finding an "antique" queen guest bed

by | Jul 21, 2014 | Favorite Finds, Guest Room, My House | 47 comments

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I’m still sorting through all of the inquiries about the bed that I received in response to yesterday’s post, but I think it’s safe to assume I’m going to be able to find a buyer for it!  I also received a lot of interesting comments about the price of the bed, so I’m going to speak to that in another post. I think you’ll all be interested in know why I price some things so low.  It has a lot to do with who I am and where this business started.  That’s for another post, though.  This post is about what will be replacing the hand painted Bavarian bed.

  Now that we’re switching the guest bed from a full to a queen, I wanted to find a proper frame for the bed.  Jeff didn’t understand this.  He said something like, “You just put it on one of those metal frames and there you go.”  Yes.  You can do that.  We did that with our bed for years and I know a lot of other people do that as well and it is just fine.  But to me, it lends a hint of a college apartment.  And when I’ve tried just adding a headboard, it feels somewhat hotel-room-ish to me.  And the blankets slide off the end of the bed.  I might be in the minority, here, because I see beds all over the place with just a headboard.  There are some beautiful ones, don’t get me wrong.  I feel like I’m perhaps digging myself into a hole at the moment, so I’ll just admit that it’s a preference on my part to have a proper bed frame for the beds in my house.  The cat’s out of the bag.

One reason we had just a metal frame for our own queen bed for so long is that I couldn’t find an antique bed frame that would fit a queen mattress and I couldn’t find a new bed that had the antique look I was going for.  (I know you can sometimes convert a full to a queen, but I haven’t heard many success stories with that.)  Anyway, when I did find something I loved that was the right size, it was really expensive.  I finally lucked out and the bed I had been admiring for years on Restoration Hardware (the Vienne) went on final clearance and I got it at almost half off.  I still had to take a deep breath when I pushed the buy button, because I’m used to buying stuff secondhand, but it has been worth every cent.  I love that bed.

As I started looking at possible frame options for the guest room, I came across the same problem.  The frames that were new and affordable looked too modern or traditional or just not right for my taste.  The beautiful antique beds I could find on Craig’s List were all full or 3/4 sized. I shared my angst with Jeff and he pointed out I had only been trolling the internet for a couple of hours.  Perhaps a longer search will yield results.  “No, no.  You don’t understand.  This search has been going on for years!”   So, I went back to Restoration Hardware and I lucked out on another sale.  I bought the French Academie Bed in distressed white.

I also cashed in some money from my Points credit card to pay for some of it, so it ended up being an even better bargain.

It is a totally different direction from the hand painted Bavarian-style bed, but I’m okay with that.

If you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty comfortable with change.

I did browse around for some inspiration before I pressed the buy button…

 

(I couldn’t find the original sources for these pictures.)

Both of these images gave me that visual confirmation that this style of bed would work with my style of decorating.  I knew that in my head, but sometimes it’s nice to have a picture that proves it!

I like that the shape of the RH frame has a European look about it, but it still looks like a piece that would feel at home in a farm house.  It’ll work with the grain sack upholstered Bergere chair as well as the more rustic wooden stools used for side tables.  I also like that the headboard has a solid panel to lean against if you’re reading or working on a laptop in bed.  Most iron beds are spindly and not very comfortable to lean against.  I think the design of this bed addresses that.

Our guest room is a small, awkward shape, so it’s going to be a tight squeeze, but we don’t hold dances or pingpong tournaments in the room, so I’m sure it’ll be just fine.

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    47 Comments

    1. Angela Wallis

      Marion, I still can’t believe after keeping that magazine picture (for how long)? and finally being able to create your dream bed, you are selling it. There must be more to this story. Looking forward to the transformation.

    2. Nancy W

      To Marian,
      A tough decision on your part but I get it 🙂 From what I gather, your paintbrush might not be idle as it looks as if the headboard and the footboard panels might be your next project?

      Just call me psychic…

    3. Debbie Klausing

      This bed will turn out just great for you! I saw a chest that reminded me of your Bavarian bed and posted it on my Facebook page, although I actually prefer your style and colors.You could always paint some little piece if you miss that bed! You are moving right on…hopefully into that house with your name on it. I have been following you for years. Thanks for the blessings!

