As you may remember, I combined the metal frames from 2 thrifted chairs ($5 each) with several cedar pickets from an old fence (free, repurposed) to make this bench. My husband helped me cut the pickets down to size. I braced the pickets together on the underside with shorter lengths of fence pickets to form a seat. And we cut notches to fit the seat to the metal chair frames at the back.
I painted the pieces at a couple of different times in the crafting of the bench, doing sides and undersides of pickets as well as one coat of black paint on the top. Including the paint and sealer purchased last year for the chairs, I spent about $20 for spray paint/sealer. Added to the $10 for the chairs, my new bench cost about $30 plus my time. Not bad for a garden bench.
This weekend, I attached the seat to the metal chair frames and put the final coats of paint and clear sealer on the seat top.
I've set the bench on the small patio adjacent to the front porch of our home. I really like the way it looks in its setting. The scrolls of the metal chair frames echo the scrolls of the wall planters and wall scones by the front door. Meanwhile, the slats of the bench pair well with the slats of Adirondack chairs on the porch. And the bright green cushions (made from a shower curtain bought at Value Village last year) are a near match in color to the green of the spray-painted flower pots on the porch.
To prolong the useful life of this bench, my plan is to move the bench inside to the entry hall in late autumn, then moving it back out to the patio in spring each year. In the entry hall, it will occupy the short wall beneath the staircase. I think it will look nice right there during the holiday season. I'll be able to add a couple of wintry decor items on the bench seat for Christmas. Just a little teaser -- I'll post more later this week about a thrifted find to use as a winter holiday decor piece.
I'm glad to add this new piece to our furniture collection.
Looks great. Do you ever hang out on your side patio? We have nice rockers on the front porch, but don't sit out there that much. We used to until we got our new back porch. We spend a lot of time in the back now.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteWe do come out to this patio and porch often (both on the front of the house). It's the north side of the house and a very nice place to sit on a hot day. The Adirondack chairs on the porch are super comfortable, too. On top of this, our front yard is rather secluded, with a hedge and trees blocking view from the street, so it feels private the way a back of the house deck or patio would.
It sounds like you've really enjoyed your new porch. It's so nice to have a pleasant outdoor place to hang out in summer.
It's really a treat to have an inviting outdoor space. Sounds like we're both lucky to have one.
DeleteIt looks great! I love unique furniture and I think you will get lots of enjoyment out of this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kris.
DeleteSeveral years ago, you told us about a unique table you made to use in your living room, if I recall correctly (Or am I confusing you with someone else?). I see we share a love of unique furniture items..
I didn't make it--found it in an antiques/decor store--but I have a table which is a small (used) shutter with legs attached. It's currently behind my sofa, which maybe isn't the ideal spot, but it landed there after I changed up the location for my Christmas tree last December, and I never moved it back. These days my indoor decorating revolves around placing things where the cats can't cause too much damage.
DeleteHi Kris,
DeleteI did sort of remember! And I was thinking it was made from shutters, but I wasn't sure. Thanks for confirming. It sounds cute.
That came out lovely! Great job thinking outside the box!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cat!
Delete