My Sawdust Girl DIY Adventure Begins: A Dream Room for Arden

Hello, fellow DIY enthusiasts! It’s Jenn here, and if you’re a follower of Sandra’s incredible work, you might remember me as the fortunate winner of the Sawdust Extravaganza giveaway. You might have caught my initial introduction post over on Sawdust Girl, but today marks a special milestone: this is my very first official post as an Awesome DIYer, right here on The Sawdust Diaries!

I’m thrilled to be sharing my woodworking journey with you. For those who want to follow my daily creative escapades, including a blend of sewing, crafting, and now my exciting DIY adventure as one of Sandra’s Sawdust Girlz, you can find more at A Jennuine Life. Get ready to witness a room transformation that’s been bubbling with anticipation!

The Vision: Creating a Magical Haven for My Daughters

After a bit of a delay due to summer vacations and the general wonderful chaos of life, I am incredibly excited to announce that I have officially started building! The project I’m embarking on is a complete transformation of my four-year-old daughter Arden’s bedroom. My goal is to convert her current space into a vibrant, giggly hangout – a perfect sanctuary ready for impromptu slumber parties with friends or a cozy spot for her little sister, Hadley, to sleep over.

This isn’t just about building furniture; it’s about crafting memories and designing a flexible space that grows with my children. The room will be more than just a place to sleep; it will be a hub for imaginative play, reading, and sisterly bonding, designed to encourage creativity and comfort. Imagine laughter echoing, whispered secrets under blankets, and a space where dreams are nurtured. That’s the atmosphere I’m aiming to create.

Arden’s Room: The “Before” Glimpse

Here’s a look at Arden’s room as it stands today. Full disclosure: it’s actually a touch tidier in these photos than its current state, as I quickly swept everything into the hallway for a clearer shot! Before taking these pictures, I did make a few preliminary adjustments, moving a desk from where the chair now sits and relocating the chair to the library table’s current spot. My intention is to ease Arden gently into this exciting transformation, allowing her to adjust to the changes gradually while we build her new dream space.

The existing layout, though functional, lacks the integrated storage and multi-functional sleep arrangements that my new design will provide. This room, while loved, is ripe for an upgrade that maximizes space and fun, making it truly adaptable for both Arden and Hadley.

The Blueprint: Custom Twin Daybeds and Integrated Cabinetry

This fantastic design concept, brought to life by Sandra herself, is the cornerstone of Arden’s new room. The plan centers around a pair of custom twin daybeds. One of these daybeds will ingeniously incorporate a trundle bed underneath, perfect for accommodating guests or Hadley. The other will feature built-in storage, a crucial element for keeping the room tidy and organized. While this image captures the essence, we’ve already introduced several exciting tweaks and fun additions to the original blueprint, ensuring the design is perfectly tailored to our needs and maximizes both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The collaborative process with Sandra has been invaluable, allowing us to refine every detail.

The project is structured in phases. Phase 1 focuses on the construction of a beautiful bookshelf and a unique angled piece – essentially, jumping right into cabinetry work! It might sound like a trial by fire for some, but with the right guidance and tools, I’m confident in tackling this challenge head-on. Building custom cabinetry provides an unparalleled opportunity to utilize every inch of space efficiently, creating bespoke solutions that off-the-shelf furniture simply cannot match. This integrated approach ensures a cohesive and polished look for the entire room.

My Sawdust Extravaganza Journey: With Sandra’s Expertise and Amazing Prizes

I am genuinely confident in my ability to bring this ambitious project to life, thanks in no small part to the incredible support system I have. Foremost among these is Sandra’s expert coaching. Her guidance is truly a game-changer, providing me with the knowledge and confidence to tackle complex woodworking tasks. Beyond her invaluable mentorship, I also have an arsenal of fantastic goodies that I won alongside her coaching. These prizes are not just tools; they are enablers, making intricate cuts, precise measurements, and sturdy assemblies achievable for even an enthusiastic DIYer like me. It’s truly a dream come true to have access to such high-quality resources.

A Closer Look at the Prize Haul: Tools of the Trade for a Dream Room

Let me give you a quick rundown of the incredible prizes that are powering this room transformation. Each item is a valuable asset, making this complex project significantly more manageable and enjoyable:

