This was a great first project. My son was outgrowing his toddler bed and needed something new, and he wanted a bunk bed.
The bed is made exactly per the instructions for the Side Street Bunk Bed (http://ana-white.com/2012/03/plans/side-street-bunk-beds). The headboard and footboard are very heavy- get some help carrying them in the house. It has a coat of primer and 3 coats of black and red.
Assembly took about a day and a half, and the painting took another 2 days for the 3 coats. I didn't sand this down at all- and gives it a "rugged" look. The 3 coats of paint help to soften the feel so no worry of splinters. I have the ladder built, but just not installed yet.