I've seen various styles of chaise lounges every time I've gone furniture shopping - but I rarely considered buying one, mainly because they are very expensive. Then I saw an episode of Trading Spaces where Amy Winn built one. And from that I figured that I could build one myself.
One problem being - I'm no Amy Winn. I didn't have any real plans - just some general ideas. So, it pretty much went together as I went along. There were some set-backs:
(I eventually found the problem, but not until I was already done with the project. Turns out the blade was loose - it a wonder the dang thing didn't fly right off the saw like some ninja carpenter weapon.)
It was that last one that caused the most trouble. I had to use a handsaw for all the cuts. Hence, right angles on edges were not very common. Funny how important that becomes in some areas - and equally funny as to how much you can get away with.
So, here are the steps:
And here are the photos- taken by my good friend Scott with a kick-ass digital camera. I put the chaise in the parking lot to have the most room and get the best angles. Enjoy and feel free to "oooh and aaaah"
The finished product. And when I say product, don't think you can buy it or con me into making one for you. Not gonna happen. This is a one of a kind Anthony original. Click the photo for a larger view. |
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Front view. You can see a little distortion across the top where the head rest hooks in. It was sheer luck it hooked in at all - I really hadn't taken the Velcro loops into consideration. |
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Another angle - and Scott's car's tire. I suppose I could have cropped it out, but this will give you an idea of scale. Or something. |
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From this view you can really see the slope. The "front" legs are about 5 inches higher than the "back" legs. It looks like the support for the back rest is adjustable, doesn't it? Wrong. I built it so that I would be comfortable it. Get over it. |
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View from the back. And yes, the ground isn't level - that's why it looks lopsided. |
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Without the cushion - yes, it's a naked chaise lounge. Cover the children's eyes. Interestingly enough, the first concrete step up from the parking lot is exactly 5 inches off the ground. After the legs were on, I would often set the chaise on the step to level it out while I was working on. I knew you'd be impressed. |
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So, that's the chaise lounge. It's currently in my basement - though I'm thinking it will work in it's new form in the guest bedroom. So don't get any ideas. "oooh, Anthony, that would look so good in my den," Not gonna happen.
And I was pleased with the result, but it wasn't really practical. So, it was
time for an... Update.
