The Bench Made Entirely from Junk!
Do you have an awkward spot in your house? An area where nothing seems to feel “right”? We have one of those “open concept” type of rooms when you enter my home. You have an entry area, to your right, the small sitting room, and straight ahead, the dining room. I actually love that this area is all open. Getting the furniture to play nicely in my front room has been a bit of a challenge. One night in a fit of extra energy, it came to me. Build a Frankenbouch! That’s right. A Bench/Couch, made out of JUNQUE!!!
A Headboard, garage door panels, and pieces from a twin bed!
I surveyed what I had on hand. Several of these garage door panels. I used some in my outdoor Patio Wall HERE and one in my office as a cool shelf HERE. I decided these would make great ends of the Bouch.
I cut them down, to about the depth I wanted my seat to be. We are tall people, so I made a very deep seat.
I had a HUGE Headboard on Hand from an Apartment Dumpster Dive. This would make a great back to the Bouch project.
I didn’t have to do anything except remove the metal deely bopper on it. I used wood 2×4’s I had on hand, cut them to size that would fit between the length of the head board. I laid them out, then added 1/x4’s vertically to give them support. (This is the worst Iphone picture ever taken)
I secured the “seat” portion to the rest of the junque by using “L” brackets. I added a large piece of wood to the front (which you cannot see) and repeated the securing process. I added the round legs I had in my spare parts cupboard. (no clue where they came from, but they were there and the right height, so they went into the mix).
At this point, I righted it and had my 6’5″ husband sit on it and wiggle around quite a bit to make sure it was man proof. No creaking, squeaking, or wobbles.
Now for the cushion. Did I mention what a lazy sewer I am? Have you noticed how much I hate to buy something if I think I have something on hand that will work just as well?
I used my daughter’s old comforter. Ripped out the batting, covered it with batting from something else I ripped apart. I held the thing together with Upholstery adhesive.
It wasn’t quite as cushy as I would have liked. I cleaned out a linen closet and found an unused duvet insert. I wrapped it around the batting stuff and repeated the process of gluing it shut with upholstery spray glue.
There is a lot of color in my home. On large pieces, I like to keep the palate neutral and I add color with pillows. I painted the entire piece in CeCe Caldwell’s Vermont Slate. A drop cloth was the perfect cover for my poofy creation. I did sew this!
This project was finished a while ago, but I haven’t shown pictures because the front was still bare. I wanted something rustic to cover the apron on the front support. I was just waiting for the right piece of junque to show up. It did! A friend gave me these bed rails when she cleaned out her storage unit. This is actually Emma’s disembodied arm in the picture. Those are the bedrails when we were cleaning the garage.
I chopped off the edges, and one of the rails made the absolute perfect completion to my Franken Bouch!
I am so over the top thrilled I have a “real” piece of furniture in my front room now. I am in LOVE with my Bench Made Entirely from Junk! Instead of seeing another thrift store couch rotating in and out of this space, or more likely, furniture waiting to go down to Paris Flea Market, I am greeted with this lovely sight when I walk through my front door.
Don’t you love happy endings? This could have been a horror story with all the chopped up things I used, but it turned out to be a fairy tale.
i love it! you are a genius!!
Oh Oh Oh Oh!!!! Wow I love this. My gosh girl do your talents have no end!!!! This is awesome.
Kris
LOVE YOUR BENCH! it looks so cozy!
It really beautiful and looks totally comfy and inviting, great job!
Woman, you are amazing! The only problem is that you inspire me to keep all kinds of odds and ends that I find on my junkin’ days because some day I’ll use them for something! Tomorrow will be garage organization day, you inspired me with that one too!!!!!
You are too clever!! I love it — what a fab greeting. 🙂
xo Heidi
Well well well…. now that you can see your stuff in the garage you are sure making it pleasing to the eye.
Bliss
Beautiful bench! LOVE it!
Gorgeous! It looks wondeful there and what a lovely sight to come home to 🙂
Wow, that is a beauty! I want one! … Girl, you can do anything with junque!
Wow – I think you could furnish your whole house if you spent a week in your garage turning all your old junk into amazing pieces like this. Sharing this on my FB page right now!
Kelly
CUTE, So CUTE. Another ingenius project.
Um. I’m in love.
Wow, wow, wow! Karen you are brilliant. Be still my heart:)
Wow, Karen your a “Frankengenious!”
Ha! SO well said!
Catherine
Love your “Franken Bouch”. 😉 it came out great!
What an amazing project! I absolutely love this! (I have pillows in these same fabrics, too….wheels turning)
Just popped over from Treasure Hunt Thursday to see this, thanks for sharing it!
Jeanette @ Creating a Life
What a gorgeous bench! I pinned it immediately (if you don’t mind?). I invite you to join my link party every weekend @ Old Red Barn. Hope to see you soon!
You are SO good at what you do. It’s gorgeous – and looks super comfy too! How do you get past the front room?! lol Love it! 🙂
Insert bratty Veruca Salt voice– I want it NOWWWWW!” I’m in love. With a piece of furniture.
Just lovely !!!! You made a great job !
Love it Karen!!
I love it~ and I want one!! 🙂 Sharing at the party tomorrow~ thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!
Adorable! You did a great job. I just love it!
Your projects r amazing!!!!
I love that couch! I will be using it for inspiration on my back porch. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know how I missed this fabulous couch… since I see my catch as catch can button there. Saw it at Beckie’s RR
LOVE this project! great repurpose!
gail
Love the bench and the cushions! What a wonderful (and pretty) way to keep materials out of the landfills! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much Barb! It is has moved around my house a bit, but I it is my favorite piece of furniture by far.
so, so creative- it looks great! : )
Holy. Moly. You are amazing! This turned out stunning! Excuse me while I go pick my jaw up off of the floor… : )
Ahhhh, thanks Jodie! I don’t know about amazing, but crazy for sure!
SUCH a lovely piece! You never cease to amaze me girl!
Coming from an amazing DIYer and blogger, that is high praise!! Thanks Kristi!
Whaaat? Seriously!!! This is amazing… the coolest scraps were used! What a cozy, stunning result!
Thanks so much Donna! You were definitely present in helping me put this piece of junk together! It is by far my most favorite piece of furniture in my home.
Very cute! I am all about some junk repurposing, and you’ve nailed it! 🙂
Thanks Beth! High praise from one of my favorite junker/repurposers!
I could easily sit and relax on that pile of junk! It looks great!
Come over any time DeDe!
Hi Sandy.Most of my creative precoss is just getting a vague idea in my head and then running with it. If it involves painting and staining, I get a little more apprehensive. Thanks for stopping by Posed Perfection today and leaving me a sweet note about the Caramel Frosting. I hope you have a great weekend!Blessings,Nici