by Just before the April High Point Market, Home News Now traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to visit one of the oldest manufacturers of brass and iron beds in the U.S. Dating back to 1975, the company formerly known as Brass Beds of Virginia rebranded in 2022 as part of an effort to expand the line into new categories. During the visit, we got to see some of these new products, including occasional tables, shelving and nightstands being built in the company’s 40,000-square-foot plant. From the cutting of iron components to the casting of metal accents, the process involves the combined efforts of a team of artisans, many of whom are graduates of the arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. The images below showcase the talents they bring to the line which remains at heart, a made-in-USA designed and handcrafted offering that seeks to broaden its appeal to retailers, designers and consumers alike.
Below also is a video interview that Home News Now Editor-in-Chief Tom Russell did with company CEO and partner Doug Rozenboom at the plant.
Kane Corey, assistant plant manager, shows some of the recently cast components on the headboard and footboard of a bed.
Kat Nguyen is seen touching up the paint on various components to be used in a bed frame.
This is a bed frame shown with metal accents that have been cast in a high zinc alloy mold.
As a relatively small business, it’s all hands on deck at Worthen, where director of finance Kim Creekmore is seen putting labels on finish samples.
This cauldron furnace is continually burning to melt zinc that will be poured into molds for specific castings and other decorative elements used on frames.
Here Kane Corey is seen working with castings for a bed on what’s called a pouring table frame.
These are some turned decorative elements that will be used on beds and other items.
These are finish samples seen on various castings. Like finish panels, they are used by dealers and designers to view different finish options available in the line.
Brass tubing is stacked for use in finish product. This material will be cut and shaped into different components used in beds.
Here is an example of how turned and linear components are used in a headboard. Round finials and other shaped elements are used as accents on the piece.
These are some of the new occasional tables in the line designed with a more contemporary flair that includes a mix of curved and linear forms. The table is designed to hold a glass top and bottom shelf.
