Canopy Beds

The twin mahogany beds in the guest bedroom evoke the late 18th-century theme of the room. They are reproductions of the Sheraton style, which was popular in America at the time. Although they are replicas, the footboard of one of the beds is an original and was made around 1790. The Sheraton period is named for Thomas Sheraton, an English furniture designer who lived from 1751 to 1806. Sheraton furniture is straight lined and solidly constructed, exhibiting classic dignity and restraint. Slender legs can be either round or square and taper toward the foot eliciting an elegant appeal.

The canopied bed frames of the 18th-century were soundly-constructed to support richly-embroidered textiles. At that time, the quality of the bed hangings was deemed an indicator of wealth and status. Often the lady of the house would painstakingly decorate the bed hangings with fine needlework. The canopy completely enclosed the bed for privacy, as well as provided warmth and protection. In the summer months, thinner material would be substituted for the heavier drapes. The thinner fabric provided more ventilation, yet still provided protection from insects, such as mosquitoes.

The Governor's Mansion bedsteads are covered with Eden Glazed Chintz, a fabric by Brunschwig & Fils, the esteemed French textile company established in 1900. The design of the fabric and the shape of the hangings are replicas of authentic 18th-century models. The whimsical print incorporates a long flowery vine. Peppers, pears, pomegranates, plums and corn hang from the vine by ribbons of various colors.

The elegant Pratesi bed linens were made in the Italian region of Tuscany in a century-old family firm. Pratesi linens are esteemed among the finest in the world. They are made from very fine Egyptian pima cotton, and the more they are laundered, the softer and silkier they become. The gracefully-crafted twin mahogany beds and their elegantly-designed linens provide a charming focal point of the state guest bedroom.