed, a feeling of claustrophobia is impossible to avoid as well as being impractical and constantly awkward.

So fall in love with that romantically imposing Victorian styled Brass Beds by all means, but choose the size carefully, even if it might mean the odd compromise. Smaller bedrooms are often the norm in this modern age or in older cottagey style homes, but there are plenty of beautiful iron bedsteads and wooden beds and matching furniture out there to make the most inviting of statements.

All available in a wealth of colours and designs to pander to even the most eccentric or quirky of tastes and sure to reflect our innermost personality.

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Dream bedroom ideas..

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

By following a few simple rules it’s possible to transform a nicely decorated bedroom into a truly beautiful one.

A personal sanctuary that expresses your own unique personality and those favourite colours. emotions and dreams that we hold dear. We spend upwards of a third of our life in this most private room of the house. Isn’t it worth taking the time to get the ambience and feel just as we would wish it to be, as surely there can be no finer environment to reflect our tastes and ideals on a totally personal level?

Colour tones -

Starting with the colour scheme it’s a fine start to choose soothing tones or a restful palate of monochromatic shades rather than bold primary colours. Gentle hues of green, lavender and blue will always create a calm and serene atmosphere, whilst toasty browns, pomegranate shades and topaz set a mood of coziness and comfort. Or simply select your favourite colour and gently tone it down using accent pieces of the same hue around the room to create harmony and balance.

Ceiling treatments -

The bedroom ceiling is the fifth wall, and yet so often gets overlooked. It’s what we see when we lie in bed so don’t just settle for a bland, blank surface.

Instead, try adding a subtle pattern or soft colour. Painting the ceiling a slightly lighter version of the wall colour helps to visually lower the ceiling and create a feeling of comfort and intimacy.

Other solutions might be to stencil or wallpaper the ceiling in complementary textures or try adding architectural elements in the form of coving or beams.

For ultimate luxury, a canopy or tented bed with dressings that hang from the ceiling, can envelope you in warmth and sensuality whilst adding unique texture and a romantic flavour that changes completely the flavour of the room. Most iron beds or wooden beds will lend themselves to this type of embellishment with spectacular results. Traditional metal beds are particularly suited to canopy ornamentation and as a way of visually linking the ceiling with the rest of the room, it has little equal.

Keeping things simple -

But it’s worth remembering that too much frippery can ruin a room design and simple, sophisticated elegance is the best approach, whatever style of decorative theme you decide upon. Too little space between the bed and side walls or larger pieces of furniture will create instant claustrophobia. In effect, this means furnishing the bedroom with only what you need. A bed, a bedside table or two, a dresser and chair are necessities. Anything more is in danger of becoming superfluous, except for those lucky enough to have room to spare. As such, choosing correctly sized and styles of furniture is crucial.

It’s a good idea to start out with a floor plan and work out exactly where everything is going to fit. Furniture should be in keeping with the shape and character of the room, so it’s pretty obvious that it’s a good idea not to try to squeeze a large brass bedstead into a small room, however much in love you might be with the design.

It’s a trap that many, sadly, fall into!

Conversely, if the bedroom is large with higher ceilings, a bedstead with a high head end or tall headboard will help visibly draw the room height down. Large rooms will happily provide a home for an ottoman or a handsome piece of furniture at the end of the bed.

(please see our blog article for some suggestions here)

And just as large furniture is a no-no for a small room, smaller furniture and accessories will look lost and sad in a large room. It’s all about proportion.

Accessories -

Should be kept to a minimum. Quality rather than quantity is the key. Choosing a beautiful piece of artwork, stone statuary or an evocative sculpture, will be far more alluring than lots of little dust-gathering ornaments. Just add flowers, a cluster of family photos and some strategically placed large church candles, and then leave well alone.

(more…)

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Elements of surprise…

Friday, June 18th, 2010
Iron Daybed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Iron Daybed from The Original Bedstead Company.

LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES.

Some of them wonderful. Some not so great.

But when it comes to home design it is often the element of surprise that simply “makes” a room. Something out of context…

An invited guest that somehow shouldn’t fit in… and yet does. It can be the same with people. Improbable matches that everyone thought would stumble, yet that actually stood the test of time when everyone else was spending money on a divorce lawyer.

Sometimes on the surface things can appear to be so perfect that we suspect something is wrong. We can have the same intuitive feeling when we walk into a room that is perfectly decorated with not an accessory or colour out of place.

To the last detail a room worthy of a magazine feature, ticking all the right style boxes. But then maybe sometimes that “too perfect” feeling invades our senses.

