A new seat for our antique headboard bench has been on my to-do list for a very long time, I’m a little embarrassed to say how long… 2 years, maybe even 3 years. Don’t get me wrong we sat on it, I took some extra cushions from our couch and put them on the bench, covered it all with a throw and we used it, we used it a lot. It just wasn’t finished and it was really bugging me! I asked my blog readers, FB friends, Instagram friends and Twitter followers to vote on my next DIY project, yep, I sure did. Sometimes I don’t mind being told what to do. 
If you missed that voting process you can read all about that here… it was very nerve racking on this end at least! A very close race, lets just say that I will be doing some of my future DIY projects at the same time. That should be interesting, but fun! I’m thrilled how everyone voted and chimed in, if that’s you, thanks so very much! (((((Hugs)))))
I bought the headboard bench at a store where we used to live, my plan was to sew a beautiful seat cushion for it… the rough cut pine was a little too dangerous to sit on, if you know what I mean… have you ever had a splinter on your derrière? Not nice! Mr. Meticulous didn’t love the idea of a cushion and really if I am 100% honest with you I have to tell you that my sewing skills are low to mid level, so I’m not sure what that cushion would have ended up looking like, it may have been more dangerous sitting on it than the rough cut and very lumpy to boot. :p
This bench used to sit proudly in our former home’s dining room, in our new home we don’t really have a traditional dining area. I love this bench and didn’t want to put it in the basement (especially since we won’t be getting to the basement project for a bit) I was vacuuming one day and it hit me, we have a covered porch… I want that bench on the porch! Putting it on the covered porch solved everything… except, I didn’t want a cushion I had to worry about. How do I get it out there and have it be worry free? It’s funny when something is right in front of your face and you don’t see it right away. Years ago Mr M. and I dismantled a very old barn for an elderly couple, the barn was falling down and was made much worse with a very bad ice storm, it was dangerous and they needed our help. Of course this was way before reclaiming barn wood was “in” and we were soooo lucky to pay for all of this stunning barn wood with manual labour. But, man oh man was it hard work! It hit me one day that we should build a new seat for this bench with our barn beams (we had the beams milled years ago ~ so they are perfectly aged), it was like a light went off. No fussy cushion to be worried about, I married a grease monkey and wood is perfect… just wipe it off and sit!
I knew this antique pine would make a perfect seat and be flexible enough for me to maybe one day add a cushion… this is the process we followed to build a seat and two arm rests.
- decide on look (design) we wanted ~ this is where sketching and lots of discussing comes in, we use graph paper mostly, this allows for a scaled sketch. In this phase we figured out that we would use 3 separate pieces, and would screw and glue those pieces down into the rough cut. We would then cover the screw holes with plugs, it’s a rustic look and we both like it.
- process of measuring ~ we use our sketch to get all of the finer measurements that we required, we didn’t get very fussy at this stage as the bench is rustic and not meant to be perfect
- pick the perfect pieces of wood ~we had a rough idea of the linear feet we would need and picked 3 pieces that would meet our needs.
- make cardboard template from measurements ~ this is Mr. Meticulous forte, so he did his thing, and we used the templates to cut the pieces perfectly with the big mitre saw and a bit with the jig saw for the notch outs.
- after the pieces were cut as per the templates, we dry fit everything to double check all measurement weren’t wonky. Perfect-o!
- sanding time, sand some more and keep sanding until everything is smooth as silk. The boards were very rough, we actually planed them first, it cuts down on sanding time a bit.
- staining time ~ we used Minwax stain, colour- special walnut… applied as per instructions. We decided to finish the stained wood with an antiquing oil again going with a Minwax product. This product is in my humble opinion, awesome. I’ve used it on raw sanded wood and stained wood and it always delivers the hand rubbed look that I like. Minwax, antique protective oil finish. Again, just followed the instructions.
Are you bored with the process stuff yet? Lets see some pretty porch pictures! Firstly, tada here is the finished bench. 
Sitting pretty on the porch.
I love the way it turned out… and like I said above, I can still add a cushion one day, if my sewing skills improve!
My Mom is coming for a visit this summer… I can’t wait! This will be her first visit to our new home, this is Mom’s corner! With a grand view of the whole property! <3 It will be her first trip without my Dad, I think she’s a little nervous, I want her to feel spoiled when she’s here. Would you like sitting here?
