Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I finally made one, YAY!!!

I'm so excited about this post.  I have been wanting to make one  of these for so long.  This is actually  how I got introduced to blogging.  I had seen a headboard bench and wanted to make one so bad.  So, I googled around and found this post over at My Repurposed Life on how to make a headboard bench of my very own.   Awesome.! Now I just needed a headboard and footboard. 

I have only found trashcans on the curbs where I live, so I checked out Craigslist for a while.  Debating how much handy hunk would let me spend on this.  Last summer when we went out of town to visit my dad as we were leaving town  I saw this headboard and footboard on a curb.  I shrieked in delight.  Good thing Handy Hunk is a good driver.  I was screeching out, "turn around, turn around, go get that headboard."  :-) 

I've finally gotten around to doing something with it.  I was waiting for it to cool off and then I kept doing other projects.... Not anymore.  I finally cut up the footboard and made my bench.


I had 2 drills going.  The Dewalt to do my pilot and countersinking holes and my little Ryobi to put the screws in.  Handy Hunk wasn't home and the clamps I was trying to use could only help me so much.  


I learned that I should make the seat frame and then attach it to the head/footboards.  More level that way, but definitely need another set of hands.  This is the first seat frame attempt.  I used L brackets too.  But, when Handy Hunk got home he convinced me to take the seat frame out and start with new wood and no L brackets. I of course didn't take a picture of my seat frame.  But, I made it on the flat concrete and then attached it to the head/footboards.  Absolutely had to have Handy Hunk help me with that part.  No way to hold it up, get it level and drill the screws in. 


This is it after one coat of paint.  YAY!!! It's 56.5" wide and 22" deep.  Nice big bench.  I've moved it onto our back patio.  It is SO nice.  Absolutely love it.  I'm thinking about adding a little foot rest just because it is so deep.  I'm tall so my feet still touch the ground but I'm sure others would love a little foot rest.  I also added some furniture cushion glides on the bottom.  Similar to these ones at Home Depot.  I just wanted something to protect the feet from wicking up water when it rains.

Sorry I didn't stage it at all.  I was just SO excited to show ya'll what I did :-) 



Liking up to some great blogs, please check out the Party Blogs tab on the upper right to see where I might have linked up to.  Thanks!




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10 comments:

Mel said...

That's fantastic! You did a great job on putting it together! You know I love the free part best :)

something to tick off of your list.

fiona anderson said...

Wow Layn, it's gorgeous. I'm going to look at bed frames differently now, it's such a great idea.
Nice to see you near the top of my blogroll again. You should go to loads of parties with this one !
XX

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

wooohooo! your first bench! Sooo happy you got the bed FREE! :)
You did a fabulous job. It is a nice big bench.
Thanks for linking to my blog.
Enjoy your bench!
gail

Angel said...

Gorgeous!
It's hit and miss here in Phoenix with Craigslist...but my goodness, nothing beats free! Nice job.

Chatty Chics said...

Oh my! It's fabulous! You did a great job! Congrats!
Melody
One Chatty Chic
PS You're invited to come link up at my place and share with my group if you can
http://onechattychic.com/2012/03/27/your-turn-wild-wednesday-4/

Revi said...

It looks great, and I'm impressed that you can use the manly tools!
-Revi - a new follower
www.revisionarylife.blogspot.com

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Oh my goodness! Your bed took on a whole new life.... and it gorgeous! What a masterpiece! No staging necessary! It looks fabulous just the way it is. Please take pictures of your bench decorated too!
Yvonne

Stacy Risenmay said...

I love this!!! I have seen this done on several different blogs and I think I love yours the best. It is beautiful!!!

Chatty Chics said...

I'm just so impressed that you did this by yourself! Whoo-hoo! Again, great job and thanks for sharing at my place!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

This came out amazing~ great job!! Thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!