- Follow us:
Friday, March 9th, 2018
American Cherry Collection: Featured furniture is the Bridgeport Pencil Post Queen Bed.
One of the most famous British icons when it comes to elegance and style is the four-poster bed. For many centuries, this bed represented wealth, style, even power. Since the 14th century, though it is believed to have come from Austria, the noblemen exported and propagated the concept to the whole of England. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
Before the Industrial era in Britain, castles and homes alike were often cold. These were places that did not have central heating. Though the four poster bed now represents opulence, it was originally born out of need.
The tester (as it was known back then) or canopy allowed for curtains to be draped or hung all around the bed. These did a wonderful job of keeping the cold air while keeping the sleeping royals warm as they slept throughout the night.
It is no wonder that this cold nation immediately embraced the idea of a four poster bed since it did not just provide warmth but also offered privacy. To royalty, this was, of course, most essential especially since bedrooms back then were shared spaces where servants also sleep in the same room with the lord or the lady. This is so they are ready to serve them the moment the royalty awoke.
Medieval England showed a development in the four poster bed in terms of being a representation of social status. The wealthiest were able to specify their bed requirements and, pretty soon, this bed became a statement of royalty and luxury.
Only the most talented men were asked to carve the four-poster beds for royalty and the noblemen. These beds were detailed and they even showed symbols such as the family’s coat of arms. The heavier and the bigger the bed was, and the more intricately carved, the better. There were even exotic materials that were added such as colorful paintings as well as hunting scenes, knights, and monsters.
Four Poster Bed Types
Traditionally, as the name pretty much states, four-poster beds have four posts. There is a post on each corner and these connected to a top panel which served as the canopy. The English referred to the canopy as the roof of their bed. There were even posts that stood away from the frame of the bed and made their way to the floor. A few posts were 18” in diameter.
During the Tudor era, four-poster beds were mainly heavy and very large. These beds were often attached to wall paneling because their weight needed extra support. Curtains were hung and draped around the bed for privacy and even for protection against insects.
As heating methods were developed, there was no longer any use for the canopy. There are now four-poster beds that are just connected to the mainframe and hanging curtains became optional.
The modern era welcomed a sleeker and less ornate four poster bed and beech wood became fashionable.
Four Poster Bed Functions
In most Tudor households, the ladies also used their bedroom as their living room, therefore, it was not uncommon for them to host social gatherings there. When a nobleman dies, he usually left his bed to his widow.
The four-poster bed holds a lot of memories for royalty especially when this became a husband’s deathbed. It is also possible that this same bed was the bed where she gave birth to all of her children.
The four-poster bed also is worth a huge deal of money so it is a lot more than mere sentimental inheritance.
Today, the story is no different. The four-poster bed still exudes elegance and beauty and it still can be made into a precious heirloom passed on from generation to generation.
Tags: four-poster, four-poster bed, four-posters, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Design, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on All About Four-poster Beds
Monday, January 16th, 2017
Tommy Bahama Home Bedroom Candaleria Poster Bed 6.6 King 552-174C
There is no doubt that a bedroom becomes dramatic the moment it showcases a four-poster bed. This kind of bed screams opulence and elegance at the highest levels. This can, however, also overwhelm any bedroom. So, if you’re considering a floor area for the four-poster, be sure that you still have ample space for the rest of the bedroom.
Average-sized rooms can make do with contemporary four-poster beds. Much smaller rooms will have to choose pencil posts, half testers or those pretty canopy beds. These are just as attractive but they rarely overwhelm a space.
There are many styles to pick from constructed from different kinds of wood. Here are the options –
Single
Small double
Standard double
Queen size
King size
Super king size
California king size and
Custom sizes.
Choosing a Romantic Bed
Every four-poster has a romantic aura to it. It seems to have the appearance of beds used in bygone eras. This was originally used to make the bedroom even more private or to keep insects (such as mosquitoes) away.
The traditional type of four-poster bed has four posts linked at the top by a roof or a tester. These also came with ornate designs, even a coat of arms that is carved on the headboard or the footboard of the bed.
Most of the earliest four-posters had thicker and heavier posts. They even had gemstones as decorations.
Traditional models are still easy to find but if you prefer the more contemporary look, these are available, too.
The Half Testers
Half tester beds come with posts that are lower on the foot end and have higher posts at the head part. The canopy is extended on the top half of the bed. These became popular back in the 19th century when indoor heating had already improved.
Half testers often have intricate designs and are great options when traditional four-posters look overpowering. They are also suitable inside smaller bedrooms.
The Pencil Post Beds
Pencil beds are quite similar to the traditional type with the only difference of the surrounding posts being rounded and thinner on the former. Modern pencil posts no longer have a frame atop the bed but the traditional types had a canopy that covered the sleepers for more warmth and privacy.
The Canopy Beds
These beds come with four long posts and, more often than not, a fabric hangs all across the sides. These also come in both traditional and contemporary designs. The former use heavy cloth to surround the bed with pleats and ruffles. They also have hand-carved with ornate designs and feature intricate designs on the headboards and footboards.
The contemporary types, on the other hand, come with wood or metal frames and showcase much simpler designs. These also come with lighter materials like cotton or silk to surround the bed. Contemporary types also do not have a footboard.
Four-poster Wood Options
Most four-posters are made of wood since they tend to look more elegant. Consider which wood type you would want for your bedroom –
Oak. This is a traditional option for four-posters. It is durable which means it will not warp or even shrink over time.
Dark oak is preferred by many although lighter-colored oaks are also available.
Birch. This is wood that is light-colored but it could be stained to resemble darker types of woods such as walnut or cherry.
This is difficult to carve which is why it is often used to make simpler designs on contemporary four-posters. It also would not swell or shrink because it is also sturdy.
Mahogany. This is a heavy kind of wood and it offers a beautiful, reddish brown color. The wood is easy to carve and also has an awesome grain pattern. It also won’t warp so it is meant to last for a long time.
Rosewood. This is one of the most expensive kinds of wood that you could buy for a four-poster. It is a deep red wood that is expensive because it is quite rare. Just like oak, it is easy to carve and it could also last for a very long time.
Tags: canopy bed, four-poster, four-poster bed, four-posters, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Bedroom Design, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Four-Poster Bed: Adding Drama to Your Sleeping Station
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
