This One May Require Some Faith & VisionI've decided to add a bench to the seating mix at the dining room table. The kids love this idea, and balanced by chairs at the ends and along the other side I think it will work!
Soon after beginning my search for a bench I found that upholstered benches can be very expensive, a few styles that caught my eye exceeding the cost of the table! The second issue I encountered was finding a bench long enough, wanting a style at least 60 inches long.
So, when I finally stumbled across this 64 inch bench at a great price on Overstock.com, I was beaten down and decided I could make something of it with a little effort.
First, I'm not loving the abundance of tufting. Nor the leather, which is not real. So yes, I'll be covering it. I'll probably add a sheet of foam and then there is the question of what fabric to use.
I've been a big fan of Slubby Basket from Calico Corners for many of my projects, which comes in a wide range of colors. This could be one direction to take.
Or do I go with the same material used for the slipcovers: the indestructible drop cloth?
There is also the question of what the leg stain will look like in person. And should I need to replace the nail head trim in the process, I'd love to use this chunky style found for the DIY Canvas Art project. Certainly a few variables involved, but that is the plan.
What do you think...do you share my vision?!
61 comments:
If it turns out anything like the slipcovers for your chairs. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait to see.
You could make your own bench with materials from Home Depot or Lowe's or other online stores. There are places that sell bench legs or you could cut down table legs. Cut a wood rectangle to your desired size. Purchase foam, fabric etc. I have seen directions on this many times and thought how easy it would be. Just a thought. Good luck!
No matter what you decide on I'm sure it will turn out beautiful. However, for my 2 cents worth, I do like all the fabrics you've shown which would offer a little pop of color against the dropcloth chairs (which I love b/c I've used quite a bit of the dropcloths myself for drapes) and it is certainly durable but I do love the blue and/or aqua fabric colors.
Can't wait to see what you chose!
Judy
I love this idea. Is recovering a tufted leather piece as simple as covering it in foam and fabric? I've never tried it but have always wondered about doing this. I always find the right size leather ottomans for projects on Overstock that would be great in fabric.
Would an outdoor fabric be better for an eating area? It would clean up easier.
LOVE the bench idea! It will be perfect with your table and the room!
Looking forward to seeing how you cover the bench. I have found several benches on overstock and thought about how to cover the fake leather!
Laura
Great! That was my idea when you had your first post about the chairs
Rhiannan xxx
I am with you Janell. Make sure you scotch guard fabric or use indoor outdoor fabric. Love the cool nail heads.
if the kids are on it, something durable and washable...at least a darker shade. I'm thinking a pattern or tweed, and not the slipcover fabric...(in my lowly opinion!)
juliesfreshperspectives.blogspot.com
I think it would look beautiful, especially with one of those blue/green fabrics! One caution though - I have a friend whose dining table is made of benches, and enjoying long, leisurely dinners at their house is always very uncomfortable. After a while, you start to wish you could lean back on something. But don't let that stop you, especially if it will mostly just be kiddos sitting there who don't care at all. :) I LOVE that dining table, BTW. You did an amazing job with it!
I'm in the market for a bench as well and love the look. It's so hard to find a long one that feels durable. I can't wait to see what you do with the one you found at Overstock!
Outdoor fabric, that is a great idea...Janell
What if you used the drop cloth, added a skirt to cover the legs that you probably won't like, and stenciled the fabric with your trellis stencil? Just an idea!
I think a bench would be perfect! Especially if there are other seating options for those who would rather have a chair with a back. What a great idea Sally J has to bring the trellis stencil to it! Good luck with you choices. And as usual, I can't wait to see what you do!
Love the nailheads but wonder if they will poke Isabella and Max's bare legs come summer! Kids will likely be swinging their legs on that bench and banging against a pointed nailhead wouldn't be fun.
Now this is one reason I LOVE blogging...great point Sharon!! Perhaps smaller round ones will do! Janell
Love benches! I have two long antique wooden ones at my dining room table and they work great for fitting alot of people! Can't wait to see what you come up with!
The bench is a cool idea. How about making one with materials from Lowes or Home Depot? I just priced it out for my mudroom and it would cost about $50-$75 in materials which has to be less than that "leather" bench costs, right? It might also be less work. Just an idea. I know whatever you do it will be stunning.
I think a posted up above me mentioned it, but perhaps you could make a bench. I mean, you master a headboard and that takes real guts. I say take one for the blog team and make your own. We would love to go through the process with you.
