Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Master Bed

Our Master Bed has been completed, and I have been counting the hours until the sun comes up to show you. We could not be more ecstatic about no longer sleeping on the floor after a year of doing so. And at 29+ weeks pregnant,  those frequent nighttime bathroom trips were daunting. Let's just say there was a lot of awkward rolling, tripping, falling, and waddling involved...

It all started when I fell in love with this bed:

Gustavian Bed from Viva Terra

At $2,095 plus tax and shipping, it was obviously not an option. Even Ikea prices were questionable for our college-student-budget. But, Ana White at Knock-Off Wood (who might as well be called Wonder woman) was to the rescue, once more. She worked up some plans. Which I modified from a queen to a king and made a few small preferential changes (don't worry, I will tell you exactly what we did.) And then David bought some wood, which happened to be pretreated. So he returned it, and bought the correct wood:

This is supposed to be a bed? Really?

And he went to work:

Dmitri helped. Especially with the power tools.

Six days, five trips to Lowes, a gazillion screws, countless measuring, over one hundred cuts of wood, free-styling with a jig saw, three applications of stain, two applications of polycrylic, and a lot of impatient waiting during dry time...

And here is our bed:
I am in love.


 It's so huge.

Look at those legs.

I'm calling him Gustav, and he's pretty much swept me off my feet (and off of the floor- thank God!). Enjoy the photos for now, and I will be posting every building detail tomorrow. Might I add, I had our Anthropologie bedding set up on the bed for not even thirty minutes. And Dmitri managed to leak his poopy diaper all over my new sham. Ooh, shit. Got to love life with babies. So a bedding post will be coming at a later date, after a visit to the cleaners.

These photos were taken in the middle of our massive master bedroom redo, hence the blue tape and other random stuff lying about. So forgive the weirdness. I look forward to sharing more Master Bedroom updates in the next few days.

Total cost: < $200, including the purchase of a jig saw
If we had bought it: $2,095 + tax & shipping

For details on how we built it, including measurements, click here!
For FAQ's, click here!

I linked up at The Weekend Wrap-Up & Make it 4 Monday.  

56 comments:

Gina@ temporarynest said...

Oh my god that is AMAZING!!!! You guys should be really proud that is a huge accomplishment! Bravo! And Ana White. Is incredible. I kinda want to be her... congrats and happy sleeping!!

René said...

Gustav is handsome indeed! You both must be thrilled with the outcome!

-Rene

Shannon said...

Wow! That bed for that price? You guys did a phenomenal job! I am totally in awe of this bed! i'm sure sleeping will be a million times better now.

KiraAJ said...

wow...just wow...u guys did great! And i dot know how u managed to sleep on the floor like that for so long lol....im only 19weeks and i couldnt even imagine lol! Cant wait for the post with ur bed linen all on :)

coolkids said...

wow!!!!!!!!!! LOVE!!

Willo said...

That is a a BEAUTIFUL bed!

Sarah said...

Love it! It's a dead ringer for your inspiration bed, and so unique.

Jillian said...

Wow!! That bed is amazing! What an accomplishment!

Katie Olthoff said...

It is GORGEOUS! And I can't believe you did it in 6 days!

I need a headboard...and I'm pretty good with a jigsaw. I bet I could do this. :) I don't have anything else to do with my time! ha!

Cate said...

I love it!! And that green paint is fantastic. I can't wait to see the big bedroom reveal. :-)

Jenny said...

You two (ahem, three) did an amazing job. It looks fabulous. I can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the room!

sundryelements.blogspot.com

michelle said...

It is beautiful!!! It looks EXACTLY like your inspiration, he is AMAZING!Now you can get out of bed with out having to draw out a plan of how you were to roll, prop, swing, or reach for something to get you up! YEAH!

Sorry about the poopy diaper.....

Unknown said...

That is one gorgeous bed! Great job. Can't wait to see your bedding--bummer about the leak!

Yolanda @ Miss Refashionista said...

That is AWESOME!!!! Looks exactly (ig not better) like the Gustav bed. Did you use the plans for Anna White Exactly? because the headboard looks a bit different. I want to make this for our new home, You just gave me a push!!

I'm so pumped right now!

the girl in the red shoes said...

LOVE the bed! It's so perfect!

Cassie Bustamante said...

i, too, am in love! can i place an order???? :)
would love to have you join my furniture party, caroline- this is just amazing!

Unknown said...

Dead on. Great work! I'm very impressed, and I love Ana White. I will be building furniture from now on instead of buying it because of her (have you seen the farmhouse table? And bench? I'm excited).

Can't wait to see the whole room! It looks fantastic!

Cristina said...

It looks fantastic!!!! Who needs a $2,000+ bed when you can make one? :) So lovely.

Mandi Miller said...

Caroline that is AWESOME!! I love it!!!!

