Hello friends and welcome to another year of Project Challenge! We have a few new members this year, so be sure to check out their projects at the end of this post. For those of you who are new to Project Challenge, let me explain. Each month we have a material that we do a project using. It is great fun and really challenges our creativity at times, thus the title Project Challenge. At the end of my project, you will find links to all the other projects, so be sure to hop around and see what everyone came up with.
As you can see, there are so many wonderful ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
This month’s challenge was reclaimed wood. This is one of my favorite items to use, because I have so much of it and love all the creative things that can be done with it. I actually started this project years ago with some boards we had stashed from who knows what in our garage. The boys took the boards out to the apple tree shortly after and got it a little warped and weathered. I rescued them, cleaned them up from the weather and kept them happily waiting in my garage. I think I started this
in 2011…yeah, this is a project long overdue.
in 2011…yeah, this is a project long overdue.
So I drug the poor things in. I guess it’s obvious which ones enjoyed the weather, huh?
The thing I loved most about this project is how simple it was to make.
I just pre-drilled the boards so they wouldn’t split while adding screws.
First I propped one side so that I could make the boards stand even, then I drilled in the screws.
I love my drill!
If you were more professional, you would countersink the screws or make pockets from the underside. I really wanted this project to be primitive style, so I didn’t worry too much
about that here.
Once I had my legs on, I added a board to keep the bench from wobbling. This step is very necessary because it gives the bench strength and stability.
Be sure to measure where the screws will go so that your board ends up even.
And Voila!
You have yourself a cute country bend that can be any size you want. The possibilities are endless because you can add a shelf where that underside board is for shoes, books, or whatever. You can make patterns like a crisscross…really fun!
After I sanded the piece real good, rounding and softening edges and such, it was ready for a paint job. I chose this sage color from Country Chic paint because I found myself really wanting a fresh, yet soft look.
Now I have a great little bench that can go inside or out to sit and drink tea on.
Have you ever tried Madagascar red vanilla tea? Oh! It’s my absolute favorite. Perhaps you want to join me?
I’m going to have a cup right now and hop on over and see all the other wonderful projects my amazing buddies put together for us!
What do you think?
Rustic Planter Box– Just a Little Creativity
Towel Bar– Kaydeross Creek
A Country Bench– Shelstring
Reclaimed Wood Sign– Somewhat Quirky Designs
Rustic Chalkboard Menu– Domestic Deadline
Shelstring 
My favorite thing about this bench – how tall it is. When I want to sit down on a bench, I don't want to have to climb off of it! I have a larger bench somewhat like this that I've been thinking of making some shorter ones to stack on it. Guess I need to check my wider boards for that. Very cute bench Michelle!
LikeLike
so cute Michele. another idea is to cover screw area on top with another rustic board either glued on or nailed with tiny nails. covers the screws and adds some dimension to top of bench….hugsBarb
LikeLike
I love this! The color is beautiful. I need to make a little bench for my mudroom. Thanks so much for organizing this challenge. I hope you'll also link this up to #HomeMattersParty this weekEmilywww.domesticdeadline.com
LikeLike
Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for pulling us all together and for organizing this challenge! This bench is adorable and I think may be a “must make” for me for outside our barn. LOVE it!
LikeLike