Contact Seller
Yola Gray Antiques
Tel01829 458 070Please quote Antiques Atlas.
A Good Antique Pine Blanket Box
Refurbished 1960s Shelving Unit
Pair Of Tall Vintage Bar Stools
Pair Of Tall Vintage Bar Stools
Pair of Swedish Leather Club Armchairs
Heavy Oak Plank Farmhouse Coffee Table
Double bed in Louis XVI style lacquered and gilded
Pair Robert Mouseman Thompson Library Bookcases
C.1950's Leather Chessboard Coffee Nest Of Table
Mid Century Modern Brown Leather three Piece Suite
20th Century Louis XVI Style Half Moon Commode
Pair of Vintage French Brass and Glass Side Tables
Non UK callers :
+44 1829 458 070
Elizabethan Style 6ft Super King Oak 4 Poster Bed
Here is a superb quality English reproduction of an Elizabethan solid oak carved super king size (6ft wide) full tester four poster bed, showing exceptional quality and craftsmanship, circa 1990, in excellent condition.
Summary:
• Circa: 1990
• Cabinetmaker: Taylor & Co, West Sussex
• Provenance: England, United Kingdom
• Built in the style of the Elizabethan Period (circa 1558 – 1603)
• Fits a standard UK super king size mattress (6ft wide x 6ft 6” long)
• External dimensions: 7ft 8” Wide x 8ft 4” Long
• Wood: Solid oak
• Colour: Light brown
• Detailed carved canopy
• Lozenge roof panels with floral & scroll carvings
• Turned column plinths with carved Triton pair of fish & mermaid sat atop, to headboard
• Geometric & arched arabesque carved panels to headboard
• Gadroon, floral & moulded dentil rails to headboard
• Fluted columns to headboard
• Moulded canopy with moulded dentil moulding, arabesque carvings & carved corbels
• Arabesque carved posts, with reeded pot bases
• Arabesque carved cabinets below posts, on moulded plinths
• Original working locks, with working keys
• Original divan base
• Exceptional workmanship & quality
• Very strong & sturdy construction
• Dismantles into sections for easy access & transportation
• 14 days free UK returns policy
Description:
Here is a superb quality English reproduction of an Elizabethan solid oak carved super king size (6ft wide) full tester four poster bed, showing exceptional quality and craftsmanship, circa 1990, in excellent condition. This is a superb quality bed finished in a light brown oak colour, having been handmade in England from solid oak. The bed is in the style of the English Elizabethan period, which dates from between 1558 – 1603. This bed shows exceptional craftsmanship. All panels (including the headboard) are detachable for ease of transport, easy access into a house and up staircases). This bed fits a standard UK super king size mattress (6ft 6” wide x 6ft 6” long).
The headboard can be dismantled into panels (if necessary) to allow easy access up narrow staircases or through doorways. The headboard is constructed of several carved panels and rails: to the top are two gadroon carved rails with floral centres. To the left, centre and right are three pairs of turned columns, with carved characters sat atop (Triton, a pair of fish and a mermaid, respectively). Separating the pairs of columns are geometric carved panels, with moulded dentil perimeters. Beneath these panels is a reverse-moulded rail, below which is a series of fluted square columns, interspersed with arched floral panels with arabesque carved centres. Further below is a second reverse moulded rail, above four simple moulded panels.
The bed displays a stunning recessed panel roof, with lozenge panels which include scroll carvings and floral carved centres. The roof also boasts a detailed carved canopy, which incorporates reverse moulding, above shaped dentil moulding, below which is formal strap work arabesque rails, interspersed by foliate carved scroll shaped corbels.
Two carved posts support the canopy at the front, boasting arabesque carving, above a reeded ‘pot’, which in turn sits atop an arabesque carved cabinet, resting on a moulded plinth. Both cabinets retain their original working locks, each with a working key. The cabinet to the left-hand post also boasts the Taylor & Co. label. Please note: the canopy-supporting posts are freestanding and not attached to the footboard.
