After looking through Ana's plants for months (MONTHS), I finally decided to tackle a project that I desperately needed: a kitchen island. I have almost no counter space in my kitchen and couldn't bring myself to spend the money to put in a new set of lower cabinets or a kitchen island at the size I was looking for.
I found the door for just $20 at a local junkfest and debated turning it into a dining table or an island. I finally settled on island and took to stripping off the layers and layers of paint and stain. I modified the Gaby Kitchen Island plans to fit my nearly 8-foot door, and decided not to recess the 2x4 shelf supports (mainly because I didn't have a saw). However, I did buy a mini-Kreg jig and am shocked at how easy it was to use, and how great the seams look.
I had all of the wood cut to length by the lumber yard, so that saved me a bit of time, and no one charged me a cent to do all the cutting. And if you can believe it, everything was square!
For the legs, I used Minwax Wood Finish in Red Oak. I chose not to stain the top because I loved the color of the natural wood and wanted to see all the little flaws and defects. I then used 2 coats of Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane in Gloss on the top, and in Satin on the legs.
Finally, to add some support (the door is VERY heavy), I used L-brackets to attach the door to the frame.
Estimated Cost
$200 (wood, door, stain, finish, screws, sandpaper...)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish in Red Oak
Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane in Gloss
Mixwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane in Satin
Stain was applied by rubbing it on with old towels. Polyurethane was applied using a good, natural bristle brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Comments
kari
Sun, 09/04/2011 - 06:24
I love the color! So fun!
I love the color! So fun!
river4250
Sun, 09/04/2011 - 09:13
Wow!
Looks amazing, and I'm totally in love with that color! Great choice.
Tregg Istre (not verified)
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 06:11
Bunk Bed Plans
I was wanting to know if you could get me the plans to this particular bunk bed? We really like it very much!
Tregg
Wed, 02/15/2012 - 06:24
Plans
We are interested in building this bunk bed for our girls is there any way we can get the plans?
Margaret Kubiszyn (not verified)
Wed, 03/14/2012 - 06:22
Tregg - I just used the
Tregg - I just used the Simple Bunk Beds plan from Ana (http://ana-white.com/2010/01/plans-how-to-modify-the-simple-bed-to-a-bu…) which is a modification of her Simple bed plan (http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-by-request-simple-bed-twin-sized.html)
I further modified it by making 4 headboards instead of 2 headboards and 2 footboards. I fashioned a ladder attached perpendicularly to the side instead of an angled one.
If you look at Ana's plans it should make sense.
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 03/30/2012 - 20:07
I love this, and like others
I love this, and like others I particularly like the extra height created by doing 4 headboards instead of 2 footboards for the top bunk...my question, though, is how high are your ceilings? I am afraid that if I do this there won't be enough room for the person in the top bunk in our house! Yours looks like it fits just fine, though! :)
Patricia Mandli (not verified)
Sat, 07/21/2012 - 12:49
What Color is This?
I LOVE this color! Do you remember (or could look at the can) the name of it and where you bought it? Thanks so much!
wotto
Mon, 03/17/2014 - 08:59
video
link from vimeo isn't working. Is it still available?