the bed update

These posts I have been making are just so completely random--but that is how my life is at the moment!  As always, there are so many things I would love to say to you all, and so little blogging/brain-fresh time, so I find myself putting on hold telling you the things that are probably most important, and instead telling you the things that are easy to say.

But I am sure there are things I was sharing at the end of last year that you would like an update on--so consider this the first in a series of random updates! 

The bed project.

So, this has been going sloooooooooowly. However, we have made progress.  We are building four connecting bunks, basically two "L" shaped beds, one on top of the other.  We are using an antique bed we found locally for some of it, just because.  We have sourced and purchased and transported all the additional wood we should need to make the beds (DH wanted hardwood because it would be more attractive and stronger. Fine with me.)   I bought the fabric and at least most of the batting we will use to upholster the sleeping platforms (in lieu of traditional mattresses we are building in padding, and then the kids will have some additional personal bedding on top).  We have finalized the overall design.  DH has prepared his work space in the carport and the wood is ready there for the working.  In fact, he's out there right now "ripping" boards to get the sizes he needs to start the actual construction.

This is all really good.

We still need to hunt down a few specialty bits, to hold certain parts of the beds together as strongly as possible, esp. where we are using the antique wood.  And while the overall design is done, we need to finalize design of some of the trickier parts, such as where piece of wood are joined and how to make sure everything is well supported (while still meeting my requirements for being attractive).  So much goes into a project before the actual building begins! Then after he cuts the pieces, I will be sanding and staining them.  And then we need to get the plywood for the sleeping platforms and I will upholster them (that part should be the easiest--just wrap and staple, no finished edges to worry about).

So, most of the work is yet to happen.  However, I am choosing not to be discouraged by that--instead, I'm just going to be patient and content do my best to help each small step of the project go as smoothly and quickly as possible.  It's zen home makeover.  It's good for my spirit, and my marriage. : )  And I want to celebrate each step completed too!  With that in mind, I finally took photos of the beds, so we have "before" shots:

The original footboard, and one of the long sidebars.  The original bed is a 3/4 size. 

The headboard.  Photos taken at night, so not the best lighting.  As you may be able to see, especially if you double click on any of the photos to enlarge them, there is a finish on the wood that the antique dealer said was a milk paint finish, and it does have charm (just needs a good cleaning). But just last night we were debating whether we should just strip the wood so we can try to stain it the same as the maple we bought for other parts of the beds (the old bed is possibly maple--or cherry. Not sure.) I dunno--one more step to the process, and a tedious and messy step at that. But we might end up with one post that we are going to have to sand down anyway, which means that area at least might need to be re-finished. . . I welcome your opinions.  I wish DH would just let me paint over the old finish and then "antique" it. . . but he is not a fan of painted wood, so said I could only do that if we first stain it and then don't like how it looks.  (And if I go to the trouble of sanding and staining all this wood, you know I'm not going to want to paint over it.)

Anyway, the new beds are underway!

And it is none too soon.  The girls have definitely outgrown the single, and while they are still sleeping well at night, they are having trouble getting settled when they first get into bed.  They are staying awake longer, which might be somewhat from getting older and needing less sleep, but might also be because they are so snug together. 

Which so far has been fine, and even adorable:

Fall, 2013

And sometimes downright hilarious:

Sleeping tangle, Winter 2013

Smiley has been sleeping in the crib, which is set up under the bunk.  He still has plenty of room, and has been content:

The old bunk bed (DH's when he was a boy) has served us well:

Reading before bed

 

Doing school (or trying to)

And bouncing on bigger siblings

And general cuddling and bonding.

We're a close-knit bunch, and I think a lot of that has to do with how we sleep.  I don't regret a bit of the closeness they have gained from the old arrangement, and we even designed the new beds to foster the same kind of fun and sharing spaces. 

But I'm still going to be so happy when the new bunks are done!