The Company

Since it opened to traffic in May of 1937, the world has had a love affair with the Golden Gate Bridge. Built during the Depression, this man made monument, demonstrating the strength and determination of the human spirit, has fascinated many with its awesome size and beauty. The construction of this bridge across San Francisco’s Golden Gate sought to defy nature itself. In addition to an earthquake in 1935, workers fought against the rough waters of the open sea as well as constant wind, which could reach up to 70 miles per hour. Yet, they prevailed, and upon its completion, the Golden Gate Bridge, reaching a complete span of 4,200 feet, was the largest suspension bridge ever built in its time.

Over the years, the Bridge’s maintenance mostly consisted of constant repainting in order to preserve its overall beauty and the steel’s integrity. However, after 56 years, the severe winds and salt air of the open ocean had begun to deteriorate and compromise portions of the pedestrian handrail. So in 1993, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District replaced a significant amount of the pedestrian handrail, which the Golden Gate Design & Furniture Co. later acquired.

One afternoon in 1994, a San Francisco television station did a news story on the fate of the Golden Gate Bridge steel that was removed during the handrail replacement in 1993. Richard Bulan, who was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area, thought it would be great to have a headboard made from the historical steel. Through perseverance, he managed to track down the name of the contractor and get a section of the approximately 12-foot long, 1000 pound handrail to his home. He then spent over a month cutting and grinding down the section of handrail, until he had not only crafted one headboard, but also three more just like it. When friends began expressing interest in purchasing the headboards, Richard realized the potential market and the Golden Gate Design & Furniture Co. was born.

From the Bridge’s original 1930’s handrail, the Golden Gate Design & Furniture Co. has created a line of unique collector’s edition furniture that captures the historical spirit and style of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. Therefore, you no longer have to settle for mere pictures or trinkets to represent this engineering marvel. The Golden Gate Design & Furniture Co. now allows you to make this breathtaking monument a part of your home or office in both a functional and artistic way.