ARTICLES:
-This page includes a selection of reading material for the client who wishes to understand the importance of sleep, and the sleeping surroundings.
Article 1-
Mattress - Sleep on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation. Make sure that your bed and mattress are big enough and firm enough so that you and your partner are not continuously crashing into one another.
Avoid Stimulants – Drinking any type of caffeine or alcohol shortly before you go to bed is a sure way to problems getting to sleep or waking in the middle of the night. Instead go for a herbal or milky drink. Also avoid stimulating your body with exercise three hours before you sleep.
Give up Smoking – Studies show that the average smoker takes longer to get to sleep and their nicotine addiction ensures that their cravings lead to disrupted sleep.
Avoid Fretting – If you don’t fall asleep within about 20 minutes, don’t lie there fretting and working yourself up. Instead get up and doing something boring in a relaxing environment until you feel sleepy. Fretting will only result in it taking you longer to drop off.
Avoid luminous clocks – These type of clocks encourage you to look at the time every time you awaken. You then calculate how much sleep you have left until the alarm clock rings and this can lead to disturbed sleep.
Make a list – If you find that you are continuously waking up during the night and thinking of all the things you need to do then keep your notebook handy and write it all down preferably during the day and if not then during the night.
Exercise – Ensure that you take regular exercise, to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep.
Sleep Position – Sleep experts suggest that the best position to sleep in is the fetal position as this puts the least amount of tension on your back and for most people promotes a natural relaxing feeling.
If you are interested in sleeping in the romantic and elegant bed of your dreams to ensure the best night’s sleep, then you should be considering buying a four poster bed. Contact us on 01531 633333.
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Article 2-
So, you have found the four poster bed of your dreams and you just know that it is going to fit in perfectly with the stylish ambiance of your bedroom but have you thought about how you are going to care for the four poster bed to ensure that you can keep your dream bed in top condition for many years to come? Below you can benefit from some of our best top tips for excellent bed care. Alwa follow the manufacturer’s care instructions and keep them safe.
If you are unsure about how best to care for your new four poster bed then be sure to ask the bed salesperson for advice on bed care.
Ensure that you turn and rotate your mattress every few weeks. This is especially important when you first buy the bed.
Don’t bend or squash the mattress when transporting it as this will damage it. Carry the mattress flat or on its side.
Don’t use the handles on the mattress to lift it as this may damage it. The handles are there just to move the mattress on the base of the four poster bed.
Air the four poster bed to allow body moisture evaporation. This is best done first thing in the morning by pulling back the covers for about 20 minutes.
Ensure that you vacuum the mattress from time to time and clean and polish the wooden posts of your four poster bed.
Use a washable, mattress protector and cover to protect the mattress on your four poster bed from stains.
Treat spills and stains as quickly as possible by using warm or cold water but ensuring that the mattress does not become sodden. Use a cloth rather than a brush or something abrasive.
Try not to always sit in the same place on the four poster bed as this will wear this part of the bed more than anywhere else.
Forbid any bed bouncing as the chances of the bed having a long (and peaceful!) life will be substantially reduced.
If you are looking for a high quality four poster bed then simply get in contact with us here at Lock Stock & Barrel on 01531 633333 and we will do our best to help.
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Article 3-
Have you ever wondered what the first water beds were made of or when we first started using four poster beds? If so, why not read on to discover these and many more fascinating bed facts.
Bed Facts
The history of the four poster bed can be traced back to the Saxons and Normans.
The curtains of a bed were drawn as a means of treating an invalid as it was thought they would recuperate quicker when they were entombed within the four poster bed. However this just provided germs with the necessary heat to multiple!
The first waterbed can be traced back to Persia three and half millennia ago. They were goatskins filled with water.
In medieval times the poor would beg the sheep shearers for the cast off scraps of wool, which they would then use to stuff their mattresses.
In 1873 Sir James Paget presented St Bartholomew's Hospital with a modern waterbed with the intention of it curing bed sores.
The first department store to sell waterbeds was Harrods.
In Tudor and earlier Stuart times, the bedstead was considered to be the most important item of furniture in the home, whether of rich or poor status.
A Saxon bed for the rich was normally made up against a wall and had a rough mattress on a board and covers suspended from above.
The first recorded use of a waterbed in the western world was in
New York in 1871 when it was used for invalids.
William Shakespeare’s last will and testament instructed that his "second-best bed" should go to his wife Anne Hathaway. However, it should be pointed out that he never slept in his best bed, saving it in fact for his guests.
If you are interested in buying a four poster bed then look no further. We have an extensive range of superior four poster beds which are sure to fulfil all of your romantic dreams of that perfect bed. If you would like further information please contact us on 01531 633333.
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Article 4-
You may have found the four poster bed of your dreams but are you sure that it is the best bed for your back. Below we have a look at which bed will help your back.
Back problems are a major complaint of many patients in doctor’s surgeries across the UK. In fact studies suggest that after the common cold, back complaints are one of the highest causes of work lost through time off sick in the UK affecting some 17 million sufferers around the country. So it is hardly surprising that bed manufacturers are spending more and more time designing beds which properly support our backs.
Although traditionally beds and backs would not necessarily have been linked, in the modern day your GP is just as likely to talk to you about the type of bed you have as medication or physiotherapy recommendations. Simply put, a good bed, providing correct support and comfort, has an important role to play in relieving and preventing back pain.
Some tips for buying a bed which is good for your back include:
Does the mattress provide an environment in which the skeletal system is fully supported, whilst maintaining correct postural alignment? Remember that a bed should not only be supportive but comfortable too. How much support your body needs will depend on your frame and weight. So make sure you try out the bed before you buy and check that you feel support and comfortable.
Check that you can get in and out of the bed easily. Look into the possibility of getting handles put on the bed if you feel that these might help you.
Take your time deciding which bed is best for you. Try lots of different beds, don’t just go for the first one. When you find one that you might be interested in lie on it for ten minutes in your normal sleeping position.
The bigger the bed the better! You will always have a better night’s sleep and maintain a good posture in bed when you aren’t continuously crashing into your partner.
Don’t just go for a bed because it says "orthopaedic bed" on the label. If you are not comfortable and supported then it isn’t the right bed for you.
If you would like to see our extensive range of furniture, including some very elegant and expertly crafted four poster beds, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us on 01531 633333.
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Article 5-
During our years of importing and selling elegant mahogany furniture, including the most elegant of four poster beds, we have found that many of our customers have similar types of queries regarding beds. Why not take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions below and see if you might also be able to benefit from our expertise?
How do I know which four poster bed is best for my back?
The best way to decide on which bed to go for is to test it out. If this means that you have to spend ten minutes or so lying on a bed in a shop then so be it. You should buy a bed which is comfortable and gives your back all the support it needs.
Should I buy the mattress which is on the show bed?
If you find it comfortable and supportive then you should certainly enquire about buying the mattress. Most shops now offer flexibility as to whether you buy the mattress and bed together, so the choice is yours. However be careful to ensure that the mattress correctly fits the bed that you decide to buy.
Should I buy an extra firm mattress if I have back problems?
No this is a bit of a common myth. You should always go for the bed which is most comfortable and supportive of your needs. Extra firm and extra soft mattresses may be best avoided.
Will the most expensive beds last the longest?
Not necessarily. You would do better to concentrate on quality rather than price in order to get a bed which is durable and longer lasting. As a good mattress should last between eight and ten years and the bed should last a bit longer, investing time in researching the next bed that you buy, will definitely pay off in the long run. You should also look at our advice on how best to care for your mattress when you get it home.
When will I need a new mattress?
If it’s over ten years old you will need a new mattress. You may also want to consider buying a new one if:
You have started to suffer from back pain
Springs are coming out of the mattress
The mattress creaks
You continuously roll into your partner
The mattress looks worn and frayed
If you are interested in buying a new four poster bed or perhaps you have some further queries for us, then simply get in contact with us on 01531 633333.
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Article 6-
Did you know that every night you climb into your new four poster bed you are taking part in an activity which dates back, in one form or another, to the dawn of time? Why not have a little look below at the first part of our compact history of beds to see what part of history you are directly attached to.
It’s a sad fact that the majority of the time beds are accepted as a part of our every day lives and so remain relatively unnoticed. Most of just throw back the covers in the morning and climb into bed last thing at night and never give a second thought about what they are sleeping on. In fact, in the modern world of fast living there are more and more beds to choose from and yet people spend more time thinking about their pet’s bed than they do their own. Beds are an essential part of living and, when you think about it, it is difficult to imagine a world without beds, especially the four poster bed! This is also because beds are so firmly rooted in our history and have had significance within human society for thousands of years. So where did the history of beds all begin?
The History of the Bed – The Beginnings
It seems that for thousands of years man has been looking for a nice soft place to rest the head whilst in slumber. In fact, studies suggest that we can trace the first beds back about 10,000 years ago when man began sleeping on an extremely primitive type of "bed". About 5,000 years after that the Egyptian pharaohs are documented to have raised their beds off the ground, whilst the poor slept on palm bows piled up. About three thousand years later the Chinese also began to lift their beds off the earth and also to build canopies around them. These canopy-type beds can be seen as the first recorded "four poster bed" styled beds whilst although they did not exude the elegance and luxury which we have come to associate with the four poster bed, they did have a canopy.
If you are interested in carrying on with this history of the bed then simply go to part two. To find the ultimate mahogany four poster bed then why not get in touch with us on 01531 633333 and benefit from our years of expertise in bed-making.
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Article 7-
If you have been looking at the first part of the history of the bed then you will have just read how two thousand years ago the Chinese had invented a canopy bed which some see as the origin of England’s favourite four poster bed. Why not read part two of the history of the bed?
The Romans and their Beds
The Romans are renowned for their ingenuity and panache and so it will come as no surprise that they can be attributed the first really luxurious type of bed and the first idea of a "waterbed". Their normal beds were often decorated with expensive and ornately fashioned metals such as gold, silver or bronze and the mattresses were stuffed with reeds, wool, hay or feathers. For ultimate luxury they would doze in a bath of warm water and would be lifted out when they fell asleep, thereby coining the idea of the first ever waterbed.
Medieval Beds
The canopy style bed did not hot Britain until the thirteenth century. The canopy was draped overhead by cords from the beams above, from which curtains were hung. These drapes were traditionally very richly decorated with silk embroidery. This developed into a bed chamber in the fourteenth century and around the same time feather mattresses, using feathers imported from France became popular in Britain. Previously mattresses had been made of straw or pea shucks. The combination of superior mattresses and the bed chamber eventually led to the creation of the elegant bedstead with bed curtains hung from wooden or metal poles finally became popular which was thought to have been brought back by the knights during the crusades in Arabic countries.
The four-post bed was introduced in the fifteenth century, and was probably brought over from Austria. They were originally so big that some even filled half the chamber. From this point onwards the bed was considered to be the most precious possession of the house and when a castle was besieged the bed was gleefully captured by the conquerors.
The last two hundred years have seen the invention of the cast iron bed, cotton mattresses, coiled springs, foam rubber mattresses, modern waterbeds and too many more to mention. Now you have a superior amount of choice in both bed and mattress and the words comfort and luxury are often at the forefront of bed manufacturing. If you are interested in buying a beautifully elegant four poster bed which draws from bed making traditions of old then why not get in contact with Lock, Stock & Barrel on 01531 633333.
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Article 8-
If you are wanting a romantic bedroom then you have probably already thought about investing in a beautiful four poster bed. Four poster beds aren’t just for the romantic out there, they also exude elegance and style that you cannot fail to be wooed by. In fact, people have been continuously wooed by the four poster bed throughout history as our guide to the history of the four poster bed proves.
What is a four poster bed?
An English four poster bed is recognisable as a very specific type of bed with four tall corner posts which keep up a canopy made of either cloth or wood. It may also feature curtains which can be drawn across to make the bed more private.