    4. beverly

      I like your new bed, but I’m wondering if the reason that you were having a problem finding an antique bed in Queen-size is that they just weren’t being made. I don’t recall seeing Queen bedding available until the 1960’s and that’s entirely too young to be a legitimate antique. Were you able to find any at all or just didn’t like your options?

      • marian

        Oh yeah, antique queen beds are very rare and have usually been modified to fit a queen. I had hopes when I started my search years ago that I would find more modern counterparts to the antiques I liked, but they were all very expensive.

    5. leahbeth

      Look forward to what comes next!
      Your inspiration photos are from country living magazine. Just happened to be looking at their decorating with white book and there they were!

    6. Robin Leach

      The pictures are from my favorite decorating book “decorating with white”. It’s the most beautiful book ever. The cover looks like white wicker. You found a lovely bed, Marian, but nothing will replace that hand painted bed in my heart!

    7. Marianne Davies

      I really like your new guest bed. It will look great in your home. I love Restoration Hardware.

    8. StartCloseIn

      You always find the most gorgeous pieces! Whoever gets the handpainted bed will be so lucky, and the new bed is just gorgeous! I love iron beds and have often struggled to figure out how to have a queen, too. Great choice! I also always love hearing how you manage the finances of it all.

    9. Yuko Jones | northfield gate

      I think your new RH bed will be lovely in your guest bedroom. And you’re right – finding an antique bed frame for a queen mattress is not easy. And all those details do matters!. It’s a slow going in our home, but I enjoy collecting the items that we love and live every day surrounded by beauty. Looking forward to seeing your guest bedroom update! xx

    10. Suzan

      The new bed is lovely. I do have a comment about not being able to find a good solution to convert a double bed to a queen. I have an antique double bed and converted it very successfully with metal rails designed for that purpose. I don’t have the original pretty sides of the frame but I do have the head and footboard. Those were the most important things to me. With dust ruffle, quilt and 6 to 8 pillows, you cannot see that the mattress extends just 3 inches wider than the head and footboard on either side. Sadly I will not be able to do that with the antique rope bed I am inheriting from my parents!

    11. Anne

      When I was a teenager I inherited a handmade 3/4 spool style bed from my great-grandparents farm. My father built a wooden base (with 6 drawers for storage) and attached the head and footboard to it. I stained the base to match although you don’t see it much with dust ruffles and oversized quilts. A good pillowtop mattress and you can’t tell it is not a full size. I still have it nearly 45 years later. Right now I am converting a Jenny Lind 3/4 bed into 2 single beds for a bedroom for when my 2 grand-daughters sleep over. They are helping to decorate it and it will be their room. The other spare room will be the guest room.

    12. Teresa

      Marian,
      I don’t recall seeing many true antique queen size beds unless there had been some modifications made to it. We have a full size antique bed in one of our guest bedrooms that came from Ireland and belonged to my husbands great-grandmother.

      I do know what you mean about not having a footboard. We bought a new gorgeous upholstery headboard bed last year and I opted not to get the footboard. I kind of regret it now for the same reasons you stated. I know you will put your “special touch” on the new bed and its going to look beautiful.

    13. Gillianne

      Your new RH bed will work beautifully (and a sale price + points sure helps).
      My husband and I can’t sleep with a footboard. We both slide down at night, kick out the tucked-in bedding, and hang our feet off the bed (we did that lifelong before we met). Anything that keeps the bedding tucked in and imprisons our feet is just plain uncomfortable. We have platform beds, and frames both with and without headboards, but not a footboard in the house. Interesting how preferences develop!

      • Carla

        I’m like you Gillianne. I can’t stand to be “tucked in”.

      • marian

        Ha! That is so funny! My covers always slide off the bed without a footboard, so I don’t like sleeping without them. 🙂 To each his own!

    14. RoseMary Knight

      That bed would look lovely on its own or maybe stencilled in something similar to what you did on the Bavarian bed.

    15. Chick Voice

      I love iron beds and when I recieved an unexpected bonus at work a few years ago, I splurged and bought the bed of my dreams, king sized, in just the finish I wanted. I call it my Fairy Princess Bed and love it every night. If you want to drool over iron beds check out antiqueironbeds.com. They don’t have the model I bought anymore, but its similar to the Dawson, Open Toe. I think their prices are quite resonable for the quality and choices.

    16. Claudia

      I also like a “proper” bed with a headboard and footboard. I really like old beds best. Since I’m single and live in a very small house, a full sized bed is perfect for me.

    17. Kate

      Man, that footboard is just begging for some decorative painting! If it was mine, I’d have my paintbrushes out in a hearbeat. A blank canvas.

    18. Anita

      I love your choice!

      Paula Deen has a really nice metal bed, too.

    19. Pam

      I have two beds similar to the ones in this post. Sandy Foster from My Shabby Streamside Studio said they are Langley beds. They’re at our lake house and I’ve always wanted to bring them home for our girls. Now they’re all out of the house. So I’d really like to bring one home to use but we just bought a queen sized mattress. I need to make those blue and white quilts!

    20. Jelena

      Marian, I can relate to you on the issue of proper bed frames, but I have a purely practical reason for that. Tall people in my family literally tend to slide off bed if there is no footboard to prevent that. 🙂

      Unfortunately, I must say I am a bit disappointed with the new direction for your guest room. The white metal bed frame somehow looks too “sterile,” almost like a hospital bed. I like the rich design of the Bavarian bed much better. Sorry!

      • marian

        I know. I’m sad to see it go as well, but sometimes comfort and practicality wins out. I know I can make a room really special around this bed.

    21. Roseann

      Marion, What every you decide…..We all know some how it will be just beyond. That said…keep the Bavarina bed….it will go in your next quest room.

    22. Peggy

      I have to admit I was shaking my head at a lot of the comments being made yesterday about the pricing of the bed… I even commented to my husband that so many folks just didn’t get it. It is so NOT you, I totally understood where you were coming from.

      (and if I haven’t said it before we are in LOVE with the chairs… best purchase EVER! it was if they were made to go with our table and the whole room.)

      This bed is incredible! We looked at in and almost took the plunge and bought it. For now we are sticking with the vintage full size one we have… that in itself is another story saved for another day.

      Your guest room is going to be incredible and your guests will feel loved. You put so much thought into the design of each room.. making each one a sanctuary.

      • marian

        Aw, thanks, Peggy! 🙂

    23. Jamie

      I can’t believe you have the same picture I have saved for a guest room. I fell in love with the iron beds and blue and white quilts.
      I ended up doing a queen bed with a blue and white block printed quilt. I’m making a headboard out of some old paneled doors painted in your linen colored milk paint since I could not find an iron bed that big.
      The room went from wanting that country look to a West Indies look which is just as well as it fits the dark antique furniture in the rest of the room. Funny how you start out with an idea and end up with something else. Can’t wait to see how your new bed comes out.

    24. Margie

      This was my thought as well! Queens weren’t made until the 60’s!

    25. Rachel

      I loved the Barvarian, but I love this bed too! It reminds me of an early 1900’s English hospital bed, so romantic and so Downton Abbey. I’m sure that it won’t be long before the panels on the bed are adorned with the magic touch of MMS.

    26. Gwen

      Had you been eying that bed for awhile for it is so unusual. It’s an iron bed but I love the panels at the head and foot. It gives it a unique look that is so much nicer than beds I’ve been looking at for fun for a twin bed.
      Looks perfect for your style and many styles!!!! And you found it so quickly makes it just work right!!!

    27. Cheapdiva

      Living with a husband who refuses to have the sheet tucked in on his side at the bed bottom, is one reason we don’t have a footboard. I hope at some point in my life to have a bed with a lovely antique headboard AND footboard!!!!

    28. tammigirl

      What I’ve been told by people ‘in the business’ (after buying an antique bed which I was told was a queen, but when I got it to my daughter’s new apartment, it was not) is queen beds were not made before the 50’s or 60’s. (I cant not remember which year they said)

      This is why it’s impossible – if someone has a true antique they’re saying is queen – they only think it’s queen.

      I have a bed from my great uncle which was well done when it was made to accommodate a queen size mattress, but it’s nothing fancy, unfortunately.

    29. Alicia Quiles

      Love the bed Marian–that is something I would choose. We have an iron antique replica bed in our bedroom and I love it. I like the distressed white too! I attached a picture of our bed! I think I’d like to paint it oil rubbed bronze someday.

