Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Behold...the Bed!

Last week Rhett's crib finally was finally included in the mass of recalled cribs. I called the company and was told that the drop-side-fixing part could be expected sometime in August. AUGUST. Until then, we're not supposed to be using the crib for fear of death (his, not ours). So while this didn't really freak me out, I thought it was a great impetus to get Rhett into a toddler bed.

I saw this tutorial from Design Mom a year ago and knew it was what I wanted. One of our resolutions this year was to create more traditions and I wanted one of those traditions to be to "build something together." These beds looked easy enough, even for us novice power tool users.

We bought the wood supplies on Thursday and put the frame together that night. Don't you love that I'm working in a skirt? That's how easy this project was: I could have done it in heels (if I owned heels, that is). Friday afternoon we bought the fabric, and Friday evening Chuck did the upholstery whilst I made the decorative pillow. Saturday morning we loaded the bed into his room.

Of course we were nervous about how Rhett would do. Because this had only come up that week, we hadn't really been prepping him about his new "little guy" bed. However, the only hang-up we had at naptime was that he desperately wanted to sleep with the decorative pillow and was crying when I told him no. I relented; sadly, though, because our A/C broke that day and Rhett demands a blanket so the pillow was drenched in sweat upon his waking. But once that pillow was his, he was back to his usual, "Go away Mom. Go away Dad." We knew he'd be fine; though we did wonder when he'd first fall out of it.

At nighttime I was able to convince him that the decorative pillow needed to go to sleep in the other room and he's been dutifully putting that pillow to sleep ever since. It's been another easy transition for this kid! (Too bad the transition to the new nursery room on Sunday wasn't this easy.) He seems to really love the bed and can easily get in and out of it. He even wanted to spend time in his room on Saturday and sit on the bed. Oh, I love this boy!








A couple of notes about making the bed. First, it cost us nearly $60 for everything. The fabric was more than Gabrielle's estimate (well, that and I made the additional pillow); and because we made the bed to fit a standard crib mattress, our wood was also more expensive. However, $60 is still a great deal. Second, it really was ridiculously easy. The only tools we needed were a drill and a saw, and the latter was only because we miscalculated on something and didn't use the guys at Home Depot. If you decide to do this and want the dimensions for a standard crib, let me know and I'll get them to you.

18 comments:

  1. well i've already told ya, but i love it! i think it's perfect. and it's so great that rhett adores it, too. :)

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  2. Wow, that looks terrific. Good job! Did you use a staple gun for the upholstery?

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  3. I saw the very same thing on Design Mom and have been planning on doing one for Jack. Now I am even more inspired since it was so easy for you. I would love the dimensions you used. This project may take place sooner than I was planning. Also, how much fabric did you end up needing?

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  4. Oh, and could you please provide a better picture of the decorative pillow. Really would love to see it.

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  5. I LOVE easy transitions for kiddos!!! The bed is darling, so so cute. Love the fabric, worth the extra for sure and the pillow is perfect!!!

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  6. awesome. simply put.

    I think it would be awesome for a twin size mattress too!

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  7. How adorable! I saw this on the Design Mom site and assumed that the deminsions were for a standard crib mattress. How different were your measurements? And how much fabric did you need? Yours looks so cute!!!

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  8. Rebecca--if you get me your email address, I can send you info on the dimensions of the bed and the fabric. just email me at erinmalia at gmail.

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  9. Can I have the dimensions for the standard crib matress and fabric :)

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  10. Anonymous: I'll need at least an email address or something. As of now, I can't do anything with them because you gave me nothing.

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  11. Hi,

    Can I also have the dimensions for a standard crib mattress?

    E-mail is wendy_prince@hotmail.com

    Thanks! And great job on the bed!

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  12. Hi! I just came over from Design Mom to see your finished bed- love it! It turned out great! I was considering moving my little guy to a full sized bed, now I think I have changed my mind. Could you please send me the dimensions you used for a standard crib mattress? Thanks so much!

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  13. I thought my name would link to my gmail account, however, I don't think it does.....my email is: aubreirdh@gmail.com Thanks!

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  14. I'd be so appreciative to have the dimensions for the toddler bed to fit the basic crib mattress, please. Thanks! chanarivkaweiss at gmail.com

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  15. I'd love the dimensions for standard crib mattress as well. I will be making these for my boy/girl twins. The trouble will be gender neutral fabric. Email is mytopazsydney1124@gmail.com

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  16. I was hoping you could send the dimensions for the standard crib mattress my way, please. My email address is amanda_allen_med@yahoo.com. Ready to build one for my son in anticipation of losing the crib to a soon-to-arrive cousin! Thanks!!

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