DIY Network

Crib Mattress Chaise Longue Make your own swanky chaise. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-512

You’ll be sitting pretty with this sweet chaise.

Has your wee one traded his or her crib mattress for a big-kid bed? If so – or if you find a second-hand crib mattress in good shape – you can create a swanky chaise with this easy how-to from Michele Beschen.

Cool paint techniques are the key to this transformation, and the B. Original host shows how to create depth and dimension using flat house paints. Crib mattresses are ideal for this treatment because they already have a plastic covering. Michele Beschen also shows how to build a simple base for your custom chaise.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Crib Mattress Chaise Longue

Materials:

crib mattress
3/4" birch plywood, cut to fit crib mattress
measuring tape
pencil
4 table legs
mounting brackets and screws for table legs
grip shelf liner
staple gun
primer
house paints
paintbrushes
polyurethane

Note: The plywood, table legs and mounting hardware are available at ay home improvement store. The staff there also can cut the plywood to size if needed. Michele Beschen used a 29" x 52" piece of wood to fit her crib mattress.

• Measure and make a mark 3" in from each corner of the plywood and install a leg mounting bracket at each mark. If using angled leg brackets, make sure to install them so the angle faces out (figure A).

• Screw a leg into each mounting bracket (figure B).

• Flip the base right-side up and apply primer to the top and edges of the plywood. If the chaise will be used outdoors, prime all of the wooden surfaces.

• Paint or decorate the base as desired and finish with three coats of polyurethane. Let the paint and polyurethane dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• To keep the mattress from sliding around, use a staple gun to attach two strips of grip shelf liner to the top.

• Apply a coat of primer to all surfaces of the mattress (figure C). Be sure to work primer into all the grooves.

• Before the primer is completely dry, use regular wall paints to apply color to the mattress (figure D). Apply the base color with the same brush used for the primer – without cleaning the brush first.

• While the base color is still wet, use the same brush to dip into and apply contrasting or accent colors (figure E). This technique blends the paint as it goes on the surface, adding streaks and dimension to an otherwise flat look.

• Use shaping tools – available in the paint departments of home improvement stores – to carve designs and shapes into the wet paint (figure F).

• When the design is complete, let the paint cure completely. Seal all of the surfaces with three coats of polyurethane.

• Place the finished mattress on the base, add some pillows and enjoy your custom chaise!