New styles, materials enliven metal beds
7/14/2005Mixed media, ranging from leather and wicker to abaca and glass, has forged its way into metal beds and daybeds, giving the beds category more diversity and appeal.
At the same time, companies are testing the waters with new finishes in combinations of dark reds and blacks as well as antique metallic hues applied in multi-step processes.
The products are aimed both at new customers and metal bed aficionados seeking new styles and selection.
Fashion Bed Group introduced 14 metal beds recently, retailing between $199 and $599, and two new daybeds in the $499 to $599 range. The company s line includes a total of 130 metal beds in a complete range of styles, from Victorian to contemporary.
Some existing models combine different materials, giving them a subtle Asian influence. One of its best-selling daybeds mixes wicker, wood and metal. Its Imperial metal bed has abaca tightly woven around the frame.
Amisco Inds. Alpha bed combines metal and glass with functional lighting on the headboard posts, in a simple, highly modern style. Its other products combine wood, glass and stainless steel in contemporary designs marketed to the 25-45 age group, said Nolan Mitchell, national sales manager.
Elliott s Designs combines brass and zinc accents on its frames. Leaf patterns are casted on both sides, giving the motif a more three-dimensional feeling.
Finishes, many of which involve multi-step processes, are playing an equally important role. As in case goods, both light and dark finishes are gaining in popularity. Fashion Bed Group s Regent bed comes in a black mercury finish, while its Madeline model comes in a flat black.
In its popular Hills of Provence collection, Powell Co. has added two new finishes -- a satin black with terra cotta rub-through and antique white. Its new Macao canopy bed has straight lines and a dark cranberry finish, while its new Montreal bed has an antique champagne finish with silver tipping on its curved frame.
Two-tone combinations on its Danville model introduced last fall meld colors such as copper and gray patina with bronze highlights. Its Cordoba bed combines silver patina and antique brass with a pewter underlay.
Staying on top of trends
We have worked more closely with retailers to develop new colors and watch what is up and coming in accessories, said Powell Vice President of Merchandising John Conrad of the color selection process.
Diversity of finishes is a key strategy at Wesley Allen. It touts 30 different finishes on beds that retail from $599 to $2,000, placing it in the middle to lower high-end category.
You can mix and match any finish you want, said Victor Sawan, president. Whatever you want we can offer. We never say no.
One of those options is called brass bisque, a new finish brought out this market and shown on the Yale, a transitional style bed that retails for about $800.
The company recently introduced five other metal beds in a variety of looks and finishes. They included black with natural suede highlights, pewter, aged brass and aged nickel.
The pewter finish was shown on the company s new Marin bed. It has a sleigh appearance with its slightly curved head and footboard. The head and footboard are laser-cut from solid metal. The head and footboard also have supporting center rods that decline in width from bottom to top, a design that gives both functional support and visual appeal.