At Vinogradofff, every project tells a story — one of craftsmanship, patience, and a deep respect for natural materials. Our latest custom build is a perfect example of that philosophy: a queen-size bunk bed made entirely from Canadian black walnut, built with traditional joinery techniques and absolutely no mechanical fasteners.

A Unique Challenge: Designing a Custom Hardwood Bunk Bed

This project began when a client approached us with a special request — a solid hardwood bunk bed that would stand the test of time. They wanted something larger than standard, built completely from black walnut, and assembled using only classic woodworking methods. No brackets. No screws. Just honest, handcrafted joinery.

To meet that challenge, we turned to our dimensional 8/4 black walnut stock, laminating and milling massive components like 6×6 beams to get the strength and proportion needed for a queen-size structure. Every joint was hand-cut, mortises and tenons shaped with precision and patience, just as master woodworkers have done for generations.

Crafting with Care: Hand-Cut Joinery and Walnut Mastery

Working with Canadian black walnut is both a privilege and a test of skill. It’s a dense, beautiful wood, known for its rich tone and smooth grain, but it demands sharp tools, steady hands, and careful planning. Each pillar of the bed required between six and ten mortises, and many pieces featured complex L-shaped joints, the kind that make a perfect fit deeply satisfying.

While the work was methodical, it wasn’t without its challenges (and a few mishaps). As Doug joked in our video, “Those really sharp joints? They’re sharp enough to break toes.” During one of our early dry fits, a heavy piece of walnut took a tumble — and a painful lesson was learned about the importance of keeping work boots on.

The Dry Fit: Teamwork and Precision in the Showroom

Before taking the bed to its final home, we did a full test assembly in our showroom. It took the entire Vinogradofff team — a real hands-on collaboration that felt a bit like a game of wooden Twister. With everyone holding, clamping, and aligning, we carefully pieced everything together to ensure the joinery fit perfectly.

The dry fit served a crucial purpose: to confirm precision before glue-up, especially since the final assembly would happen off-site at a remote cottage. Once we confirmed every mortise and tenon lined up flawlessly, the pieces were disassembled for finishing.

The Finishing Touches: Sanding, Coating, and Buffing

Our finisher, Cole, handled the next phase with his signature care. Each piece was hand-sanded and coated with Osmo 3043, a natural hardwax oil that enhances walnut’s grain while providing durable protection. Large pieces were coated two sides at a time to prevent blemishes, with light sanding between coats and a final buff for a silky-smooth feel.

When everything was ready, the team carefully packed up the components for their journey north.

Assembly On Site: Bringing the Bunk Bed to Life

At the client’s lakeside cottage, we performed the final glue-up and installation. The room was tight, the bed was massive, and teamwork was essential. Using 3/8″ hard maple dowels, we locked each tenon into place, trimmed the joints flush, and applied a final buff coat for a perfect sheen.

When it was finally assembled, the result was breathtaking, a towering queen-size bunk bed that’s both elegant and incredibly strong, the kind of heirloom piece that will last for generations.

Built to Last: Timeless Craftsmanship for Your Home

This project represents what we love most at Vinogradofff: blending old-world techniques with modern design sensibilities. Every cut, joint, and finish was done by hand, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it.

We’re proud of how this piece turned out, and even prouder to know it will be part of someone’s family story for decades to come.

If you’d like to see the full process, watch the video below

At Vinogradofff, we believe your home should grow with you — one handcrafted piece at a time.