[zeuss]

Originally Posted by kisaacs

The best time to try to find bedding for extra long twins is during the summer. All the colleges use them, so anyone shopping for a kid going off to college needs to find that kind of bedding. I've seen them in all sorts of stores (Target comes to mind). When I searched for the bed, I just searched for "extra long twin with storage" and had no trouble. You don't have as much selection as with standard sizes, but there is quite a bit, especially during the summer.

A lot of them are solid. Here's a link to Target's "College" section. They have a special section for xlong twins.

Bed + Bath : College 07 : Target

Kristen

Target seems like such a great store - it has everything. I've never been to a Target. We don't have them up in Canada.

I'll have to look into the Twin XL size and see if we have that here. If the growth charts are correct, Evan could grow over a foot in the next few years and top 6'4".

[kisaacs]

I totally forget you're in Canada! From what I can tell, a lot of people use the extra long sheet sets with a standard length comforter set since it's long enough anyway. You should be able to find the extra long sheet sets online at bunches of places. The comforters in a longer size are harder.

Kristen

[zeuss]

I did a quick search at the Canadian site Sears.ca and they don't carry any beds or bedding in an extra long twin. Nor does Zellers. I wonder if it is even something one can buy here at all.

What I can do is paint up the bed I've got, then when the growth spurt gets in full gear and he starts to complain, I'll take a trip down to Bellingham and buy a mattress, bed and lots of sheets.

[kisaacs]

I think the only real reason they exist here in the US is because all the US colleges and universities use them. If not for that, there wouldn't be a market, I don't think. It's such a logical thing to have though - usually it's not the width of a twin bed that becomes a problem (since later on you have much less width if you share a double or a queen!), it's the length.

I can't wait to see the finished room. It looks like it's going to be great!

[NBeth]

Oysterbed (based in sf) delivers to Vancouver. They don't list xltwins but they do seem to offer customizations. Their base unfinished pine storage beds are a good deal and they have lots of other stuff of course. Might be worth asking about? Of course there is always the option of using Ikea cabs to create your own

Maybe you can duck down over the border for some sheets....

[scooter]

Chiming in from Canada, as well...

I, too, have never heard of an XL twin bed or the sheets that go with one. I know of 3-quarter beds, which are in between twin and double for width; but I haven't seen one of those for years.

From what I recall, most of the colleges and universities around here supply sheets (at least they did). The laundry fee is included in the dorm fees. You get a pillow case and two flat sheets -- so everyone has to learn how to make "hospital corners." On laundry day, you get a clean pillow case and 1 clean flat sheet. You're supposed to put the sheet you used as a top sheet on the bottom, and use the clean sheet on top. And if you forget to strip your bed to leave the dirty sheet and pillow case for laundry, you don't get your clean stuff and have to wait til the next week.

I second -- or third?? -- the floating shelf. I think it would look great, and suit the purpose better without hindering the bed storage.

What I really wanted to mention, though, was about if you decide to paint the Hemnes bed. From experience -- and I've done a lot of painting -- you can paint just about anything if you do the proper prep work. To do it properly can take a while and be tedious, but it will be worth it. I have no experience with liquid sandpaper, so you're on your own there; but you are correct that you have to sand and prime. If that's done properly you should have no problem.

If you want a super durable finish that is easy to clean, make sure to put several coats of varithane or polyurithane on top. I usually use minimum four coats. It sounds like a lot, but it makes a difference.

Good luck. It sounds like it's going to be a great room.

[dalbrough]

HI Zeuss,

Just wanted to see how the paint is holding up on the Hemnes bed?

It turned out fantastic and stored it in the back of my brain - now that the kitchen has a light at the end of the tunnel my mind is now churning on the next project.....both sons rooms.

I am thinking of putting the Hemnes in each of the boys bedrooms- how does your son like it?One Hemnes will be kept White but my 12 year old wants dark furniture and I immediately thought of you and how you painted yours?

Also - If I remember correctly you used the plastic bucket / shelves in the PAX - does it keep him organized? we are really limited to closet space and the rooms are very small - I love how your organized it with the billy and pax and might be doing the same for both of my boys who have TONS of model cars they have built and will put them in a glass door Billy.

Thanks for letting me pick your brain,

[zeuss]

The paint job has turned out great. I used a combo of liquid sandpaper and then light sanding. But man-o-man is that liquid sandpaper toxic smelling. Wear protection and they mean it when they say use in a well ventilated.

And the PAX unit for a combo closet/drawers has worked so well for a boy. Boys don't need many feet of rod storage so half of it has a rod at the top with baskets below. He is even learning to use that strange invention called the "hanger".

The bins with big labels make great drawers for all those big hoodies, jeans etc. He even has one for hats! Now if I could just teach him to close the doors........

[dalbrough]

Wow that is great news. I forgot to ask earlier - what paint did you use? Did you prime first after the sanding?

I could live with the doors open if they would actually put clothes were they are supposed to be. It is so difficult for them to hit the hamper - drives me crazy - but on the quest to be more organized and I think your design / solution for you son might be the ticket for mine

Hanger? What is that?? he is using a hanger - wow that is wonderful news!!! my guys use the back of their desk chair until I start to nag (aka - threaten punishment) and then with the big roll of the eye it might make it into a closet.

Thanks for the info on the paint job - I think I might follow your lead.

[zeuss]

Oh- the hamper seems to be a lost cause - especially for pants. Pants seem to be stored in 2 circles where one steps out of them on the floor. Sometimes a shirt hits the hamper before it hits the floor. But the cleaning lady comes every week so he has to find the floor for her to vacuum and damp mop the floor.

I used the "it-bonds-to-anything-and-covers-everything" primer from Benjamin Moore - I don't remember its real name. Then I just used a regular BM wall paint. Then a low lustre polyurathane to protect it from chipping.

All those steps do take a while, but the result is great. I used BIttersweet Chocolate colour, but I wished I'd going more toward black to go with Ikea's Black-Brown.