Bed Building
We were itching.
Itching bad.
And that itch had ‘KING SIZED BED’ all over it.
I blame the summer vacation. We slept in an amazing king sized bed. At the time, we were co-sleeping some with Will (like after his 5 am feeding) and that little guy is a cuddler. I am not. So you can imagine him squirming closer and closer to me each night…and me squirming closer and closer to hanging onto the bed with one hand while the rest of my body was our floor. Let’s just say that it didn’t make for restful nights. So when we got home & sold our guest bedroom suite, we knew that this was our chance to spring for a new bigger bed that would fit two moderately chunky Bowers and one pint sized redhead Tinkler.
Our existing chocolate leather queen sized bed would have a new home in the guest bedroom. Since we were going for a red/chocolatey-goodness/white color scheme in there, it worked out perfectly. (oh and for those of you wondering about the color of the lamps that I spraypainted…it’s Krylon Cherry Red in Gloss).
The first thing we did was realize that we had no bed to sleep on. And when you have a baby…the only thing you CAN focus on is getting into bed and snoozin…so this was top priority. We ended up at a discount mattress place purchasing the Beautyrest Classic…it was last year’s version but brand new and only $500 with the box spring (a far cry from the $2000 versions at the bigger name-brand stores!). Obviously Will approved 
I wish I had a photo of the mattress on the floor…but I forgot. We slept like that for a few weeks while we came up with a game plan on building a bed. You already saw it during the messy house tour…but here is another video of Will & I enjoying the mattress on the floor.
Will Laughing from Katie Bower on Vimeo.
He cracks me up. Anytime I watch that it almost makes me wanna wake him up from his nap just so I can cuddle him for a while. Almost…
Anyhoo….we found some plans online at Ana White’s blog (the blog star formally known as Knock-off Wood) and they provided just enough info for Jeremy to get the confidence to build the bed. Listen…the boy can build walls and run the lights and hang the drywall, mud and trim but this was his first go at woodworking…so it definitely helped that he didn’t have to ‘design’ the thing.
I’m not gonna go into the details of how to build the bed…you can head over to Ana’s to see those steps (and a slew of other AWESOME woodworking plans easy enough for the beginner). But I will say this: like any plan you need to check your measurements and there will be some modifications needed.
When it came to the slats on the back of the bed, we decided to shave the edges to achieve a more defined separation.
I loved the curly cues…I think they would make great vase filler. Gosh darn. Now I wish I saved them.
Now with all the slats for the headboard…
it was ready for the top piece to sandwich it down. Only a little glue (second bottle purchased after the first one exploded in the garage. Granted, bottles of glue tend to do that when people run over them with the car. Not that I would know.) and a little bit of nailing held it in place.
Lovely sandwiched headboard.
And then we attached the posts and the top boards to create a standing headboard.
We simply followed the same steps and then moved onto priming…
…and finished up with three coats of paint.
Let me take this time to tell you guys how we did this piece…with major help from True Value. You may remember that we were chosen to be on the blogsquad. Shocker. I know. Construction was a piece of cake with T.V. on our side…afterall, no other store carries the length screw we needed.
But back to the finishing…we sanded it really well. Mostly because of the rough wood. This is made of standard sizes of wood that you can buy in any home improvement store so it tends to be rough. After a thorough sanding, we primed the piece (we used Kilz waterbased primer with a 2.5 inch Purdy paintbrush curtesy of True Value). Then came time for the first coat of paint. I picked Benjamin Moore’s Antique White and had it color matched at True Value in a semi-gloss. Between each coat, we used ‘between-coat’ sandpaper for an extra smooth finish. After one coat of primer and three coats of paint, it was FINALLY finished.
That’s when we decided to go for a slightly rustic look. We chose to distress and glaze it. My boyfriend calls it the ‘dirty’ look…but I like to call it the antique Pottery Barn appeal. It was really simple to achieve. All you do is sand the edges…
and then spread glaze all over and then wipe it off.
Instant antique-pottery-barn-look…
And it defines the grooves so much better.
After that, we decided to polyuerathane the entire thing. Generally we don’t use regular poly…because it turns yellow…we use Verathane instead…but for this piece, we wouldn’t mind if it turned a little more cream colored. I think it would only add to the antique look.
