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.
