The 3 Rs

 

Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle.  I love finding old items and turning them into new functional items.    I've done it before and I'll do it again.  A couple of years ago I picked up a really cool solid oak Antique/Vintage full-size bedframe (complete with headboard, footboard, slats).  I was told by the owners it was at least 100 years old and had been in their parents home.  I picked it up for $25 and I knew it was a diamond in the rough.   I was super excited and brought it home to show the hus my great find (and his new project).

Now, I didn't need a bedframe nor did I have any space for it (other than to store it in the garage) but I have always wanted/needed a bench at the end of my bed.  I research DIY projects on the web and found a lot of ideas.  The first words out of his mouth of course were, I'm not doing it, don't expect me to do it, I will never make a bench out of that bedframe and stop bringing home projects for 'me' to do.  That went over well, tell me how you really feel?  Me: "How long do you think it will take?"  LOL.  That went over really well.  Fast forward a couple of years.  Hope springs eternal.  Of course, I'm like a dog with a bone.  I suggested what a great Christmas present my finished bench would be.  When that didn't happen, I suggested what a great birthday present a finished bench would be!?!  There's always Valentines Day and/or our Anniversary?!?  Anything?  Crickets.

AND NOW?  Walla...

Headboard:

Footboard (With the cut-to-size side slats already prepped).  Usually the headboard is used for the bench back and the footboard is used for the bench front.  I liked the straight lines of the footboard so I decided to use the footboard for the back of the bench because the headboard was too tall for my purposes, I wanted to preserve the wood carving/scroll work it was too pretty to cut to pieces.  The left over piece of wood of the headboard I plan on making into a shelf with pegs for hanging.  (Honey?).  Plus the footboard was the perfect size with no cutting required  :

 The front toe kick part/the two front legs are cut from the bottom piece of the headboard:

The almost finished product (with no flash) but you get the gist, the project was from a full-sized bedframe and it fit perfectly at the end of my queen-sized bed:

The almost finished product (with flash).  I know it looks a little rough, well a lot rough.  It will still need to be sanded and stained (espresso stain or maybe painted) to match the bedroom furniture.  I was just so excited to get it finished.  I didn't want to hold up production.  I can always sand/stain it later.  Doesn't it have great character and age?!?!?!   I'll take more pictures and update this post later when I've been able to apply the finishing touches.  Sometimes you just have to believe it to see it (me) and sometimes you just have to see it to believe it (the hus).  When all was said and done my husband says, "good idea".  Really?  Preaching to the choir.  I love it and now I have a place to set extra bedding or  clothes.  Its really special because my husband made it for me.  He did ask, "Can this be for both your Christmas and Birthday present?" and I said, "YES, of course.  I'm a cheap date."  What's a little sweat equity... come on.... pweeze.

Enjoy!

M!ss Pr!ssy