Teenagers "Bubble" Bed.

Project Brief: A Maker approached us about designing a bed for her teenage daughter. The challenge to this project was that she wanted something unique and feminine but that also reflected her daughter’s personality. We drew out several designs for her to mull over and it was what she coined as the ‘Bubble [...]]]>  

Teenagers "Bubble" Bed.

Project Brief: A Maker approached us about designing a bed for her teenage daughter. The challenge to this project was that she wanted something unique and feminine but that also reflected her daughter’s personality. We drew out several designs for her to mull over and it was what she coined as the ‘Bubble Bed’ design that she ultimately decided on. When we created the original design, we also included storage cubicles underneath. The idea was to add medium sized baskets that could slide in for her to keep books, slippers, and other teenaged paraphernalia in. Upon finishing the bed, we then realized that other ‘Bubble’ furniture could be made and added a bubble table to go with the bed. It was then the Bubble Furniture Collection was born.

Project Scope: The Bubble Bed and Bubble tables are original designs consisting of symmetrical circles cut out of the head and foot boards for the bed, and the legs and edges of the tables. The idea is to give a feminine, yet whimsical feel the furniture. Once we drew out the design, We created a toolpath in Aspire (CAD/CAM design software). The parts were then cut out using a 3/8” compression bit. Once all the pieces were cut, they all had to be sanded smooth. Because of the nature of the design and all the individual circles, all of the sanding was done by hand and was the most time consuming aspect of the project. After all the pieces had been sanded, they were primed, painted and assembled.

More "Bubble" Furniture - a Table.

Materials Used: We used 3 sheets of ¾ inch plywood for the bed and 2 sheets of ¾ inch plywood for the matching table. The plywood was great material to use for the bed as it kept it light and easy to move and assemble and store away in a flat pack manner. It has also, over time, proved sturdy enough for a teenager. The bed and table are completely interlocking so other than some sandpaper and paint no other materials were used.

Cost: The cost of this project was minimal. 5 sheets of plywood total were used at $40.00 * 5 = $ 200.00 a sheet, plus the cost of the paint. The Bed and Table took a total of 3.5 hours to cut @ a cost of $85.00 per hour machine time.  Sketching, Design drawings and tool-pathing time 2 hours at the same rate for a Machine / Design for a  total of $467.50. We rounded the price to $650.00 and we have a Happy Teenager in Elkton, Va.