Two Chairs Made into a Bench

WAAAYYYY back in 2003 Double D and I were visiting his uncle. During this trip, we were given two chairs that had seen better days. One had the back that was broken completely off, and the other one we used for years down in the basement, even though no one could lean back against it because one side of the back was cracked almost clear through.

They matched though, and I never could part them, especially since we were told that they were originally Double D’s grandfathers, and that he was hoping to fix them, but never got around to it. I also loved the claw feet on them. I never could figure out how to use them, until I saw this post from My Repurposed Life. Ta Daa!  What a brilliant idea, especially since it is something that would work on my screened-in porch.

This is what we started with.  Two chairs with the backs not attached.  Not a pretty sight.

We started by measuring the seat cushion we had bought for the finished product.  We then used this measurement to build the “cap” to go over the two chairs.  We used 1×4″ pine boards to build the base and then spaced out more 1×3″s for the top.  We screwed all of the boards after we used wood glue, just to make sure they weren’t going anywhere.

The next step was cutting the base of each back to make it level, and give us a non-jagged edge to work with. We then flipped the completed cap over on its top side and screwed the backs onto each side. The chair backs now have become the arms for the bench.

We then flipped the cap over and placed it over the two chairs, making sure the cushion still fit.  We then screwed the cap to the chair bases, making it all one piece. In this picture, you are looking at what will be the back of the bench.  If you notice, we left about an inch running along the back so that we could place the backing on the bench.  This worked out nicely.

Now, I know that my inspiration piece didn’t have the whole chair used.  However, I felt that it would give it extra stability if we did, and I also loved the claw feet, which I would have had to give up if we just incorporated the arms and back legs into the design.  I think you can definitely tell that two chairs were used here, although some people might not like this look.  I think it adds a touch of whimsy, and makes it not too serious.  Just the look I was going for. We used two 1×6″s to attach to the back and those really firmed things up.

I sanded all the corners and edges just to make sure there were no splinters. As much as I actually liked the two-toned wood look, I used Valspar’s white primer to cover the bench.  I knew the wood was old and dry, but it took four cans of paint because it kept soaking into the chairs. I am so glad a love using primer.

After the primer was done and dried, I sprayed Valspar’s La Fonda Copper for the final color.  Yum. And no, it isn’t technically fall yet.  We just have leaves falling on the ground in August because we haven’t had any rain, and 100 degree temps for the last month and a half.  I am so excited the temps have finally started dropping. Still no rain though:(

And here she is with the cushion and pillows on it, and sitting on the screened-in porch. What an explosion of color:) I love that we can use something that is full of family history and not have them sitting in a box in the garage. How cool is that?

Thanks for looking!

Sarah

Linking up to Between Naps on the Porch, Domestically Speaking, Miss Mustard Seed and Funky Junk Interiors: