Weekend Woodworking
There is something about having the house to myself that makes me want to have a different project going on in each room. Sunday was no exception. The house transformed into full project zone while Chris spent the night in New Hampshire so that he could watch the Super Bowl with his dad. If only he could have seen the hurricane that had hit our house…including the kitchen floor that became a workbench.
What can I say? It was too cold in the basement for me!
I had bread dough rising in the kitchen, and upholstering going on upstairs, but the highlight certainly was the bench I was building for the guest bedroom.
Like many other bloggers, I have been bit by the Knock Off Wood bug. Could it be that we all might be able to build high-end-looking furniture using plans by Ana who ceases to amaze me with her knock-off wood designs? (If you haven’t seen Ana’s blog, be sure to check it out!)
Truth be told, I just wanted to build something. So, I picked a project that could fill an empty space in our house: the foot of our guest room bed. The plan for a knock-off version of this West Elm bench looked easy enough.
Using these plans, I got underway. My first snag was not finding the right quality wood in the right sizes at Lowe’s. Instead of continuing my search elsewhere, I settled for thinner pieces (i.e. 1×4 instead of 2×4). Because the wood was different, I had to alter the plans a bit, which took one or two tries. Okay, maybe it was three tries. But eventually I had all of my cuts done.
I also should have studied up more on building techniques, because my screws definitely split the wood in a few places. Oops.
I was so into it that I forgot to take in-progress shots, but in the end, I had a bench!
I still have a lot of sanding, hole-filling and painting to do, but you get the general idea. I am thinking that I will paint it white and make a cushion with the fabric that coordinates with the throw pillow covers.
What do you think?
The best part is that Chris had no idea about the mess I had created until I unveiled the bench in place in the guest room. All sawdust evidence had been removed! Do you think he’ll be motivated to help me build a workbench now!?
Actually, the best part is the price. The West Elm bench retails for $299 while my little creation was $30 (including all wood, screws and glue). Sure, it’s not the same quality, but it’s not half bad.
Stay tuned to see how the finished bench turns out, and look for more of my construction attempts!
Pssst…you can check out the bench cushion I made here…
Erin, you are a human dynamo – really. Baking bread whilst carpentry – you are a wife’s dream come true ha ha.
The bench, even as it stands (pardon the pun) at the moment looks stunning and I love the fabric. Even going for plain cream or black, or sheepskin or, or, or I could go on………would look lovely.
I really do think you are my role model.
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Erin Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Janis,
You are too nice! Trust me, if you had seen the state of our house that evening (with flour all over the kitchen and sawdust all over the floor) I might not have been anyone’s role model! Just remember, I share mostly the good stuff on this blog, so it’s easy to make myself look good!
xo,
- e
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Oh – I don’t believe you, you Domestic Goddess!! Only kidding I know when I bake I get the kitchen in a mess and I wouldn’t even attempt to do some woodwork.
Isn’t nice though – once in a while just to get the house to ourselves? Sometimes I’ll just read or watch television and totally just chill out.
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I’m SO impressed that you did this by yourself! I usually rely on my dad (not even the hubs) for this amount of woodworking. Months ago I asked my dad to make this bench for me (before I knew about that blog, which I sent to him), but decided to go for one by C&B instead because it suited the style of the entryway better. Do you plan to stain or paint the wood?
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Erin Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Hi Laura,
I definitely stand to improve my woodworking skills; I’m truly a novice! I think that I will paint the bench to better coordinate with the room. Truth be told, I can never quite find the right shade of stain…
xo,
- e
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Love the bench, you’ve been on a bench kick lately (first the goodwill one) and now this. I love it. I need to get my hands on some power tools so I can make some Knock off wood projects!
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Erin Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Hi Kristen!
I have been on a bench kick lately!! Don’t worry, I think I’ve run out of bench spots!
xo,
- e
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Let me just preface this by saying “I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!”
I don’t know that my husband would trust me with a saw, it might end badly, but I’ve been craving some DiY wood projects and maybe now my husband will not look at me like I’m crazy. Can’t wait to see what the finished product looks like!
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Erin Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Hi Jessica,
Definitely give it a try. Trust me, you are NOT crazy!
xo,
- e
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Do you ever sleep?
I love it, of course. And, I’m totally a weenie and have never tackled a woodworking project ala cart (aka, without the hubby). I’m totally inspired. =)
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Erin Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Kim,
If anyone can do this project, you can! Trust me!
xo,
- e
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So awesome! I’ve been wanting to try something on that site, but have yet to figure out what furniture I need next (really, what I need next is someone to come dust off all of the furniture that I already have since I have absolutely no motivation whatsoever to do that myself. sigh.).
I am so impressed! What are you going to do next!?!
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Erin Reply:
February 10th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Hi Jen,
I’m thinking a bookcase would be next. I would love to build up to being able to make a dining room table!
xo,
- e
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I’m so, so impressed! I can’t wait to see the finished product, that fabric is too cute!
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It will look awesome! I am so happy to see all the projects that Knock off wood has inspired. Can’t wait to see the finished project!
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High five… job well done! It is going to look fantastic painted/stained!
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Awesome! I really need to try one of Ana’s projects… I’m still a little intimidated. I’m numbers/measuring challenged
Yours looks great, and I can’t wait to see the finished product!
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Your bench turned out great. I love the fabric for the cover too. I love to make a mess in the name of creativity when my dh goes out of town. It’s so nice not to have to clean up right away and to spread out a bit. Of course, I love when he comes home too. Plus it seems like magic to him that all the projects are done. If he only knew!
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