Knock Off #2: Outdoor Bench

Well, I tackled the bench today. It was a bit more difficult than the table and a little less forgiving, but it's finished! I am thinking once the chairs are finished I'll make cushions, but the bench top is so pretty I'm not sure I want to cover it. We'll see :).

I finished just in time to take a couple pics just barely before dark. People have asked how I manage to do something like this with three kids. I worked on it a bit at a time as my day (aka children) allowed. I just take advantage of Elijah's naps and the kids are more than happy to play outside alongside mommy. In fact, while I was working Riley was picking up my scraps and building his own creation with his own drill...

And Miss Naomi was busy caring for her babies as usual...

And while we weren't outside or napping this little doodle was happy to be jumping away! Apparently Riley was having some fun with him as well :).

Next project: chairs!

Knock Off #1: Outdoor Dining Table

So, I'm ready to reveal the project I've been working on the last couple days. My new favorite site (ok one of them) is called Knock Off Wood and it's by a woman named Ana who builds things. And not only does she build things, but she builds things that are really awesome copies of furniture from some pretty expensive or well known companies aka knock offs. And besides that she empowers other people, especially women, to build their own furniture by providing the plans for them! The first time I saw her site I had a list in my head of about 20 things I wanted to try to build! I narrowed it down to start out with an outdoor dining table since we love to eat out on our patio, but we always squeeze at our tiny little hand-me-down table, with the intention of continuing with the entire set if the table goes well. And it did! The set is a knock off from this set from West Elm pictured below.

Pretty cool, right?! I love it. And I love my new dining table. And I can't wait to get started on the bench and chairs...and several other pieces but let's start here.

Building the frame

Added legs.

Laying out the slats (I cleaned the wood and stained the base and the slats separately before screwing them down to get a nice coverage with the stain.)

Testing it out with the umbrella! It's finished!

I think it's prettier in person, but you get the idea.

Oh yeah, did I mention this table goes for $400 from the retailer?! Yeah this cost me a bit less :).

Next up...the bench! And the chairs will follow!

P.S. I appreciate Ana's desire to empower others to try and do new things and I hope I do the same for you because, frankly, I am just an ordinary person. I am me. And if I can do it, so can you. :)

Can She Build It?

YES SHE CAN!



Oh just you wait. My newest project has begun and hopefully it will be the first in a series...Watch out cause momma has a new hobby. Stay tuned! :)