Two twin antique beds for my girls need some lift up

12 years ago

After looking for two twin beds for my 6 and 2 year old girls, I found and purchased them from the lady who remembers those beds made for her family in 1947 by a German furniture maker. They are in OK condition, has some wear signs, scratches and a little bit of smell. Originally I thought to paint them white, then I thought maybe it would take away all the charm of old feeling. What should i do - should i sand them and apply varnish to it or paint white. I really would like my girls to love them and enjoy them. Thank you for your comments.

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Al Fortunato Furnituremaker

12 years ago

First of all do not paint them, no matter what anyone else says. If you don't like natural looking furniture, sell them to someone who does, and buy cheap stuff that can be painted and not ruin their quality. It took a lot of time and skill to make these from quality wood, veneer and hand carvings.

Secondly, unless your have experience refinishing something like this, take them to a professional to get them refinished. Not a painter, a professional refinisher. It takes more than just sanding and brushing on a finish to do it right. It will take removal of the old finish (with stripper, probably multiple times), sanding correctly, staining or dying if desired, and finally a quality finish (not something from the local big box).

You have a beautiful pair of beds built from quality materials, do them justice.

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Comments (27)

omagnes
12 years ago
I would leave them as they are and they are gorgeous. Give them a good clean and have fun looking for bedding. Congrats with your find.
apimaginatio thanked omagnes
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Eileen
12 years ago
Awesome find! I guess it really depends on the overall look you are going for. These inspiration photos show how it can work either way.
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Dreamy Whites · More Info
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Circle Goods Reclaimed
12 years ago
Exactly as Al Fortunato Furnituremaker says, DO NOT PAINT. These are amazing pieces and are worth the cost of having a very talented professional put a new coat of shellac put on them. These are pieces you don't find at every garage sale, hence why it would be such a shame to paint them. The woodworker that built them would be rolling over in his grave.
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shars55
12 years ago
I would NOT paint those! If you want them to keep their value....don't!!! I so agree with Al. If you want painted headboards, go buy some cheap ones. If you care about their value, take them to a professional.
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stsunniva
12 years ago
...and if you value them - love them because of their beauty - most likely your daughters will too. It will affect them their entire life, that they got to sleep in such beautiful beds. Other things in their rooms can be bright, girly, whatever...but please don't paint the beds!
apimaginatio thanked stsunniva
Maureen
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Definitely keep them as is and could have them refinished professionally. You may want to ask them about a coating that keeps them protected. Have fun with the decorating.
Girl's Bedroom · More Info
apimaginatio thanked Maureen
User
12 years ago
I would use them just as they are, not even refinishing. When you get them put together and box springs and mattress, less will show. With a beautiful duvet and pillows, even less, and what's wrong with a few indications of a well loved and used piece? If they are refinished you will lose that patina. I have a bed that was my great-grandmother's, used by me as a child, when I first got married, and now in a guest room. It has the original finish and in my mind, shouldn't look new.
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shars55
12 years ago
That's what I would do, Bluenan. Antiques don't have to be perfect, I love them more when they're not!
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anne dee
12 years ago
this might seem picky but 2 twin beds would be 4 ;-)
A twin set is the correct phrase.
Don't jump on me ;-) just trying to be helpful!!
decoenthusiaste
12 years ago
Wish my refinisher was in your area - he does such fantastic work at restoring such pieces to their original glory. Select bedding carefully so that it enhances the period look. You might look at Battenburg lace which will wash up nicely if the girls soil it. However, you will have to iron it. I have twin sets, mostly in the package, I'd sell but they might not work with your mattresses.
apimaginatio thanked decoenthusiaste
becplatts
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
your girls are 2 and 6 - use the beds as they are - after the girls are older have them restored to their original glory. You have a beautiful treasure here, don't paint, pine is made for painting.
apimaginatio thanked becplatts
Design2 girl
12 years ago
Clean them and use them as they are. Have them refinished when your girls are finished with them. Definitely don't paint them. My daughter slept in a gorgeous antique bed until she went to college and treasures it to this day. I would let them choose their bedding and love it!
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User
12 years ago
Anyone want to enlighten the rest of us why a single bed(a mattress made for one person, although I have heard of two people sleeping in one) is called a "twin" bed, and one twice it's size is called a "king size", whereas what I would call a "double" bed(a bed realistically sized for two people) is called a "full size" mattress?
condomary
12 years ago
It's worse than that River. Look at this site with 28 different bed sizes. Makes me glad I don't get transferred all over the world. Would need several trunks just for bedding!

http://www.mattress-factory.co.uk/blog/mattress-sizes/
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User
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hummm...UK...I can answer that question! It's because y'all are on the metric system, not to mention the streets so narrow the poor chap delivering the mattress wouldn't be able to fit it on his bicycle. LOL
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User
12 years ago
Now I see I read that wrong. You are in Canada, that attachment is from the UK. I still think it has to do with culture, and what is feasible in the space allotted. This factory sells all over the world and to all different sizes of dwellings.
hotflorida
12 years ago
I would paint them . we live once, do what makes you happy. If you are happy with the original then keep it as is. If not paint all the way! I painted my kids dressers and bed and love it .
apimaginatio thanked hotflorida
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Barnhart Gallery
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hi emilyandbaby -- those wonderful beds made me do some daydreaming:

http://www.pier1.com/Vibrant-Paisley-Curtain/PS42604,default,pd.html?cgid=pattern_curtains

From a paisley print like this, you can create a sophisticated yet still whimsical and child-friendly space, and pull out whatever colors you and the girls favor. Love those beds. Cursor over for wide view.
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Lyn Ford
12 years ago
not sure re the paisley curtains but LOVE the spread / quilt for the bed. Aren't they SO beautiful? Such a wonderful find
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LB Interiors
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I would not paint them. They are beautiful. At 6 yrs and 2 years, they will not care if they are painted or not. Decorate their room for them with function and fun! Engage them in some of the decision making. They will have a part of making their room their own.
apimaginatio thanked LB Interiors
User
12 years ago
River Valley, I think Anne Dee had the answer when she said that they're actually called a "twin set", I guess because they originally all came in sets of two, like the above set. We still refer to that smaller size as a twin, even as a single small bed.
linjen
12 years ago
Love the beds just as they are. Let the girls choose their favorite colors and go from there. Please post photos afterwards. I love the paisley curtains but maybe a little too sophisticated for them now. Just right for me.
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Whitelacey
11 years ago
DO NOT paint these beautiful works of art. I wouldn't even refinish them. Love them as they are and appreciate their history. And I agree, pine is for painting.

Linda
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Blue
11 years ago
Murphys oil soap. A few rundowns with it and these will look like new and smell fresh. Beautiful!
apimaginatio thanked Blue
User
11 years ago
Do not paint them. Do not refinish them. They lose their value later as antiques if they are refinished, should you choose to sell them, down the road.
Give them a good gentle cleaning and brighten up the room with textiles and other pieces.
These pieces, as is, aren't some junk from a chain store that never gains in value. They are special. Lucky you!
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Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
OK, here we go again.

Do not paint them, not use Murphy's or any other off the shelf miracle cure. All you need to clean them is warm water, a little detergent (dawn), and a well rung out damp rag. All the off the shelf junk leaves a film to make it look better and over the years this will build up and make it look worse.

As far as refinishing an antique and it loosing value, BUNK. Here is a letter from Antiques Road Show (which is where this all started) explaining it all.

http://prorestorers.org/antiques_roadshow.pdf
apimaginatio thanked Al Fortunato Furnituremaker

Two twin antique beds for my girls need some lift up

Al Fortunato Furnituremaker

Comments (27)

omagnes

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