Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Can anyone recommend me a brass bed for my lovely new post-divorce life?

42 replies

RickiTarr · 13/03/2021 20:12

I would like actual brass or maybe something more coppery. Either traditional Victorian design or something more inter-war but definitely a vintage kind of style.

Double sized. Preferably quite high and firm.

I’m not sure if a £500-600 - frame only- budget is realistic, (because I’m finding it hard to judge the quality of what I’m looking at) although that was my initial idea. I want quality over penny pinching, though, so will go higher if I need to.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 10:29

Someone help me. I’m going to be bedless! Smile

I’m sure there’s a code that helps you tell the crap from the proper brass but I’m not getting it.

OP posts:
Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 10:34

I very much like this, which is very similar to what I was originally picturing. Is this what I should expect to pay for a decent one?

cornishbeds.co.uk/products/victoria?variant=19912130822241

I also like this, which is a slightly different from my initial idea.

www.made.com/starke-double-bed-copper

I’m mostly trying to understand the price v quality situation.

OP posts:
Chimoia · 15/03/2021 10:35

Bumping. Yes, it's not as simple as pay more get the good quality is it. I hope you find your bed OP and enjoy your new life in any case.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement
Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 10:38

Thanks @Chimoia 😊

OP posts:
Loocheeyar · 15/03/2021 10:45

Look for iron bedsteads

Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 10:51

Iron? Okay will look, thanks.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 15/03/2021 10:55

Shock at the price of the Cornish beds one. It looks really cheap and nasty too (sorry OP).

Argos do one for £300 that looks nicer and has good reviews. Certainly agree with the poster who says it's not a case of you get what you pay for.

Lots of options if you google.

We have a similar style Ikea frame in brushed steel finish so will have been cheap, and it's at least 20 years old and still in as new condition and perfectly solid.

DrDetriment · 15/03/2021 10:57

Look at antique shops and online auctions like the Sale Room. You can pick up a genuine Victorian brass bed for a few hundred pounds. Much nicer than a modern reproduction. Look for Winfield beds as they're really good.

Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:18

looks really cheap and nasty too (sorry OP).

No it’s fine I’m completely at sea here. I’m looking at the yellow brass thinking “do they mellow?” Grin

Look at antique shops and online auctions like the Sale Room. You can pick up a genuine Victorian brass bed for a few hundred pounds. Much nicer than a modern reproduction. Look for Winfield beds as they're really good.

Tempted. It was actually a long ago visit to a (Sussex?) barn full of disassembled original antique metal beds that planted this seed in my head. They were varied and they were wonderful but then-DH wasn’t keen. I feel like I’d need to revise even more for that, though. Definitely tempting.

OP posts:
colouringindoors · 15/03/2021 11:21

Had the same idea OP! Keep an eye on used ones on ebay...

Gassylady · 15/03/2021 11:22

Slept in beds like this a few times in B&Bs etc. Never found them too comfy and always creaky/rattlely. Perhaps when we can book a stay somewhere to try one out. Top tip when mattress hunting make sure ifs not soo heavy that you’d struggle to turn it

onyourway · 15/03/2021 11:25

@RickiTarr , we got a couple of beds in that barn, over 20 years ago.

Most recent bed was from a furniture charity shop - lovely metal king size frame for £70.

The Sussex beds have slowly disintegrated to be honest Smile

cissyandbessy · 15/03/2021 11:26

Got one like this in Next a few years ago and was told to take care when setting up and get the heaviest I could afford to stop squeaking. Also never to drag it along to move it - make sure you dismantle at least the middle support leg again to stop future squeaking. Has worked so far and I love it - mines a pewter one.

Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:29

I have to get other people to turn mattresses etc anyway @Gassylady because I have a spinal disorder. Which also means I can no longer assemble my own flat packs or heft furniture around and additionally makes a really firm (and preferably high) bed most comfortable for me.

So yes the issue of whether there will be someone available to assemble it and then to regularly turn and hoover mattress is important.

I’m probably going to have to move from “just” having a cleaner a few hours a week as we did before shielding to something more housekeeper-ey for post-shielding, post-divorce life. There’s a lot going on and a lot to decide! Smile

OP posts:
Veterinari · 15/03/2021 11:29

Just to say - have a think about lazy mornings in bed with a tea/coffee.
Leaning against lumpy metal rails isn't much fun

Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:30

I love the idea of a couple of B&B stays and then questioning the owner on where they got their beds though! I am so sick of the inside of this house. I would love some little forays.

OP posts:
Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:32

[quote onyourway]@RickiTarr , we got a couple of beds in that barn, over 20 years ago.

Most recent bed was from a furniture charity shop - lovely metal king size frame for £70.

The Sussex beds have slowly disintegrated to be honest Smile[/quote]
Oh you know where I mean! I can’t remember quite where it was. Just as well by the sounds of it! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:35

@cissyandbessy

Got one like this in Next a few years ago and was told to take care when setting up and get the heaviest I could afford to stop squeaking. Also never to drag it along to move it - make sure you dismantle at least the middle support leg again to stop future squeaking. Has worked so far and I love it - mines a pewter one.
I’ll have a look at Next, thanks, and pass on the rest to whichever night I get to help. Smile

Someone IRL mentioned M&S, I’ve just remember but I forgot to look.

I’m going to make coffee and settle down to another hour of concerted online window shopping. Brew

OP posts:
Foxyloxy1plus1 · 15/03/2021 11:40

The second picture reminds me of an old style hospital bed.

One of our spare rooms has a metal bed head and foot rail. You can’t lounge comfortably against it and the pillows slip down the gaps.

Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:46

The second picture reminds me of an old style hospital bed.

Yes. I can’t unsee it now. Grin That’s one of the list!

OP posts:
Original poster
RickiTarr · 15/03/2021 11:46

Off^^

OP posts:
Overwhelmed245 · 15/03/2021 12:05

I live in Sussex and all our family beds are from the barn full of beds you speak off they last so well and he’s able to tailor them to your needs definitely worth a look there

Gassylady · 15/03/2021 12:06

Given that you already have medical issues a pp come to about difficulty propping up comfortably is worth considering. Have you thought about future proofing and getting an adjustable bed? They do ha d some sleeker styles than my mans old one I used to live having a ride on!🤣

onyourway · 15/03/2021 12:06

https://victorianbrassbeds.co.uk/

It's a lot more expensive now than it was 25 years ago!

edwinbear · 15/03/2021 12:07

wessexbeds.co.uk/

Was it this place OP? I've had two iron beds from them, 20 years later and they are still going strong.

Swipe left for the next trending thread