Their business started in 2013 and according to Cindi Rembert, “We started it from scratch.” But now, just three years later, what Rembert and her husband, Carson, began has become a nationwide business that has taken the simplicity of a plain old bed to a whole new level. Custom Carolina Hanging Beds, located in Johns Island, offers hanging beds with a personal touch. Their handmade and completely customized practices set them apart from their competition. Rembert says, “Everything is literally put together by hand from building the piece to painting it.”

All lumber is hand-selected locally. The type used will depend on customer preference as well as whether the hanging bed will be placed inside or outside. For an exterior placement, kiln-dried pine, heart pine, teak, cypress or cedar is best, according to Rembert, who says, “We construct most hanging beds with kiln-dried pine, because pine is more cost-effective and works well in an outdoor environment.”

Most of the interior hanging beds are made of yellow pine and cypress. These interior beds are made without using any harsh chemicals on the wood. As Rembert says, “The look and feel is fresh.”

Local customers of Custom Carolina Hanging Beds can expect a visit from Carson Rembert. “He likes to see the space so he can offer advice not only on the design of the bed, but where to hang it,” Rembert says. “And, of course, he takes measurements.” Long-distance customers can expect a one-onone phone call with advice on what is best for their space as well as instructions on installation. Rembert says they have sold beds to clients in 48 states (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) and even out of the country. But most clients, aside from those in South Carolina, are from Texas, California, Connecticut, New York and Florida.

Once the bed arrives, it’s easy to install. She explains: “We ship the hanging beds fully assembled along with all the hanging hardware and rope. So the customer just removes the hanging bed out of the box and it’s ready to be suspended from the ceiling.”

Custom Carolina Hanging Beds wanted its ropes to have a clean look with no bulky knot near the top. To accomplish this, a shackle is integrated into the rope’s weave, which attaches to an eyebolt on the ceiling. This allows the hanging bed to be quickly and easily removed from the permanently mounted bolt. “For exterior hanging beds, this is especially important in case of extremely high winds,” Rembert says.

At the bottom, the rope ends in a decorative knot with a flaring tassel. It’s a relaxed, coastal look, but it’s not the only way to hang a bed. Other options include colored ropes, galvanized stainless steel cables, powder-coated chain, and many more.

How did Custom Carolina Hanging Beds get so popular in just three short years? Rembert says they rely heavily on word of mouth, referrals, social media and websites. They have also received their fair share of press. Rembert mentions that they have been featured in national media—Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters, Dwell magazine and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution—and they have taken part in many home shows, such as one in Philadelphia where participants competed to design the best front porch.

“The main appeal to a hanging bed versus a stationary bed is the slow motion glide,” Rembert explains. And even though Custom Carolina Hanging Beds doesn’t market its products as space savers, they are. The Remberts actually installed a hanging bed in their son’s room that folds from the wall. “We can tie the ropes up to boat cleats on the bottom of the bed, then fold it up so that it’s out of the way when it’s not being used,” Rembert says.

Customers can choose from 14 base models in a variety of sizes, but Rembert says the company can build pretty much anything. As an example she mentions a bed designed with a modern, minimalist look. The simple pine bed, painted black, was hung with stainless steel cables that were so light and well disguised the bed appeared to float in midair.

The hanging beds, which include the bed, rope and all hanging hardware, range from $1,000 to $2,500. Rembert says the average hanging bed costs around $2,200, including mattress and bolsters.

Custom Carolina Hanging Beds also offers a completely customized indoor or outdoor cushion package, which includes handmade pillows and mattresses, ranging from $500 to $1,650. The company works with each customer on the design scheme, material and consistency of these accessories.

Carson Rembert was in the construction business for 15 years before starting Custom Carolina Hanging Beds. “It was just my husband and I, when we started this business three years ago,” Rembert says. “Now we have seven employees!”

For Rembert, the last three years have been full of happiness. “We make these hanging beds with love and a Southern touch,” she says. “We make sure that every bed is made to our customers’ desires and that they are 100 percent satisfied. We feel so blessed to be doing what we love.”

Theresa Stratford is a freelance writer based in Charleston and marketing director for a downtown tour company.