Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A French Bench for Charity

I recently picked up a bedroom set from someone who lived 1/2 mile from us. It would've taken 2 trips to get the double bed, dresser and vanity home and I had no problem making 2 trips, but the guy selling was nice enough to load them into his trailer and take it to my house all in one trip! Good karma coming to him!

This bed was really sweet, but if we're to be honest, beds are tough to sell, right? You can't really set them up in a store unless the store is huge and they just don't have the same effect when they are not set up. So a friend said "make it into a bench!". Grand idea...but I don't do power tools (yet). But my father-in-law does and I put him to work with my vision.

Before:

After a lot of screws, glue, paint and distressing:













The cushions are from Target...ideally I would've gotten custom cushions, but since I don't know what the buyer will want, I just got these for staging.





This bench will be at my son's preschool auction. It's such a versatile piece. Garden, sunroom, kids room, kitchen nook...where would you use a piece like this?

~Allison Furniture Feature Fridays The Shabby Nest


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17 comments:

Lynn Fern said...

This turned out just fabulous..

Unknown said...

Looks great...can't wait to see it in person!!!

Sue@Uniquely Chic said...

LOve this....like you I don't do power tools but have always wanted to do a bench. Great job!! Can't wait to see the other pieces.

Cassie Bustamante said...

yay! it's gorgeous and i hope brings in the big bucks!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

I love the unique curves on that bed and it makes a really cool bench! And I'll be honest, I'm intimidated (scared) of power tools, but luckily I have a handy husband!

angela hodges abode said...

Wow! What a great job! Visiting from www.hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com

Saltaire Restoration said...

This is beautiful! Visiting from saltairerestoration.blogspot.com

Jamie-So Much Better With Age said...

I love this!! You did a great job ;) I'm your newest follower ;)
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

Sara Whalen said...

This turned out gorgeous! I love the shape of the "headboard" part

Kelli Davidson said...

LOVE it! I'm so happy you showed it to me painted white! my husband made one like yours out of my great great grandmother's 4-poster bed that was a 3/4 sized bed and now has to have a custom mattress. It's about the color wood that yours was but I was hesitant to paint it - however, I feel much better about it now. Luckily a crib mattress fits in the seat part perfectly! Thanks again!

Kristin said...

That looks so great! Exactly the type of project I'd love to take on. You did a great job!

RPK Interiors said...

What a brilliant vision for this bed! It's nice to have a handy 'someone' who is proficient with power tools. I bet this piece is the hit of the auction. Well done!

Robin

Anonymous said...

LOVE IT! I have a headboard in the attic that I bought for this very purpose and just haven't gotten around to it yet... guess what I might be doing this weekend lol. Thanks for the inspiration;)

Jenny from diywithjenandb.blogspot.com

Marnie@Housecoats said...

Love it! How did you work out the dimensions? I have a bed and want to do this but now sure on the depth.
Great job!
Marnie


Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love, love, love this, how perfect and clever. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party that is ongoing. This is definitley inspiring.

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/04/162nd-inspire-me-tuesday.html

Hugs, Marty

Kristen Rosecrans said...

so cute! i love the shape, but especially the finish. it's beautiful!

Kristen Rosecrans said...

so cute! i love the shape, but especially the finish. it's beautiful!