Hello Builders!
I made this bed for my daughter right after finishing Ana’s Simple Bed for myself. This bed is great because it is cool-looking (the most important factor for my middle-schooler) and because it adds tons of storage space (the most important factor for me, the mom!). Ana has this bed marked as easy, and it was easy. After working on the Simple Bed with lots and lots of cutting and gluing and nailing, I was amazed at how quickly this bed started looking like itself.
As a newbie builder, I read and read and re-read Ana’s plans and the comments on the plans and any similar plans until I feel comfortable. The Storage Daybed is just three separate benches that sit side-by-side and the mattress just lies on top. Somehow, when digesting the plans, I was really confused about the divider in the middle of each bench, but eventually the light bulb went on (the divider is necessary to support and strengthen the top, but the end result is that there are three cubbies in the front of the bed and three cubbies in the back – perfect for storing off-season clothes).
So I went to the Blue home improvement store and decided on birch plywood. Special thanks to Jen for working up the plywood cutting layout that Ana included in the plan. I don’t think I could have figured out how to get the pieces cut without you. The associates at the large home improvement store were very nice, and they offered to make the cuts for me even though they said that they really weren’t supposed to make “project cuts”. The problem was that their cuts were oh, so bad! They marked out all of the cuts at once, which doesn’t account for the sliver that the blade takes out, and when measuring they didn’t even have the tape measure blade flush against the top in the first place.
On my other projects, I made plenty of mistakes. But they were my mistakes, you know what I mean? On this build, I spent so much time trying to fix bad cuts. But it’s my fault. I was concerned, but I second guessed myself and didn’t speak up while they were cutting. I ended up having to cut a thin strip of plywood to lengthen the side of one of the benches, and had to sand and sand and sand. Also ended up having to re-cut the dividers.
Oh, well. I got a little life lesson in assertiveness, and I got to add a circular saw to my toolkit! After all was said and done, this really is a great bed, and it made my heart glow to hear my daughter going around telling folks: “My mom is making my bed!
Comments
Ana White Admin
Tue, 04/07/2015 - 09:31
Stunning!
Just beautiful as always, thanks for sharing!
tracygator
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 13:54
Love it!
This is awesome! I have wanted to make a coffee table similar to this and was inspired by west elm Emerson collection. Can I ask how you cut your boards so the top and sides meet seamlessly? Thank you!
In reply to Love it! by tracygator
timberandsoul
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 15:43
Hi Tracy. Everywhere there
Hi Tracy. Everywhere there is a joint or seam, I cut each reclaimed plank on a 45 degree angle to hide the exposed raw wood after being cut.
tracygator
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 19:38
Thank you!
It looks just like west elm. Did you lay the boards on plywood first? It looks like there are a few pieces per row on the side if that makes sense. Seriously I love this
In reply to Thank you! by tracygator
timberandsoul
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 21:11
You are correct, I build a
You are correct, I build a plywood box basically with a face frame. I rip down all the reclaimed pallet to 1/2" thickness and then nail it to the plywood. The pallet wood is basically a veneer.
dthomas
Sat, 07/30/2016 - 16:51
plans
Do you have any building plans for the pieces you make? I'm a beginner to intermediate in my skill level and sometimes need specific instructions. I really liked your one drawer console and your reclaimed unique TV stand.
Thanks