    30. Nikki

      I love your choice! It’s beautiful!

    31. mary young

      I remember back in the 1950’s we had neighbors who lived in this authentic french country house across the street. Anyway they wanted a biger bed so they took two twin beds and
      turned them crosswise on a lovely headboard. They had somekind of bridge thing made out of
      foam rubber to bridge the gap. Worked for them!

    32. Lee

      I think your choice is nice, I love wrought iron beds too and have been mulling over one for my master bedroom but decided to go a little bit coastal. The end of the bed looks solid but great to be able to maybe place an ottoman there to soften it and add some pillows.

      My favourite image is the first one you have with the painting above the bed…I can envisage your room looking very much like this. It will be gorgeous whatever you do to finish it off.

      btw, I think the price of your bed was very reasonable and I am sure someone will snap it up for sure.

      Lee 🙂

    33. Lee

      I think your choice is nice, I love wrought iron beds too and have been mulling over one for my master bedroom but decided to go a little bit coastal. The end of the bed looks could maybe benefit from an Ottoman being placed there to soften it.

      My favourite image is the first one you have with the painting above the bed…I can envisage your room looking very much like this. It will be gorgeous whatever you do to finish it off.

      btw, I think the price of your bed was very reasonable and I am sure someone will snap it up for sure.

      Lee 🙂

    34. Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

      IMO, it’s always, always a mistake to pinch pennies when buying shoes or mattresses/box springs/bed. We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed…it’s got to be “right” or…why bother? I’ve not “made do” with a bed in decades and never intend to “make do” again. Stearns and Foster mattress and box spring on a hand crafted cherry frame means beauty and good sleep.
      As for shoes…we spend about 2/3 of our lives on our feet; why on earth buy cheap shoes? It’s a recipe for pain, now and later.

      • marian

        Ha! I agree! We really splurged on our bed and mattress for that reason. 🙂

    35. Sally

      Oh my, I love what you chose! I’m sure you will make it look absolutely beautiful, I can’t wait to see! I bought four dining chairs from Restoration Hardware at the beginning of the year and they have been great.
      Sally @cottagefix

    36. Constance

      I love the Rustic Glass House With Hinged Top in their Warm Summer Accents event. I really have to refrain from falling in love with and buying a new item from them almost every day.

    37. Ginene Nagel~Fox and Finch Antiq

      As a person who loves everything old, I have to say…that RH bed is BEAUTIFUL and they sell quality furniture.
      Just a reminder to all, two antique or vintage twin beds make a king-size bed if you want to have a footboard. And, two standard antique iron fence panels are the perfect size for a king bed headboard with no footboard. It is an inexpensive alternative. Just to throw that in to the mix!
      I’ve never seen a queen or king size antique or vintage bed, but people come in and ask for them all the time.
      Marian, last month I bought two double-size feather beds at an auction. They were made on a farm in the 1940s with chicken feathers and have beautiful ticking covers. Did you see those in use when you lived in Germany? Unfortunately, the cleaners wanted 400.00 to take the feathers out, clean them and put them back the clean ticking! Darn! I really wanted to see what sleeping on a feather bed was like. One of them is at least 8 inches thick. I’ve heard these are still used in Germany and Austria. Has anyone ever slept on one?

    38. Tammy

      The new guess room will look beautiful after it’s been Mustardized! i can’t wait to see the new room, new house, new look, etc.

      I know what you mean by too small of a bed in the guest room. We have an antique bed similar in style to the one you sold in a full or I would have been begging to buy your bed. Back in the olden day, people use to sleep in separate beds. There would be either two full or twin beds in the room. Or there would be either a full size bed for snuggling because it was cold and fireplaces in the bedroom help to heat the room. Children would sleep two-four to a full size bed. Things have changed over the years.

    39. Tammy

      I meant new “guest” room. LOL

    40. Karen

      Hi there!! AWESOME find on the bed…I was wondering how it has held up. I really want to buy it right now, but it’s on Final Sale so I can’t return it. 🙁 I am super scared to risk that…especially as so many metal beds are rickety. Any input is welcome. I can’t find reviews! thanks 🙂

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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