Posts Tagged ‘Original Bedstead’

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Some more thoughts on yellow décor…

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Bright and sunny shades of yellow are a great choice for bedroom themes and an inspired alternative to the mainstream neutral tones which are so often the default choice for wall and ceiling tones. A backdrop of yellow can be used as the start point for many décor makeovers that reflect individual personalities and accessory preference, but as always it’s important to start with a décor theme in mind if one colour is not to dominate the room. This is particularly relevant with yellow tones but easy to achieve with careful selection of furniture and room accents that tie the look together.

For a touch of chic, decorate with yellow and complement the yellow theme with accents of black and white, such as a black patterned border or a black and white bedspread. Black and white accents against yellow give the room a big-city chic feel which might be further enhanced with the addition of black candle holders and white pillar candles and monochrome photographs and prints in black or silver frames. Add a satin black traditional iron bed to the mix for a fabulous focal point and complement the metal with dark wooden room furniture or matching bedside tables.

For a more mellow country yellow flavour, antique wooden furniture pieces always work well against a sunny backdrop, or consider a reproduction wooden bedstead to inspire the room design as a whole. This room style works well when white and blue accents are incorporated such as white and blue porcelain and a light blue bedspread atop the traditional bed to tie the whole look together. Country homes often feature a faded yellow or derivatives of yellow for a welcoming flavour that always looks good with aged wooden floors and white woodwork. Old oak coffers, bible boxes or an antique nursing chair will all be at home here offering pleasing contrast with storage and comfort practicality.

If you are in the mood for a slightly more tropical flavour give a master bedroom a  tropical vibe by combining yellow with bright colours and floral prints. Use bright greens, oranges, and blues to create a sunny space that will make every day feel like a summer holiday. Oversize floral prints will help to create the mood whilst not overwhelming the theme, but instead tying together bright colour combinations and the base yellow tones. Again, wooden bed designs and matching furniture will enhance the tropical flavour. Heavy wood styles, perhaps with forged metal detailing evoke a flavour of the Mediterranean or the tropics, with metal and brightly coloured porcelain accessories completing the picture.

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The best way to sleep?

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Here at the Original Bedstead Company, we’ve been doing a little digging around of late, to see if there really is a best position for truly comfortable sleep.

As individuals it seems pretty obvious that we will all have preferred sleeping habits and that from a health perspective,some might be better than others.

But what we didn’t know is, that by making a few adjustments here and there, it’s possible to get a really good nights sleep, whatever our sleeping position of choice.

Back sleepers rejoice as this is actually the preferred position for sleeping as it places the least amount of stress on the spine, although those who suffer with a snoring partner will know that back sleeping is not always conducive to an undisturbed night!

Making sure that the head is in a neutral position by investing in a specially shaped pillow or using a rolled up towel to support the neck will  enhance the sleep experience.

And placing a pillow under the knees will take the stress off the lower back. A regular pillow works just fine for this.

Finally, for those of us with continental style adjustable beds, it’s worth raising the foot end a little, so that our feet are at the same level as our heads. For optimum night time blood circulation, this is a must.

Side sleepers are at risk of putting stress on the spine, although by using a cervical pillow, the effect is minimised.

Once again, it’s all about keeping the neck and head in a neutral position with no unnatural forces in any one direction. Placing a pillow between the knees helps to aid comfort also and is good for anyone with hip joint pain. And it’s a good idea to avoid sleeping with the arms above the head, as this can cause stress to the nerves that lead from the neck to the arms, creating tingling and numbness.

Stomach sleepers place the most stress on their neck region as the head is turned to one side or another, often for hours at a time.

The body will normally try to shift position to compensate, which is why belly sleepers will habitually toss and turn. Placing a pillow under the waist and dispensing entirely with the head pillow will help to minimise the stress to the muscles and joints, and of course there are other factors that will help.

We all know that a good quality mattress is essential for a good nights sleep whatever sleeping position you might prefer.

Old saggy mattresses are unlikely to ever provide enough support whilst too –soft new mattresses might feel great in the showroom, but after a nights sleep are likely to leave us feeling un-rested and aching.

Supportive but not too firm is the ideal criteria and there’s simply no substitute for good sales advice here and lots of trying and testing!

