Four-Poster Pet Bed

If you were a dog or cat, odds are you'd rather have a fancy four-poster bed over your basic puppy pillow. With a table, some paint and fabric, and a few other items, you can make sure that felix (or fido) sleeps in style.

Note: This bed was inspired by a post on http://junkcamp.blogspot.com - pretty darn cool stuff there!
Also Note: My deciding to make this might also have something to do with this.

Step 1: You'll Need. . .

For the bed:

• - a smallish side/end table (the one used here is 18"x21" and 19" high). Because it'll be painted, you don't need to worry about any scratches in the finish much. Also, the most important thing is that it have nice legs - I think the turned ones look particularly nice
• - 4 finials (the ones used here are ends for a curtain rod that were just the right size)
• - 4 smallish ball feet
• - a piece of crown molding cut to fit between two of the legs and form a headboard (mine ended up being 11 inches)
• - small can paint (flat white used here)
• - paint brush (I used a sponge brush, but if you're worried about streaking you might want to go with a small roller)
• - wood glue
• - a paint pen for detailing (I used silver)
• - newspapers to paint on

For the cushion:

• - about a yard and a half of fabric (cut from a bolt at a fabric store - measures about 46" across. A pretty black and white damask is used here)
• - a trash bag or paper to make a pattern
• - trim (optional - I went with some black trim and needed about 2 yards of it. . .I kind of wish I'd gotten red, but it still looks nice I think)
• - a small zipper (also optional, the one here is 6 inches)
• - stuffing! (about half of a 32 oz bag)
• - pins
• - needle
• - thread

Step 2: Making the Cushion

1. Make a pattern to fit the inside of table when it's flipped upside-down. A trash bag works well when folded over on itself and pinned in place
2. Pin the pattern to your fabric and cut out two sides of the cushion
3. Cut strips about 5 inches wide for the sides of the cushion
4. Pin the strips along the edge of the top piece. If you're using trim, place it between the pieces of fabric. Make sure to always pin and sew the fabric with the right sides together
5. Sew the pieces together
6. Pin on the other side, including the zipper on one edge
7. Sew the pieces together like on the other side
8. Turn the fabric right sides out
9. Add stuffing until it's as firm as you'd like and zip it up

Step 3: Making the Bed

1. Flip the table over so it's sitting on its top
2. Screw the finials into the bottom of each leg of the table
3. Paint the table, the ball feet, and piece of molding (I had to apply about 3 coats since I didn't use primer)
4. Once dried, flip the table over and paint the top
5. Glue on the ball feet in each of the corners of the top of the table
6. Glue the molding in place between two of the legs. You'll want to leave some space below it so that it isn't covered up by the cushion
7. Use the paint pen to add some details around the legs and on the molding
8. Let it all dry for a while

Step 4: Finish It Up!

Then just flip the table back over so it's sitting on the ball feet and add the cushion. Now your cat can nap like a princess!