Project

What do you get when you put this


with this



You get THIS!


and this


Yep, we built this this weekend.

I have been wanting to build something from Ana's blog at Knock-Off Wood for a while, but didn't feel like I had the time. I am DYING to build customized computer desks, etc. In fact, I have a whole room cleared out to make into our office, but it is sitting there empty. Well, last week Sam's bed fell apart. I mean, literally, fell apart. I looked on craigslist, looked at the stores, but did NOT want to pay so much for a bed that was probably going to fall apart in 5 years again. Soo, I decided to take the plunge. I looked all over Ana's site trying to decide what to do. Finally, I chose a couple, and then asked Sam what he thought. He actually saw a drawing for a daybed. Nooo, not your typical, girly daybed. He called it a couch bed and was DYING for it. He also wanted a trundle underneath so he could have a "bunk" bed like Avery's. Well, I didn't love the daybed, so I wasn't convinced. I printed off all the plans and shopping supplies for the bed I liked and decided he would like it too. :)

The next day, I decided to go get the wood. We went to Home Depot. Wood was so expensive. It was more than double what people were saying it cost to buy on Knock-off wood. Then we went to Lowe's. It was cheaper, but still so much. We just went on vacation and I didn't have that much extra money lying around. Plus, I wanted wood as cheap as people were saying! So we gave up and came home. The next morning, I searched Craigslist again. Still nothing good. AJ started looking at the Furniture stores and said to just go buy what I wanted. Then he happened across this bed.
Rooms to Go Daybed

I really liked it, except for the headboard, it was a "couch" bed and had a trundle. The only problem. $700 just for the bed. Um, no. So then I thought, "Hey, I think I could use Ana's plans and modify them to build this bed. So that is just what I did. I figured out the new measurements myself. What, you ask! Shauna figure out MATH. No way! But, yes, I did. Dad, you would be proud of me. Then I told AJ to call some lumber yards and see how much wood cost there. Woah! What a difference! The prices were 3 times smaller than Lowe's. Now that's more like it! The problem: they didn't cut it for you and they closed in 30 minutes. Oh well, nothing like spur of the moment! I sent him running! LOL! He went and got all the wood we needed for $100!! That's right, I made this bed for $130 total which included lumber, screws, nails, paint, and poly-urethane. $130 for a more than $700 bed! Plus we made it all by ourselves, know it is quality work, and made it with extra support so it lasts forever! Go us!

We went and borrowed a miter saw and table saw from some friends and got to work. It took 2 days, with lots of interruptions and stopping times, but we did it! It looks great and we are ALL happy. Yes, AJ helped this time. I didn't know how to use most of the stuff, but next time I should be able to do it by myself. Yes, there will be a next time! Go me! I loved it! I hated sanding though. Yuck and it took forever! Ugh, sanding. I made Sam take over a few times. He did a good job, and now he can say he helped build his own bed and he isn't even 10 years old. :)

Here is our building process in steps.

I showed you the first pictures above of the wood and sanding. Then the next pictures are of the building process, then painting. Isn't it cute! I love it! It was all so pretty, I almost didn't want to paint it, but Sam wanted a black bed. Did I mention I hate black furniture? I decided to go with it though since it would be in his room. I do like it though. It looks good. I sort of liked it better before I put the poly-urethane on because now it is shiny, but at least it is protected and in a kid's room, it needs protection. We are so proud of ourselves. Go us!