anyone know where I can get a 5ft bed?

Just a thought - a 160cm mattress will overhang (or get slightly squeezed by) a 155cm bed base by less than an inch each side - think thickness of duvet or blankets, and would you notice?

We bought all our wrought-iron beds from Vitali in Pesaro who were excellent and had reasonable prices. They weren't custom built but you could try them-0721 23998.

have you considered buying a 5' bed in the UK - there are great sales at present - and getting someone like coseperlacasa  to ship it down for you. It would be worth finding out what the costs would be Or you could just get an Italian bed, [and throw the 5' metal frame away - or stand it on end out in the garden and grow roses over it]

Thanks guys will check out your suggestions, think the interesting rose garden looking like the most likely option at the mo...