Perhaps we suspect that a little jolt is required to break the spell and add that element of surprise. Something that doesn’t really belong, yet just might. An accent or item that adds a touch of rebellious whimsy and a flavour of intrigue.

And whenever this is the case, the perfect time to consider the unexpected has arrived.

So for your perfectly traditional styled room with matching sofas, tables, chairs, accessories and lighting, why not break the monotony with something ultra modern?

A contemporary painting, minimalist chair or table, or ascetic sculpture could be just what is needed to shock the senses and add a different dimension to the room. It doesn’t need to be anything loud or brash or imposing.

Just a design element that challenges the status quo. Likewise in an ultra contemporary interior with stark white walls, black satin furniture and sleek surfaces, add style contrast for instant effect.

Genuinely old dark wood antique furniture, with sympathetic lighting and careful placement, can look simply fabulous in ascetic environments. Just as an unmistakably traditional Iron beds might prove to be the perfect counterpoint in a modern bedroom setting or a traditional Day bed in a contemporary guest room or hallway.

Even smaller accessories or fabrics will provide a style challenge. Textured floor rugs in bold colours, wildly patterned pillows on a chair, or a pair of antique silver candlesticks on a modern dining room table.

The list is endless and constrained only by imagination. There’s no doubt that anything little or small can have a devastating effect on a design theme that hints at tedium, however well intentioned. It may not work in all instances and sometimes a little trial and error is required, but why not try it and see?

You might just rather like it, even if we’re perfectly honest, we don’t always know quite why.

But then maybe, that’s half the fun!

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Bed end storage and seating solutions

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Through the centuries different cultures and societies have used the foot of the bed as the perfect part of the bedroom as a cosy area to sit awhile or for functional storage furniture that forms a link with the bed itself.

An area of the room that might otherwise be somewhat redundant suddenly fills a valuable comfort and practical need, drawing the eye to the bed itself and adding a new and welcome perspective to the room.

Some modern smaller homes, and many older styles also with perhaps rather cramped bedrooms, do not always offer the space required to accommodate this little luxury. But for those lucky enough to have a large enough master bedroom or guest room, then there are many ways in which the end of the bed can be put to great use with a little imagination and the minimum of effort.

Whether your preference is for a traditional or contemporary Iron Bed or maybe a Wood Bed in any number of different styles, there is sure to be a way to use this little area of the room to great effect.

And for those people who opt for the standard divan set option the message is the same. It’s all about choosing complimentary beauty or function that is going to harmonise with the bedroom decorative style as a whole whilst contributing a valuable role.

Large upholstered benches provide a supremely versatile solution and can serve as a place to sit, a holding area for clothes, or to catch your bedspread at night. Choosing a fabric that enhances the room décor will be super effective and you can give it a seasonal twist with a warm and rich throw during the winter months and a sheer slipover for the summer.

Storage benches, whether upholstered or wooden offer the perfect solution for hiding bedding, linens and pillows. Again, it’s a great place to sit and the bedspread can be stored away here during the night.

A pair of matching chairs or loveseat is the perfect way to make the most of this area of the bedroom. For those who love to read it offers a truly cosy solution with an attractive floor lamp close by to add gentle ambience and maybe a soft throw over or some decorative cushions.

Wicker, old wooden or Iron benches look great at the end of the bed, particularly those that are maybe a little unusual with a special character.

Iron benches work particularly well in casual interiors or in rooms with a vintage feel, the coolness of the metal contrasting nicely with softer furnishings within the room.

When used in conjunction with a metal beds the effect is doubly pleasing. Just a little experimentation and harmonising of textures and colours can produce fabulous results.

Period antique chests or coffers look great in the bedroom and give great balance with softer bedroom furnishings. Old English oak pieces with deep brown/red patinas have a special unique charm and will compliment most bedroom themes as well as providing the perfect storage solution for blankets and other assorted bedroom paraphernalia.

(more…)

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Easy Zen…

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

It is hardly surprising that the pace of life and today’s hectic lifestyles find us craving frequently for calm and a break from our multitasking regimes.

And whilst it’s not easy to side-step the daily frustrations that wear us down, there’s little doubt that a calming home environment can make a huge difference to our state of mind at the close of a busy day. Little wonder therefore that Zen style influences are finding their way into many homes offering a calming oasis in a stylishly minimalist form.

In fact one of the greatest benefits of a Zen styled interior theme is that, by its very nature, it is a surprisingly simple look to achieve with the minimum of effort and for those working to a budget.