Johanna said...

beautiful! i love it!

Unknown said...

WOW! Absolutely stunning. I admire your "go-get-em" attitude!
When it comes to building a piece of furniture from scrach, I get cold feet. Most people do! But not you... it's amazing!
Great job!

Katy said...

Caroline, it's gorgeous! Please come do one for me! :) I can't wait to see the rest of the stencil!

CourtneyKeb said...

Ya'll did do an incredible job!!!!!!!!

I bet you never wanna leave the bed now!!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Great Job you all! I'm inspired, I may just have to talk hubby into hitting up lowes this weekend! Ha!

Joy said...

That is amazing and gorgeous!!

Gotta love a man that knows how to use power tools!!

Sarah said...

It came out beautiful! Props to you and your husband on an amazing job!
And I'm excited to see more of the stenciling going on in the background! :)

barbie said...

Fabulous! I might have to get my man to make me on one day!

Karen said...

This definitely an heirloom piece to be passed on through the generations. Congrats, it's besautiful! -K

The Parker's said...

Ah! I DIE! It's just gorgeous!

[ker-AND-uh] said...

OMGAH. This sounds like something the husband and I need to do. Your bed looks FANTASTIC!!!! I sooo need plans for this! lol I'm jealous!!

Joi said...

Um, WOW! My mouth dropped open! You guys worked it out. I love what you did! You should be sooooo proud of yourself. : )

Amanda @ Little House on the Corner said...

Wow, wow, wow! It looks just like the Ikea version! So fantastic. I love that dark stain. FYI, I showed this to my husband, who also likes to build things, and he was very impressed! :) I wish we would have done something like this instead of just buying a bed frame/headboard. You can't beat that price!! I'll be sure to come back and check out the how-to.

Hallie said...

WOW. It looks EXACTLY like the original one! I am VERY impressed! And just in the nick of time, you're gonna be needing a comfy bed to sleep in when you're got two little ones! :)

paisley penguin said...

WOW! This looks awesome and I LOVE the pricetag including the jigsaw (which I really want). So showing the hubs this!

Tatiana said...

Wow! That's so impressive! You go girl! It looks absolutely gorgeous, and now you won't have to waddle your way off the floor :-)

Sharstin said...

it looks gorgeous! you guys are crazy talented!

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

A BIG thank you for your comment. You're living my dream! :-) I live in the country, but my house isn't old and guess what? I'm selling it because I also want to find a real house, with loads of character. Your blog is totally inspiring me and makes me want to sell this place today, so I can start fixing my next house tomorrow.

It's great to "meet" you! And, oh.. you look really cute in that picture! :-)

xo


Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow! Your bed turned out amazing! You all did a wonderful job

calikas said...

Wow!! So super amazing! I am very envious.

Mama Gone Green said...

Looks amazing! You are so motivated!

Laura Trevey said...

Wow! That's amazing ~~

** and thanks for the visit which brought me here! **

xoxo

KARA @ KARA PASLAY DESIGNS said...

FABULOUS JOB! That looks just like the real deal! I am sure you will enjoy it for years to come!!

Ramsey said...

This is AMAZING!!! I am seriously so impressed right now! Since you did great and all, I think it would be best if you just came and built another one for me. I am a great person to work for. I pay in cookies and hot cocoa.

Dana said...

This is amazing! Wow!

Julie S. said...

I showed these plans to my hubby because we desperately need a bed and we are planning to build one as well- in a king size. Will you be posting the measurements?

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

It is absolutely gorgeous!!! can't wait to see the details. Hmmmm, may have a new project for my dad the next time he comes to visit.

Beth @ The Goad Abode said...

This is so beautiful! I want to show my husband, but know he'll run right to Home Depot...ha! Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower and so glad I found your blog through Tatertots and Jello today :)

kara@elements-interiors.net said...

LOVE this! Love for you to link it up at

*ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *

xoxokara

Rachael West said...

Wow its seriously amazing, you guys did such a fantastic job!

Gustav - I love it!

Jessie said...

I have been drooling over that Viva Terra bed for years and keep meaning to make myself one. Good work!

Lucydesignsart.com said...

This just might be the most beautiful bed I've ever seen! I am saving your instructions and hope to make myself one!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Truly outstanding! That is such a unique and wonderful headboard. You 'four' make an awesome team. :)

Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Casey said...

I love your bed much much much more than the first one even! Excellent job!

Elle Uy said...

amazing!! you should make more and sell! haha.. :)

Anonymous said...

I am definitely going to make this bed! I have been following Ana White for a while now, but I love your version even more than the one on her site. Perfect!!

Sarah D said...

The link to Ana Whites original plans is broken and I didn't see it on her website. Any chance you have a copy of her plans lying around? Would love to make this bed with my boyfriend, you all did a great job!