We have a huge appreciation for all things antique and vintage on Apartment Therapy, particularly beds. Contrary to popular belief, they're actually quite versatile and can be mixed in with all different styles. Don't think you're too modern for a little antique gem.
Some prefer to update their vintage beds with a little paint, while others want the original piece to shine in all its original glory. No way is the right way — I'll take them all!
I've never met a vintage bed I didn't wish we could call my own!
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The biggest challenge with vintage and antique beds can be finding mattresses and bedding that fits — before standardization, the sizing was all over the place. What do you think of vintage beds?
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Looks, yes. But pitfalls that have dogged us:
1) Double instead of Queen size
2) Squeaky
3) Fragile
If anyone knows where to get a vintage iron bed that is really solid, I want to know!
<i<I've never met a vintage bed I didn't wish we could call my own!
That sentence right there sums up the problem with "we."
I've always wanted one like in picture three.
@p_capucine--I was having the same problem, and I ended up buying the LILLESAND bed frame from IKEA. It has the look of a vintage iron bed, but it's super-sturdy. I've had it for two years, and not one squeak or wobble--the spindles in the head- and footboards are welded, so they will never come loose.
@iphigenia - thanks for the tip! We have an Ikea wicker bed from ten years ago right now, and boy that thing is solid like I never imagined during my vintage bed years, so I'm inclined to believe you. I'm actually considering a vintage headboard bolted to an Ikea frame...might not work whatsoever, but I so want to move beyond the Ikea tier in life!
Really old ones tend to be super solid, I think, I've had two (still do actually) and they're build better than new ones. I taped up two loose bits and will sort them with metal glue when I get a chance.
As for mattress sizes, my boyfriend is really tall and our bed is over 7 ft, so I've been researching custom mattresses, have found a surprisingly large amount just charge per the extra amount of mattress (ie. no "custom" fee, just for the extra work).
As a hint, old beds are also easier to extend with the help of a welder because they're made properly.
Here's our iron bed we got on freecyle http://annabelvita.com/paisley-bed-pie-aka-a-fabric-factory-threw-up (it's a bit bashed in and I intend to give it some tlc)
And here's the one we paid good money for
http://www.flickr.com/photos/annabelvita/5020360032/