Think calm and tranquillity and it should be soft and soothing stimuli that come to mind. Neutral organic muted colours are the benchmark here.

Anything that emulates the shades of nature, are very Zen with nothing vivid or gregarious to detract from the mood. Likewise, an uncluttered approach to design and furnishings is essential.

Zen spaces have no extraneous or unnecessary accessories and ornamentation and furniture should have simple low lines. Fussy detailing and complex patterns are definite spoilers and contemporary or Asian influenced furniture design in neutral solids is the preferred way to go. Simple Zen inspired bedroom themes are always particularly pleasing with silk fabrics and pillows adding a special feeling of calm, easy on both eye and soul.

(more…)

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Moroccan Exotic

Saturday, May 29th, 2010
Iron and Brass Bed from Original Bedstead Company.

Iron and Brass Bed from Original Bedstead Company.

FOR ANYONE looking to introduce a flavour of exotica into their home there can be few better influences to consider than those of Morocco.

Tucked between Europe and Africa with the Atlantic and Mediterranean oceans on the doorstep, Morocco is a country influenced by many different cultures and a vibrant but turbulent history.

Acting as a crossroads for all points of the compass, Moroccan décor blends styles from Spain, Portugal and France to the north, with very strong African, Persian, Mediterranean and Islamic influences from the south and east.

It is this great diversity that gives Morocco a unique and special intrigue with an eclectic and dramatic character. It’s not hard to understand why the elegantly mysterious elements found in Moroccan style décor have such an enticing allure.

And whilst not suited to every home, and with more niche appeal than some more mainstream decorative themes, the look and feel of Moroccan Exotic has, in recent years, become increasingly popular in the West.

Picture Morocco and we doubtless have visions of relentless sunshine, vibrant colours and the bustle of Moroccan bazaars. It is the blazing African sun that dictates much of Morocco’s architecture and design elements, where, through necessity, cool comfort inspired by the landscape and culture, is the dominant theme.

From the glittering coastlines of Tangier and Casablanca, to the snake charmers and spiced fragrances of Marrakesh, inspiration is to be found for many a European home for a touch of exotic flair and luxury.

Admittedly, here in more temperate, less evocative climes, a degree of restraint might be advised if we are to avoid startling the neighbours, and yet there is no doubt that elements of Moroccan exotic can transform the ambiance of a particular room or influence the character of the home as a whole.

Strong colour is the key and should be the focal point for any makeover. Atlantic and Mediterranean inspired blues and greens and shimmering Sahara sands silvers and gold, will all look the part.

Rich reds and oranges conjuring images of African sunsets are just perfect and can feature in wall colour, fabrics and accessories. In fact fabrics with wonderful textures and intricate detailing are found everywhere in Morocco.

Sumptuous cushions piled high, rich throws and pillows and luxurious fabrics draped in abundance, from the ceiling to the floor, are all intrinsically Moroccan to the core. Ornately carved wooden furniture, intricate mosaics, lush upholstery, elegant tassels and jewelled accessories, complete the picture.

The message really does need to be one of enticing luxury and comfort. The luxury theme works nowhere better in the house than in the bedroom for clear and obvious reasons. No environment is better suited to a good measure of comfort and a little decadence, and it’s a great place to make a start on a Moroccan themed room before deciding to perhaps roll the look out to other areas of the home.

Of course, the beauty of this exotic Moroccan design style is that within the bedroom at least, it’s possible to really allow the imagination to run wild and indulge some fantasies. Overhead canopies reminiscent of mosquito netted desert bazaar tents add a flavour of mystery and large tropical specimen plants such as palm or banana would add to the mood and create an oasis-like feel.

Likewise, careful use of mirrors will enhance your Moroccan bedroom by subtly reflecting light and adding interest to walls and a feeling of space. As with furniture choice, look out for mirrors that feature decorative wrought iron work or deeply carved wood or jewelled detailing.

The bed itself is of course, the centre point of any bedroom. Again, an intricate Iron Bed design with overhead canopy and acres of throws, bolsters, cushions and crisp linens, might be just perfect

The Armoy Brass bed in rich golden antique brass with tassel detailing and inviting flowing lines is already most of the way there.

Opulent and glamorous, it defines exotic style and would look fabulous within any Moroccan inspired decorative theme. To complete the look, plush Persian rugs on a dark hardwood floor will add further to the feeling of luxury, and subdued lighting created by pendants and lamps made from coloured glass with scrolled metal detailing offers soothing ambiance.