The base of the bed comprises a simple footboard and side rails, within which sits a folding divan base upholstered in a silk damask upholstery. The divan is large enough to accommodate a full super-king size mattress (6ft 6” wide by 6ft 6” long), but can also be removed and a slightly smaller mattress placed directly on the slats, if desired. Furthermore, there is provision for the inclusion of drapes, with pole supports located under the roof (see photos).
This bed also includes a pale gold silk mattress cover, with green diamond pattern corners.
This bed is accentuated with style, romance and tradition. The impression created by this bed will without doubt be a memorable one as they are genuinely unique and recreate the ultimate in luxury of a bygone age.
This bed is not to be confused with other four-poster beds of lesser quality in the market place today. This bed is hand-made with hand carved panels, unlike other machine carved beds. The design, build quality and superstructure (thickness of panels) are of superior and exceptional quality. It is an extremely heavy bed!
Taylor & Co:
Taylor & Co of Folly Farm, Haywards Heath in West Sussex, were makers of traditional handmade English oak antique furniture. Trading until relatively recently, their products included such items as sideboards, dressers, cabinets, bedroom antique furniture, dining antique tables, chairs, mirrors and desks.
Condition Report:
This bed is in excellent original condition. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. This bed has been cleaned and polished in our workshop to a professional standard, therefore the colour and finish is of an excellent standard. It is an extremely well-constructed, heavy, solid and a very stable bed. There are no veneers on this bed either it is made in England of solid oak. There are no missing carvings. The bed boasts exquisite carvings, un-paralleled in terms of detail, intricacy and quality. The bed comes with its original divan base, which shows some old marks to the top and corners (see photos). Please remember, the mattress sits on top of the divan, therefore it will not be seen. If you prefer a new divan base, please contact us for a quote. This bed is of superior quality and construction, and is no comparison to other to other reproduction beds in the market place today.
Dimensions:
External height = 224.1cm or 88¼” or 7ft 4¼”
External width (canopy) = 233.6cm or 92” or 7ft 8”
External width (headboard) = 215.2cm or 84¾” or 7ft ¾”
External length (canopy) = 254.2cm or 100” or 8ft 4”
External length (headboard to footboard) = 248.6cm or 97⅞” or 8ft 1⅞”
Mattress width (including side rails) = 199cm or 78⅜” or 6ft 6⅜”
Slat width = 194cm or 76⅜” or 6ft 4⅜”
Mattress length (including footboard rail) = 200.6cm or 79” or 6ft 7”
Mattress length (inside of frame) = 196.5cm or 77⅜” or 6ft 5⅜”
Side rail height (floor to top of side rails) = 48cm or 18⅞” or 1ft 6⅞”
Side rail depth = 20.2cm or 8”
Footboard height = 47.7cm or 18¾” or 1ft 6¾”
Mattresses:
This bed will fit a standard UK super king size mattress, which is 6ft 6” wide by 6ft 6” long. We also supply a range of high-quality mattresses for these beds starting from £450. Our mattresses are constructed of natural materials (silk, wool & cashmere) and are hand made in the UK. The price quoted does not include the mattress. Please enquire for a mattress quote.
Customer Service:
We offer customer satisfaction through the following services:
• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland
• Free 14 Day Returns
• Full money back assurance
• Worldwide shipping
• Full insurance of items in transit
Further Information:
For more information or photographs please email or call us.
Office: 01829 458 070
Julian: 07960 738 212
Yola: 07971 882 567
Customers outside the UK should call:
Office: 00 44 1829 458 070
Julian: 00 44 7960 738 212
Yola: 00 44 7971 882 567
Free UK Delivery:
We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands. If you live in one of the areas where we do not offer free delivery, please contact us for a delivery quote before purchasing the item. Delivery will be made by our specialised antique furniture delivery service, or in some cases we will use a courier service for distant deliveries.
Delivery times are usually 1-4 weeks depending on location we aim to deliver the majority of items within 2 weeks. All items are professionally packaged and fully insured in transit, therefore, we can assure you, your items will be securely protected in transit and arrive safely with you.