All common sense stuff we suppose, but we’re still constantly surprised at how many people still manage to get it wrong. Like so many things in life, a little research and investment of time initially, can pay huge dividends in the long run.

And surely no more important when it comes to our state of wellbeing, health and comfort, whatever our sleeping characteristics!

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Queen Victoria’s Bed

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

WITHIN THE ARCHIVES of famous beds, there must surely be a place for Queen Victoria’s majestic wooden half tester which presided majestically in her private bed chamber at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

It was where she was to spend her final days before her death on 22nd January 1901 attended by her personal physician, Dr James Reid.

As her life drew to an end, the doctor found it impractical to attend to her within the vastness of her grand bedstead and she was transferred to a smaller single bed within the royal room. It was to be the end of a remarkable reign lasting over 63 years, the longest of any serving British monarch and signalled the end of The House of Hanover.

During her time as Queen, Victoria had presided over the expansion of the British Empire and the industrialisation of Great Britain. Possibly the most significant period of change in recent British history and an era that was forever to bear her name.

It was this hugely important era of industrial revolution that was to give us the new metalworking skills that produced some of the finest engineering work and design led innovation of recent times.

The romantic Iron bedstead that still remains close to our hearts today, saw it’s zenith here.

As an example of excellence and an indication of our affection for this period of history and the craftsmanship that it spawned, it is surely a perfect case in point.

Victoria died, surrounded by her children and Edward V11 commissioned Hubert von Herkomer to paint the death bed portrait. A plaque was installed above the famous bed and the room was to become a family shrine for the next fifty years.

The Queen never recovered emotionally from the death of her husband, Prince Albert and on the headboard of the bed was his pocket watch and a tinted photograph of the Prince after his death.

The Queen had always had these two objects hanging from the headboard of her bed in every royal residence. Her demise heralded an end to a somewhat austere but unquestionably hugely influential era, which was to shape so much of what we treasure as a nation today.

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Zen calm

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010


MANIC 21st CENTURY lifestyles have a lot to answer for.

Workplace stress and family demands all take their toll, so it’s little wonder that the popularity of Zen style home design is on the increase.

Neutral and natural, the Zen approach to decor is inherently simple and calming. As a soothing answer and the perfect release valve at the end of the day, Zen inspired home-style might just prove to be the perfect oasis of peace.

Better still, it’s an easy look to achieve without breaking the bank although may require a little self discipline when it comes to de-cluttering and keeping things tidy!

With this in mind, for those of us who can’t resist hoarding and have a penchant for “stuff”, this style is unlikely to get off the ground.

Zen spaces have no clutter and little ornamentation, so a clean and organised approach is essential.

Colours are invariably neutral and warm.

Flashy or vivid colour tones have no place here, and likewise, furniture choice should be restrained with simple low lines and the minimum of detailing. Modern or Asian style furniture in neutral solids such as natural light woods work best, complemented with silk fabrics and soft upholstery.

In the bedroom this translates particularly well and a low and simple contemporary metal beds design such as the Clola in soft glossy silver finish, might be just perfect.

Neutrally coloured pillows and a silk bed-throw would provide the finishing touch for a truly inviting combination. In this environment some recessed lighting would also work well, with reading lamps finished with a rice paper shade.

And of course, no Zen interior is complete without some Asian inspired room screens for use as room dividers, or perhaps more importantly to screen any non- Zen items that you might want to keep close to hand.

Flooring could be stone or wood in keeping with the natural theme, softened with sisal or woven reed area rugs. In fact natural sustainable materials are always going to be at home here, and bamboo plants, pebbles and particularly water features, will all lend a calming influence. Keeping everything as simple as possible whilst avoiding an overly clinical look is the trick.

Accordingly, window treatments should be naturally sheer or plain white with no ornamentation, with bamboo blinds the perfect solution for whenever additional privacy is required. Minimalist and yet undoubtedly elegant, everything in a Zen inspired room should calm the eye and spirit.

For many, as the ultimate sanctuary at the end of the day, it has few equals. Whether confined to just one room in the house, such as the bedroom, or as a theme carried throughout, few would argue that we would all benefit from a little Zen style calm from time to time.

Food for thought maybe?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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