After the entire thing was dried and ready, we cleared the room (crossing our fingers that it would fit in our room).
Then came time for assembly. Notice that we notched out a board on the inside of the footboard to create a slot for the sideboards. Also, we cut a little slot for the boxspring supports. I wish I knew where you could get them…I picked them outta someone’s trash.
Next to the headboard, we just screwed the posts to the sideboard.
After everything was screwed into place, we simply placed the boxsprings in place….
And adjusted the legs supporting the boxsprings so that the mattress would lay evenly.
Now for the finished product.
Not bad, huh? And for less than $150 (including the cedar posts that we had to splurge on because no standard 4×4 posts were available).
And the queen quilt was only thirty smackers on clearance at HomeGoods while the blanket was an old $20 Black Friday at Target deal (why I bought a king sized blanket last year is beyond me…a guess just a sign of future bedding glory!). Now we just have to order the REAL quilt and shams and finish this room up with a coat of paint.
“I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”
Are you kidding me? That video is adorable!!!
Nice looking bed. Love it. The yellow quilt—is that the Homegoods or Target find?Iwantit.
Angela – it is HomeGoods! Isn’t it darling?! It’s available online for $100…it’s called Southern Living yellow wedding ring quilt.
xo – kb
The bed looks great! I love when you can build your own furniture for a completely custom look at a much more affordable price!
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!! …and Jeremy will require how much to drive to NH and make one for us? Seriously…reaching for my check book. We got a King (can you say ‘life-changing’?) sized bed about 3 months ago. Weve yet to find an inexpensive, stylish, head and foot board that wont overwhelm our already smallish master. That frame is GORGEOUS!!!!!
Wow, the bed looks professional and super high end! I need to get myself some woodshop skills…
GREAT job! I am in the middle of a Knock-Off Wood project myself — the cubby storage wall. Have you shared your bed with Ana yet? (Wait, that sounds weird… haha)
Will cracks me up in the photo of the box springs being put in the frame. xo
Ok so you just saved my Pier 1 Bed from being listed on Craigslist! Its VERY similar in style to your new one here and is already the antiqued white. I was going to sell it b/c Ive wanted to re-do our master BR for awhile now(its always the last room we choose to focus on) and cant wait to see what wall color you go with. So hurry up & git R done!:)
LOVE your blog!
Katie, I am FLOORED by your bed construction skills!! WOWIE! It looks amazing. I am dying for the day we have a house (living in NYC means all our construction projects take place in the living room) so we can really go to town with some wood and paint. Great job! Love your blog and always get good ideas from you. Oh, yeah, and you have the cutest family ever!
That video is adorable – love his laugh and who doesn’t like jumping on the bed?! The DIY bed is seriously impressive, too!
I love this!! My husband is going to blame you when I demand (a.k.a. ask very sweetly but don’t take no for an answer) for a new bed when I see him today!! thanks for the idea
Wow! That looks like it’s straight out of a magazine!
you guys are INCREDIBLE! the bed is amazing and your offspring isn’t too bad either
Katie, the bed is asbolutely beautiful!!! I will be copying…um, should I say, my husband will be copying it!! Quick question, what color glaze did you use for the antique look? I like that it’s a little darker so that it can go with darker furniture in a bedroom.
Love your blog – I’m a little obsessed, I check it everyday
Hi Shannon…I’ll be posting a tutorial on exactly how we did the glazing later this week.
xo – kb
Very impressive and inspiring. I guess there’s nothing too big for you to tackle. Now I’m getting the germ of an idea to attempt something like this, too. I’m going to be redoing the master bedroom soon, and am still tossing around whether to keep the queen sized or go for the king. I really want that king. Sigh.
Holy balls that bed is AMAZING! I just might copy it. WELL DONE!
I LOVE the bed, and can’t believe it only cost you $150! We have a queen right now, but could definitely see a King in our future…
Wow! That’s all I can say. Very impressive!
Katie, that is absolutely gorgeous!!! seriously! I have bed frame envy! it is a masterpiece…you guys did a wonderful job! very impressed!
Holy WOW!
LOVE LOVE LOVE the bed!
Also, I wish I could watch the video right now, but I’m in a crowded classroom!
