07 June 2010

Repurposed Crib Bench

For those of you waiting on the completion of the green beast sexy beast, join the club.  I can't wait to finish her.  In the mean time I had this unfinished project lying around in the garage and when I had company and explained to them what the plans were for it I suddenly found myself with a contract to finish it for them =)  This person obviously saw what I saw before it was even started.  This has by far been my most favorite project. 
Remember this free find?  I originally wanted to make a chalk board easel out of it until I realized the foot board was curved.
 
First we had to saw off the pretty little feet since the entire leg was lathed in one piece.  There were wheels on it that I removed, and to get an idea of the age of this crib... the wheels were made of wood!

Did I mention I had dh work with me on this one?  I had my plan all ready in my head on how to tackle this project but being fairly inexperienced I was glad he was there to give me pointers.

This part made me cringe.  We cut the foot board down the middle to create the arms of the bench.  I was so afraid of messing something up and having to scrap the entire thing!  Such a chicken I tell you ha!

Assembly started =)  Thus far I had measured and made all the cuts.  This is where dh's help came in handy.  I had to level and keep it square.  Then he started throwing out numbers and measurements and I got kinda woozy.

Break time.  I learned how to sharpen some tools.  Cool huh?  Just make sure there is nothing flammable nearby.

Then we had a little mishap.  This is where I'll tell you the most important piece of advice you'll ever get on my blog.  Don't by BLACK AND DECKER.  Our orbital sander was running full speed when it came unhinged from the screw plate and exploded into about ten pieces flying throughout the garage at high speed.  It hit my husband and my 9yr old son.  They were okay but it stung and could definitely have been worse.  This picture is of our new Rigid palm sander.  It's the Home Depot brand and the only one with a lifetime warranty =)  I'll take that over an over priced Dewalt any day.

Seat framed.  I was really getting excited now!

Construction complete!  Can I just say wow? 

Are you getting the feel for the end result yet?

Once it was painted it was beautiful but just not complete.  There were some fine engravings in the wood of the crib that we wanted to highlight since they got lost in all the black paint.  Well go figure I couldn't find a brush small enough to get in there!

So we re-invented the wheel with what I like to call needle point needle paint!  Yes... We ended up using a 5ml syringe filled with paint and a long 18 gauge needle to squirt the paint into the channel.  Talk about a steady hand!

And now I introduce you to....  "Her Majesty"


My client saw her today while the polly was drying and fell madly in love.  I'm so pleased that my client is also my mother in this case because now I can visit her majesty anytime I want =)  Being my first re purposed furniture piece I feel some sentimental attachment.

22 comments:

Ruby said...

LOVE IT! Wish I had one.....AMAZING!

* The Design Confidential said...

this is absolutely gorgeous! you did a fabulous job and i love the needle paint invention!

Sommer said...

Thank you! Just goes to show you have to get creative with your creativity haha.

Kendra@Creative Ambitions said...

Great Job... turned out fab!!

Cassie Bustamante said...

ooooh i love the idea with the needle paint! fantastic! it's so hard to get into those little nooks and carved areas otherwise. the bench looks amazing! i am hopping over from fd to tell you just that! just read your little bio and i think we have a lot in common! :)

Sommer said...

Thanks Cassie and welcome to Designer Garden =) I tell you each time I get into a project I learn a new technique and sometimes you have to get creative, hence the needle paint lol. Can't wait to check out your blog! I love friends with lots in common!

VIRG @ WASTE NOT WANT KNOT said...

Can I just say : WOW!

Elder Esplin said...

GET OUT! SHUT UP! Okay, so I drove by my friends house the other day and she had a crib that looked almost exactly like yours sitting in her driveway with a FREE sign on it. Well, I of course snatched her up. SO CRAZY, right? I have been trying to envision a bench...I hate that the foot board is curved. Like you said, it's nerve racking to make that first cut. I don't want to ruin it. Now that I see how it's done, I have a lot more faith that this CAN turn out way cute! Thanks for sharing and for listening to my maddness. I just couldn't believe it, the same crib! Can't wait to get 'er done.

Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite

Sommer said...

Jennie just reading your comment made me crazy with excitement! Please please send me photo's when you finish it! I can't wait to see what you've done with her! Now take a deep breath, be brave and make the first cut, she's gonna turn out fabulous darling!

Nikki@KreativeKnack said...

I absolutely love this! You did a great job...you definitely have smarts :) the "needlepaint" idea was just gooood :)

Delcie Wardrop said...

I love repurposed things. Well done.

Infarrantly Creative said...

Oh my heck I love!!!

Kolein said...

That is stunningly gorgeous! You are very talented!!! Wow!

LOVE!!!

Unknown said...

THE BENCH IS GREAT ESPECIALLY IF ITS YOUR CRIB FROM YOUR BABY. A WAY TO KEEP THE MEMORY OF THAT ALIVE...

Anonymous said...

What a great bench and idea! I've seen headboards used to make benches but never cribs. You did a fantastic job on this! Love it!

Merry Christmas,
Michelle

Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.com said...

Wow, that is incredible!

You have made a follower outta me!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

That is stunningly gorgeous! I'm putting it in the PoPP Spotlight.

Colleen said...

I am a new follower and I am in complete AWE!! This bench just makes me drool with envy!! I've seen a lot of headboard/bench makeovers, but, byfar, yours has 'em all beat! Wonderful and Helpful blog!!

Shelly @Crafty Creative Studio said...

Wow! Just Lovely!! I was biting my lip too -please be careful, with this one-of-a-kind find! Very satisfying {sigh} at the end. You did a really great job!

Unknown said...

What a great renovation! I featured this today! I'd love for you to come grab a featured button. Thanks for linking up last week!

The Loops said...

This is such a great idea. I'm your newest follower!

Mandy said...

I'm your newest follower. Enjoyed perusing through your blog. This bench is amazing!
I'd love it if you shared one of your projects at my 1st Link Party that started yesterday.
www.projectqueen.org
Can't wait to see what your next project is!
Thank you.

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