Once you have purchased an item, we will contact you be email and/or telephone and provide you with a provisional delivery date, in order for you to confirm if it is suitable for you. Once you have confirmed you can accept delivery on the provisional delivery date, we will book the delivery in with our shippers and it then becomes a confirmed delivery date.
We will also provide you with our shippers' contact details, in case you need to contact the driver on the day of delivery. It's helpful if you can provide us with both the landline and mobile telephone number, in case the driver cannot reach you on one of the numbers on the day of delivery, they can contact you on your alternative number.
In order to be able to offer you free delivery, it is based on a 1-man delivery only. For any large items that require 2 people to lift the item, we ask that you are available at the time of delivery to be able to give our shipper a lift off the van and into your house with the item. If you are not able to lift items yourself, we ask that you have someone on hand at the time of delivery to assist our shipper with lifting the item.
Free 14 Days UK Returns & Refunds:
A free 14-day “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee). You will be given a full refund as long as the item is returned in the same condition. We will collect returns using our own specialist antique furniture delivery company. We will not accept returns via a courier service (due to experience of damaged items in transit). This refund policy only applies to deliveries to the UK.
UK Buyer Payment:
For UK buyers, we accept cash on collection or delivery cheque, credit card, BACS (free bank to bank transfer) or PayPal. Payment is requested within 5 days of the sale. Payment must be cleared before the items are collected or delivered.
International Buyers:
If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode. Due to the distances and costs involved with shipping outside the UK, a returns policy is therefore not available for international buyers. Before placing your order(s) please make sure this is the item for you. We request payment by bank transfer (we do not accept payment via PayPal, credit or debit card for international purchases). Payment is requested within 10 days of the purchase. Payment must be cleared before the items are collected or delivered to our shippers. The advertised price of the item does not include the shipping cost, sales tax, import duty or custom fees.
Important information regarding PayPal payment:
We only accept payment from fully verified PayPal account holders with confirmed addresses only. Items will only be sent to the confirmed address registered in PayPal. If you purchase an item and your address is not confirmed, your payment will be refunded and the purchase cancelled. It only takes a few moments to verify and confirm your PayPal details.
About the Seller:
This item is being sold by Yolanda Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA. CINOA is the world association of Art & Antique dealer associations. All LAPADA & CINOA members abide by their strict code of practice by adhering to reputable standards of quality, expertise and integrity.
Yolanda Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 40 years. Yolanda Gray has a special interest in Colonial furniture, specifically Colonial Four Poster Beds. Yolanda Gray also provides a variety of fine English Antique Furniture, Art and Fabrics to clients in the UK, Europe and further afield.
Please visit the Yolanda Gray website for further items and information.
Ref. 50087
SellerYola Gray Antiques
View all stock from
Yola Gray Antiques
Unit 4, Organsdale Farm
Kelsall,
Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 0SR
Tel : 01829 458 070
Non UK callers : +44 1829 458 070
Get directions to Yola Gray Antiques
Summary:
• Circa: 1990
• Cabinetmaker: Taylor & Co, West Sussex
• Provenance: England, United Kingdom
• Built in the style of the Elizabethan Period (circa 1558 – 1603)
• Fits a standard UK super king size mattress (6ft wide x 6ft 6” long)
• External dimensions: 7ft 8” Wide x 8ft 4” Long
• Wood: Solid oak
• Colour: Light brown
• Detailed carved canopy
• Lozenge roof panels with floral & scroll carvings
• Turned column plinths with carved Triton pair of fish & mermaid sat atop, to headboard
• Geometric & arched arabesque carved panels to headboard
• Gadroon, floral & moulded dentil rails to headboard
• Fluted columns to headboard
• Moulded canopy with moulded dentil moulding, arabesque carvings & carved corbels
• Arabesque carved posts, with reeded pot bases
• Arabesque carved cabinets below posts, on moulded plinths
• Original working locks, with working keys
• Original divan base
• Exceptional workmanship & quality
• Very strong & sturdy construction
• Dismantles into sections for easy access & transportation
• 14 days free UK returns policy
Description:
Here is a superb quality English reproduction of an Elizabethan solid oak carved super king size (6ft wide) full tester four poster bed, showing exceptional quality and craftsmanship, circa 1990, in excellent condition. This is a superb quality bed finished in a light brown oak colour, having been handmade in England from solid oak. The bed is in the style of the English Elizabethan period, which dates from between 1558 – 1603. This bed shows exceptional craftsmanship. All panels (including the headboard) are detachable for ease of transport, easy access into a house and up staircases). This bed fits a standard UK super king size mattress (6ft 6” wide x 6ft 6” long).