OH.MY.GOODNESS!!! You and your boyfriend are super talented!!! We have built various pieces of furniture over the years – but never a BED!!! And it looks AMAZING!!!
Well done you guys….I am super jealous, but super inspired…maybe we need a new bed frame now!
It looks awesome, Katie! Great job!
so proud to be outbuilt by you! Absolutely beautiful!
Aww thanks Ana….I’m totally blushing. And thrilled to use the plans…your site is AHHMAZING.
xo – kb
Your bed looks awesome!! Love the glazing idea and great explanation. I am attempting a fake fireplace mantle and think I’ll try the glaze on it. Great move going for a king sized bed. We have 4 kids and it’s a must have for the nights that you end up with little people wanting a place to sleep! It’s turned sleep less nights into restful ones at our house.
Beautiful! This is my favorite project you’ve done… I just had to comment! It really does look straight out of a Pottery Barn Catalog
You kids have crazy crazy skillz! I am so impressed!
GORGEOUS! You guys did an incredible job … what a great project
Oh my word! That bed turned out awesome!! You guys rock!
Absolutely Beautiful!
Just have to add my voice to the already Wowed and Amazed crowd. That Bed is just beautiful! I wish we had the time to tackle projects like that! You INSPIRE ME!!!!!
Looks GREAT, Katie! We recently purchased our house and I’m so eager to do many of Ana White’s projects!!! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful bed Katie! Ya’ll did a great job!
Jen
OK a couple things:
1. Will = beyond adorable. I love squeally baby laughs. They can make your day!
2. That bed looks amazing. I would have believed you if you said you bought it new from a store!!!
I am making that bed! Lol, correction…it’s actually for my daughter’s Christmas present. A doll bed and I love the color and staining so I just might have to do what you did because it came out beautifully!! I cut all the wood out already, just don’t have any 1 1/4″ screws (have every size but that one!) and I should be done building in less than 2 hours. Now only if I need another “regular” size bed to bed.
*to build
Absolutely gorgeous!
It looks super!! I love Ana’s website too…
Gorgeous! That really turned out amazing!
Hands down my favorite Bower Power project so far! The bed turned out so good! Great job to you and Jeremy!
You two did an amazing job. It looks wonderful.
And Will’s face when you propped him up with the pillow? Priceless!
Oh WOW! You guys did such a great job! The bed looks awesome! Now can you come to Germany and build one for me, too?
Also, that video of Will is hilarious! Completely cracked me up! He’s such a cutie!
Hi Katie,
This is AWESOME and I definitely want to replicate! I am looking forward to the glazing post. Can you mention what paint finish you started with before you put the glaze over? I’ve never glazed and I’m unsure if you do it over flat paint, semi gloss, etc. THANKS!
Yeah Lacey – I thought I typed it but I guess it’s easy to miss with all those other words
I know. I talk too much. And it is semi-gloss but Ana used gloss on hers and it looks great too.
xo – kb
This is a GORGEOUS bed! Y’all did an awesome job, bravo!!!!!!
Holy goodness that’s amazing! Is your boyfriend cool with being rented out to others?
That video of Will is so cute! I love baby giggles, they make me smile all the time!
Looks great! You’ll love having a king-sized bed! They’re glorious. I can’t understand couples who are ok with queens. They don’t know what they’re missing!
Okay, that video of Will is probably my favorite thing I’ve ever seen on your blog. Ever. Sorry, dude. You got upstaged by that adorable munchkin!
OH and your bed is super fabulous as well
You guys did a fabulous job on the bed – beautiful! Will is SO adorable!
I don’t know where you get the determination for these projects! But good for you – looks great, of course!
Congratulations to you both – it looks fantastic!!!
How long did it take you to build? I’ve been eyeing the plans for about 6 months now and keep hinting at my husband…who, obviously, doesn’t take hints well. I keep trying to tell him “it won’t take very long”…. but I honestly have no idea. I just need construction time because I’m on my own with painting so it doesn’t matter how long that takes!
It took less than a week to build (Jeremy works slow & steady) but it took a little over two total (all the painting, glazing, & polying included). It definitely isn’t the easiest project out there but totally worth all the work. Plus, your hubbie will have bragging rights for YEARS.
xo – kb
the bed looks great. very impressive!
and the picture of Will on the mattress is too cute.