Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Bookcase Bench, Revealed!

January 2011 002

This is a blog for my crafts, right? So…essentially, a space for me to brag on the stuff that I make?

 

Alright. Good. Just checking.

 

I made a bookcase. Yes, yes. I know. Please, hold your applause until after the show!

January 2011 003

Our home is still very “new” to us…and we are still figuring out how to live and work in this space. One thing that I knew we needed was a bookshelf for Ming Wai’s room. Her old room had a wall of built-ins, and they were full of books, knick knacks, treasures, toys and stuffed animals. Her new room boasts a dresser, which she’s never had before…but no place for her books. Keeping her squirrelly brother in mind, I needed a bookcase that was squat, un-tippable, and preferably could be stood upon. (Because if something is squat and sturdy, a small boy will find a way to stand on it. And possibly jump off.) I decided that what I needed was a bench, with storage underneath.

 

Enter Ana-White.com. Basically, she’s a housewife in Middle of Nowhere, Alaska, with really great taste in furniture…and absolutely no way to get to a store and buy it. So…she makes it. This particular bench is a dead ringer for this one, from Land of Nod.

 

(I added 12” to it and really did intend to make a cushion…but Ming Wai’s stuffed animals don’t seem to mind sitting on the hard wood!)

You can get the plans here.

Oh, and did I mention that making furniture yourself gets you out for a fraction of the cost? Yeah, baby! Less than $50 for all the materials. The only thing I needed was…someone who know how to build furniture, because I don’t even own a saw. Luckily, I have a new friend (Hi, Tasha!) who just happens to be awfully handy with tools, and is slowly filling her home with handmade furniture. Yes!!

 

I dropped the kids off at my sister’s place, showed up at Tasha’s, and we went to work! It took us just one morning to make the bench. She did the cutting, I put things together (with a lot of direction from her!) and it came together pretty easily! Of course, it took me several months to get it sanded, primed, painted and sealed…but, who’s counting, right? The important thing is that now? Ming Wai has a place for her collection of books (with room to spare! *phew*) and a place to sit while staring out the window, dreaming her dreams.

 

And that just makes me happy.

January 2011 006

 

(Yes, those are Christmas lights around her window. Her Daddy does it every year, just for her, because it makes her happy. Amen.)

 

Love,

Aunt LoLo, Builder Extraordinaire

 

PS – Here’s my next project. Wish me luck!

Hyde Coffee Table

7 comments:

Myrnie said...

Fabulous!

Andy and Melissa said...

You did an amazing job. It makes me want to go make my own. Maybe when it is warmer I'll head out to our wood shed. Good luck on your new project, it looks very classy.

Tasha Christensen said...

It turned out great chicky. Way to go!!

Now that you've got your first build under your belt, it's all downhill from here.

Let me know if you ever need help with anything, even if it's just cutting wood. I'm happy to help!!

Tasha Christensen said...

Way to go chiky!! It looks great!!

Now that you've got your firs build under your belt, it's all downhill from here.

Let me know if you need help with anything, even if it's just cutting the wood.

Catherine Peart said...

I have been following Ana for months! You beat me to actually making something though. It looks great!!! Makes me want to go and check out all her plans again....

jojoebi-designs said...

well, what do you oknow? We are thinking a redoing out living room and I want a bookcase that will double as a bench, just done a google to see if I could find something to match the image in my head and where do I end up? Here!!
small world!
Very impressed that you built it, looks like you did a great job.
Jo
BTW I have only just got back into the editing of the pattern, will let you know when I eventually finish it :o)

The girl with the pretend crown said...

Looks absolutely amazing you talented lady :) xxx

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