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
what about burlap? Has that worn feel, but would look cool with the old feel you have going on. Plus it's dirt cheap. I guess if someone wore too short of a skirt to sit on it, could be less than comfy, but good reason to be modest?! I'd maybe put some cool nailhead on it too around the edges. That's my 2 cents! I know whatever you do will be super fun and amazing though!
I am loving the idea! Can't wait to see it all together!!
ps. i just made an old headboard into a bench that turned out great. Was really not hard and love the neat look of it. If you could find a cool headboard then you'd have the length you needed and perhaps a cool shaped back for it too? Craigslist might be calling Janell!
I bet the bench will be fabulous! I have toyed with the idea of a bench in my DR so will follow this project closely.
I think it's a great idea but I would definitely use a fabric that can't be recked since you won't be able to remove and wash like the slipcovers- what abour a faux leather/ostrich etc. That's what I'm using for my kitchen settee- with kids, I think it's the only thing that won't drive me totally batty.
Oh Christine, now this is an idea I LOVE!!!!!!! I know Calico Corners has just such a fabric, I'm intrigued by it every time I look at it, for this project I wouldn't need much.
Janell
I love the idea of the bench. And I agree with Christine! I look forward to seeing your finished project ... you amaze me ... if the fabric is available I wouldn't be surprised to see it finished tomorrow, ha ha ;)
I will go for the skirted bench, otherwise you'll have too many legs down there. As for the fabric, I would think first what to do with the other side of the table and then match both sides. What about kitchen wood chairs with rounded back in a wood color that matches your table?
We have a bench in our dining room and love it. I think an indoor/outdoor fabric or something easy to clean is smart. We have the CB2 Runway bench that is wood but would love something upholstered. Good luck with the project and can't wait to see. We have
Janell,
I think one of the colors would be so fun paired with your (amazing by the way) slipcovered chairs! Can't wait to see what you do!
There are so many great indoor/outdoor and laminated fabrics that could work and are kid-friendly. With your talent I'm sure whatever you touch will look magnificent.
I am so excited to watch this unfold as we are building a bench for out table. I haven't been able to find the correct length {or for a decent price}. So we are debating leaving it as a wood top or using an indoor/outdoor fabric. Waverly has a bunch of new ones that don't look outdoor. The patterns are still crisp and they aren't shimmery. Your slipcovered chairs look great, Janell.
Oh Janell! I love this idea! What about a slip cover for the bench?! that way you can take it off and wash it too! whatever you decide, I know its going to rock!
I love the look of bench seating at a table. Can't wait to see what you decide!
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog! I have learned *so* much from you :) Keep up the great work!
Boy oh boy you picked a great project to post about! I read the comments and agree with so many of them, learned a thing or two also. You have some really smart readers!
Ok, hope you haven't had you fill of suggestions so here goes. I'll try to be brief.
I am making a bench to go in front of our fireplace as we don't have a hearth and end up sitting on the ground, yuck!
Anyway, this bench needs to be a custom size so I'm making it out of MDF with thick padding and a dark stained wood trim around edge.
In my search for legs, I found a really bad dining room table with great legs at Habitat for Humanity for $50 so the MR. will cut them to use the pretty parts. They can be stained to match trim.
I like to change fabrics around the house from winter to summer so I will upholster it with some old cotton duck and then make a couple of basic fitted seasonal slipcovers with a wide elastic edge. With great looking fabric and trim you can't tell that it's not upholstered! Honest!
My mom is a brilliant seamstress & has done this before. Friends rave!
Have fun and I love love love your blog !
Lisa P.
I would choose the same colour of fabric that is on your pretty blue chair... lol. I love that chair. Or, if it's for kids, a pattern would be more forgiving :)
Janell, I say with your DIYer talent and vision I would make a base and slip cover it so you can wash it. The children will be using the bench so you know it will need to be cleaned from time to time so why not cover it in a washable indoor outdoor slip cover. Just a thought!!! I am looking forward to seeing what your genius mind comes up with.Ks
I can't wait to see your tutorial. You always do such a good job of explaining things. :)
I agree with you...that overly tufted look is a bit much...It would look great without tufting....in the second fabric( so fresh) with nailheads along the sides..what have you thought for the legs?? I would have gone for natural look of the wood(provided it doesn't clash with the color of the table) with matt finish.... that glossy polish/paint certainly needs to go!! would love to see what you decide on!! hope to see you on my blog soon!! xx meenal
super cute! is this your everyday family table? we have a bench..and love it! but, with little people living here..it can get dirty. I love having a surface i can spray and clean every night after dinner.;) just a thought!
Love the idea Janell! For our dining room bench, I used the Dorchester bench from Ballard and made a slipcovers for the cushion (used their chocolate check). My 3 and 6 year old sit on it everyday for meals or projects and it works!
I can't wait to see how it turns out!
I would say a dropcloth slipcover--it would look elegant but can be washed. And the nailheads seem like they would be pointy and poky on the back of the kids' legs, esp in the summer.
We also just got a bench for our table...and I LOVE IT!!!! My suggestion would be a print or an outdoor fabric. Things will spill and you want something that won't show it as much or that will wipe clean easily. Can't wait to see what you come up with!
No sharp pointy upholstry nails for the kids bench, ok?
I really really like the bench idea a lot...think it would be practical and super great looking. Just make sure you use a really practical material like a leather or busy fabric that has a coating..some of the sunbrella fabrics are great...you should check them out. Anyway looking forward to seeing the evolution of the space....fun!
Check out my drawing for a pair of handblown Murano glass lamps!
www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com
Love the bench idea, Janell. I often bring out my bench from the end of my bed to use at the dining table when I need extra seating and have all of the leaves in the table. Works like a charm and it's so comfortable!
Nancy...and the others who have pointed out the pointy nail head trim issue, thank you, I see your point!:)
Janell
I can see it will turn out great....just go for it.
I love the idea. I just made my own bench from www.ana-white.com for the foot of my bed . I used her upholstered bench plans but used purchased turned legs from Home Depot. It turned out gorgeous and was under $70 for the foam, legs, etc. I do not have a blog but can email you pics if you are interested. I was able to get the exact size I wanted and exact finish I wanted. And BTW I also looked at overstock for benches first:-)
I think it's great that you buy new pieces of furniture and alter them to make them your own. Benches are awesome in dining rooms. I love the look...
Treva, you have my interest...I'd love to see what you did! Janell
LOVE the idea! We want to do that in our dining room (one day)! Can't wait to see it :)
I can't wait to see this project take shape!
Love the idea of the bench. That room needs some color though! Pick the top swatch!
I always share your vision! What about a subtle pattern?! Assuming the kids will give the bench a lot of attention, might be nice to have a pattern to help mask any spills/stains?!?
i'm doing a bench for my dining room too. i want to find one super cheap though-super cheap. love the nailhead!
I was wondering have you ever thought of purchasing a kit to make bench seating? I was googling turned leg and thought that some sort of kit might get me exact look. Just a idea.
Jen
I think a bench is a great idea! It's a great way to fit many little people at the table too. I'm very new to your blog ~ Love it! AND, love that table. Can you tell me where you got it?? I'm looking for a new table. Thanks!
Hi, Janell--
It's Jan from Calico weighing in on fabric selection! I agree with the others who suggested an indoor-outdoor fabric or a faux suede. The following might be good candidates (all available at Calico Corners)--and they're all on sale at 20% off through March 26:
TRAX from Sunbrella has a twill texture and comes in lots of colors. It's casual enough to go with your dropcloth slipcovered chairs.
JAFAR is a Sunbrella damask, but not as dressy as it sounds. It has a platinum-color ground and a pale gold frame motif--could be interesting with the gray cast of your table. The subtle pattern might add some visual interest.
SENSUEDE is our high quality faux suede--and it comes in more than 80 colors, including lots of great blues and blue-greens. Like the Sunbrella fabrics, spills can be cleaned up with just a little dish soap and water on a sponge. I've had Sensuede on my dining room chairs for 5+ years and it still looks brand new--even after bouts with chocolate cake and salad dressing.
Sensuede is expensive ($99.99/yd. regular retail) and it's worth it! It's on sale now--you wouldn't need that much yardage. Because it doesn't really have a nap, I think you could railroad the skirt fabric so that it could made with only one seam.
Finally, I think you'll need a really dense foam to go over the tufted top of the bench--so that it doesn't depress into the tufting once your dinner guests sit on the bench. If you can "fill in" the tufted areas with a little wad of poly fiberfill before the foam goes on top, that might help too.
Looking forward to seeing the finished result!
Hi Janell - love the idea of transforming the bench. I was just viewing it at Overstock about 10 mins before I came over to your blog, I kid you not. I was thinking how perfect it would be for the end of my bed, sans "pleather" and tufting. Now I can't wait to see what you do with it so I can copy you!! I was also wondering about the stain on the legs. Maybe some spray paint in a contrasting or coordinating color, with or without a glaze rubbed on top??
Wow, thanks for all the tips Jan!! I would not have thought about adding padding into the tufting indentations, I knew I'd need high density foam, but this approach is a new tip!
I hope to get to CC over the weekend to look at some ideas I have for what material to use...fun, fun!! Janell
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