Rustic Bench Addition

I got another thing checked off of my To-Do list for the summer! I built myself some benches to replace my ugly plastic falling apart chairs.

 

Behold the beauty of the plastic! These in no way, shape, or form go with my farmhouse table that I found on the trash. Yes, probably one of the best scores of my entire life. Definitely the biggest thing I have ever found on the trash. We had to push that bad boy on a dolly down two blocks and up (literally) our alley, to get it to the backyard. 

It can sit 12 people, people!

I love it.

But what I did not like about it is those chairs! But it was all we had so you go with it.

I went with it for 4 years before spying some discarded lumber in my neighbors yard. It was an old picnic table I think. I asked him if he could ever part with such awesome old wood and he of course said yes! I think the thought of ME getting it out of his yard held promise. 

.....and then it sat in my yard...for about the whole summer.

But the good news for anyone coming to dinner is that the benches are done and I think I am pretty happy with them. 

They add the rustic look I wanted and weren't that hard to build. 

I am still not sure of these legs though. I had to put two pieces together because I didn't think one plank width would be sturdy enough and not rock. Not sure if these are as sturdy as I want. I may need to add something but not sure what. I am not sure if the little bit of wobble is from putting the two pieces together or if I need to put in a diagonal brace of some kind.

Any suggestions from you guys who build stuff regularly?

I also had big plans to age the new exposed wood using vinegar and steel wool to make the whole look uniform (the perfectionist in me) but I think I am going to let nature do its thing.  I have way more projects that need to get done and some things are better left to the experts.

Okay, enough chit chat and on to the "pretty" after shots!

Yes, we make our own wine!

These are sunflowers that we grew this summer and the piece of wood was found by Tessa. She thought it should be used somehow. I couldn't agree more.

Now who to have over?????

P.S. I am holding off showing you how I built these until I figure out the bracing thing. Then I will feel better about giving you information that shows you how to make a rustic bench without a neck brace included. That's probably a plus huh?

Always being renewed,

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http://www.remodelaholic.com

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