What is the history of the four poster bed?
Although the canopy bed became popular in China two thousand years ago it wasn’t until the thirteenth century that it really began to take off in Britain. It was around this time that the rich began to suspend the canopy material from cords which were attached to overhead beams. Curtains were then attached to this canopy and this eventually developed into the bed chamber which was notoriously used as a focal social point in medieval life and even as the correct domain in which to woo your loved one.
The four poster bed as we know it came about in the fifteenth century and it is well documented that Richard III insisted on taking his bed with him to every battlefield he fought on. It was a wonderful four poster bed which was known as the Blue Boar and charioteers were charged with the duty of ensuring that his bed arrived safely at the battle before he did. This insistence of travelling everywhere with a bed was not unusual at this time. The bed was seen as being the most valuable piece of furniture within the household and as such would go everywhere the lord went.
The Tudors took the elegance of the four poster bed to the max and built bigger four poster beds with massive pillars towering to the ceiling, ornate wooden carvings, the coat of arms of the man and his wife fashioned out of expensive metal and every other extravagance they could conjure up. This flamboyance followed through into the 17 th century when the bedsteads became taller and the material draped around the four poster bed became more elaborate.
At Lock, Stock & Barrel we produce four poster beds of the highest quality which blends together the ideas from the past and the technology of the present. We ensure that all of our beautiful four poster beds are made at a reasonable price which all of our customers can benefit from. For the four poster bed of your dreams please give us a call on 01531 633333.
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Article 9-
As you can see from our site, there are lots of mahogany furniture and four poster beds to choose from. How do you know which is right for you?
Trying to get the right bed can be a bit of a minefield, especially of there are two of you trying to agree on the best bed for your bedroom. You can make this whole experience much easier by following some of our pointers outlined below:
Look for a specialist bed shop which offers expert advice and a good range of beds. Department stores may provide you with an extensive range but they will not be able to give you specialist knowledge in the same way a bed shop will.
Don’t be afraid to lie on the bed before you make a decision. After all that is what you intend to do in the bed and therefore you need to be sure that the product will fulfill this purpose. A minimum of ten minutes in the right sleeping position should tell you everything that you need to know.
Don’t believe the myth that a hard bed is good for the back. If you have a bad back then try and find a bed which feel comfy and gives you the support you need.
Buy the largest bed possible and try and make sure that the King Size of 5ft is the smallest bed you go for. If the bed is too small you will spend the night crashing into your partner which will result in a disturbed night’s sleep. You will find that the larger beds are not that much more expensive and that they don’t actually take up that much more room on the bedroom.
Don’t forget to enquire about the guarantee.
Avoid handing down beds. Invest in a good supportive bed for all members of your family, so that you all get a good night’s sleep.
Before you choose your four poster bed, you need to think about any special requirements you may have and speak to us to check whether we might be able to accommodate them. So why not give us a call on 01531 633333 and benefit from our vast experience.
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Article 10-
You would do well to think about buying your dream four poster bed as you are more likely to get a good night’s sleep in a bed which you love and sleeping should always be a top priority.
It is a hectic world we are living in and sometimes it can be hard to find enough time to fit in everything you want to do. Studies suggest that more and more people are skimping on their night’s slumber in favour of working or playing harder. However, doctors are now warning that this could be detrimental to your health and even shorten your life. Below we take a look at why sleep is important.
Why is Sleep Important?
Everybody needs sleep as a way of recharging their batteries and on average an adult will need between eight and nine hours of sleep a night. However, an increasing number of people are getting less than seven hours sleep and this could be having adverse health effects. Getting enough sleep will boost your energy, improve your ability to think and reason and increase your productivity throughout the day. Here is a list of other reasons to ensure that you climb into that bed at night and get a good night’s sleep:
Ever noticed that your problems feel better after a good night’s sleep? This is because while you are asleep your brain keeps working to organise all the data you have taken in throughout the day, solving any problems and generally de-cluttering.
Sleep will re-energise your body, boosting how productive you are the next day.
Getting enough sleep will actually increase your life expectancy.
