She bought 50 feet of 1 1/2-inch Unmanila rope, a synthetic rope that doesn't shrink and resists rot and mildew. The ceiling joists were built to support the bed in the original porch plans. The rope was $116, and the joists were $160. Installation tip: "If using rope to suspend, leave plenty of spare at the bottom, as the weight of the swing will pull down and sink, bit by bit. We needed to adjust the knots a couple of times over the next few weeks as the swing settled," Zaeske says.
SaveEmail "With all of these pieces in hand, my carpenter and I cleared out a bay in the garage, and we got to work laying out the options. It's very similar to a jigsaw puzzle, without the box to guide you," she says. A few pieces, like the wooden panels in the front, did not make the final cut. Zaeske estimates it took about half a day to construct the swing; half a day to clean, prime and paint it; and a few hours to install the rope and get everything set up in the brackets.
All ages now enjoy the swinging daybed. "When you have a need that mixes with an artistic spirit combined with practical frugality, DIY inspiration often hits," Zaeske proclaims. "Whether starting the day with coffee, my laptop and the sunrise or cuddling with my family on a Sunday afternoon, this salvaged bed is taking full advantage of its new life!"
Q