Expert: Jamie Yocono - 5/11/2010

Question
Jamie, I hate to waste your expertise on a "search for plans" but I am coming up empty handed.  My father has said that he will make me a new queen size bed and I am at my wits end trying to find plans.  I am looking for a queen size mission style bed with storage drawers under the frame.  I would like it to look like one piece of furniture, with the storage drawers resembling a dresser, not just rolling under the bed.  I have looked into "Beds by Jeff Miller", as well as plans at Rockler and searched through all categories at Amazon.  I am having the hardest time finding a picture of the plans I am looking for.

My Dad is an amazing craftsman and has the "hobby workshop" that most people would die for. His most recent project was my oak hutch. For that project I drew a picture of what I wanted (because, again I couldn't find the plans...) and he built it based on that.  I am trying to make this a little easier for him by finding a set of plans.  Do you have any other suggestions on how to find these kinds of plans to view? Or is there a site that can help you convert your "dream design" into a working plan?  Thank you so much for your time!!!

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

What a great idea - a Mission style bed with storage drawers. Unfortunately, I don't think you're going to find any plans for those. That concept isn't something that would have been true to that period; it would have been more possible to find something like this in (perhaps)a Shaker design, as those Shakers were very "efficient" with their pieces.

If your dad can think outside the box, he can adapt that Mission bed in Jeff Millers's book to include some drawers underneath. It wouldn't be hard, I would simply make the side rails go all the way to the floor, thus creating a "platform" for the mattress to sit upon.  I don't know of any place that would draw up some plans for him to use, but honestly, he could use Jeff's plan, and just make the side rails a little differently. Pretty simple - any decent woodworker should be able to handle that.

Sorry this wasn't much help, but know that this can be done. If he has questions - please tell him he can write to me and I'll try to guide him through it. Have him use my personal e-mail address:  jamie@wooditis.com, and tell him not to be bashful! I'll be glad to try and talk him through the details.

Good luck! Hope this helps!

Jamie in Vegas
____________
Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com