Project Information
I just completed this asian looking platform bed inspired by a couple of beds I've seen in a couple of places:
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/22165
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/5928/tatami-style-bed
http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb309-bed01.html
The first time I saw the basic design was on the fine woodworking gallery and the lumberjack project confirmed my will to build the bed. Although these two projects were certainly awesome, I wanted a headboard. I searched for many hours for inspiration and I finally found something that could work with the workbench magazine slat headboard and incorporated it into the design. The 15 degree cut found in the legs is replicated in a few locations such as the rails and the headboard. On the headboard, there is a 15 degree under-bevel on the entire top piece.
This bed has been over a year in the making due to many projects taking priority over this one (including some that I posted). The bed is made of african mahogany and walnut. The two side rails include a ribbon look that rivals some of the nicest boards I've seen in african mahogany. Since I didn't have access to 8/4 lumber long enough for my side rails, I had to rip a 4/4 board in half, fold it on itself and laminate it. Although not ideal, the glue line is almost invisible. The legs were build with three pieces of 8/4 laminated with the centre piece lower than the rest for the "dados". I then cut the other centre "dado" with a band saw and cleaned it with a chisel. This was certainly the most time consuming part of the build and the most frustrating. If I had to rebuild this piece, I would glue 9 pieces together with the proper height and not worry about cutting that other centre section. I almost scrapped the legs and started them all over with this alternative solution.
The headboard fits quite well in the side rails and leg dados and it surprisingly stable for such a high and top heavy piece. The horizontal slats on the headboard are glued with dowels. I have two per slats and should be quite strong. My current bed includes a box-spring (as you can see) but underneath, I include a slatted frame that could support a bed. I may eventually decide to get rid of the box-spring and simply put the bed on the slats. If I do so, I'll cut the legs of the headboard to adjust the height accordingly. In the future, I may include some LED lighting on the back of the headboard.
The bed is finished with my own mixture of BLO-Varnish-Mineral Spirits. I have 2 or 3 coats depending on the location and I sanded the finish smooth at the end.
Finally, I plan on building a full bedroom furniture set based on this design. My next addition will be two nightstands / night tables. I have yet to finalize the design but I have a pretty good idea of what I want. If you have any ideas for nightstand designs that could go well with this, they would be appreciated!
Comments, suggestions, questions and complaints are all welcomed!
http://lumberjocks.com/projects/22165
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/5928/tatami-style-bed
http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/main/wb309-bed01.html
The first time I saw the basic design was on the fine woodworking gallery and the lumberjack project confirmed my will to build the bed. Although these two projects were certainly awesome, I wanted a headboard. I searched for many hours for inspiration and I finally found something that could work with the workbench magazine slat headboard and incorporated it into the design. The 15 degree cut found in the legs is replicated in a few locations such as the rails and the headboard. On the headboard, there is a 15 degree under-bevel on the entire top piece.
This bed has been over a year in the making due to many projects taking priority over this one (including some that I posted). The bed is made of african mahogany and walnut. The two side rails include a ribbon look that rivals some of the nicest boards I've seen in african mahogany. Since I didn't have access to 8/4 lumber long enough for my side rails, I had to rip a 4/4 board in half, fold it on itself and laminate it. Although not ideal, the glue line is almost invisible. The legs were build with three pieces of 8/4 laminated with the centre piece lower than the rest for the "dados". I then cut the other centre "dado" with a band saw and cleaned it with a chisel. This was certainly the most time consuming part of the build and the most frustrating. If I had to rebuild this piece, I would glue 9 pieces together with the proper height and not worry about cutting that other centre section. I almost scrapped the legs and started them all over with this alternative solution.
The headboard fits quite well in the side rails and leg dados and it surprisingly stable for such a high and top heavy piece. The horizontal slats on the headboard are glued with dowels. I have two per slats and should be quite strong. My current bed includes a box-spring (as you can see) but underneath, I include a slatted frame that could support a bed. I may eventually decide to get rid of the box-spring and simply put the bed on the slats. If I do so, I'll cut the legs of the headboard to adjust the height accordingly. In the future, I may include some LED lighting on the back of the headboard.
The bed is finished with my own mixture of BLO-Varnish-Mineral Spirits. I have 2 or 3 coats depending on the location and I sanded the finish smooth at the end.
Finally, I plan on building a full bedroom furniture set based on this design. My next addition will be two nightstands / night tables. I have yet to finalize the design but I have a pretty good idea of what I want. If you have any ideas for nightstand designs that could go well with this, they would be appreciated!
Comments, suggestions, questions and complaints are all welcomed!