Bench

I wanted this:
I did not want to pay $399 + $40 shipping + $35 for each basket I wanted to go in the cubbie holes + $75 for the bench cushion I wanted to go on the top of it + tax. Ridiculous.

But I really wanted the bench.

So Chris, being the wonderful husband he is, got it for me for my birthday. Even as a gift, I knew what it cost, and it was still ridiculous for a BENCH!

I started searching craigslist and Ebay for a used bench. I came across this instead. Ana at Knock-Off Wood is my new idol. I'm not kidding.

She comes up with the plans to make the same EXACT furniture you see at Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, amongst others, and posts step by step instructions on how to build your piece of furniture. She's amazing.

I went out and bought all of the wood for $50. Yes, $50. On our way home from playing volleyball at the beach 2 weeks ago, I asked Chris if we could return my PB Bench and get me a nail gun ($100) instead for my birthday. His response: A nail gun, seriously? Yep babe, a nail gun. Just humor me. He did.

I was brought up to believe that I can do anything I put my mind to. My mind probably comes up with more projects and ideas than the rest of my siblings, but nonetheless, I have a hard work ethic with these DIY projects, lots of determination, and am very stubborn. Sometimes, Chris thinks my mind is wacky, but for the most part he goes along with it all.

Nail gun in hand, I got to work. All.by.myself. I started with 1x4's, 1 x12's, and plywood. Added in some stain, and this was what my creation looked like in the garage:



Staining and polyurethane-ing took longer than actually building the bench. After I sanded, re-stained, made some mistakes, polyurethaned, resanded, and put some more polyurethane on again, the bench was ready to be moved inside.



Next up, I needed a cushion. I am not crafty at all. I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, and I certaintly can't sew. Luckily for me, they make fabri-tac. I went back to Jo-Ann's and bought my fabric for the cushion, and a huge piece of foam. After I measured and cut the foam, and measured the fabric, I got to work and came up with this:



*Disclaimer: Chris actually DID help with the cushion during one of his study breaks. My bull in a china closet self was a little nervous to make cuts and glue fabric solo.

And then I went and bought 3 baskets from Michaels to put in the cubbie holes. Chris picked out the middle one...he said it's a reminder to me to do it every now and again. With the 3 baskets and my cushion, here's what it looks like:





Here's what it looks like from the kitchen. I wanted it for that nook under the window, and I think it fits it perfectly. I chose the fabric I did to bring a little bit of femininity to our straight lined living room theme.



This is my big project I've been working to complete over the past week and a half ~ 2 weeks. I'm so proud of myself. I really don't give myself too many pats on the back, but every time I walk into the kitchen, I smile at my bench. Yes, MY bench. I made it. Is it perfect? No. It is perfectly imperfect, just like the rest of my life, which is the way I like it.

Total Cost? $50 for the wood, $15 for stain and polyurethane, $5 for the fabric, $15 for the foam, and $45 for all 3 baskets. Even if you add in the price of the nail gun, I'm still at under HALF of what the bench ALONE would've cost me to buy. My bench is better. It definitely doesn't look better, but I made it. That makes it better.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Happy Monday!  I'm linking up to these fun parties...go check them out!