We dodged
requests to make a trundle bed for years because we felt that all of the
models that we had seen
were uniformly unattractive. Most looked like
an ill designed bed with a packing crate slid in below it.
The Mackintosh bed design that is a model for this trundle bed
has the necessary style elements
to accommodate the bottom bed without it
appearing to be an afterthought .
The solid head and foot boards hide the mechanisms necessary
to allow the lower bed to be slid in and out easily. The size of the side
rails has been increased to remain proportional to the ends.
By cleverly designing each side to look as if it were
split, but still fixed to the ends,
we have hidden all outward appearance
that the bottom contains another bed.
The ends are each a large frame of thick Mahogany.
In the center is a panel
of 3/4" Mahogany plywood. We have to order a special
architectural grade of plywood for these beds. Even the best grades of
plywood usually have only one good side. Because this project has both
sides visible,
we must special order material that has an " A "
grade back as well as front.
We have increased the thickness of the side rails to 1½"
in order to further strengthen the entire framework.
The trundle below is
as substantial as the bed above. The side rails are the same width & thickness.
They are built into a box with heavy Ash boards at the top and foot. These
heavy Ash board are the attachment point for the
sliding mechanism. Their
hardness and strength allow the slides to be secured with no fear of
weakening.
There is a full set of slats to
hold the bedding in the trundle, just as in the bed above, and both are
screwed to the supports for added strength and rigidity.
Finding the
sliding mechanism was the key to our proceeding with this project.The best
description is that they are huge drawer slides. The purported use for them is on the storage drawers of
museums that may contain large collections of rocks, fossils, or other very
heavy items that need to be accessed on a continuous basis.
Whatever they were
originally for, they allow the trundle to be slid out
from the top bed 100% of its width,
so there is no compromise in space available in the trundle.
The slides are massive. Each of them weighs nearly 20
pounds. But, they are of a quality and precision that is not found in most
commercial hardware.
They are effortless and smooth beyond belief in their
operation.
Any one of any age or strength can slide the trundle out with
little effort.
The bedding requirements for the top bed and trundle are easily
handled with available materials.
The top bed can be used with, either a
mattress and box spring, a mattress alone or a futon.
It is admittedly a
bit taller than the traditional modern bed.
That is because the design is
from an era when being up higher meant being warmer and out of drafts.
If a bed height similar
to a modern bed is desired, one can use a 8" or 10" mattress
alone. The use of a thick mattress and foundation still fits the overall
height of the head and foot boards, and in some ways accommodates and
enhances the design parameters of the original bed from which it is
patterned.
The bottom trundle can only use a futon or high
quality mattress that is six inches thick.
We recommend that a
quality futon be made to fit the box.
It can be the same width as any
bedding for a twin bed, that is, 39".
It will, however need to be
three or four inches shorter than a standard twin mattress.
Due to the constraints of size, dictated by the top mattress
section, which is a STANDARD TWIN SIZE,
the approximate length, INSIDE THE
TRUNDLE is 72" rather than the traditional 75".
If one chooses to use a futon, the length can be gained by
compressing the bedding a bit.
This is easy, with a futon, due to its
flexible nature.
If one uses a mattress, it will need to be made special
the proper length.
This can be done locally, or we
can have one made by a quality manufacturer that we use.
It is hard for me to believe our complete turn about concerning
this bed.
We were adamant in our refusal to make it originally. We are
now extremely proud of the final effect.
More than that, I can
wholeheartedly endorse it based on the quality of its construction.
Not a
single thing has been sacrificed from quality and durability to achieve the
final effect.
This bed will last for many decades and operate smoothly throughout
its life.
Mahogany
Trundle Bed #730 |
CODE |
DESCRIPTION |
PRICE |
730M |
Mahogany
Trundle Bed |
4600.00 |
|