If only beds could talk.  Of course, there are some stories we wouldn’t need to hear but in this case, the iron rails and brass accents of this turn-of-the-century bed would have tales of love, deceit, good dreams, bad dreams, births and deaths – all around families whose ancestors are now long gone and once rested their heads in this fascinating and beautiful piece of history.

When we got the call to ask if we restored vintage beds, we were quite excited to take the project on as it was different, unique and it reminded us of the furniture we had been seeing in the famous TV series, Downton Abbey.

The before image shows a head rail and foot rail that had seen brighter times and had now yellowed with age and the seashell and sphere brass accents missing or damaged.  However, the absolute class we could see this bed once held, made the project a lot of fun to restore.

The owner also thought some of the dents and wear on the brass spheres should be left to show the authenticity and patina of the age of the bed and we couldn’t have agreed more. We also decided to leave some of the ingrained darkened coloring on the brass between the folds in the shells for the same reason.

Back in the day when brass was class, a bed such as this would have been considered a luxury.  The iron rails have intricate and ornate turns in the patterns and the simplicity of how to attach the frame rails to the head and foot pieces was surprising.

The finished product ensures this beautiful piece of vintage furniture will still be around for many years to come – a forever conversation piece and attestation to a past where quality and pride went into workmanship.

Before condition

Some fine detail

Restored barber chair

What a find.  This 1909 barber chair has so much history that if it could talk, it would fill volumes with stories shared between a man and his barber.

A customer of Al’s who loves his barber chairs collection asked him to restore this to as much of an original condition as possible. Many hours went into restoring the wood to a state where it looks like a brand new chair as it would have been purchased in 1909.  The material that was used back then to provide the stuffing was a combination of hay and straw – that had to be replaced of course. And then the classic beauty was recovered in Italian leather and sports over 200 rivets.  The ornate metal work has been redone in nickel to once again, appear as original as it can be.

What a great piece of history.

If we only knew then what we know now.  Picture it.  You are in having a nice haircut and perhaps a shave from your local barber.  Guy gossip is always interesting and you love the smell of the after shave, the hot towels and……..the smoke?!

Yup, such as it was in the old days.  The barber would have a cigarette hanging from his mouth and you would be using the little ashtray conveniently located in the right arm of your comfy barber chair for your own smoke.

We had a lot of fun talking about this when Dan brought in a couple of 1950s barber chairs he wanted restored for his new shop. These were cool chairs, even in their worn and sad condition.  Al had a good scope of what they should look like and got to work, re-chroming, banging out the dents, molding, re-upholstering and getting the hydraulics to work efficiently again.

It’s true they still don’t make ‘em like they used to – these are quality chairs and they just needed some tender loving care.  And a lot of elbow grease.

In August, they are going to their place in the new shop, repaired, recovered and polished – even the arm ashtrays are still in place – as they should, to keep their unique authenticity.

But, in a healthier environment nowadays, the ashtrays are for looks only.  No smokin’ please – gossip still encouraged.

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One positive thing can be said about the recession – rusty, hidden and forgotten old relics are being unearthed by collectors and wanna-be collectors everywhere. They all have the same goal – whether it’s a money-making venture by someone who had no idea what treasures they had stored away or a serious collector who wants/needs to add to the classic memorabilia he or she has be amassing for years. Turning rusty old items into cash-in-the-pocket or a piece of art for their collection is the mission but it is no easy task.

Al Lambeth with Whiplash Customs has filled that need by providing quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and a flawless finish to anything from A to B that is vintage, metal and in need of some tender, loving care. Priceless artifacts need not be forgotten or thrown away as being too far gone. Here is an opportunity to bring the past back to life.

What started as a custom hot rod business, expanded into custom bike building and in the past few years, has expanded again into vintage restorations. Al loves history and you can see the excitement and care that goes into restoring these old treasures.  What have you got hiding in your closet, attic, garage, shop or even under that shrubbery in the back yard that appears to be a candidate for “rust in peace”?  Old gas pumps and lubsters from long-ago service stations, candy or vending machines from those delightful old 1940’s and 1950’s diners, barber chairs from the 1930’s, tricycles and bicycles that you or your mom or dad pedaled around the block, antique slot machines and cash changers – the list never ends. Metalwork was the way everything was built back in the day.  That’s why we all say “they don’t make ‘em like THAT anymore!”  How true that is!

Al is to Canada, what Rick’s Restorations is to Las Vegas.  This is a special talent that only comes with a genuine passion for old metal, a keen interest in the past and how things were built and worked plus a true, creative vision that can see that rusty old unrecognizable lump of something for what it truly was and can be again.

In today’s plastic world, we not only have a desire but a responsibility as well, to preserve what is left from a time we will not see again.  Rust is a cancer and will destroy what is left unless the right drug is prescribed.  That drug is Whiplash Customs. Al will have a look at your rusty old relic and use his talent and magic to give it a new lease on life. It will still look original as it was when new, but now it will have the opportunity to make memories again, enjoyed by many and lasting lifetimes. 

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