So, although this house has far less square footage than our last house HUZZAH! it has a wayyyy bigger master. Blessing and curses, I guess, though, because now we can fit a king-sized bed in there, but we are also (should be) cleaning up the kids' toys and books and stickers on the carpet and walls every night because it's now the coolest hangout in the city. 

Anyway, we dragged our Ana White queen o're plains and moved it into the guest room and found a perfect firm, almost floor-like (my favorite) mattress and snatched her up. And after sleeping with a mattress on the floor for three weeks, something had to be done.

The bed I fell in love with was in Europe and like I'd ever spend that on some boards. But I love the minimalist and rustic feel of it, so hey.

Shane and I scribbled some notes and got to work.

And can you believe it worked? It's even more gorgeous than I imagined, and I feel like I'm in a Sandra Bullock movie when I get out of it in the morning.

Want to build it? It was so easy up until we had to move it into our room #heavy.

Shopping List:

(4) 4x4 eight-foot posts. We couldn't find untreated pine anywhere, so we ended up buying treated wood, which I was worried about. It actually looks good and it stains almost identical to the other untreated boards.

(12) 1x8 eight-foot boards (6 for the actual bed and 6 for supports if you don't have a boxspring, like us)

(4) 1x4 eight-foot boards

(6) 2x4 eight-foot boards (for bottom supports)

3" screws

Kreg Jig pocket hole tool (this is a must have and SO worth the $20)

Stain (I used Minwax Special Walnut, my personal favorite)

Polyurethane




Cut List:

(4) 4x4 @ 80"  |  posts

(4) 1x8 @ 76.5"  |  headboard and footboard

(2) 1x8 @ 80.5"  |  siderails

(2) 1x4 @ 76.5"  |  headboard and footboard high canopy boards

(2) 1x4 @ 80.5"  |  siderail high canopy boards

(2) 2x4 @ 80.5"  |  siderails supports

(2) 2x4 @ 74"  |  headboard and footboard supports

(2) 2x4 @ 73.5"  |  bottom supports that run width-wise under the bed

(3) 2x4 @ 15.5"  |  supports that run from the ground to the 2x4 width-wise supports underneath the bed

(6) 1x8 @82"  |  to set on top of the 2x4s for support if not using box spring (I suggest not using a boxspring for this bed)


1. Assemble the headboard. Pre-drill holes on 1x8 boards using kreg pocket hole tool, 2 to each side. Attach the first 1x8 to the two posts at 13" high. Attach the next at 20" high and finally the third board at 27" high.

2. Screw directly into the 2x4 (you won't see it) to attach it to your bottom 1x8 board, flush with the bottom of the board. Shane used some little brackets that helped secure the 2x4s to the posts.

3. Assemble the headboard using the same method, but using only one 1x8 board, placed at 13" high on the 4x4 posts. Also attach your matching 2x4 flush to the bottom of the board and screw it in place.

4. Now stop and pre-drill all of your pocket holes into your remaining 1x8 siderails, all of the 1x4's and your remaining 2x4s.

5. Sand and stain the footboard and headboard and all remaining unattached boards.

6. Move them into your room.

7. Now you're ready to attach the siderails. Using your pre-drilled pocket holes, attach the siderails to the headboard and footboard.

8. Find your siderail 2x4's and attach to the siderails from the inside of the bed. We had to shave a little bit off each one, so it might be smart to measure these and cut them after you assemble the siderails.

9. Attach the 2x4 supports width-wise and the short 2x4 supports.



10. Lay your six 1x8 boards cut at 82" lengthwise across your 2x4 supports (we found these rough-cut 1x8s in our log cabin, lucky us. Except they stink).



11. Place mattress on top of boards.




12. Never come in contact with another human when sleeping again.



This was step two of master bedroom makeover (step one was popcorn ceilings). What's left? New paint color, new hardwood floors, spiffy rug, a bench or two for the foot of the bed, curtains, and a big 'ol comfy rocker I can rock babies to sleep in. Whew!