Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Dec 05, 2003 06:57am | #1

   You might have better luck at the Fine Woodworking site.  I think they have a section for plans.  Aren't they called Captain's bunks?

   Do it right, or do it twice.

1. 
   CapnMac | Dec 05, 2003 09:52am | #2

   Aren't they called Captain's bunks?

   Or "Pilot Berths" if built in an elevated niche.  (An overgrown window seat, without window.)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

2. 
   reinvent | Dec 05, 2003 03:12pm | #3

   Perhaps you want something like a built in platform bed with drawers underneath?

1. 
   ravz | Dec 05, 2003 05:08pm | #4

   They are called Murphy Bed's.. google it. they sell kits that include all the hardware etc..

1. 
   reinvent | Dec 06, 2003 01:27am | #12

   Yeah I know what a murphy bed is. I figured that since he wanted drawers that maybe he was looking for some type of platform bed. Although after looking at that mouse hole bed maybe he will want one of those;-)

3. 
   IMERC | Dec 05, 2003 06:12pm | #5

   Murphy beds...

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   GregGibson | Dec 05, 2003 06:50pm | #6

   I'm not sure if a Murphy Bed is what he means . . . ( "with drawers" )

   There was a great article in FHB 5 or 6 years ago with good photos of built in beds, some very elegant.  Sort of a Scandanavian thing, I think.

   Can anyone help with the issue number ?

   Greg.

1. 
   Novy | Dec 05, 2003 07:03pm | #7

   I think by definition a Murphy bed folds up into a wall therefore drawers might not be such a good thing.On a hill by the harbour

2. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 07, 2003 01:04am | #16

   Greg, yeah, these are built in fold down beds, also sometimes known as Murphy beds in the US, but I don’t think this is what Mike is after, unless he’s needing shelving or drawers on either side rather than under the bed. Drawers under the fold down section won’t work. Mostly this type of bed goes into a smallish room that’s used primarily for another purpose, but there’s an occasional need to put up a guest(s.)

   Clients that order this kind of bed aren’t usually short of a bob or two, as they can expect to pay anything from a minimum of about $9,000 to commission a designer/maker, to ‘the sky’s the limit,’ ha, ha. The mechanism alone costs near US$1,500, and then there’s all the other materials and labour. The first bed below was made out of fairly economical ‘off the shelf’ ply and the like, and was a lot cheaper than the second example, which was much more ‘arty’ with custom veneers, lights, cubby holes, etc.. Slainte.

   Website

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Dec 07, 2003 02:31am | #17

   Hey look who's back...that guy with the funny accent and the cowboy boots.  How are things in the mother country?  Is it working out like you had expected?

   Do it right, or do it twice.

1. 
   SgianDubh | Dec 07, 2003 04:16am | #18

   I never really left, ELCID. I've just been lurking more than before, but from a different country. I've been doing my blue ersed fly impression since moving home in an effort to get all my ducks in a neat row, and just couldn't seem to find the time to post.

   But this thread caught my eye because it's right up my street-- being a pinky pointing effeminate furniture maker type rather than a macho tobacco juice spittin' builder type, ha, ha-- ha, ha, ha. 

   It's magic to be home in Dear Aulde Blighty where the climate is mild all year. It's only cool here now-- about 55F, no snow, no blizzards, etc., whereas those northern US states, and Canuckland are going through  the winter purgatory of frozen hell, to be followed soon by the summer of roasting purgatory hell.

   Luckily, we Brits experience a pleasant climate, and after ten years of the hot and hellish Houston weather that I've just escaped from, and incidentally that god-forsaken states' miserable climate goes on all year, thanks have to be extended to somebody for the blessings of the Gulf Stream passing around this sad wee island.

   I'm enjoying my new-- or should that be my regained(?)-- life. I think I can adapt to the teaching role. It pays a whack of dosh at the end of each month for a subject I know inside out, and I'd got tired anyway of the overly exciting feast or famine that self employment as a furniture designer/maker provides. Slainte. Website

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Dec 07, 2003 06:10am | #19

   Dang, you talk as weird as Ron T sometimes, but then you're both from foreign countries so I guess it's to be expected.

   whack of dosh  Is that the same as a pile of bling bling?

   Do it right, or do it twice.

3. 
   joeh | Dec 07, 2003 07:17am | #20

   "and I'd got tired anyway of the overly exciting feast or famine that self employment............. provides"

   That's the whole point of it.

   The thrill of paying the bills on time so you can do it again next month.

   Why else ?

   Joe H

   Edited 12/6/2003 11:22:11 PM ET by JoeH

4. 
   xMikeSmith | Dec 07, 2003 08:08am | #21

   heh, heh, heh...... pile it on thick...

   just had to get the plow out so we could get the car in the garage after going to the movies...

   mild climate , indeed... and just why do they call it NEW England ?Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

4. 
   Mongo | Dec 05, 2003 07:10pm | #8

   A murphy bed is a fold out/down design. Do you want that or a platform bed with drawers underneath?

