Good Question: Rails for Norman Bel Geddes Bed?

Hi Boston AT, I recently purchased a full sized headboard, foot board, and 2 side tables by Norman Bel Geddes on Craigslist for $150. I was ecstatic...until I realized that finding the correct side rails for the bed is extremely difficult. I contacted the seller who informed me she did not have the side rails and rested the footboard on top of the two side tables as a desk...

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Does anyone know anyone who sells, makes these? I contacted someone on ebay, and various vintage/antique sellers but no luck... Someone on craigslist was giving away a bed with the side rails for free. I emailed the seller and got a response saying that she changed her mind and wanted around $250 for the entire bed. Any help is greatly appreciated

Thanks, Keyse

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Comments (9)

Have you tried a mattress or furniture store?

If they are metal than you can have them fabricated by any company that makes metal fences- or even a body shop. My husband works at a Univ. that has a welding dept. and he gets stuff made all the time (springs for chairs etc...) so that might also be an option.

can you just flip the current pice upside down, get some slats from IKEA to sit on the lip?

oh, and rig up supports in the middle or see if the IKEA midbeam could be hacked to work?

Since the existing hooks are bolted onto the headboard and footboard, they shouldn't be too difficult to remove - Then you could use simple bolt-on rails:

http://www.thesleepshop.com/store/pc/Twin-Full-Size-Bed-Rails-16p88.htm

Once these are in place - you won't need slats as your boxspring will provide all the support you need between the metal rails...

...however if you do decide to go without a boxspring and use a super-deep mattress you will need some slats - just have your local hardware store cut some plywood to size in 6" strips

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have contacted almost every bed store and vintage dealers in MA and beyond...This bed has become a fun challenge on my resource skills :)

bepsf, that sounds like a great idea! I found someone on CL selling a vintage bed with what appears to be the rails I need...if it doesn't work out I will try your method.

I had the same problem with a king sized bed frame that I bought at an auction in Philly. I ended up buying wood slats from Ikea and attaching them to the bed frame. It works great and it is really sturdy. You may need a beam in the middle. I attached a solid wood beam (from home depot) in the middle with metal hinges and laid the wood ikea slats on the beam.
This is what the frame looked like without the rails and slats:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7rFt6zCW_AQ/SbcTY65UrPI/AAAAAAAAADM/5kE5EkPywDQ/s1600-h/DSC00326.JPG

Try goodwill or st.vincent de paul. I have seen them there all the time.

Hi everyone -
I found an awesome seller on CL who delivered the side rails tonight. They fit perfectly and he didnt charge a lot! I let him keep the headboard and footboard bc he said he could probably sell them without the side rails.

Now, depending on how the mattress rests on the side rails I will follow Madie's suggestion.

Thanks!