One of the questions we get the most here at FineIronBeds is “Which finish should I get”? While the ultimate decision comes down to you and your specific tastes, we can offer some tips and advice.

Tip #1 – There is an appropriate way to view the Finish samples.
Each large picture of the wide variety of Wesley Allen finishes shows two key areas. To left is the “post” or straight section of the metal. To the right is the “casting” or detailed-area of the metal.

This is somewhat complex to explain, so let’s use an illustration. This picture shows the Weathered Russet finish. You’ll see that the castings are a dark brown and the posts are a light orange. Several of Wesley Allen’s finishes have a distinct casting color, that differs from the color used in the majority (re: posts) of the bed. Another finish, Aged Brass, is a popular finish that has this difference. The casting is a dark, brownish gold, while the post is a shiny brass. Always remember to look at both the post and the casting of the finish sample to get a good feel of how the bed will look.

Other finishes, such as Brass Bisque and Natural Rust are consistent throughout both the posts and castings. These type of finishes will end up giving the bed a uniform look. This picture shows the effect of a this type of finish. Notice how both the castings and posts look uniform.

Tip #2 – How many castings does your bed have?
This is especially important if the finish you are interested in has a distinct casting (see Weathered Russet example in Tip #1). For beds that showcase a lot of casting and detail, you’ll definitely notice the castings. The “Canterbury” and “Dawson” are good examples of a bed with a lot of casting. However, beds such as the “Sunset” and “Eastman” have virtually no castings, thus a finish with a distinct casting like Weathered Russet would only showcase the lighter orange, “post” color throughout the entire bed, and none of the darker brown shade.

Tip #3 – Match your hardware to your bed.
Aged Bronze is one of our most popular finishes, primarily because it’s neutral gold/bronze tone goes so well with most hardware. The Matte Black also proves popular because of it’s adaptability with such a wide variety of bedroom furniture. We’ve spoken to many folks who were initially interested in an Aged Brass bed only to change their mind for something like a Brass Bisque bed because the finish is darker and works better with their furniture and hardware.

Tip #4 – Call us at FineIronBeds.
Our toll-free number is (877) 463-6819. We have seen almost every finish firsthand and are happy to discuss your specific quandary in selecting the right finish for you.

In the end, the choice is up to you. The exciting thing is that Wesley Allen creates some of the sturdiest, highest quality, wrought-iron beds in the industry. Each finish is beautiful, and hopefully these tips will help make your process that much easier.