In my last post I discussed dining room seating and how I had to come up with a less expensive plan for bench seating. Well I figured since I was able to accomplish the Crossbuck wainscoting in the dining room on my own that it was a good time to maybe try out one of Anna White's plans that I have been coveting for quite some time. If you do not know about Ana White head over to her site. She is amazing and has tons of plans that are knock offs of major brands. Plans that give you the look for far far less.
I ended up picking the Fancy X Farmhouse Bench Plan because I liked the idea of carrying the X pattern of the wainscoting into another area of our dining room. |
After reading Shanty 2 Chic's post about making the bench I was sold and felt like I really could accomplish it. I went out and purchased my wood. The wood cost me a little under $30 but I still had to purchase wood glue which was $5 and then the Pocket Hole Screws that the plan required which were $6 each for both sizes. I ended up only using the longer screws though. |
It took me about 2.5 hours to cut all the pieces. I was extra careful and measured twice and cut once. After I cut them all I sanded them down. |
I went with the 63 inch bench and made three of these x braces. |
The next step of the plan requires you to purchase a countersink drill bit. I am not sure how much those cost. I took Whitney's advice and looked into getting a KregJig. After some research I decided to contact the fine folks at KregJig and asked them if they would like to send me one for this project and they agreed! I was thrilled to say the least because if I had to purchase one that would have thrown the whole budget out the window. |
The KregJig was not only super easy to put together but so easy to use that Oldest who is 10 was able to help out! |
Here it is all put together. It took about two hours for us mind you have had never built anything from scratch like this before. If you are use to building things then I am sure it goes much faster. |
Next up I white washed the top with some paint I had on hand. You just dip the tip of your brush in water then in the paint and brush it on the wood. |
I love how the wood came out! Looks like it has been outside weathering away for years. |
I am now in the process of finishing up the bottom of bench and can not wait to share with you how it turned out! Yes, I know a reveal of it would have been wonderful but it is summer and thus my boys come first. Thank you to KregJig for helping me out on this project and Chanty 2 Chic for making it look so easy and to Anna for her awesome plan! You can see the bench completed in our updated farmhouse dining room. |
WOW Pamela! I am very impressed!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Pamela. Great job.
ReplyDeleteKris
Stunner! Very impressive and it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow! Your bench is fabulous!!! It's so nice that it turned out to be a family project and that you had a few happy helpers. Can't wait to see it all finished and in position at the table.
ReplyDeleteGigi @ Old World Patina
Good job! I love it when we can make "knock-offs" ourselves and save bunches of money! I love it:)
ReplyDeleteWow! I am impressed that people are able to build such things!
ReplyDeletePamela, I am so impressed that you took on this project on your own! Kudos to you! It looks like you did a great job, too. I can't wait to see it all finished and in place at your table.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!!! So impressd!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Pamela that looks awesome. You go girl!!
ReplyDeletePamela, you amaze me! I love you farmhouse bench! Wow! I love my Kreg Jig too; it's a fabulous product! They are always so generous at Haven. It has given me an opportunity to try their items. You did an awesome job on constructing this! Thanks for the great tutorial! Love your wonderful assistant!
ReplyDeleteWow Pamela!...What a fantastic job you did!!!!...and yes, the folks at Kreg are great...got some great things from them at Haven...
ReplyDeleteI am totally in awe and impressed with your skills! My husband loves to do woodworking projects, but I've never attempted anything like that. And on top of that, the bench is gorgeous!
ReplyDeletePamela, WOW! I am so impressed! Love the bench and you did an amazing job.
ReplyDeletexx,
Sherry
Hey girl...I'm super impressed with this! It looks great Pamela. Gotta question for ya...where did you get your heat gun from and much are they? Happy 4th!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda