Henge Bed 10
My most recent purchase has been this unassuming pile of beams. They may not look much in this state but they are actually very rare indeed: reclaimed Brazilian mahogany. They supported the barn roof of a farm near Clitheroe; however this had been a show farm, built by McAlpine in the 1950s, and they had spared no expense in its construction (as did I in their purchase!)
I had originally planned just to make coffee tables from the timber, but the lure of bed-making was irresistible!
The mahogany has a beautiful smooth reddy-brown finish and polishes well. A number of people have commented that they don't have the space for the chunkier designs, in which case this could be the solution. This bed is a double, measuring 4'6" x 6'3", and has a much smaller footprint than the pine beds. I have been quite conservative in the construction of the headboard: this one stands 3' high and the cross-piece is 4'6"' long, but a bespoke bed could be considerably more elaborate.
Wherever possible, I have retained what I consider to be the credentials of the wood: the scars of the original nails, showing that this is timber with a proper past history. This picture also shows the striations in some of the timbers which I have used to decorative effect in the headboard.
The mahogany can be rip-cut into two planks to make the sides and headboard, but I have used solid 3'" x 5" lengths for the legs, cut into a slight L-shape to accommodate my usual mortise and tenon joints which are secured on the inside by screws. This frame stands 15" high and the mattress can be fitted flush with the top or up to 3" into the body of the frame.
At a time when all new mahogany is environmentally suspect, I feel privileged to be able to make my next generation of beds from this beautiful and ethically sound hardwood.
Bespoke beds and coffee tables in reclaimed mahogany?If you have particular ideas about how you would like a bed or table made in this beautiful and ethical timber, please don't hesitate to contact me.