Built from plans on this website, with some modifications.
i used 8-ft x 16-in x 3/4-in edge-glued boards from Lowe’s for the shelves. Instead of cutting the boards to length, I widened the console slightly to accommodate.
I added an extra shelf to increase storage. I also added vertical dividers between the shelves to increase strength and prevent sagging.
The top is an 8-ft x 20-in edge-glued board with a piece of 1x4 board added on at each end. I then added strips of 1x2 underneath on all sides to create an overhang. The top is not fastened on with screws or any other fasteners. Its weight keeps it in place, and being removable will make it easier to move the console, if necessary, in the future.
I couldn’t find a commercial stain that had the “red barn” look I wanted, so I used latex paint thinned with an approximately equal amount of water.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The red stain is Sherman Williams “Sun-Dried Tomato” thinned with an approximately equal amount of water. The white wash on the trim is Valspar “Navaho White”, thinned the same way.
The top is painted with three coats of Sherman Williams “Caviar” (not thinned).
For a protective finish, I used four coats of Minwax Wipe-on Water-based Polycrilic on the top. I decided I didn’t like the wipe-on poly, though — wiping it on was too messy on my hands — so I switched to brush-on for the rest of the project. That received three coats in critical areas, two coats in places unlikely to see much wear.
Comments
JoanneS
Wed, 01/01/2014 - 06:35
Fabulous
What a fabulous daybed! You did an awesome job! The finish is absolutely gorgeous. And it's so timeless, it will last for generations. :)
Daviddickey
Sun, 01/05/2014 - 16:12
Thanks
Thank you so much!! My wife helped sand and did some of the finish, it was a fun project... Super heavy, I'm hoping that leads to a lifetime of use.
Linda7
Tue, 01/07/2014 - 10:22
Wow!
Joanne's comments are spot-on! Love this...and the finish is stunning!
Daviddickey
Tue, 01/07/2014 - 12:08
Thank you
Thank you Linda!! Just used the wood conditioner, a coat of stain, 3 coats of poly, with a sand in between. I made a kitchen table using the same stain, it really is a beautiful color that my wife picked out.
Kburrell
Tue, 12/22/2015 - 07:42
Perfect!
This is the perfect playroom bed for a boy! I'm looking to build two of them. Every other bed I've searched that is farmhouse style is boarded on three sides. I LOVE this playform style for the same reason you mentioned....they can sit all around on the bed and it's much easier for kids to change bed linens. I love the "chunkyness" and masculine appeal of this bed! You mentioned using thicker boards on the top. Would you mind shag what yo used? Also, what did you use to make your "feet" on the bottom? I would appreciate any tips