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The Master Bed

Our Master Bed has been completed, and I have been counting the hours until the sun comes up to show you. We could not be more ecstatic about no longer sleeping on the floor after a year of doing so. And at 29+ weeks pregnant,  those frequent nighttime bathroom trips were daunting. Let's just say there was a lot of awkward rolling, tripping, falling, and waddling involved...

It all started when I fell in love with this bed: Gustavian Bed from Viva Terra
At $2,095 plus tax and shipping, it was obviously not an option. Even Ikea prices were questionable for our college-student-budget. But, Ana White at Knock-Off Wood (who might as well be called Wonder woman) was to the rescue, once more. She worked up some plans. Which I modified from a queen to a king and made a few small preferential changes (don't worry, I will tell you exactly what we did.) And then David bought some wood, which happened to be pretreated. So he returned it, and bought the correct wood: This is supposed to be a bed? Really?
And he went to work: Dmitri helped. Especially with the power tools.
Six days, five trips to Lowes, a gazillion screws, countless measuring, over one hundred cuts of wood, free-styling with a jig saw, three applications of stain, two applications of polycrylic, and a lot of impatient waiting during dry time...
And here is our bed: It's so huge. Look at those legs.
I'm calling him Gustav, and he's pretty much swept me off my feet (and off of the floor- thank God!). Enjoy the photos for now, and I will be posting every building detail tomorrow. Might I add, I had our Anthropologie bedding set up on the bed for not even thirty minutes. And Dmitri managed to leak his poopy diaper all over my new sham. Ooh, shit. Got to love life with babies. So a bedding post will be coming at a later date, after a visit to the cleaners.
These photos were taken in the middle of our massive master bedroom redo, hence the blue tape and other random stuff lying about. So forgive the weirdness. I look forward to sharing more Master Bedroom updates in the next few days.

Total cost: < $200, including the purchase of a jig saw
If we had bought it: $2,095 + tax & shipping

For details on how we built it, including measurements, click here!
For FAQ's, click here!

I linked up at The Weekend Wrap-Up & Make it 4 Monday.
Posted by Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife at 9:51 AM Labels: Build It, Master Bedroom, The Look for Less Gina@ temporarynest said...

Oh my god that is AMAZING!!!! You guys should be really proud that is a huge accomplishment! Bravo! And Ana White. Is incredible. I kinda want to be her... congrats and happy sleeping!!

January 5, 2011 at 9:58 AM 
Gustav is handsome indeed! You both must be thrilled with the outcome!


January 5, 2011 at 10:03 AM 
Wow! That bed for that price? You guys did a phenomenal job! I am totally in awe of this bed! i'm sure sleeping will be a million times better now.

January 5, 2011 at 10:09 AM 
wow...just wow...u guys did great! And i dot know how u managed to sleep on the floor like that for so long lol....im only 19weeks and i couldnt even imagine lol! Cant wait for the post with ur bed linen all on :)

January 5, 2011 at 10:12 AM coolkids said...

wow!!!!!!!!!! LOVE!!

January 5, 2011 at 10:16 AM Willo said...

That is a a BEAUTIFUL bed!

January 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM 
Love it! It's a dead ringer for your inspiration bed, and so unique.

January 5, 2011 at 10:35 AM 
Wow!! That bed is amazing! What an accomplishment!

January 5, 2011 at 10:43 AM 
It is GORGEOUS! And I can't believe you did it in 6 days!

I need a headboard...and I'm pretty good with a jigsaw. I bet I could do this. :) I don't have anything else to do with my time! ha!

January 5, 2011 at 10:44 AM 
I love it!! And that green paint is fantastic. I can't wait to see the big bedroom reveal. :-)

January 5, 2011 at 10:56 AM 
You two (ahem, three) did an amazing job. It looks fabulous. I can't wait to see what you do with the rest of the room!


January 5, 2011 at 10:59 AM 
It is beautiful!!! It looks EXACTLY like your inspiration, he is AMAZING!Now you can get out of bed with out having to draw out a plan of how you were to roll, prop, swing, or reach for something to get you up! YEAH!

Sorry about the poopy diaper.....

January 5, 2011 at 11:13 AM 
That is one gorgeous bed! Great job. Can't wait to see your bedding--bummer about the leak!

January 5, 2011 at 11:32 AM Yolanda @ Miss Refashionista said...

That is AWESOME!!!! Looks exactly (ig not better) like the Gustav bed. Did you use the plans for Anna White Exactly? because the headboard looks a bit different. I want to make this for our new home, You just gave me a push!!

I'm so pumped right now!

January 5, 2011 at 11:34 AM the girl in the red shoes said...

LOVE the bed! It's so perfect!

January 5, 2011 at 11:44 AM 
i, too, am in love! can i place an order???? :)
would love to have you join my furniture party, caroline- this is just amazing!

January 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM 
Dead on. Great work! I'm very impressed, and I love Ana White. I will be building furniture from now on instead of buying it because of her (have you seen the farmhouse table? And bench? I'm excited).

Can't wait to see the whole room! It looks fantastic!

January 5, 2011 at 11:57 AM 
It looks fantastic!!!! Who needs a $2,000+ bed when you can make one? :) So lovely.

January 5, 2011 at 12:13 PM 
Caroline that is AWESOME!! I love it!!!!

January 5, 2011 at 12:18 PM 
beautiful! i love it!

January 5, 2011 at 12:39 PM 
WOW! Absolutely stunning. I admire your "go-get-em" attitude!
When it comes to building a piece of furniture from scrach, I get cold feet. Most people do! But not you... it's amazing!

