New Bedroom #1: The Build Begins!

OK, time to start a new project. I’ve decided to create a new bedroom set. This project will probably last thru the summer but this weekend was the beginning of the build. First, let’s start with the bad news:

This danger zone is my current Master Bedroom. It’s sleeping, storage and disaster all rolled into one. The rest of the house is lovingly nurtured and cared for, but the Master Bedroom has always been on the “someday” list. Well…it’s someday. This complete makeover will involve all new furniture – designed and made in the shop, as well as some interior decorating to make the space livable.

As with any good bedroom, the most important piece of furniture will be the bed. I made a SketchUp model of what I’m thinking:

My design is based on a Missions theme with a few proportion and detail changes. The bed size will be California King, which is pretty big. By comparison, the current bed is only a Full. I special ordered the California King mattress and box spring last week, it should be here in 4 to 6 weeks, so I have that long to build the bed. This design is a little plain but I’m planning on making further changes as I get more into it, but it’s enough to get me started.

This weekend I decided to start with the 80 slats (40 on the headboard, 40 on the footboard). This will be my first big mortise and tenon project, so why not start with 160 tenons on day one. I purchased a tenoning jig (the Grizzly H7583) and this is my first chance to use it. Here it is on my SawStop contractors saw:

Each slat will be 3/4” wide, 5/8” deep and 22 1/4” long (with tenons). Each tenon is 1/4” x 1/4” and 1/2” long. I made 85 guessing I’ll have a few extra. Here they are piling up:

Later this week I’ll start on the mortises. I’ll also stain the slats before assembly. It’s always fun the first week of a big project. I see all the possibilities and nothing’s gone wrong yet :-)

On the decorating side, there are some long lead items that I have to order tomorrow. I’m going with a wallpaper boarder along the ceiling:

There’s also a window treatment and paint samples that I’m looking at. Everything has to work together. I’m also doing research into the other pieces of furniture and I think I’ll swap out the ceiling fan.

Check back every week or so to watch the progress. Thanks for your time.
-d