I can imagine that there will be lots of laughs and memories created here.
Waiting on some flowers to bloom…
I hope you’ve enjoyed the little tour of our summer porch…thank-you once again for voting, it kicked me into gear to make our porch welcoming. We are excited to create some lovely summertime memories here.
Just lovely! A perfect picture of summer
Thanks so much Adelle! xo
Nice job you guys, looks great!
Thanks guys! Miss you, hope I can sneak in a visit soon! <3
That is ahhhhhhmazing Laurie! Really, I am in love. I need one just like it.
Nancy
Thank-you Nancy!!!! I fell hard for it right away when I saw it the store. I’ll let you know if I spy another! thank-you for stopping by friend! <3
Wow I voted for that piece and I’m in awe of you ! You have so much talent no wonder you do what you do . This is stunning Laurie you have inspired me I love this type of stuff and am going hunting myself when I get the time Thank you for this For now I live vicariously through your work ! amazing Hats off to you and Mr Bud xo Such passion and it shows through
Thanks so much for voting! You make me blush, thank-you! <3
Girl, that is just amazing! Such a great piece and you have really brought out the beauty in it! Great job!
Thanks Shanna! xoxo
absolutely gorgeous!! Really!
Thanks Heather, we are pretty stoked that it turned out so well!
Amazing!
Thank-you Jennifer, we love it and the perfect spot on the porch!
I love the bench- you and hubby did a great job with the seat and armrests. Your porch looks cozy and inviting- I could stay out there all day with a book and some chocolate.
It’s a great space to stay out there all day… what book would you bring? And what type of chocolate do you like, dark or milk?
That is gorgeous!!!
Thank-you friend! <3
Lovely country workwomanship!
HA, thanks Maggie!
Laurie! I love your bench – it’s stunning!!! The barn board is perfect, and wow, did it ever stain out beautifully! You have done an awesome job, and I think your mom is going to enjoy her little corner very much – high five my friend!!
Thanks sweetie!!! That barn wood is going to make a lot of beautiful things… one at a time. I hope Mom will enjoy her trip, she’s really tentative about even leaving Newfoundland, her and Dad were inseparable for 47 years and she’s very nervous. Thank-you so much for your continued support, and high five back!! xo
Ohmygosh…it’s beautiful! Now I just want to sit down and enjoy some lemonade…what an inviting porch you have! Enjoy the summer.
Thanks so much Sonia! We are really looking forward to enjoying the summer, hopefully the weather will cooperate!
Perfection. I would be spending lots of time there. Please come and decorate mine now!
HA, I would LOVE to come decorate your porch, kinda what I’m in to!
I’m glad you like it, it’s even better in person with all of the nature sounds and coziness. 
I have to say this is absolutely brilliant. You and your husband have created a classic piece. It was so worth waiting for just right spot and all of the thought and work you put into designing the bench. I am impressed and I am sure your mother will love visiting you on your wonderful covered porch this summer! Well done!
Thanks so much Thea! If the stars are aligned, you’ll be able to see it too!
I would love to see it! My fingers are crossed too!
The bench turned out beautifully. You did a wonderful job! I love your entire porch; it looks so inviting. One of my favourite parts are all the little succulents in tins.
Can I come for tea?
You can come for tea, of course!
I love the succulents too!
That bench is gorgeous! Your whole porch is pretty special though.
Thanks Pam, we are pretty happy with the way the bench turned out and this is our first porch, it’s feeling like home now.
Wow Laurie! Yes, I would like to sit there as a matter of fact, thanks for asking
The bench turned out amazing. Your mom is a lucky lady. And I love that you can actually “tour” your porch. At my place if you glance to the left on your way out you’ve pretty much seen it!
LOL, you make me smile! I would love it if you came over, we could hatch up some amazing ideas on how to display our succulent obsession or love depending on how you look at it.
This is lovely, what a fabulous job you’ve done recreating!
Thanks Virginia, we’re very happy with the outcome!
I’ve seen plenty of headboard benches. This one is so pretty with the antique headboard! Great job. Pinned.
Awesome, love it that you pinned, thanks!!! This is the nicest one I’ve seen too, glad I bought it already cut up, not sure if I could have brought myself to do that, but happy it is the way it is.