Sleep can aid the body’s repair system and cure illness. It can actually promote tissue regeneration!
Over the years extensive sleep studies have proven that depriving yourself of sleep is harmful to your body and mind. Some of the side effects of sleep deprivation may include:
Pain and aching throughout the body
Inability to think clearly and reason
Aggressiveness and apathy
Sever fluctuation in mood
Hallucinations
Failure in short term memory
The average person needs to spend about 24 years of their life in bed in order to ensure that their waking life is lived to the maximum. If you think about a night’s sleep in these terms it is easy to see why the type of bed you buy can actually enhance your life. For many people the four poster bed is the only bed they want to spend a third of their life in. If you would like further information about the type of beds we have to offer then please contact us on 01531 633333.
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Article 11-
If you have ever slept on an uncomfortable bed you will surely remember the disrupted sleep and bad back you experienced. Unfortunately it may be a while before you realise that your bed and mattress are the cause of your problems. Don’t worry though, Lock, Stock & Barrel are on hand to help with all your four poster bed requirements. Why not learn something from our vast experience and read on to discover when you need a new mattress and how to maintain it when you take it home.
How to know when you need a new mattress
You need a new mattress if:
You suffer from a sore back or any unusual muscle stiffness when waking
You feel really tired despite having slept a lot
Your mattress is more than 8 years old
The mattress feels lumpy or is sagging
There are springs poking out the mattress
The mattress no longer feels comfy or supportive
The mattress once belonged to someone else
You wake up feeling hot and clammy – the mattress is not correctly absorbing your moisture
There is dust in the mattress
How to maintain the mattress after you have bought it
Ensure that you turn and rotate your mattress on a regular basis
Vacuum your mattress in order to clean away any excess dust
Immediately clean up any spillages with a damp cloth
Keep the mattress flat in transportation
Use Bicarbonate of Soda to rid your mattress of any undesirable smells. Simply spread a thick layer of the powder on and leave for a few hours. Then vacuum off
Use a substantial mattress base and bed which is not sagging or old
If you are interested in benefiting from experienced four poster bed advice from experts then simply contact us on 01531 633333.
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Article 12-
If you fear that you may be suffering from a sleep disorder then why not have a quick look at part two of our comprehensive glossary?
Restless Legs Syndrome – A disorder of the nervous system which causes burning, itching, crawling sensations in the legs and the sufferer gains temporary relief by moving the legs or walking. This disorder can make it exceptionally difficult to sleep.
Sleep Apnoea – The sufferer will cease breathing whilst asleep, sometimes for up to 60 seconds and as many as several hundreds of times a night. This condition can be serious and will nearly always be noticed by the bed partner. Snoring can sometimes be a sign of sleep apnoea.
Sleep Paralysis – This is a term to describe the natural paralysis of the sufferer during sleep. This only becomes a problem when this occurs when awake or whilst dropping off to sleep.
Sleep Walking – The sufferer of this disorder will engage in normal waking activities whilst asleep. This disorder can affect any age and can be extremely dangerous as the sufferer can be totally unaware of their actions which may include cooking, driving a car or even becoming violent.
Sleep Talking – Also known as somniloquy, is when the sufferer will speak out loud when they are asleep. The talking can be loud or quiet and may only be one sentence or can continue for a long time. Sometimes it is possible to understand what the sufferer is saying sometimes it is not. It is not dangerous although it may affect those around the sleeper.
Snoring – This disorder not only disturbs your sleep but your partner’s too! The snorer will emit harsh snorting noises of varying noise levels which are normally caused by the vibration of the soft palate. About 60% of snorers are men and 30% are women. There are various causes and remedies for snoring and these can be discussed with your medical adviser.
If you are interested in buying a four poster bed to help you get a good night’s sleep then simply pick up the phone and give us a ring on 01531 633333.