Sherwin-Williams Paint: Two gallons of my chosen paint color. This will be essential for bringing vibrancy and a polished finish to Arden’s new space. High-quality paint ensures durability and a beautiful aesthetic, which is key for a child’s room.
Kreg Tools: A Rip-Cut guide, KregJig Jr., and a face clamp. The KregJig Jr. is a pocket-hole jig that will be indispensable for creating strong, concealed joints for the daybeds and cabinetry, providing a clean, professional look. The Rip-Cut guide will ensure perfectly straight and consistent cuts on large sheets of plywood, which is crucial for building accurate furniture pieces. The face clamp will help hold pieces together securely during assembly.
Black&Decker Matrix Drill and Attachment: I opted for the trim saw attachment. This versatile tool will be incredibly useful for smaller, more delicate cuts and for fine-tuning various elements of the built-ins. The Matrix system offers flexibility, allowing me to switch attachments for different tasks without needing multiple dedicated tools.
SPAX Screws: A supply of high-quality screws from SPAX. The right fasteners are critical for structural integrity, especially when building furniture that needs to withstand active children. SPAX screws are known for their reliable performance and ease of use, making assembly smoother and stronger.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware: This generous package included a Beadlock starter kit, tenon stock, an assembly square, Irwin mini clamps (to use with the assembly square), EZ mark line chords, and a square check. The Beadlock system offers a unique and strong method for joining wood without visible fasteners, ideal for the aesthetic appeal of the daybeds. The assembly square and clamps are vital for ensuring perfect 90-degree angles, which is paramount for square and level cabinets and beds.
D Lawless Hardware: A $150 gift certificate. This will be perfect for selecting the perfect hardware elements – hinges, drawer pulls, or unique decorative accents – to add those final, personalized touches to the cabinetry and daybeds. The right hardware can elevate the entire look of a piece.
Visa Gift Card: A $250 Visa gift card. This flexible resource is invaluable for covering any miscellaneous materials, unexpected expenses, or additional tools that might pop up during the project. It provides a safety net and allows for creative flexibility.
Sawdust Girl Custom Design and Coaching: This is arguably the most valuable prize of all! Sandra’s custom design services ensure that the project is perfectly tailored to my needs, and her personalized coaching provides expert guidance every step of the way. We’ve already had several video conferences, and they’ve been an absolute blast! Our biggest challenge so far has been staying on track and avoiding rambling like tweens at a slumber party, which just goes to show how much fun we’re having!

Overcoming Initial Hurdles: The Reality of DIY Construction

Like any significant DIY project, this one hasn’t been without its initial challenges. My first major hurdle involved transporting large sheets of lumber. My crossover SUV, while practical for many things, is decidedly “tiny” when it comes to hauling full sheets of plywood. Maneuvering those bulky pieces home was an adventure in itself!

The next challenge arose with making wider cuts than both my Rip Cut guide or our existing table saw could accommodate. Just as I was scratching my head, trying to figure out a safe and accurate solution, my awesome brother, Jeff, swept in like a superhero and saved the day! His timely assistance was invaluable, allowing me to proceed with the critical first cuts without compromising accuracy or safety. These initial challenges are a great reminder that problem-solving and seeking help are essential parts of any successful DIY journey.

Embracing Sustainable Choices: PureBond Plywood for a Healthy Home

For this project, I made a conscious choice to use PureBond plywood, and I am incredibly enthusiastic about this product. In our household, we are passionate about environmental responsibility and making healthy choices, so PureBond truly aligns with our values. What makes it so appealing?

Formaldehyde-Free: This is a huge benefit, especially for a child’s bedroom. Traditional plywood can off-gas formaldehyde, which is a known indoor air pollutant. PureBond eliminates this concern, contributing to healthier indoor air quality for my daughters.
Soy-Based Assembly Technology: Instead of urea-formaldehyde resins, PureBond uses a soy-based adhesive. This innovative, non-toxic bonding agent further reduces chemical exposure and makes it a far greener choice.
Sustainable Forestry Practices: Columbia Forest Products, the maker of PureBond, is committed to sustainable forestry. This means the wood used in their plywood is sourced from responsibly managed forests, ensuring that resources are renewed and ecosystems are protected.

End commercial, as they say, but I genuinely love this stuff! Its environmental credentials, combined with its excellent performance and durability, make it an ideal choice for building furniture that will stand the test of time while keeping my family’s health in mind. Using PureBond plywood allows me to build a beautiful, functional, and healthy space for Arden and Hadley.

Building Momentum: Progress So Far and What’s Next

Here’s a sneak peek at some tangible progress! This charming picture shows Arden diligently checking out the fit of what will soon become the bottom cabinet for her new bookcase. I think I spy the makings of a future secret hidey-hole in there – a perfect little nook for her treasures and adventures! It’s moments like these, seeing her engagement and excitement, that fuel my motivation.

Beyond this, I’m thrilled to report that the top cabinet for the bookcase is also fully completed. I even managed to incorporate holes for shelf pins, making the bottom two shelves easily adjustable. This design feature offers incredible flexibility, allowing us to adapt the storage space as Arden’s needs and belongings change over time – whether for books, toys, or decorative items.

Given that I have two wonderful, energetic small children at home, most of my building time happens after they’re tucked in for the night. While these late-night sessions don’t always lend themselves to spectacular action shots or perfect lighting, they are incredibly productive. The quiet hours allow me to focus and make steady progress on this exciting project.

Stay Tuned for More!

This is just the beginning of Arden’s room transformation. The foundation is being laid, and the vision is starting to take shape. I promise to share more detailed updates, tips, and plenty of progress photos as the project evolves. You’ll just have to wait a little longer to see more of the exciting details and the dramatic changes as this room comes to life. Believe me, it will be worth the wait!

Thank you for joining me on this incredible DIY journey. Your support and encouragement mean the world to me. Don’t forget to follow along on A Jennuine Life for even more regular updates and creative content!