What a beautiful, beautiful bench! You guys are so talented. The new boards bring the whole piece up a notch. I’m sure you could sew a fine cushion if you tried, but this looks so good without.
Awww, thanks so much Tia! I probs could sew a pretty good cushion and will one day, just to change things up a bit. We are very happy with how it looks right now and it’s perfect home on the porch.
Fabulous porch, I may move in with you! and that bench is stunning!
HA, thanks Karen! How is your move going BTW, so much work, I know! thanks for stopping in! xo
packing and putting a second bath in the new place, them its time to move! xo
I love this ! I wish I had access to DIY home projects to fix up but being from the Bahamas. EVERYTHING is soooo costly it makes more sense to simply buy new
xoxo, Anni
http://www.annisbubble.com
Hmmm, being in the Bahamas sounds like a very cool problem to have.
It’s too bad though you don’t have the opportunity to DIY, it’s so fun and satisfying!
I love it!! I have crafty aspirations, but I’m just not very crafty lol. I love all of the pictures! Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Christy!
Beautiful!!! You did a great remodel on the bench. Totally something I would love to add to my collection. Great job!
Thanks Stacey, I walked into a store right around Christmas time 3 years ago and I knew I had to have it… it was my gift to me that year, tiny bit of guilt… so glad I did what I did though. Here is hoping you find your bench soon!
I love the richness of the stained wood you used! The whole porch is so inviting and soothing.
Your Mom is going to love it.
Great project. I would LOVE to have a porch!
Hi Jen! This is our first porch and our first summer on it… must tell you it’s pretty awesome, didn’t know what I was missing. Hope you get your porch one day! xo
Laurie… I adore it!
Beautiful job… and your porch!
I would love to pop over for a visit and have a chat with you sitting in that beautifully “Laurified” oasis !!!
I am so glad this project won. It was my pick and you did not disappoint!
Thanks friend! xo I would love it if you would pop over for a visit, I think we’d have soooo much to talk about! I am glad that the bench was first and so happy it turned out so well!
That. Porch. Wow, Laurie. You did an amazing job. And don’t get me started on that gorgeous bench. That porch looks like it’s been there forever. It looks like your grandmother sat out there! One day you might wake up and find me sitting there with a good book
I would love to wake up and see you sitting there! It would be a bit creepy, at first.
LOL honestly though, it would be awesome! xo
Your porch looks ah-mazing Laurie!! Love that headboard bench, very well done!!
Thanks so much Heather! xo
Love it Laurie – so many pretty details!!
Hi Krista, thanks… It was fun getting the porch read for summer… our first porch, lots of potential.
Laurie, your bench is simply beautiful, as is your covered porch. I could spend hours on that porch of yours. I love all the vignettes you pulled together.
Laurie, I had seen your beautiful bench on FB so I came over to get all the details. Thanks for telling about the antiquing oil by Minwax and I will look for it. I hope you have beautiful memories of your mom sitting on this bench. (((Hugs to you!)))
Thank-you sweet lady for stopping by! xo I have some wonderful memories, cherished. (((((hugs)))) right back! xo
Laurie, it’s BEAUTIFUL!!! I SO wish I had a porch, yours is amazing!!!!
Thanks sweet lady! I’ll trade you one porch for all of your awesome $1 and $2 dollar deals?
Hugs!
Oh Laurie it is absolutely stunning! We have a bench that needs finishing but I haven’t had any direction, but you’ve inspired me! Pinned xoxo
That’s awesome Clydia!!! I can’t wait to see pictures! xo
You’ve been spotted on my scout this week. LOVE this stunning bench! So much, its featured as a Friday Favorite this week. Hope you stop by to see how I bragged about you.
Hope you’re having a great creative week.
~ Robin
http://redoityourselfinspirations.blogspot.com/2015/01/friday-five-fabulous-furniture-features_23.html
Thank-you Robin, I checked your share of my bench. Just wanted to let you know there is a misspelling on my name. I’m Vin’yet Etc. not Vintage Etc.
Thanks again,
Laurie
Thank you for the alert! I immediately corrected it. Forgive my fingers typing faster than my brain at that hour.
Thanks Robin, no need to apologize these things happen. I truly appreciate the share! xo