Furniture and decor created in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles may have been Maison Mercier Frères’s specialty, but the leading 19th-century firm also earned the patronage of European courts and of Eastern royalty for its elegant custom furniture. In subsequent decades, the Maison also explored the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, retaining its wealthy clientele and gaining loyalty among newcomers to the historic manufacturer.
Providing the Spanish crown, the Persian royal family and much of Europe’s royalty with the highest quality furniture was a main source of revenue for Maison Mercier Frères throughout the 19th century. Founded by Claude Mercier, Maison Mercier Frères participated in major French exhibitions, including the 1844 and 1849 Exposition des produits de l’industrie française and the Universal Expositions in 1867 and 1900.
While it primarily operated out of a manufacturing location on rue Saint-Antoine in Paris, Maison Mercier Frères also established a joint factory in Lyon in 1913 called Mercier & Chaleyssin. A later branch opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1914, with another on 59th Street in New York City in 1927. Despite its popularity, a well-placed store on the Champs-Élysées and worldwide branches, the company closed in 1985, leaving behind a treasure trove of expertly made vintage and antique furniture.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Maison Mercier Frères tables, case pieces, decorative objects and more.
We find relaxation and solace in our bedrooms, which are often the most cherished rooms of a home. Your antique, new or vintage bed and bed frame are integral to this oasis of personal comfort.
Beds and bed frames have long been an important part of the sanctuary that is the bedroom. For the upper class in countries such as England, the massive, costly beds of the 16th and 17th centuries were decorative and of the poster variety. Some were characterized by large painted wooden headboards, often made of oak, that featured ornate carvings and richly colored curtains affixed to each of the two or four posts — think of today’s sumptuous upholstered headboards as a distant cousin to these luxurious furnishings. The heavy fabric curtains were drawn across a fringed canopy to close out the sunlight that might’ve warmed your grandiose and opulent bedchambers. This feature could also offer privacy as desired, because, as we all know, a bedroom is for more than just sleeping.
Coiled springs didn’t make their way into mattresses until the 1800s, which likely made for a far more comfortable night’s sleep for many. Bed frames of cast iron and brass were introduced during the mid- to late-19th century. Later, the 20th century brought with it marvelous innovations for slumberland, among them daybeds from the likes of George Nelson and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as well as convertible sofa beds.
Today, you will find a range of beds geared toward your individual personality and preferred style of decor. When shopping for a bed and bed frame, keep in mind that you’ve got options. Sizes range from twin to California king. At 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a king-size bed is roughly 16 inches wider than a queen-size mattress, and your bed frame will likely add two to five inches to each side. (The California king bed is 84 inches long.)
From dramatic bedroom designs to uncomplicated, minimalist approaches, the bedroom has evolved into the haven that it should be: a peaceful place of respite, where we begin and end every day. Take the time to create your very own oasis — you deserve it. Rest easy with an expansive collection of antique, new and vintage beds and bed frames available on 1stDibs.
