Rustic bench

It’s easy to create a stylish wooden bench using reclaimed wood and Resene Timber and Furniture Gel.

Ways with wood with Mark Rayner - Project 19

Difficulty level: Moderate

You will need: 300mm x 50mm treated timber cut to the following lengths:
two 400mm for the legs, one 800mm for the underneath support, and one 1000mm for the seat.
100mm galvanised nails, clean lint-free cloth, exterior PVA glue, hammer, sandpaper, saw and latex gloves. Resene Timber and Furniture Gel in Resene Sheer Black.

To get the look: Mark painted the background wall with Resene Lumbersider tinted to Resene Oyster Bay, the window frames and door with Resene Cutty Sark and the windowsill with Resene Bondi Blue.

Other ideas: For a paler look try Resene Timber and Furniture Gel tinted to Resene Silvered Grey.

Step one
Cut the timber to the dimensions as listed above.

Step two
Smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

Step three
Position three nails along the centre of each of the leg pieces, as shown.

Step four
Assembling the bench upside down on a flat surface, fix the legs to the underneath support using nails and PVA glue.

Step five
Position eight nails along the seat, as shown.

Step six
Turn the bench the right way up and apply a line of PVA glue along the tops of the legs and underneath support.

Step seven
Place the seat in position and hammer through the nails, fixing to the underneath support and legs.

Step eight
Apply Resene Timber and Furniture Gel to the bench using a clean lint-free cloth. Lightly rub the gel along the timber grain using medium pressure to help penetration. Allow to dry for one hour and apply a second coat.