03.22 WB pages 01-03.indd - The Rappahannock Record

ProfileBill Bridgeforth: From brass beds to garden decorby Shannon RiceBill Bridgeforth has always been ahands-on kind of guy. He has a passionfor renovating old houses and buildingsand changing things. Prior to owningGarden Club Interiors in Urbanna, hepurchased and renovated old homes andapartments in Richmond’s Fan District.When his real estate partner passedaway, he created Brass Beds of Virginia.The company originally sold antiquebrass beds. After quickly realizing thatmost people desired queen and kingsize beds rather than the double-bedantiques, Bridgeforth began to makehis own brass and iron beds without anyformal training.“I just looked at the old ones andcopied them,” says Bridgeforth.In that same fashion, Bridgeforthdeveloped an inkling to craft a coppertrellis he had seen in Rhode Island.After taking the copper trellis to theMaymont Garden and Flower Show, itwas too expensive for most people. Butgarden items including fountains andbenches, sold quickly.Building off the success of the show,Bridgeforth began to sell the gardenitems out of an old police precinctbuilding he had renovated on MorrisStreet in Richmond. Thus, The GardenClub was born.“The only problem was, gardens areseasonal,” says Bridgeforth.To remedy the problem, Bridgeforthbegan to expand his market into furniture.He then relocated to Urbanna,taking the items that didn’t sell in Richmondto his current shop, Garden ClubInteriors.Bridgeforth’s renovation projects continue.He continues to work on his farmhousein addition to projects includingrenovation of the Urbanna Inn with JohnMilby. The renovated inn will feature arestaurant, which is anticipated to opennear Memorial Day.Name: Bill BridgeforthAge: 65Village: UrbannaHobby: FishingDescribe yourself in 3 words: Loveto work.Idea of perfect happiness: NostressMost admired living person: I don’tknow. How do you choose?Greatest achievement: Saving oldhouses.Greatest regret: Selling Brass Bedsof Virginia (a store he owned.)Most prized possession: My house.Motivation: I like to change things.Motto: Treat everybody equal. Everybody,in my eyes, should be the same.10 • windows on the Bay •