   Like this?

1. 
   stefs3 | Dec 05, 2003 07:29pm | #9

   Mongo,

   That is about the coolest bed I've ever seen.

   How do you get the mattress in and how do you make the bed.

   Did you do the raised panels in MDF?. Do the drawers have slides, so the kids can step on them?Beautiful.

   Stef

1. 
   johnharkins | Dec 05, 2003 10:10pm | #10

   Mongo  I'm right w/ stef on this one

   guaranteed goose bumps for life !

   I've been vascillating whether to do one in my son's room where I want to build one in a new dormer w/ window      14/12 roof   very inspirational  thanks! John

1. 
   Mongo | Dec 06, 2003 12:16am | #11

   Stef, John, and those that sent emails...

   Thanks!

   It really is a cool bed and it's actually quite cozy to sleep in. It's known as the "Mousehole Bed".

   Stef, regarding your questions...if you look at the first picture (edit: first picture in my previous post), you can see that the 'mousehole' and the raised panes that immediately surround it are a different shade then the rest of the facade. That entire rectangle can be removed to facilitate mattress rotating/flipping/removal. The bed can be easily made. I did leave a little extra allowance between the mattress and the inside walls of the bed to accomodate the thickness of a tucked in comforter.

   The carcasses are birch plywood, for the most part the stiles & rails are poplar and the raised panels are MDF. The mousehole circle opening is laminated up from four thicknesses of MDF that were cut with a router on a trammel.

   The drawers are on full-extension slides. K&V 150# slides, 30" long. Good storage underneath. There is also a 48" deep cabinet to the left and right of the six drawers. She puts seasonal clothes in there.

   As to access to climb up into the bed, I thought about that quite a bit during the design phase. I thought about having a slide-out step, a fold-out step, something integral with the center bank of drawers, or just a plain old step stool. I eventually discounted them all, though I left the option to add one later in the build phase if required. After the platform was up, the kids tried it over and over, they preferred to just climb on in and jump out without and aids. Probably safest that way too, when compared to a moveable step that may or may not be there when they try to get out of the bed.

   Some have asked about construction. First, I built a base platform that had the openings for the drawers and cabinets. Then I built two bookcase carcasses, one for the head of the bed and one for the foot. Ran the wiring for inside lighting...two wall sconces on the back wall, halogen reading lights at the head of the bed, and outlets at the back of the bookcases at the foot of the bed for radios, alarm clock, etc.

   Made and arched beadboard ceiling, and used the cutout from the arch backing as a small shelf on the inside of the front wall, just above the mousehole opening.

   Assembled all the raised panels and popped them into place.

   Sorry, to those that asked I don't have plans to share or sell. I drew out rough plans on notebook paper, made cutlists, and made sawdust. However, it definitely fits under the "prior planning prevents poor performance" category of construction.

   Here are a few pics:

   Bed2 show the platform and bookshelf carcasses. The two putlet boxes on the back wall are for wall sconces, the pencil drawings on the back wall were layout lines for the raised panels.

   Bed9: A head-on shot showing the sconces on the rear wall.

   Bed10: Show the bookshelves at the foot of the bed.

   Bed11: Shows the 'reading nook' and adjacent shelving at the head of the bed.

   Bed12: You can see the arched beadboard ceiling. The watse cutout from the arch was used to make the shelf over the mousehole opening. I also wanted that shelf as a strongback to provide extra stiffness to the front wall, but it wasn't required. The front wall is rock-solid.

   Closet3: Did a window seat and closets to the left and right of the window seat. Her stereo, along with a few more drawers, is under the window seat, the speakers are behind the top doors (with metal grill inserts) above the closets. Ceiling above the window seat is arched ceadboard as well, with three halogen reading lights.

   I also talked to the local fire department about this bed. I was concerned about how tough it would be to find a child in a bed like this should the need arise. They said 'no problem.'

   Edited 12/5/2003 4:33:13 PM ET by Mongo

   
1. 
   reinvent | Dec 06, 2003 01:30am | #13

   Very nice work Mongo. Talk abought the ultimate club house! If I was a kid in your hood I would be jealous.

5. 
   DougU | Dec 06, 2003 03:19am | #14

   Mike

   If your still looking and have a Lowes near you they have a book on "built ins", they have something that is familar to what you are asking for.

   And a Murphy Bed is a piece of furniture that looks like a wardrobe when folded up, and a bed when unfolded.

   Doug

6. 
   MikeWalsh | Dec 06, 2003 09:01pm | #15

   I've seen built-in beds in motor homes that fit in a corner

   and go along alternate walls as you stack them.  Kid's feet

   end up on a large pocket, but it allows plenty of headroom.

   Drawers on the end or under the bottom bunk?