The headboard can be dismantled into panels (if necessary) to allow easy access up narrow staircases or through doorways. The headboard is constructed of several carved panels and rails: to the top are two gadroon carved rails with floral centres. To the left, centre and right are three pairs of turned columns, with carved characters sat atop (Triton, a pair of fish and a mermaid, respectively). Separating the pairs of columns are geometric carved panels, with moulded dentil perimeters. Beneath these panels is a reverse-moulded rail, below which is a series of fluted square columns, interspersed with arched floral panels with arabesque carved centres. Further below is a second reverse moulded rail, above four simple moulded panels.
The bed displays a stunning recessed panel roof, with lozenge panels which include scroll carvings and floral carved centres. The roof also boasts a detailed carved canopy, which incorporates reverse moulding, above shaped dentil moulding, below which is formal strap work arabesque rails, interspersed by foliate carved scroll shaped corbels.
Two carved posts support the canopy at the front, boasting arabesque carving, above a reeded ‘pot’, which in turn sits atop an arabesque carved cabinet, resting on a moulded plinth. Both cabinets retain their original working locks, each with a working key. The cabinet to the left-hand post also boasts the Taylor & Co. label. Please note: the canopy-supporting posts are freestanding and not attached to the footboard.
The base of the bed comprises a simple footboard and side rails, within which sits a folding divan base upholstered in a silk damask upholstery. The divan is large enough to accommodate a full super-king size mattress (6ft 6” wide by 6ft 6” long), but can also be removed and a slightly smaller mattress placed directly on the slats, if desired. Furthermore, there is provision for the inclusion of drapes, with pole supports located under the roof (see photos).
This bed also includes a pale gold silk mattress cover, with green diamond pattern corners.
This bed is accentuated with style, romance and tradition. The impression created by this bed will without doubt be a memorable one as they are genuinely unique and recreate the ultimate in luxury of a bygone age.
This bed is not to be confused with other four-poster beds of lesser quality in the market place today. This bed is hand-made with hand carved panels, unlike other machine carved beds. The design, build quality and superstructure (thickness of panels) are of superior and exceptional quality. It is an extremely heavy bed!
Taylor & Co:
Taylor & Co of Folly Farm, Haywards Heath in West Sussex, were makers of traditional handmade English oak antique furniture. Trading until relatively recently, their products included such items as sideboards, dressers, cabinets, bedroom antique furniture, dining antique tables, chairs, mirrors and desks.
Condition Report:
This bed is in excellent original condition. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. This bed has been cleaned and polished in our workshop to a professional standard, therefore the colour and finish is of an excellent standard. It is an extremely well-constructed, heavy, solid and a very stable bed. There are no veneers on this bed either it is made in England of solid oak. There are no missing carvings. The bed boasts exquisite carvings, un-paralleled in terms of detail, intricacy and quality. The bed comes with its original divan base, which shows some old marks to the top and corners (see photos). Please remember, the mattress sits on top of the divan, therefore it will not be seen. If you prefer a new divan base, please contact us for a quote. This bed is of superior quality and construction, and is no comparison to other to other reproduction beds in the market place today.
Dimensions:
External height = 224.1cm or 88¼” or 7ft 4¼”
External width (canopy) = 233.6cm or 92” or 7ft 8”
External width (headboard) = 215.2cm or 84¾” or 7ft ¾”
External length (canopy) = 254.2cm or 100” or 8ft 4”
External length (headboard to footboard) = 248.6cm or 97⅞” or 8ft 1⅞”
Mattress width (including side rails) = 199cm or 78⅜” or 6ft 6⅜”
Slat width = 194cm or 76⅜” or 6ft 4⅜”
Mattress length (including footboard rail) = 200.6cm or 79” or 6ft 7”
Mattress length (inside of frame) = 196.5cm or 77⅜” or 6ft 5⅜”
Side rail height (floor to top of side rails) = 48cm or 18⅞” or 1ft 6⅞”
Side rail depth = 20.2cm or 8”
Footboard height = 47.7cm or 18¾” or 1ft 6¾”
Mattresses:
This bed will fit a standard UK super king size mattress, which is 6ft 6” wide by 6ft 6” long. We also supply a range of high-quality mattresses for these beds starting from £450. Our mattresses are constructed of natural materials (silk, wool & cashmere) and are hand made in the UK. The price quoted does not include the mattress. Please enquire for a mattress quote.
Customer Service:
We offer customer satisfaction through the following services:
• Free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland
• Free 14 Day Returns
• Full money back assurance
• Worldwide shipping
• Full insurance of items in transit
Further Information:
For more information or photographs please email or call us.
Office: 01829 458 070
Julian: 07960 738 212
Yola: 07971 882 567
Customers outside the UK should call:
Office: 00 44 1829 458 070
Julian: 00 44 7960 738 212
Yola: 00 44 7971 882 567
Free UK Delivery:
We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling). We do not offer free delivery to locations north of Stirling in Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any British Islands off the mainland for example, the Isle of Man, Isle of White and Channel Islands. If you live in one of the areas where we do not offer free delivery, please contact us for a delivery quote before purchasing the item. Delivery will be made by our specialised antique furniture delivery service, or in some cases we will use a courier service for distant deliveries.
Delivery times are usually 1-4 weeks depending on location we aim to deliver the majority of items within 2 weeks. All items are professionally packaged and fully insured in transit, therefore, we can assure you, your items will be securely protected in transit and arrive safely with you.
Once you have purchased an item, we will contact you be email and/or telephone and provide you with a provisional delivery date, in order for you to confirm if it is suitable for you. Once you have confirmed you can accept delivery on the provisional delivery date, we will book the delivery in with our shippers and it then becomes a confirmed delivery date.
We will also provide you with our shippers' contact details, in case you need to contact the driver on the day of delivery. It's helpful if you can provide us with both the landline and mobile telephone number, in case the driver cannot reach you on one of the numbers on the day of delivery, they can contact you on your alternative number.
In order to be able to offer you free delivery, it is based on a 1-man delivery only. For any large items that require 2 people to lift the item, we ask that you are available at the time of delivery to be able to give our shipper a lift off the van and into your house with the item. If you are not able to lift items yourself, we ask that you have someone on hand at the time of delivery to assist our shipper with lifting the item.
Free 14 Days UK Returns & Refunds:
A free 14-day “no quibble” returns policy (from the date you receive the item) is available if you are not happy with this item. We will collect the item free of charge from you (we do not charge a return fee / collection fee). You will be given a full refund as long as the item is returned in the same condition. We will collect returns using our own specialist antique furniture delivery company. We will not accept returns via a courier service (due to experience of damaged items in transit). This refund policy only applies to deliveries to the UK.
UK Buyer Payment:
For UK buyers, we accept cash on collection or delivery cheque, credit card, BACS (free bank to bank transfer) or PayPal. Payment is requested within 5 days of the sale. Payment must be cleared before the items are collected or delivered.
International Buyers:
If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time. The shipping quote provided is a global estimate only. The actual shipping cost will vary by country and postcode. Due to the distances and costs involved with shipping outside the UK, a returns policy is therefore not available for international buyers. Before placing your order(s) please make sure this is the item for you. We request payment by bank transfer (we do not accept payment via PayPal, credit or debit card for international purchases). Payment is requested within 10 days of the purchase. Payment must be cleared before the items are collected or delivered to our shippers. The advertised price of the item does not include the shipping cost, sales tax, import duty or custom fees.
