February 2007:

The standard bed, 59x76 is a real waste. My toes hang off the end and sheets don't fit right. I replaced the mattress with a regulation-size queen bed, 60x80. This required lengthening the bed platform.

While I was modifying the platform, I decided to widen it to the width of the bed and increase the height, to allow bottles (water, beer, etc.) to stand up under the bed. The standard platform did not allow these items to stand up, they had to be laid down.

I only put paneling on the platform at the foot of the bed.  I left the sides open to allow for ventilation of the storage space and to allow heat to enter this space.  This sealed space used to keep the bed very cold, by maintaining this very cold 'basement' directly under the mattress.

April 2008 (work in progress):

The bed platform modification allowed less than 18" between the pillow and the overhead cabinet; this had to be fixed.  Removed wardrobe cabinetry and replaced with lightweight wire shelving along both walls.  Applied opaque window tinting to windows to eliminate the need for blinds, yet allow full use of windows for ventilation.


You can view photos of this modification using the Picasa slideshow tool to the right...