Converting a period bed?

[FrederickH]

I've purchased a period bed (1865), to use with a queen size mattress, and was wondering what would be the best way to fit this size of mattress to the bed with a minimum of modifications. The bed is made of walnut, has high poster, cannonball, bedposts. The inside dimensions of the bed are 5' wide by 6' in length. The side rails are 4x4" with a tenon on each end and I want to fit side rails to this bed so that a queen size mattress will fit. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The bed will be delivered this week sometime and I'll post photos then.

 

[johngoyer]

Frederick,

I redid an old style sheraton bed a few years ago.  I took a simple approach and left the bed as designed. Its dimensions were large enough that I could float a queen size spring and mattress inside the original frame.

I sat the spring and mattress on a contemporary bed frame with no connection to the sheraton bed frame.

My wife, when she did the bed skirt, designed it so it hide the separation.

John Goyer

 

[ttalma]

My father in law built a square frame that used the original mortises. It is about 6" wider than the head and foot board and has loose tennon joinery from the headboard into new frame. The fram also has it's own legs. The original sides are in his attic. A good solution I tought, and sticking out 3" on each side is hardly noticable.

 

[Jeff L Headley]

The head board and foot board or blanket roll is the problem when updating a period bed. You will have to make new ones or alter the original. It is better not to alter the original. With that said then you are starting with four posts. I am just down I 81 if you need help. As mention in another previous posting check out the mattress and box springs manufacturers warranty. They will say it is an altered bed and not cover their own warranty and most modern mattresses and box spring will not support their own weight with you on it. Many period beds can be moderized without harming the posts. The only problem is keeping the orginal parts together after it alterations.

 

[John Cashman]

There is an antiques shop in southeastern mass, Leonard's, that has had a substantial business in converting period beds, and they do just as Jeff suggests. With modern off-the-rack mattresses, the only parts you can use are the four posts. They have a whole warehouse full of posts, and will design new headboards, rails, etc to make the posts fit your bed. I hope they save the other original parts rather than trashing them.

 

[FrederickH]

I've got the bed (walnut, c. 1860's???) and I will be making a new set of side rails (3 3/4" X 7') to lengthen the bed to queen size. The head/foot board are 5' wide and will fit the width of the mattress nicely. There are a set of original slats (12) that will allow me to fully support the new mattress. I will not alter anything on the original bed and will save the original rails for the future. I needed to order a set of bed bolts/covers from Horton Brasses to assemble the finished bed. Thanks for the offer of help, Jeff.

 

[FrederickH]

Bed is almost finished. I just have to add some red to the new side rails, repair two of the slat boards, install correct bed bolts/covers, and shop for a new queen size mattress. Nothing was altered on the bed and I'll keep the original rails with the bed.