Things have been good. School is out and it is summer break. We survived another school year! Yay!
The kids have been playing outside as much as possible....well, as much as I can kick them outside so they aren't begging to play video games.
I've been keeping myself busy...found a new hobby. Just what I needed, right?
So D's been wanting a loft bed for awhile. I got the crazy idea that I would make one for him instead of getting him a metal one. So I looked at it and jumped into it like the crazy, impulsive person I can be. I bought a circular saw (we've been wanting one for awhile....needed it several times for things) and the wood. The wood ended up costing me about what a metal loft bed would cost. Okay, not bad. I made the bed out of pine....that's what the more 'affordable' wooden loft beds are made from. I found a $400 one at IKEA we were considering...or even the cheaper metal one...but by the time you add in gas and the many other things we always buy when visiting IKEA, it's not as affordable as we planned.
Anyways, back to the bed.
I used the plans from here...
http://ana-white.com/2010/05/furniture-plans-loft-bed.html
I'm getting too stuck on some of Ana White's plans.....but that's another story.
So, the cutting and assembly of the bed wasn't too bad. There were some adjustments needed but nothing big. I made the bed a bit taller....by 3". D wanted to be able to stand under the bed. So he can now. I added the height onto the bottom of the legs so they can be shortened later. That raised the bottom supports to a few more inches off the ground but I think it still looks nice. I also added extra supports about desk height up. I just wanted this bed to be super sturdy. I also used a 2x3" board for the center bed support instead.
I did the cutting and J helped me with some of the assembly and gluing. I did sanding and painting. Did I mention how much I hate painting?
After it was dry, it was time to bring the bed up and put it together. (We made sure to use the setup where you can take it apart to move if needed)
The little ones helped me with assembly while J was out flying his Father's Day gift. (Should post on that later). I wanted to do this assembly without him. I know that is lame but just something I wanted to do.
It was a bit exhausting with the littles helping but we did get it together and then it was screwing in the cross slats for the mattress support. After that was done...we got the mattress up there and I climbed on up to make the bed. (I figured it would be better for me to test sturdiness before my son!). The bed hardly moves, really takes some work to get it wiggling. The bed was made and the room got cleaned and organized. We put the desk underneath, which fit perfectly at the end. D is now using a very small dresser from our guest room until we get/make him a new one. (He had a storage bed with drawers under it before.) J came home from flying and climbed up there to test it out as well....and my youngest, E joined him up there. Held the 2 of them. Held me and my son too. It's a very sturdy bed and I'm not worried about it falling apart. If we ever feeling like it needs more stability then we'll anchor it into the wall.
So now it's time from pictures....
The bed isn't perfect at all. Honestly, it probably wasn't the best project for a first build. But I still just LOVED building it (except the painting) and can't wait for my next project....
I have several in mind.
By the way, D LOVES his new bed. And it has opened up his room so much. really need to get a new dresser.
Can't wait for the next project....
Too bad everything costs so much!
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