Important information regarding PayPal payment:
We only accept payment from fully verified PayPal account holders with confirmed addresses only. Items will only be sent to the confirmed address registered in PayPal. If you purchase an item and your address is not confirmed, your payment will be refunded and the purchase cancelled. It only takes a few moments to verify and confirm your PayPal details.
About the Seller:
This item is being sold by Yolanda Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA. CINOA is the world association of Art & Antique dealer associations. All LAPADA & CINOA members abide by their strict code of practice by adhering to reputable standards of quality, expertise and integrity.
Yolanda Gray has dealt in fine art and antique furniture for over 40 years. Yolanda Gray has a special interest in Colonial furniture, specifically Colonial Four Poster Beds. Yolanda Gray also provides a variety of fine English Antique Furniture, Art and Fabrics to clients in the UK, Europe and further afield.
Please visit the Yolanda Gray website for further items and information.
Ref. 50087
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 18/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Free delivery to anywhere in mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland
DimensionsExternal height = 224.1cm or 88¼” or 7ft 4¼”
External width (canopy) = 233.6cm or 92” or 7ft 8”
External width (headboard) = 215.2cm or 84¾” or 7ft ¾”
External length (canopy) = 254.2cm or 100” or 8ft 4”
External length (headboard to footboard) = 248.6cm or 97⅞” or 8ft 1⅞”
Mattress width (including side rails) = 199cm or 78⅜” or 6ft 6⅜”
Slat width = 194cm or 76⅜” or 6ft 4⅜”
Mattress length (including footboard rail) = 200.6cm or 79” or 6ft 7”
Mattress length (inside of frame) = 196.5cm or 77⅜” or 6ft 5⅜”
Side rail height (floor to top of side rails) = 48cm or 18⅞” or 1ft 6⅞”
Side rail depth = 20.2cm or 8”
Footboard height = 47.7cm or 18¾” or 1ft 6¾”
Category Post 1940 Furniture
Date Circa 1990
1990s Antiques Material Oak
Origin English
Condition This bed is in excellent original condition. Nominal old use marks to the leading edges, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. This bed has been cleaned and polished in our workshop to a professional standard, therefore the colour and finish is of an excellent standard. It is an extremely well-constructed, heavy, solid and a very stable bed. There are no veneers on this bed either it is made in England of solid oak. There are no missing carvings. The bed boasts exquisite carvings, un-paralleled in terms of detail, intricacy and quality. The bed comes with its original divan base, which shows some old marks to the top and corners (see photos). Please remember, the mattress sits on top of the divan, therefore it will not be seen. If you prefer a new divan base, please contact us for a quote. This bed is of superior quality and construction, and is no comparison to other to other reproduction beds in the market place today.
Item code as236a2323 / 50087
Status Sold
£0.00 
$0.00 
€0.00 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 18/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Free delivery to anywhere in mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland
View all stock from
Yola Gray Antiques
Unit 4, Organsdale FarmKelsall,
Tarporley
Cheshire
CW6 0SR
Tel : 01829 458 070
Non UK callers : +44 1829 458 070
Get directions to Yola Gray Antiques
You may also be interested in
A Good Antique Pine Blanket Box
Refurbished 1960s Shelving Unit
Pair Of Tall Vintage Bar Stools
Pair Of Tall Vintage Bar Stools
Pair of Swedish Leather Club Armchairs
Heavy Oak Plank Farmhouse Coffee Table
Double bed in Louis XVI style lacquered and gilded
Pair Robert Mouseman Thompson Library Bookcases
C.1950's Leather Chessboard Coffee Nest Of Table
Mid Century Modern Brown Leather three Piece Suite
20th Century Louis XVI Style Half Moon Commode
Pair of Vintage French Brass and Glass Side Tables
Websites for Antiques Dealers
Promote your stock and business
Read our testimonials
Read our testimonials