I followed the plans pretty closely. I added dividers to make 3 drawer units but I didn't find it necessary to have the top shelf go all the way to the back since it would never function as a shelf. I used scrap pieces for that and they weren't big enough to be full shelves.
I used 1/2" MDF for the bottom, sides, and backs of the drawers to cut down on weight, cost, and general bulkiness. I used this free app called Cut List to figure out the easiest way to have the guys at Home Depot cut all the drawer panels after I learned I'm not that good with a circular saw. I used a hack saw to cut aluminum bars for hanging files and used scrap wood to make the little brackets to hold the bars upright in the drawer. The full extension drawer slides are functionally and asthetically better but it would have been so much easier to put in basic bottom mount slides.
I wanted a wood grain top and ended up with common pine boards over more expensive poplar or oak and I would use pine again without hesitation. I used Google SketchUp to figure out the widths of boards I needed to make the top with minimal cuts. Then joined them with glue and mending plates and sanded the hell out of them. I altered the dimensions slightly to make it the same size desktop as the Bedford desk. My two wing sections are 23" x 23" but I should have made them 23" deep by more like 24" or 25" long. I had to hack the bottom bracing to make a spot for the drawer units to slide into. If you alter the dimensions make sure you can secure a brace between the main body and the wing of the desktop and still have room for the brace at the edge of the wing.
My cost includes things like a Kreg jig, saw blade, clamps, paint brushes etc. so you may be able to do this for less. I could have gone with a middle of the line paint I think. This project was a beast for me because a) I'm not a furniture maker b) I don't own a table saw which would have been amazing c) I picked the hardest way to make the desktop and d) I modified some of the dimensions from the basic plans. I worked on this thing for weeks (granted sometimes I didn't touch it for several days or a week). But it was a fun and rewarding project.
Comments
Ana White
Wed, 12/14/2011 - 23:05
Hillary you are so inspiring
Hillary you are so inspiring and talented!!! Love!
spiceylg
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 06:00
Great job!
I love the mods you did on these. For the farmhouse w/trundle, I know you had to raise up the bottom and it looks like you did the headboard sized boards for the footboard and made the headboard w/even longer boards? Then for the bunkbeds, are those all headboard lengths for the head and footboards and then just very long 2x2s for the posts? I am never brave enough to mod anything just yet! I also absolutely love that bedding on the top pic! So bright and cheery!
In reply to Great job! by spiceylg
hillarylouise
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 06:51
mods and bedding
Isn't that bedding beautiful? I love it. The fabric is from Hobby Lobby. They have so many cute calicos.
Yes, you got the mods right. If I were to do the trundle again, I'd make the headboard longer so that it goes almost to the ground like the footboard, otherwise you can see the trundle.
The bunk was easy -- much easier than the other bunk plans all out of 1x2s. I've made them both now and the farmhouse one just comes together a lot faster (once you figure out the measurements).
spiceylg
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 09:57
Cool
I love Hobby Lobby but never think to check out their fabric! Silly me, I'll have to do just that! Okay, thank you for the info. I just noted the additional detail of the feet, how nice! If you don't mind, I'd love the measurement of the 2x2 for the bunks, simply because I'm lazy like that, lol!
In reply to Cool by spiceylg
hillarylouise
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 10:27
2x2 and other mods
The 2x2s are 22 3/4" and the slats in the headboard are 7". I think the bottom of the bottom headboard is around 2 3/4" or 3" from the bottom of the 2x2s. All the width measurements are the same as in the original plan. Also, I used lath strips for the mattress to rest on instead of a rectangle of 1/4" ply -- it seemed easier and I think it was cheaper, too.
spiceylg
Thu, 12/15/2011 - 19:38
Thanx!
Perfect, thanx again for the info!
Tsu Dho Nimh
Fri, 12/16/2011 - 08:00
Super cute!
You are so right about the time it takes.
I made a stuffed doll and her clothing for a niece, and I could have made myself two complete outfits in the time it took to sew one dinky doll dress.
lmhaney (not verified)
Tue, 02/28/2012 - 07:40
Trundle
Hillary how did you do the trundle for the farmhouse single bed. I read where you said you would do the headboard longer,but this is going to be my first build and I need a little more instruction to make the trundle and how long would you do the headboard. Thanks!!!
In reply to Trundle by lmhaney (not verified)
hillarylouise
Tue, 02/28/2012 - 09:05
doll trundle
Hey. I made the trundle using 1x3 boards just slightly shorter than the size of the overall bed (so it would fit underneath). I used two 18 1/2" 1x3s and two 14 1/2" 1x3s. I built it using pocket holes on the 14 1/2" 1x3s, screwing into the 18 1/2" 1x3s. Then I attached two 1x2 cleats to the bottom insides of the 18.5" boards so that I'd have a place to set support pieces for the mattress. I attached the cleats with glue and nails, I think, but pocket screws would work fine, too. I used pine lath for the support, attached with glue and staples.
For the headboard, I cut my panel pieces at 7", I think, but I should have cut them at 9 3/4" so that the headboard panel would extend closer to the ground like the footboard panel does. Here is an abbreviated cut list:
footboard panel -- 5 1x3s @ 6"
footboard legs -- 2 2x2s @ 7 1/4"
headboard panel -- 5 1x3s @ 9 3/4"
headboard legs -- 2 2x2s @ 11"
All of the horizontal cuts are the same as the original plan as long as you are using #1 pine. If you are using #2 pine or furring strips, your horizontal cuts will need to be slightly smaller b/c your panel board will be slightly narrower than the plans expect.
Just be sure to screw the side rails of the bed in high enough to get the trundle underneath.
Hopefully that all makes sense! Good luck! Can't wait to see photos!
Aida (not verified)
Sun, 08/05/2012 - 04:04
You think that the hardware
You think that the hardware store will cut all the peaces for me?
In reply to You think that the hardware by Aida (not verified)
claydowling
Sun, 08/05/2012 - 06:29
Getting wood cut
They -might- cut it for you. But based on the experience of a lot of people here, and the advice of some Home Depot employees also on here, it's a mistake to have them do that.
You can do the cuts on your own though. If you can't afford a circular saw, or you're uncomfortable with them, you can buy a hand saw for about $25. It's no good for cutting plywood or MDF, but for solid wood it's hard to beat.
Hillary (not verified)
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 19:26
Nope, I don't think they
Nope, I don't think they will. And if they did you won't be happy with the outcome. Too many cuts and there's no way they'll get every cut right. You'd be better off finding a friend with a miter saw you could borrow for an hour to get all the pieces cut. Good luck!
Aida (not verified)
Sun, 08/12/2012 - 08:27
Farm house doll's bed
Thank you........ I may have to stop been afraid of using this tools and just use it lol............love this bed and my daughter want me to make it for her........ I will post pictures
blair28
Tue, 10/29/2013 - 08:53
selling one?
Just curious if you have ever thought of making these and selling them?? I have been looking for a doll bunk bed for my daughter for Christmas and love this bunk bed with trundle. So thought I would ask if you would consider making one and selling it!!
emmakayte
Sun, 12/08/2013 - 18:07
Beds and bedding are gorgeous!!!
I absolutely love what you did with the trundle and the bunk bed. You are so talented! Thank you so much for sharing the measurements that you used to make the bunk bed and sharing tips. I am going to attempt to make one for my daughter. This will be my first woodworking project. I am crossing my fingers it goes well. Thank you! :)