January 5, 2011 at 12:42 PM 
Caroline, it's gorgeous! Please come do one for me! :) I can't wait to see the rest of the stencil!

January 5, 2011 at 12:56 PM 
Ya'll did do an incredible job!!!!!!!!

I bet you never wanna leave the bed now!!!

January 5, 2011 at 1:26 PM 
Awesome! Great Job you all! I'm inspired, I may just have to talk hubby into hitting up lowes this weekend! Ha!

January 5, 2011 at 1:39 PM 
That is amazing and gorgeous!!

Gotta love a man that knows how to use power tools!!

January 5, 2011 at 2:10 PM 
It came out beautiful! Props to you and your husband on an amazing job!
And I'm excited to see more of the stenciling going on in the background! :)

January 5, 2011 at 2:46 PM 
Fabulous! I might have to get my man to make me on one day!

January 5, 2011 at 3:29 PM 
This definitely an heirloom piece to be passed on through the generations. Congrats, it's besautiful! -K

January 5, 2011 at 4:21 PM The Parker's said...

Ah! I DIE! It's just gorgeous!

January 5, 2011 at 4:43 PM [ker-AND-uh] said...

OMGAH. This sounds like something the husband and I need to do. Your bed looks FANTASTIC!!!! I sooo need plans for this! lol I'm jealous!!

January 5, 2011 at 4:46 PM 
Um, WOW! My mouth dropped open! You guys worked it out. I love what you did! You should be sooooo proud of yourself. : )

January 5, 2011 at 9:25 PM Amanda @ Little House on the Corner said...

Wow, wow, wow! It looks just like the Ikea version! So fantastic. I love that dark stain. FYI, I showed this to my husband, who also likes to build things, and he was very impressed! :) I wish we would have done something like this instead of just buying a bed frame/headboard. You can't beat that price!! I'll be sure to come back and check out the how-to.

January 5, 2011 at 9:57 PM Legally Fabulous said...

WOW. It looks EXACTLY like the original one! I am VERY impressed! And just in the nick of time, you're gonna be needing a comfy bed to sleep in when you're got two little ones! :)

January 5, 2011 at 11:15 PM paisley penguin said...

WOW! This looks awesome and I LOVE the pricetag including the jigsaw (which I really want). So showing the hubs this!

January 6, 2011 at 1:05 AM 
Wow! That's so impressive! You go girl! It looks absolutely gorgeous, and now you won't have to waddle your way off the floor :-)

January 6, 2011 at 2:29 AM Sharstin said...

it looks gorgeous! you guys are crazy talented!

January 6, 2011 at 7:41 AM Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

A BIG thank you for your comment. You're living my dream! :-) I live in the country, but my house isn't old and guess what? I'm selling it because I also want to find a real house, with loads of character. Your blog is totally inspiring me and makes me want to sell this place today, so I can start fixing my next house tomorrow.

It's great to "meet" you! And, oh.. you look really cute in that picture! :-)



January 6, 2011 at 9:51 AM 
Wow! Your bed turned out amazing! You all did a wonderful job

January 6, 2011 at 11:32 AM 
Wow!! So super amazing! I am very envious.

January 6, 2011 at 2:25 PM 
Looks amazing! You are so motivated!

January 6, 2011 at 3:27 PM 
Wow! That's amazing ~~

** and thanks for the visit which brought me here! **


January 7, 2011 at 8:11 AM FABULOUS JOB! That looks just like the real deal! I am sure you will enjoy it for years to come!!

January 7, 2011 at 12:11 PM Ramsey said...

This is AMAZING!!! I am seriously so impressed right now! Since you did great and all, I think it would be best if you just came and built another one for me. I am a great person to work for. I pay in cookies and hot cocoa.

January 9, 2011 at 7:28 PM 
This is amazing! Wow!

January 9, 2011 at 8:15 PM 
I showed these plans to my hubby because we desperately need a bed and we are planning to build one as well- in a king size. Will you be posting the measurements?

January 9, 2011 at 9:48 PM 
It is absolutely gorgeous!!! can't wait to see the details. Hmmmm, may have a new project for my dad the next time he comes to visit.

January 9, 2011 at 10:48 PM BB Goad said...

This is so beautiful! I want to show my husband, but know he'll run right to Home Depot...ha! Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower and so glad I found your blog through Tatertots and Jello today :)

January 12, 2011 at 9:14 AM 
LOVE this! Love for you to link it up at



January 12, 2011 at 12:54 PM Mrs. Adventure said...

Wow its seriously amazing, you guys did such a fantastic job!

Gustav - I love it!

January 12, 2011 at 2:32 PM 
I have been drooling over that Viva Terra bed for years and keep meaning to make myself one. Good work!
 Lucy Designs said...

This just might be the most beautiful bed I've ever seen! I am saving your instructions and hope to make myself one!

January 14, 2011 at 8:25 PM 
Truly outstanding! That is such a unique and wonderful headboard. You 'four' make an awesome team. :)


January 17, 2011 at 1:43 AM 
I love your bed much much much more than the first one even! Excellent job!

January 17, 2011 at 11:15 AM Elle Uy {SWITCHEROOm} said...

amazing!! you should make more and sell! haha.. :)

January 30, 2011 at 2:34 AM 
I am definitely going to make this bed! I have been following Ana White for a while now, but I love your version even more than the one on her site. Perfect!!

February 5, 2011 at 4:39 PM 
The link to Ana Whites original plans is broken and I didn't see it on her website. Any chance you have a copy of her plans lying around? Would love to make this bed with my boyfriend, you all did a great job!

February 22, 2012 at 2:43 PM