e find it fascinating how our customs and preferences have evolved over the centuries. One example is how we have changed our perceptions of how a bedroom functions in the home.
During ancient times in Egypt and China and extending through the period called the High Renaissance, the bedchamber was considered a public place.
Ancient Bedchambers
In the ancient world receptions were actually held in the bedrooms of a castle or chateau. Louis XIV, the Sun King, was famous for receiving guests and conducting the affairs of state from his bed. He was so fond of his beds that one was always disassembled and brought with him during his journeys from chateau to chateau!
In the early 1800s Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, started the famous tradition of Afternoon Tea from none other but her bedchamber. She had tea and refreshments brought to her bedchamber, and began inviting her friends to join her. It became a custom that is carried on today, although rarely in one’s bedroom… As the custom evolved, the tea was served in the parlor.
Queen Size Louis XVI Mahogany Bed
Since ancient times the grand bedstead was a sign of status and wealth. Not until the 19th century did the bedchamber evolved into a private retreat. These retreats were further refined into beautiful suites, designed in various styles.
Today, our private bedrooms are places of refuge, comfort and retreat ~ the place we read our Sunday morning paper, watch our favorite television show at night or work on our laptop computer. Our kids, dog and cats snuggle with us in our ultimate place of comfort ~ our bed. Today we may still desire the grandeur of the antique beds of older times, but our needs demand a larger mattress size, such as queen or king. For almost two decades it has been our quest to bring to our customers the beauty of French and Italian antique beds adapted by our expert in-house staff to 21st century lifestyles and comfort!
As always, we at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques strive to assist our customers with furnishing their homes with beautiful, timeless antiques without sacrificing their comfort. We carry a great selection of antique beds of all sizes, including king and queen, and of course, twin beds.
Before…
After: King Size Louis XVI Walnut Bed
Our expert in-house staff is uniquely qualified to take these wonderful
Pair of Rosewood Twin Beds
antique beds and adapt them to modern mattress sizes, such as Queen and King size! In the case of the Queen beds, we specially select antique beds that are already wide enough, then extend the rails to accommodate the 80\u201d long mattress. King beds are somewhat more complex, and many times are made from pairs of twins.What’s more, we can offer just the bed, or if you prefer, the armoire, nightstand, commode, dresser ~ anything you need to furnish your bedrooms. I’m particularly excited about the bedroom pieces that are now in our collection, plus the pieces that are in containers yet to arrive. I think that we now have the best selection of bedroom furniture in the history of our business, and that is no small feat! 
