Facet King - from start to finish

6, 8, and 12/4 walnut boards

a pile of possibility

making the first cut

cutting and jointing the leg stock

glueing up the legs

three parts for each front leg

making the initial cuts and rabbets

walnut jointer shavings

crotch figure on one of the rails

used the band saw to cut the facets...

smoothed the cuts on the jointer

front legs complete with inserts

inter-planetary crotch figure

setting the foot rail in the front legs for the first time

holes drilled in the legs for assembly bolts

front and back legs complete

test fitting the frame for the first time

the frame is amazingly strong

the faceted corners lined up well

side rail meeting the foot rail at the leg

central supports for the mattress slats

interior view of the side and head rail assembly

interior view of the side and foot rail assembly

rails and legs ready for finishing

legs before finishing

applying finish to a bed rail

the third coat of arm-r-seal drying

starting the headboard

using a circular saw to make the long cuts

i finished the cuts with a hand saw...

and cleaned up with planes and chisels

walnut shavings!

testing the headboard panel fit

glueing up the headboard in 2 parts

the two slotted supports offer height adjustability

coming together nicely

ready for finish

applying wipe-on poly to the headboard

the facets were all made with hand planes

finally assembled onsite!

my daughter consults with the client

morning light reveals nice details

the foot of the bed

my daughter double checking my handiwork

details of the faceted headboard

the facets are only 1/4" deep but catch the light

a view from the side

the asymmetrical style is reflected in the rails

a closer look at the grain and facets

walnut is a lovely material to work with

one more view of the headboard

the crotch figured section is one of my favorite parts

from sketch to reality

Here is a pictorial walk-through of the build process for the Facet King. The bed is carefully designed to account for wood movement and the assembly bolts all sit in slightly oversized holes to allow for any seasonal stresses. 

Each rail is unique and asymmetrical. The foot rail sits in deep dadoes and the side and head rails are supported by large rabbets in the legs. The legs are faceted solid blocks of walnut made from glueing up 12/4 stock.

The headboard is a panel glue-up of 5 separate boards, all cut into distinct shapes, and faceted and fine tuned with hand planes. I used biscuits to ensure proper alignment of this complex assembly. The 2 headboard supports are bolted into the head rail and are slotted to allow height adjustment of the headboard.

This frame comes apart with only 8 bolts but is rock solid when assembled. I call it the Facet King but it could just as easily be a queen or full-sized bed. I plan on designing some matching bedside tables in the near future.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the process of building it. 

The Facet King

Kitundu is just finishing up a commission for a king bed frame and headboard.

This original design features faceted legs and asymmetric sides informed by movement of the wood grain. The headboard is a signature piece with subtle bevels and facets. The bed comes apart with only 8 bolts but is rock solid when assembled.

Take a fly through in the video below.

Send inquiries to info@iramba.org