I have many leather-bound books. I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal.
Ha! I've been dying to use that quote, and now seemed as good a time as any.
What do you do when a functional requirement seems to mess up the clean lines of your design? Well, whatever you do, it looks better in rich mahogany.
When we first got our Airstream, Catarina, a year ago, my wife Mary lamented that we couldn't sleep side by side. The only beds were the twins. Eventually I plan to create a front dinette that converts into a queen-sized bed, but until then, the only beds in the Airstream are the twins. Mary wondered if there were a way to fill the gap between the beds, down the aisle, and make one big bed out of it. When she uttered that thought, the idea of "Superbed" was born, and has been percolating in my brain ever since.
We won't always deploy Superbed, but right now, since our children are still small and in diapers, we won't be blocking the aisle if we do decide to use Superbed. We've also been couped up in the Airstream through several thundershowers on our various camping trips so far, and I can imagine a time when we might want our whole family to be able to snuggle up on Superbed and watch movies whilst waiting out a storm.
So I developed the idea of using two long cleats down the side of each twin bed, to support a plywood platform, where a couple of bolster cushions could be moved in to cover the center of the bed, and make the entire thing into Superbed. This is actually quite similar to the design of many dinettes, I simply applied it to the twins. The main problem with the cleats, for me, was an aesthetic one. I loved the clean lines of the curved beds. But, the cleats were necessary, so I bought a nice piece of solid mahogany, and ripped it down into a couple of 3/4" thick cleats that run the length of each bed.
But before installing them, I had to finish some trim work on the beds. This photo also shows the drawer hardware I used, matching the hardware on the the vanity.
Right below the metal trim, in the photo above, you can see the mahogany cleat. Another shot, showing both twins:
The bedroom as it normally sits:
And now, with Superbed deployed:
See-- I told you those square bolsters had another purpose!
Just a bit more trim work, installation of the curtains, and she will be done. For the time being, anyway...
roof locker tracks (plastic) square cornered astrodome screen 63 refer, or at least the original door insert 2 12v hehr motors (working) w/ or w/o fan blade
Norm-- You're welcome to it. I've stolen and directly copied so many things, I certainly can't claim to have innovated much of anything!
Scott-- You are way too kind, as I've said before I'm just a desk-job hack who enjoys amateur woodworking. I don't think I really have any secrets. I use basic oil-based stains, usually Minwax brand, and apply them by hand. Rub on with a clean dry cloth, best if it has been washed before so it doesn't leave any lint. Let it sit for a while, and then rub off the excess. If it doesn't go as deep as you'd like, coat a second or third time.
Then for finish coats, on most of the woodwork I've used spar urethane. It's extremely rugged and durable, it's my finish of choice for exterior woodwork and I think it will hold up well in a travel trailer. It gives the wood a very marine/nautical feel, which I like in a Land Yacht. The major drawback is that it has a VERY amber tone to it, so it's best to make a test piece with your proposed stain and finish coat on your wood of choice, to make sure it comes out the color you want. I don't mind the amber in the Airstream, it has a very warm feel. In other applications, even standard oil-based polyurethane is too yellow for me, though it is far less amber than the spar urethane.
For the mahogany, both the ribbon-stripe veneer and the solid wood I used for cleats, I kept it really simple and went with a Danish oil, in "natural" tone. It brings out the deep red in the mahogany but keeps a really low sheen, pretty much a matte finish. It's by far the nicest wood in the coach and doesn't need anything fancy to stand out.
Anyway, those are just my thoughts. There are lots of pros and regular woodworkers on this site who know far more about it than I do.
But, I do really enjoy the work, and appreciate the kind words immensely.
Watco oil on Mahogany is awesome, just so long as you toss the applicator rag in water when you're done. (sorry didn't want to hear about any silver bonfires).
Also the lamp is uber cool!
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preparing for the maiden voyage in 2010...
Last edited by truckasaurus; 08-26-2009 at 08:16 PM.
Reason: forgot about the lamp
Marcus, to steal one idea could be considered plagiarism, to steal many is called research. I think it might be less "lumpy" if you put the bolsters on the outside, so there's only one seam in the middle, where you and Mary will probably be.
Watco oil on Mahogany is awesome, just so long as you toss the applicator rag in water when you're done. (sorry didn't want to hear about any silver bonfires).
Also the lamp is uber cool!
Truck is hitting on an important point. When using oil finish, do not put the rag in the trash. It can build an internal heat that will ignite. I lay the rags out on the ground for a day or two so the finish can dry out. During the winter months, I just throw them right into the wood stove. Teak oil made by Watco can really ignite easily.
The lamp does look totally awesome. I have been told you could strip them and polish them up, now I need to.
I like the name Catarina. Very fitting for the wonderfull restoration job you are doing with Goliath, uh Catarina. Job well done!.
Marie
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When people lie to you, and refuse to honor their word, don't regret trying to follow a dream, new adventures and friends await you.
Thanks Marie, I'm glad you like the name. I hope you and Terry are doing well, and I hope you feel I'm doing at least a respectable job of renovating the trailer that you and Terry put so much work into.
Marcus, to steal one idea could be considered plagiarism, to steal many is called research. I think it might be less "lumpy" if you put the bolsters on the outside, so there's only one seam in the middle, where you and Mary will probably be.
Thanks Terry, that is a good idea. I hadn't thought of it, but my folks had, and it is now the plan. I just thought the pictures would show better with the bolsters in the middle.
My Dad also suggested flipping the mattresses and bolsters over when Superbed is deployed, because the piping is only on the top side. That way I can save a little wear and tear on the piping, and also avoid feeling it through the sheets (though it's actually pretty soft).
Thanks JP, I'd love to see yours in person as well. My wife and I love the Florida panhandle, might be a good place to put together a Forums rally and meet up. It's sort-of somewhere between us.
Maybe the Can Opener in January? That would be fun!
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