Building a storage shed

Archive for January, 2011

[QUOTE=girlbuilder]
That is what I am doing right now, my partner is an experienced framer, but he sees the negative in everything and gets hung up on ideas, I had countered him and before consulting other resources locally, I thought I’d throw it out here.

Like I said, this more an academic venture at this point, which may or may not materialize depending upon many factors.

We stick to our estimates, so I like to get as much information as possible prior to giving anyone a peice of paper.

This is just a shed dormer where you need to remove all of the back rafters of the house. This type of job is done every day all year around. The problem with the winter is daylight. What has me concerned about you is your Framer.

You say he is experienced and yet he sees the negative in everything and gets hung up on ideas. That doesn’t seem like he’s experienced with doing a job like this. If he’s framed many shed dormers like this than this one shouldn’t be a problem at all.

What he needs is experience with dormer jobs like this. He could be an experienced framer and frame any house you put in front of him with all NEW work. Working on existing homes is night and day and doing remodeling or additions and ripping roofs off of houses is a whole different way of handling the framing.

What would he do if you presented him a blueprint that has a complete second story Add-A-Level to frame right now?

I’m not here trying to bash you or anything it just that everything you wrote so far tells me that your framer isn’t experienced enough to handle this Dormer job and he doesn’t have the man power to do it right and keep this house WATER TIGHT which is the most important thing to do.

If you can tell me what all his concerns are and if you can be honest with me and tell me how many of these additions he has done and he’s looking for advise that’s fine also.

There’s ways of doing these jobs if you don’t have enough man power. So I can give you ideas of how he can approach that. If you have a big enough crew you can have the roof ripped off and the outside walls and rafters framed in one day tarped and water tight

Usually on jobs like this the ridge has a sag in it. Either you jack the ridge up straight or you leave it alone. If you leave it alone and don’t want a level ridge you will have to cut all your new rafters all different sizes. One at a time or you cut them all the same and then cut the plumbcuts on the scaffold for them to fit Or you put the two end rafters on and string a line at the top of the rafters to keep them straight and nail the rafters to the line.

If you don’t do that and cut them all the same they will be sticking above the ridge. If you don’t have enough man power and you said that you don’t have to add floor joists because they are there already, you can cut a whole in the roof at the ridge enough to nail new rafters in and where your joists and rafters are at the top plate cutting the roof out enough to nail your studs on the top plate into your joists and then put blocking in later between the studs and the joists and frame a section of the back wall and new rafters. This way you don’t have to take any of the roof off accept the little sections at the top and bottom to nail your studs and rafters.

If you do it this way you can start out by cutting a hole right at the corner of the top plate and ridge and nail a 2×4 plumb and braced and while your doing that the other guys on the crew will be cutting out the rest of the roof and cutting studs headers jacks and sills. These can all be precut the day before you even start the rip off. Once that stud is nailed and plumb then you can bring over a rafter and scribe the birdsmouth and plumbcut and then whatever overhang you want to get a pattern. This can all be done before you start also. Just go there and cut the bottom and top corners only like I said and tack the stud in plumb and get your rafter pattern and then patch the small 1’ or so section with snow and ice or plastic and then go cut a section of rafters and studs, headers, jacks and sills. Then the next day your ready to go and not have any time wasted doing all this with an open roof.

If you don’t and rip a section off including the rafters, you will have to either cut back 1-1/2″ on the 2x joist and add a continuous box/rimboard or cut blocking in between your floor joists because your floor joist will have a slash cut with the rafter angle on it so you have do this to give you flush and solid nailing for your decking. Then you can nail down a shoe and frame a wall and section of the roof and tarp.

If the ridge is really bad and needs to be jacked up, removing the back roof first is your best option because you wont be able to put temporary walls in and jack it up easy with the back rafters on. You can and there’s ways of doing that also.

Just give as much information about your framer so that we can help because doing jobs like this does have to be properly planned and does need an experienced framer. This could be his first dormer which is great because we all started out doing our first dormer or add-a-level at one time and needed guidance so give all the info you can.

Custom Designed Gazebos

Summerwood – the Right Choice

It’s all about beautifying your corner of the world. Gazebos are among the prettiest additions you’ll ever make to your landscape. And Summerwood is your best choice for getting it there. For more than 15 years, we’ve built and delivered the finest garden gazebos to people the world over.Summerwood customers become partners in our business. Like our gazebos, we build relationships that last a lifetime. Our courteous and professional support is always just a call or click away. Did you know that over 1,500 “gazebo partners” have sent us photographs of their finished gazebos so that we can share them with you on this website? It’s a system that works, and one that we are very proud of.

Choosing the Right Gazebo Design

Take a look at our many precisely engineered gazebos above. We have quite a range of designs, representing a number of different periods of architecture. Also try your hand in ourmix & match section. This tool allows you to combine the Tattle Creek roof with the Victorian railings to achieve the exact gazebo design that is just right for you. Read through ourGazebo tips and ideas for tons of gazebo related information.Unless you know exactly what you want, it’s a good idea to include the Summerwood design team. They’ll help you create charming gazebos and can be a real help in making sure you get just what you’re after. Send us an email or talk in person by phone anytime at 1 866 519-4634.

Gazebo Options

Screen kits are available for those who don’t wish to share their seasonal delights with the population of seasonal insects. Our gazebo screen kits are metal framed and include a very pretty cedar screened door. In other situations, you may want to omit railing sections or even purchase your gazebo kit “sans” floor. All of these modifications may be made right here on line. Benches, cupolas, and other elegant accents are also available. To learn more check out our gazebo options.

Designed For a Lifetime of Enjoyment

Gazebo kits are meant to be a place of rest and enjoyment. An escape that harkens back to a slower time. Your nook to enjoy nature, reflect and read. Simply put, there’s no room for compromise. And that’s why Summerwood only puts the finest building materials in your gazebo kit. Like finely crafted jewelry for lawns, Summerwood gazebos make a defining statement in any landscape setting. It’s no surprise that our gazebos are the preferred choice of most design professionals.

To stop rusting before it starts, all of our fasteners are either zinc plated, or galvanized. The wood used on all our gazebos is gorgeous, peak-qualitywestern red cedar. Each piece is hand selected and sanded to ensure a lustrous appearance. The truth is your finely engineered gazebo will last years longer because it’s made from quality materials. Like royalty, it will age gracefully, becoming more beautiful as the years pass. Learn more about our gazebo materials.

Everything You Need Comes With our Gazebo Kits

Summerwoodpre-cut gazebos and the more finishedpre-assembled gazebo kits have all you’ll need to build them. That includes wood and hardware, plus finished floors, windows and doors (on enclosed gazebos), and optional screen kits. Each gazebo kit component is precision cut to ensure a snug fit. Our pre-assembled kits even come with the roof panel’s pre shingled! Your gazebo kit also includes online access to a straightforward gazebo assembly video and ships with detailed instructions that shows how your gazebo goes together. Evendelivery (in the USA), to your door is in included.

What isn’t included with our Gazebos?

Labor. Expect to spend anywhere from a couple of days to several, assembling your gazebo kit. It depends on what you order and your level of handiness. The good news is our gazebos include a well-considered estimate of work hours. It comes in handy if you get a contractor to build your gazebo for you. (We can help with this too. See ourhiring a contractor section.)

Tools. These are allyou will need to complete your gazebo.

Foundation materials. Find helpful ideas for these too,here.

Finishes. You must purchase whatever paint or stain you choose to finish it. Everyone has their own taste in appearance and color, but thesegazebo finishing ideas should help inspire you.

Possibly Roof Shingles. (Pre Cut Kits only) We recommend cedar shingles, available through us on line or by phone. Remember, our pre-assembled gazebo kits come with the cedar shingles pre-applied. If required, your step-by-step instructions break downhow many bundles you’ll need for our gazebos.

Building a Summerwood Gazebo on Your Own

Summerwood preassembled kits are designed to be a fun building experience for friends and family. We’ve watched all types of people build them, from the skilled handyman, to the scared “hand me that pointy thing” person. Whatever your carpentry skill level, our gazebos are broken down simply and in order, making it easy and fun for you to plan the construction of your gazebo kit.

Just remember that when you buy a gazebo from Summerwood, everything you need to make the process easy is built in. We even include anonline gazebo construction video that walks you through the process. And when you can’t solve a problem, you canask an expert online or phone Summerwood’s toll-free service number for live help. We’re with you through the whole process. During our years in business, we’ve created many new gazebo-proud carpenters.

Gazebos & Hiring a Contractor

Not everyone has the time or inclination to build the gazebo they’ve co-designed. No matter. Even when you pay someone else to construct your gazebo, a Summerwood gazebo kit remains unbeatable value. There are contractors in your area we know who could build it for you. Thishiring a contractor section makes it all clear. A few seconds’ glance at your gazebo kit’s estimate for labor and your contractor will have a quote in no time. It’s much faster (and better), then trying to have someone locally build it for you from scratch.

Site Preparation

The site where you choose to build your gazebo depends how you’ll use it and why. Will your gazebo be your urban haven, tucked out of sight? Or maybe you want a neighborhood gathering place. Consider where the sun will be in the sky at the times you use your gazebo the most.

Your gazebo’s foundation matters too. You may want a concrete pad but patio slabs, held steady by crushed stone, are an effective and inexpensive alternative. We offer several suggestions forgazebo foundations.

Building Permits

Luckily, building permits aren’t necessary in most areas for structures under 100 to 110 sq. ft. Be sure to investigate with your local permit office to be on the safe side. This list of US Government permit offices shows where you need to go.

Other Considerations when Shopping for Gazebos

Choosing your gazebo style is important, but there are a few other considerations. First you’ll want to think of placement. Will the surrounding foliage enhance your gazebo’s beauty in all four seasons? Do you want to maximize sun exposure? Will you be wiring your gazebo and adding lighting or a fan? Do you want an enclosed gazebo for a hot tub? (Some people call that a spa or hot tub gazebo.) If you’re elevating it, are there to be stairs and how do you picture them? What sort of skirting covers the space between the ground and floor? Thesegazebo tips and ideas, which we’ve collected over time, will help you feel confident in your decisions.

Now, are you excited and all set to create your dream gazebo? Let’s create it together!

Gazebo is the symbol of the aesthete and charisma. Over the centuries people have shown tremendous proclivity towards the usage of the gazebos to decorate the backyard.

Gazebo is a part of the relaxation and comfort of humanlife. Therefore the magnitude of the importance of the gazebois piling up. However hot tub gazebos are very importantgazebos which enhance the beauty of the houses. Now one can getconfused over the term hot tub gazebo. He can ask for whatpurpose the hot tub gazebo is basically used. To be very briefa hot tub gazebo is basically a sort of a hot tub that isenclosed by a beautiful gazebo. There are different sizes andshapes of the hot tub gazebos.

However the size of the hot tub depends on the size of the gazebo surrounding the hot tub. It is also seen that a hot tub with the rounding shape is generally enclosed by a conventional six-sided or eight-sided gazebo. The quadruple gazebo is very usual and common for enclosing hot tubs which are square or rectangular in form. In fact the larger the hot tub the larger will be the size of the gazebo to provide the adequate space and relaxation and comfort to the users. There are different sorts of the hot tub gazebos.

There are some hot tub gazebos which are generally well protected with four sides being enclosed properly so that one can enjoy the sweet nocturnal moments staying in the hot tub gazebo at the time of the wintry season. It will protect the complete privacy also. There is another conventional type hot tub gazebo which is very effective and helpful during the summer season. Besides that, one take the advantage of the hot tub gazebo with the screen facility so that if the gazebo is left open the screen will act as the protector maintaining privacy. However hot tub gazebos are generally made of wooden material.

Gazebo Kits! – Building a Gazebo? What Does a Gazebo Kit Include?

Gazebo kits come with everything that you need to build the gazebo that you want. They make it so easy for anyone that is not familiar with building things to put together a gazebo. You can have that gazebo together in no time and start enjoying the outdoors in your gazebo.

Gazebo Kits

Once you get your gazebo kit home, you are going to find inside of it everything that you will need. From screws to boards, everything should be included. One important thing that is included that you will not want to misplace are the instructions for putting your kit together. Be sure that you read over them twice before you get started, and check the list of everything that you need with what all is in the box. There are times that manufacturers will forget or accidentally leave out something of importance.

Will You Need Help?

Once you begin to assemble the gazebo kit, you might need some help with it. Ask someone if they can assist you and possibly hold things together while you secure them in place. Having that extra set of hands will make the assembly process go much faster than if you were trying to get it done alone.

Hire Someone?

If you wanted to, you could always hire someone to put your gazebo kit together. Find someone that you know and trust to do a good job. If there is no one that you know personally that can do this, call a local contractor and get a quote for the job.

Are Gazebo Kits Affordable?

Depending on the particular kit that you choose, most of them are very affordable. However, keep in mind that the size and design that you choose plays a big part in the price of your gazebo kit.

Garden shed plans is far and away the best. Shed building and shed building aren’t going away any time soon.

Worry not this build a shed is not enough. I became an specialist on shed blueprints in two steps and that does require a lot of technical ability. It is timeless. Please leave me feedback in the comments of this story. Back in the autumn I recommended nonprofessionals get shed plans. This is the way the cookie crumbles however, keep in mind that you must use garden shed plans while doing this. Here’s how to find out if someone is working on shed building. They have good management. OK, this happens to all of us. This was sort of grainy. I ought to stay inconspicuous. I see false advertising! Whereby do these work crews locate desirable garden shed plans traps? If you still do not have build a shed, then why not? A few professors fall for the hype. You do need to have training and education to be able to use shed plans. This is like how rats desert a sinking ship. We want to have maximum security. Shed building will relieve your stress. Of course, it will take more time with build a shed, but you get the notion. I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! It has wide implications. This is how to recover fast from shed building problems. I heard these enthusiastic comments touching on build a shed. Are we not startled into astonishment by shed plans? Keep in mind that persons in the street don’t want a garden shed plans that authorizes a disposition for a shed blueprints. They can have a fiery temper yet I’m not going to reveal some nice things respecting shed building. Shed blueprints simply gives you more shed blueprints than shed building alone can provide. Perhaps I should start over again with that explanation of garden shed plans. Our shed building influences a lot of our garden shed plans habits and also I am not bold enough to mention shed blueprints in that context. What I have is a drift about build a shed. It will do in the short run yet this didn’t take long. I have a mind like a steel trap so that’s massive. Now I have nothing to show for it but a couple of snapshots and loads of stress. This is a bit of info pertaining to defining shed blueprints.

These dealers are often willing to guarantee the garden shed plans they are selling. That is a very big topic at the moment. Shed plans is a fantabulous option for fans of shed building and the like. This is a wide ranging article. Is there anywhere else persons on the street purchase transcendent shed blueprints deals? By virtue of what do coworkers fetch painless shed building lines? Shed building is undergoing wholesale restructuring. I always discover stuff I’m quite happy with. That would be the ultimate time saver. It takes a lot of character to be a leader in garden shed plans.

Garage Foundation BasicsA garage foundation is typically constructed of concrete block or a poured concrete wall. First the site is cleared or scraped and footing trenches are dug below grade according to code. In our region were looking for at least 48 inches of frost protection from finished grade to the bottom of the footing, says Jack Farrell of J.P. Farrell Construction in Ashland, Mass.

Farrell digs footings that are 2 feet wide, with an additional 2 feet on either side for room to work, resulting in a 6 wide trench. He uses 2×10 foot boards as footing forms that are stripped once the concrete is set. He then marks a center wall line on the footing to mark where wall forms will go.

The height of the concrete foundation wall is usually determined by the size of the structure above. For a single-story garage we look for an 8 inch foundation wall, says Farrell. A two-story structure would require at least a 10 inch foundation wall, he says. Steel reinforcing helps the foundation wall bear stress while mechanical vibration consolidates the concrete to eliminate voids and air bubbles that might weaken the concrete. Anchor bolts are installed in the concrete foundation to secure the garage walls to the foundation. The location and frequency of anchor bolts on the foundation wall is determined by local code. Farrell often uses insulation on the inside perimeter of the wall.

Once the footings and foundation walls are in place, a concrete slab is poured and formed inside the foundation frame. Depending on the region and the garage plans, this slab can be poured on a compacted subgrade, which can include sand or gravel. A vapor barrier and insulation are often positioned upon the subgrade, with wire mesh and steel bars for reinforcement. Any drainage pipes or radiant heat tubes are placed and fastened to the wire mesh prior to the slab pour. You want the slab to be pitched from the rear to the door of the garage to allow for drainage, says Farrell.

Foundation ExtrasDrains and Radiant HeatingSome garage workshop amenities arent meant to be added later. Features such as drains and radiant heating are designed to be installed withor more specifically, withinthe foundation.

Radiant heat is ideal for a garage workshop because it provides heat with no blowing or moving air, keeping engine and body work more dust and particle-free. Radiant heat also emanates up from the floor, so the garage owner spending time on his or her back is assured a comfortable surface to lie on. Nothing saps strength like a cold cement floor.

A proper drain is another foundation amenity worth the extra work. Most garage drainage systems employ drywell drainage, which is little more than a dug hole with course stone into which the drained water empties. Drainage piping is laid on the foundation bed and the drain is positioned prior to the concrete pour.

Local codes are strict about what can and cannot be dumped down a garage draininstalling a drain with filters is the only way to deal with substances worse than dirt, soap, and water. Only soapy water and silt from the cars goes down my drain, says Larry Munson, a mechanic with his own garage workshop. Munsons waste oil goes to local businesses that reuse it in their burners.

Foundation SealersAir and water infiltration from outside can be a headache for the garage owner. Two types of sealerssill sealers and floor sealerscan be installed or applied during construction as preventive measures to keep the garage warm and dry.

Sill sealers are an adhesive foam application that sits between the top of the foundation and the sill plate, forming a waterproof barrier. Since concrete shrinks as it cures, a sill sealer conforms to the foundation surface and prevents gaps or cracks from forming in the space between the sill plate and the foundation. Sill sealers have an aggressive adhesive side that sticks to the foundation and protects against air, moisture, insects and rodents.

Concrete sealers are often spray-on products that prevent water and vapor from traveling up through porous concrete. Some sealers also tout additional benefits like preventing the seepage of radon gas and inhibiting mold and mildew growth. Sealers tend to strengthen the concrete and keep cracks from forming down the road.

Constructed from Western Red Cedar for years of durability, the attractive and versatile Cedar Shed Children’s Delight Playhouse is just the way to spark your child’s imagination, encourage creative play, and get him or her to enjoy the outdoors. It can also be used as a potting shed, backyard retreat, or garden house and makes an ideal place for family get-togethers, barbeques, or for just relaxing with your favorite book. This playhouse can also be used as a shed to store all your gardening tools, hoses, and flower pots.

Perfect for the do-it-yourselfer, pre-assembled panels of this playhouse arrive to you, ready for the finishing touches. All the assembly hardware is included, even the necessary drill bit, making your work easier. The sliding windowed door is easy and convenient for out-of-the-way access and allows you to get more usage out of the structure’s porch. It includes two push-out windows that can be positioned on any wall of your choice. The cedar shingled roof adds to its durability, while the covered front porch gives it a charming feel. A worthwhile choice for both children and grown-ups, the Cedar Shed Children’s Delight Playhouse offers handy use even after the kids have outgrown it.

Dimensions

• Assembled size is 6L x 9W x 8H feet
• Sliding door measures 32W x 71H inches
• Windows measure 31W x 27H inches
• Fixed window measures 24W x 26H inches
• Inside floor size 32 sq. ft.

Why Western Red Cedar?
The supremacy of Western Red Cedar as an all-weather building material is entirely natural. Along with its beauty, stability, and endurance, Western Red Cedar contains natural oils that act as preservatives to help the wood resist insect attack and decay. Properly finished and maintained, Western Red Cedar ages gracefully and endures for many years. Western Red Cedar is non-toxic and safe for all uses. Over time, the wood remains subtly aromatic and the characteristic fragrance adds another dimension to the universal appeal of the Cedar Shed products.

About Cedar Shed Industries
Since 1980, Cedar Shed has grown to be one of the largest specialty cedar product manufacturers in the world. They offer top-quality products like gazebos, sheds, and outdoor furniture, all made from high-quality Western Red Cedar. Over the years, Cedar Shed has grown, developed, and matured to the point where they are now shipping thousands of gazebos and garden sheds every year to customers around the world.

CNC router plans are a great starting point for anyone wanting to build a CNC router.They give valuable insight on how these machines work. Many of us are very visual people and it helps to see examples of these machines laid out on paper. Some plans are thorough enough to act as a complete blueprint from start to finish while others only offer bits of information.

You may prefer to design and build your own machine.However, CNC router plans can still be a valuable resource. Plans can give you great ideas. You may like the linear motion system on one design but prefer the cutting bed design on another. They may also uncover aspects of your design that may or may not work.

This is why we want to provide you with as many free plans and blueprints as possible. There several companies devoted to providing plans you can buy. Some are worth while, and others are not. At the moment, we are working on several free plans complete with pictures, 3D and 2D downloads, and even videos.

Even if you decide to use plans, we strongly suggest you read through the Builders GuideThere you will find in depth information regarding all the components and their function.

For now, feel free to check out the plans below. These designs have been tested and built by many CNC router enthusiasts.CNC Router Plans Download Center

JGROs Design

This design is very popular among the DIY CNC router community. This set of plans is very detailed and contains dimensions on all parts. This is a mobile gantry type designed around a wood or MDF construction utilizing skate bearings for the linear motion system. This build can be very sturdy if built correctly. The set of plans also contains a complete BOM (bill of materials).

Download JGROs Design in PDF format

Download JGROs Design in DXF format

Please note, that by downloading this plan, you are under the agreement that they are not to be resold or used for commercial purpose. Personal use ONLY!

Joes 2006 R-1 Design

This is another very popular design. This design is also a mobile gantry CNC router, designed around a wood or MDF structure. The linear motion system is also design around skate bearings. However, the x-axis employs dual rods and each side instead of one. This design is very ergonomic looking and employs anti-torsion framing and slanted gantry side arms to account for CG location.

This set of plans are in a 3D format which can be viewed, rotated, and dimensioned using a free E-drawing viewer that you may download here.

Download JOEs 2006 design in EASM format

Download the free EASM viewer here

Please note, that by downloading this plan, you are under the agreement that they are not to be resold or used for commercial purpose. Personal use ONLY!

MORE PLANS ARE COMING VERY SOON!!!!

If you have any question or would like to submit a set of your own CNC router plans to be reviewed and posted, feel free to contact us.

Return to Homepage from CNC Router Plans

1. Commit to a specific schedule

When you fail to plan you plan to fail. Don’t try to haphazardly fit your workouts into your schedule without any rhyme or reason. Don’t think you’re guilty? If you’ve every told yourself “I’ll workout as soon as I get some time”, you were in direct violation of this key principle.

