Make a Rustic Bench
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George and Jacqueline Schmidt of Screech Owl Design have built a colorful life almost from scratch.
Posted by ReadyMade
by Sonia Zjawinski; Photos by Kim Cornelison
One of the easiest pieces to make in the Schmidts’ home is actually one of the most popular among guests. Made for little money, this bench is rustic yet totally modern. George strongly recommends looking for materials in Dumpsters and salvage yards. Maybe, he hints, you’ll find your hairpin legs “on an old crusty delaminated coffee table that someone left out in the rain for 25 years.” Fingers crossed.
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Half a day
Cost
$
- Old floor joist (free or a few bucks at salvage shops)
- 4 hairpin legs ($14–$30 each, hairpinlegs.com)
- Clear paste wax
- #8 1.5-inch wood screws
Materials
- Sandpaper
Tools
Sand the joist, but not so much that it turns into something from The Home Depot. You want to preserve the rough-hewn vibe.
Use clear paste wax (such as Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax) on the joist and rub it until you get a little bit of a gloss.
Attach the legs; if your joist is straight, just screw them on and stand upright.
If your joist is warped, add material under the base of the legs as you screw them on, such as a shim, a little piece of Masonite, or ¼-inch plywood.
