![]() Many retailers don’t even sell traditional box springs anymore. Last year, manufacturers shipped nearly 43 percent more mattresses nationwide (a total of 33.3 million) than support layers (23.3 million). Nowadays, manufacturers produce far more mattresses than box springs, according to the International Sleep Products Association. With the invention of mass-produced metal coil springs in the 19th century, a box spring paired with "a lightweight, upholstered mattress that you can flip on your own" became the standard, Prof. In a bedroom by Seattle designer LeeAnn Baker, the mattress is supported by the bed frame’s platform-no boxspring needed. "They were big heavy things that took two or three people to flip every day, and you had to do it everyday, because they got sweaty from people sleeping on them, and to keep critters out of the straw and hay." Centuries ago, beds with multiple lumpy layers of straw, scratchy horsehair and suffocating feathers were considered a sign of wealth. Annie Coggan, who teaches at the Pratt Institute of Art and Design in Brooklyn. In fact, beds have been becoming more streamlined for centuries, said Prof. More: Embracing Heirlooms in a Modern Space But bed historians (yes, they exist) say the traditional box spring-patented in 1869 and evolving into a standard 9-inch-high wooden frame with steel coil springs-may never come back into fashion. "It’s become cool for furniture to go low sofas have gotten really low, too." "I think the new look is a spillover from European design," she said. ![]() ![]() Baker said, most of her clients prefer a bed with a lower, sleeker profile than the inflated beds of years past. You don’t want to feel like you need a stepladder." "Everybody lives differently in their homes," she said diplomatically, "but you want a bed that’s easy to get in and out of. "My bed is currently several inches higher than that," I said. Baker said, adding that the most comfortable height for a bed is from 24 to 26 inches. "It’s the box spring-a lot of beds don’t have them anymore, and most bed frames these days don’t need them" because they have platforms or slats to support a mattress, Ms. "My guest bed really, really dominates the room," I said to LeeAnn Baker, an interior designer in Seattle whom I phoned for advice. More: Windmill House Offers a Cozy, Whimsical Hamptons Home-or a Lavish Development Opportunity And then-eureka!-I would have slapped my forehead if there were room: The biggest problem was the puffy, princess-and-the-pea box spring and mattress set. My gaze naturally settled on the bed itself, which for a full-size double bed seemed huge. And I was pondering: What would make this sad space more inviting? But that was uncomfortable for deep thinking. If I put my arms straight down at my sides, I could stand in the room. Actually I was standing in the room’s doorway because there wasn’t really enough room to stand in the room with my arms folded. The other day I was standing there, with my arms folded. ![]() But with the impending return of houseguests-remember them?-I realized recently that I need to transform the 85-square-foot space into a comfortable room. This was not a problem during the pandemic. I HAVE ONE of the world’s tiniest guest bedrooms.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |