$10 Vintage Bed Project

I've been busy.

This weekend we finished our bench project. This bench started out as a full size vintage headboard and footboard.
I found it at a yard sale almost 2 months ago for $10.00!
I decided I wanted to try making it into a bench. I searched the internet for tips and tricks and came up with a plan.

I apologize for not taking as many "step-bystekp" photos as I could have.

You know how it goes....sometimes you are just focused on getting the project done.

But here's a few before shots.

First I decided my bench should be about 21" deep. We took the footboard and cut off the two ends.

We attached the ends of the footboard to the headboard.

We pre-drilled the holes so we wouldn't crack the wood.

Then we started to build a frame or box on the inside.

Here's what it looked like with the frame built.

Then we cut a piece of plywood to creat the seat of the bench.

We didn't use anything higher grade than plywood because we knew we were going to cover it with a cushion.

Here's the way it turned out.

While out searching for fabric we decided to create two cushions instead of one.

Why?

Because we found this fabric we really liked and it is of course only 54" WIDE. Well....our overall bench width is 56".

We didn't want the dragonflies flying sideways. So...right there in JoAnn's we decided to make two identical cushions.

In the end, I think it is much more interesting this way.

This great graphic was found at The Graphics Fairy and I just had to whip up some pillows with it. Doesn't it work great with this project. I made a couple extra for the shop.

To make the cushions we bought two - 1 yard pieces of the fabric. We also bought 28" of foam in the 3" height. We had to have the foam cut into 28" x 21" (both pieces).

Thanks goodness we got the woman at the fabric counter who was very helpful and agreed to trim it down to 21" for us (they don't usually do that).

We cut a piece of plywood slightly smaller than the foam (about an inch all around).

I went to the antique mall and found some fun vintage buttons that were on the large side.

We pre-drilled holes in the wood where we wanted to use the buttons for tufting. We ended up using a heavier gauger wire to pull through the foam and fabric and tighten down the buttons. It seemed to work very well. Trial and error.

Isn't that what most of htese projects are about?

Then we flipped the cushion over and trimmed away the excess fabric. We used the electric staple gun to secure the fabric.

There was a big Founder's Day Sale at JoAnn's this weekend, SO we got the fabric and the foam 50% off. That is a great thing, since both of these items can be quite pricey.

I am very happy with the results of the bench. I must admit I had distressed the back of the bench even more and my husband wasn't happy with it. So...I settled for just the edges sanded and a bit of distressing on the headboard.

After all, I do want him to help me make more of these! : )


Now, I have nothing on the wall above thisl and am thiniking about ideas. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.

This was a great project. I have to admit when we started it I planned on using this bench outside, but when I saw how great it was turning out I knew it deserved a place in our hallway/gallery..

Don't pass up these great full size beds. So much potential!

Oh yeah...forget to mention I applied a coat of the Minwax Finishing wax at the end. Love that stuff! Gives your painted projects such a nice finish at the end.

Happy Monday to all!