To sleep in a bed handcrafted by the one you love, is perhaps the stuff dreams are made of? Not in our house…
Plus we had the added bonus of it it costing very little but our time. We planned this bed together, Marc built it to my design ideas and we are extremely proud of our achievement.
The story of how our Bed came to be:
They say you should change your bed/mattress every 8 years. Ours was at least 10 years old. It was a ‘super king’ size, but in reality far too big for our room. So along with plans for redecorating our bedroom, we decided to downsize to a king size and planned on buying a temporary bed that would be moved into the spare room, giving us the time and space, to save up for a better quality bed. We later bought a new bed plus a mattress that gave us both back ache. It was a disaster! Luckily we were later gifted a superb mattress, and were able to get rid of the new awful one, you can read more about that here
The Inspiration:
Marc started with the headboard. I of course knew exactly what I wanted; a rustic log cabin style, made of reclaimed wood, with a few special details, I wanted an undulating shape similar to this from Kit Kemp, but not as tall:
The bed Head board
We started by gathering the wood and used… yep you guessed it, some new wooden palettes that were no longer needed. After many hours of sawing, joining and sanding (oh so much sanding) I began to see a headboard taking shape…
He trimmed it with a copper edge and attached it with upholstery studs. The copper strip was bought at a boot fair and the packet of upholstery studs I found in my sewing basket. The whole thing was later polished and oiled to make it look aged…clever huh?
The Bed Frame:
Next came the main body of the bed. My specifications were that it needed to be slightly higher than our old bed. Then the light could shine into the room under the bed via the large window. I also wanted it to have two rustic style bedposts.
He constructed a slatted base and devised and made an ingenious metal fixing bracket. Overall I wanted it to be kept as simple and as natural looking as possible.
The bed posts were made from a single tree branch that had been stripped of its bark and allowed to dry out. They were then topped with the wooden pineapples we had removed from our old stair bannister posts. I am planning on covering them with gold leaf very soon.
The results I think, speak for themselves…
I would love to know what you think of our latest diy project? Do let me know via the comments below.
Next time I will reveal to you the whole of our redecorated bedroom.
Firstly thanks for linking up with Corners of my Home
Next wow wow wow – this is purely amazing, what an amazing piece to own for now and forever. Such a treasure.
xx
It's amazing! It really is very cool indeed. It seems like you and your husband work as a team when it comes to designing and making things, that's nice. I have to say I am very impressed that there is nothing underneath your bed. Ours is quite high off the floor and it's crammed with boxes of bedding, DVDs, kids' school work….I must shove all that in the loft. You've inspired me! xx
Haha our old bed used to be like that another reason I wanted it higher, so you could see under it . I am trying to keep the room as clutter free as possible not easy !! Xx
That's so special and it looks amazing! It was lovely to meet you last Friday, hope the joining is going ok. Jxx
Jane lovely to meet you too! That week flew by don't you think? Joining is going slowly it's a huge blanket but at least I can do it in front of the TV! Hope to see you again soon, best wishes Ashley xx
Bed is great, so good to recycle and love the branches!
Thank you, the branches are unique I think they like it being with us in the warm!! xx
PS good luck with the Amara awards, I've just voted for you.
Jean
Jean thank you very much, I so appreciate it! xx
Absolutely brilliant and with so much detail, a novice could (and probably will) copy your idea. Not exactly of course, everyone has their own style. You will have to get a publishing deal and get all your ideas in a book so everyone will have a chance to see them.
Jean
Now wouldn't that be a projects. you would get the first signed copy! xx
My goodness – how lucky you are to have such a talented partner! Love all the attention to detail – and it is unique – no one else will have the same (unless of course hubby goes into business and mass production lol). Looking forward to seeing the whole room…
Thank you, its probably not to everyones taste? but we love it! bedroom reveal coming soon! xx
Fantastic! Your dear husband really should be a designer!!!
Haha thanks Amy I design he builds!! xx
I think you already know my feelings on this – it's AMAZING!! So impressed with you man
Thank you, and also for including me on that amazing blog post about other bloggers bedrooms! xx
It's amazing and the lamps are stunning! xx
N, thank you very much, the lamps are your colour! xx
Hello Daisy,
The bed is amazingly beautiful, you both have done fantastic. I love it! I really enjoy your posts & I'm amazed at what can be produced by things that are termed as "rubbish, useless or a one time use item". I remember when I was younger in the early'80's my dad made my sister a bed from pallets. He didn't have any kind of training or experience he could just turn his hand to many things & come out the other end with something that was needed. He could draw too & we had great drawings on our bedroom walls as I grew up. I come from creative parents as my mum could take a ball of wool & hours later there would be an Aran design made out of her head or indeed a full baby cardigan. I can't draw but I was able to do many diy projects until I became disabled. Now I can always be found near needles, wool, x stitch & my favourite hooks, making pretty colourful pieces that make me happy.
Thank you for showing that not everyone lives in this disposable society which seems so popular.
Take care Audrey x
Hello Daisy,
The bed is amazingly beautiful, you both have done fantastic. I love it! I really enjoy your posts & I'm amazed at what can be produced by things that are termed as "rubbish, useless or a one time use item". I remember when I was younger in the early'80's my dad made my sister a bed from pallets. He didn't have any kind of training or experience he could just turn his hand to many things & come out the other end with something that was needed. He could draw too & we had great drawings on our bedroom walls as I grew up. I come from creative parents as my mum could take a ball of wool & hours later there would be an Aran design made out of her head or indeed a full baby cardigan. I can't draw but I was able to do many diy projects until I became disabled. Now I can always be found near needles, wool, x stitch & my favourite hooks, making pretty colourful pieces that make me happy.
Thank you for showing that not everyone lives in this disposable society which seems so popular.
Take care Audrey x
Audrey thank you for your wonderful comments and for taking the time to write to me. It makes such a difference to know someone appreciates and reads about what we do or make. I agree about the disposable society comment too, and try to do every we can to reuse things when and where we can.
Take care, be well best wishes
aAshley c
Wow, how fabulous! Wonderful to have someone who can bring your design dreams to life, I'm soooooo jealous! Jenny xxx
We do make a good team we don't argue about it either!! Cheers xxx