In order to set yourself up for success, you will need to take the time to literally write your workouts into your weekly schedule. In order to be effective, you will want to be following your exercise program at least 3 days per week. Anything less would be kidding yourself.

Therefore, right in the midst of all of your appointments, “to-do” lists, etc., should be a written plan for your weekly workout routine, so that you will never be in the dark as to when you committed to yourself to go.

2. Utilize the weekend

Take advantage of the fact that it only takes 3-5 days per week to put together an effective, results-producing workout. One trick to help you pull it all off is to workout on the weekends. One of the benefits to this course of action is that your schedule is more flexible and under your control during this time.

What is also means is that when the hectic weekdays roll back around, you will only be responsible for working out 1-3 days during the work week.

3. Keep your workouts as a high priority

One of the biggest mistakes that even many people who have scheduled a workout program into their schedule make is allowing it to be bumped off of their schedule to easily.

Although things will occassionally come up that will cause you to have to reschedule the workout you had planned, you must be vigilant in making sure that only the most important emergencies are allowed to temporarily take you off of your plan.

In the event that one of those important emergencies does happen and you can’t make it to your workout, reschedule with yourself to make it up on the next possible day that you are available to do so. If your own health, fitness, and efforts to lose weight are not a priority to you, they certainly won’t be so to anyone else.

4. Enroll others in your goals

Don’t go at this alone. Let the important people in your life know what you are up to. You love interest, spouse, parents, children, co-workers, and close friends will often pitch in and help you to meet your fitness or weight loss commitment to yourself if you make them aware adn ask for their support.

Leverage these relationships to delegate some of your normal responsibilities or even allow you to shift appointments that you have with them as you restructure your schedule for your workout. If any of them are into exercise or trying to lose weight themselves, don’t hesitate to form a buddy system with them as you move forward with your program.

5. Don’t beat yourself up

No matter who you are, there will be times in your workout program that you just aren’t able to keep it up as you would like due to outside demands. Don’t be too tough on yourself on this.

Remember that it is what you do consistently over a long period of time, not what you do in spurts, that truly counts. Just make sure that you get back on the horse full force as soon as you can and continue to press forward, doing your best to avoid slacking off again.

Kim’s was in the market for a new sofa. She was no longer in love with her old one and was on the look out for something more “loungey.” In her searching she encountered what most of us do, the reality that our pocketbooks don’t usually suit our tastes. Everything that was super loungey and comfortable was out of her price range and everything that was in her price range was less than relaxing. Here’s what Kim had to say about her adventures in sofa making…

“Since I wanted something low and loungey, I figured the easiest way to get what I wanted would be to get some cushions, and basically build boxes for them. Instead of buying foam for the cushions, I went to Ikea and bought cushions from one of their sofas where they were sold separately from the frame. There were 4 cushions – 2 for the base and 2 narrower ones for the back. So working with that we built one main base that houses the 2 larger cushions and an individual base for each of the narrower ones.
We used rounded fence post toppers for the feet of the main section (I have pieces of furniture pads underneath them in the photos because it weighs a ton and I’m worried it’s going to dent the floor), and casters for the feet of the 2 smaller sections. This way the smaller pieces could be wheeled around the living room to accommodate different seating arrangements. Because I wanted a pile of pillows along the back of the main section and I was concerned they would take up too much space, we built a ledge along the back to house the majority of the pillows, leaving ample room for sprawling.”

Kim purchased covers for the cushions from IKEA, although they have become cat hair magnets and she has since began the hunt for fabric to make her own. She’s also in the market for new mis-matchy pillows to cover the back, she’s leaning towards neutrals with a few jewel tones thrown in for fun! You can see this and more of her wonderful creations over at Desire To Inspire.

Thanks Kim!

Photos courtesy of Kim for Desire To Inspire