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Article 13-
Many people worry that they might not get the kind of sleep they need from their new four poster bed because of a sleeping disorder. Below we have complied a glossary of sleeping disorders which if you suspect you are suffering from it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome - a debilitating disorder where the patient’s internal body clock is not in sync with the normal sleep pattern. Night-time sleeping is nearly impossible, and excessive daytime sleepiness interferes with the lifestyle. Studies suggest that the problem may be genetic. The disorder can lead to harmful psychological and functional difficulties
Insomnia – This is very common sleeping disorder in which the sufferer has difficulty sleeping or awakens during the night and cannot get back to sleep. If you think you may be having problems with insomnia then have a look at some of tips for a good night’s sleep and should this fail to work then it is best advised that you speak to your GP.
Narcolepsy – This involves excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and periods of muscle weakness known as cataplexy. The sufferer will fall asleep or become drowsy at any moment and this may be particularly dangerous whilst driving. Medical advice should be sought immediately if you suspect that you are suffering from this condition.
Nightmares – Although most people suffer from the occasional nightmares there are some people who live in fear of going to sleep should a nightmare strike. If nightmares begin to affect your ability to sleep the you are well advised to seek medical advice.
REM behaviour disorder – This rare disorder is described as being when people’s dreams become real and has the potential to be very dangerous. The usual sleep paralysis disabling the muscles when entering REM sleep does not occur. This means that the sufferer can actually act out their dreams. This may result in injury.
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Article 14-
Sleep is important to ensure that you function at your maximum level when you are awake and also promotes longevity. Skimping on the amount of sleep you have will undoubtedly be bad for your health in the long run and that is why you should make buying that four poster bed of your dreams a top priority. By sleeping in an elegant bed which provides you with comfort and support, you are securing your first step to a good night’s sleep. Below we take at look at some more interesting sleep facts.
Did you know that…?
Leonardo DaVinci suffered from sleep problems and only slept for around 15 to 20 minutes at any one time. He used to have this short nap every four hours and therefore slept around 2.5 hours a day.
An 18 year old Mexican stayed awake for eleven days.
Seals "sleep" with one hemisphere of their brain asleep and the other awake to enable them to breathe above water while sleeping.
The first sleep study experiment was conducted in the late
1800s. The volunteers stayed awake for about 90 hours.
Cattle and sheep are remarkable in their ability to sleep whilst
standing as all other mammals need to lie down.
An Australian advertising campaign promotes "power napping" as a
means of reducing tiredness whilst driving.
Yawning is an action which is normally associated with being tired but Adelie Penguins yawn as part of their mating ritual. The male penguin opens its beak very wide and point its face skyward.
With over a decade of experience in providing mahogany furniture to customers from Herefordshire and around the UK, Lock, Stock & Barrel can provide you with the expertise you need when making your bed choices. We specialise in the sale of four poster beds and have friendly staff on hand to discuss your individual requirements. Simply give us a ring on 01531 633333.
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Article 15-
Most people know how important it is to get enough sleep every night but in the modern life are finding it more and more difficult to put that sleeping time aside. If you are considering buying one of our beautiful mahogany four poster beds then you already appreciate the importance of your sleeping environment in aiding a good night’s sleep. Why not have a look at the first part of our guide to getting a good night's sleep.
Sleeping Tips
Best Bed - Our number one tip is to
invest in the best bed you can. If you would like more information about our
fantastic range of beds, especially the four poster bed variety, then simply
give us a ring.
Routine – Establish a relaxing routine
before you go to bed, which tells your body to unwind and prepare itself for
sleep. Part of this routine should involve you going to bed at the same time
every night – including weekends!
Environment – Make sure that your
bedroom is focused around sleep – peace and quite are paramount. This means no
TVs or computer games and a luxury four poster bed to ensure that you are
comfortable. You should also think about the temperature of your room and the
amount of covers you have on the bed. You should neither be too hot nor cold.
Think about investing in air conditioning or a fan if you are too warm or
turning the heating up if you are too cold. The room should also be well aired
rather than stuffy.
Think about Food – make sure that you neither go to bed on a full nor empty stomach. There should be at least two hours between a big meal and going to bed.
If you are looking for the best in mahogany four poster beds then please get in contact with us on 01531 633333.