Making a 4 post bed from porch posts - (and sleep like a queen in it)

My life is a work in progress, always learning, always looking for something to create.  

A couple of years ago driving by another neighbors place, I noticed he had 4 porch posts in his burn pile.  Hmmm... what could I do with that?  So I called him and politely asked for permission to take them.  

About 10 years ago my sister threw out an old door and some wood trim boards from her old house and I brought them home.  Again, not knowing what I would do with them.  

One day it hit me - why not make a 4 post bed from the posts and use the door as a headboard?  

I am finally beginning this adventure of a project, here's a picture of the materials. 

Here we are, the new room is nearing the end and its time to start the centerpiece of the room.  

First I cut the posts to size - 80 inches is plenty, since most doorframes are about that high.  I used that by marking my cut all around with an rafter angle and cutting an inch or two on each side with my Sawzall.  (yes, I saved the leftover pieces).  
Then I laid the pieces for the headboard out with one door setting it with a 2X8 joist hanger 8 inches from the floor.  I plan the footboard to be 4 inches from the floor. 

 Below is a close up.  Its that easy, attach the joists with wood screws. 

To make sure the door is centered on the post, I laid a 2x6 underneath the door edge.  I then attached the upper part of the door to the post with a simple L bracket, attached with wood screws.  I plan to paint this all later so the hardware will blend with the wood.

 The last step for the headboard is to make sure the whole thing is square-  the top of the posts must be the same distance from each other as the bottoms.  In this case its 79.5 inches, then I put a small piece of board attached to the top with a nail on each post to keep it square. 

And TADA!!!  There's the rough draft of my headboard.  It stands on its own nicely - that's my helper Matt back there, he is a whiz at reading a tape measure when I can't find my reading glasses.  

Next up - piece together the footboard with the same steps and start on the side rails.  

Stay tuned!