Likewise, using candles in traditional lamps will add the romantic element of moving light, as will sensual scents to conjure all those exotic Moroccan images. Incense and candles rich with spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and wild berries, will all complement this truly different yet uniquely enticing decorative proposition.

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Iron Beds….”any colour you like”

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
Iron Beds - Hamilton from Original Bedstead

Iron Beds - Hamilton from Original Bedstead

“ANY COLOUR YOU LIKE as long as it’s black”?

Well, actually no, although Henry Fords’ well known quote might have  some relevance to the Iron Bed designs of the mid 19th century and even as long ago as the era of the Industrial Revolution, more than a little flair and dextrous use of colour was not out of the question. The Victorians certainly pursued elaborate style and glamorous design and many of the Iron Beds of the age simply oozed these qualities with, for those who had deep enough pockets, exuberant use of brass, opulent mother of pearl and rich ceramic detailing.

Colour options would have been far less varied and more muted then, than those that we have become accustomed to expect in more recent years, and whilst black would certainly have been predominant, deep reds and greens amongst others clearly also found favour with clientele of a more extrovert nature.

Colours and textures, like design and styling trends, have always moved in and out of vogue, often, it could be argued as a reflection of the public or economic mood of the time or as a response to more subtle catwalk and marketing inspired influences.

Whatever the catalyst, there is no doubt that the wealth of colour trends and designs for Iron Bed collections has never been greater than at present, to harmonise with or inspire any number of bedroom design themes.

For traditionally styled Iron Beds, a black finish in all its guises; satin, textured or glossy, remains ever popular in deference to those timeless Victorian predecessors. Brass ornamentation or gold highlighting works particularly well with this finish and is unlikely to date or fall from favour.

Increasingly popular however, particularly in recent years is IVORY, which once again looks particularly inviting when teamed with brass detailing and suits not just traditionally styled Iron Bed designs, but a vast number of decorative styles, offering, as it does, a gentler, more feminine and softer statement.

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Brass Beds….the time to buy?

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

The vagaries of the metal markets have rarely been so acute as the roller- coaster price of copper continues within the framework of an inexorable climb.

Fueled by difficult exchange rate forces and the catastrophic recent earthquakes in Chile, the price of copper is now well in excess of $7,000 a tonne, almost double that of the market price twelve short months ago.

As most will know, copper is the key ingredient of the alloy Brass with zinc being the other constituent.

On the global scene, it is a hugely important material in use for decorative and industrial purposes in all walks of life, including of course for the manufacture of the ever-glamorous Brass Beds.

Chile is the largest world producer of copper by far, and whilst the recent earthquake largely spared the major mining regions, the damage to the country infrastructure was such that there were bound to be huge supply ramifications with consequential market price implications.

As the price instability continues in the wake of this natural disaster, there can surely be little doubt that the price of copper will remain high, hitting hard, the manufactured goods consumer.

So, is now a good time to invest in a reproduction Brass Bed as future raw material costs look set to escalate? Possibly so, and in these uncertain times, who might be bold enough to make such a prediction…?

But history does have a strange habit of repeating itself, and this little cutting from the August 30th edition of The New York Times back in 1916 perhaps reminds us only too poignantly of this fact…

(more…)

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Modern bed dressing…success lies with the detail….

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Selkirk Solo - Iron Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Selkirk Solo - Iron Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Challoch - Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company

Challoch - Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company

Swansea - Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Swansea - Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Ascot - Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

Ascot - Wooden Bed from The Original Bedstead Company.

THE 21st CENTURY CONTEMPORARY BEDROOM in which a simple platform or modern metal bedstead is the one item of design statement, when surrounded by little more than clear floor space and matching furniture, can appear austere in the extreme without other visual interest. For it is the accessories and the colours that add up dynamism and character to minimalist bedroom environments, where texture and vibrancy really comes into play.

Adding another level of interest with a sumptuous fake fur throw or a thick waffle blanket can introduce a deco-esque feel. Likewise, stripy animal print bed throws or possibly even a headboard in the same fabric can produce stunning results.

When walls and the bed colour are neutral, the introduction of a sharp jolt of colour in the form of sensual turquoise or ruby red bolsters and cushions can result in an equally enticing feel.

Topically organic materials such as wool, hessian, cotton and linen are all easy companions for a naturally decorated bedroom and work in great empathy with modern or more traditional wood beds and furniture, resulting in a warm and inviting mix of textures.

Ever popular, crisp white and buttermilk cotton bed dressings are always compatible with airy contemporary bedrooms, reflecting the designers’ passion for functional simplicity and a neutral colour statement.

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