Can we keep it?

So, funny story. At the time that my family started the project I'm going to talk about today, my darling husband was about done with me rearranging the house to make room for all our finished projects. When I told him I wanted to turn an old headboard and end tables into a bench, he feigned interest and said, "You're going to sell that, right?" Me assuring him I would, was the ONLY way I could get cooperation to put this together. 

Our product list was simple: 

--Old headboard

--Two end tables

--Top of an old dresser that had broken off

(Could use particle board cut to fit)

--2 Decorative Corner Corbels

--A two inch foam pad for the cushion

--Fabric to cover the pad

--White paint

--Antiquing glaze

--Hardware to mount pieces together

--Spray-on Finish

Finished Product

Below is how it looked when I staged the idea for the first time. It worked in our favor that the dresser top was a perfect size. However, we did determine we would need the corbels on either side underneath to support the weight of people sitting on it. 

Step one was priming the headboard and end tables, followed by two coats of white paint. 

After that, we applied the antiquing glaze. Let me pause right there to say I LOVE antiquing glaze. If you have a piece with fine details or scrolls, such as this one, the glaze highlights all of that detail. It's like contouring for furniture. What's not to love there?  

TIP: When applying glaze, start with small areas. Sponge it on with a heavy hand, then use cheese cloth to wipe off the excess. 

From there I had to rope the hubby in to helping me secure the pieces together, along with adding the corbels. At this point, he was still ready for me to sell it. Then, I added that two inch thick pad, covered with a soft taupe fabric ... 

The first time his rump settled into that cozy seat, his tune changed. "Ya know, this would be great down by the pool table. Nice place to sit while ya wait for the next shot." 

There ya have it. I tried not to get attached as we created this fun piece. That said, as my husband learned, there's something that happens when you turn "trash" into treasure. It becomes your vision. Your masterpiece. There may come a day when I refinish items specifically to sell, but even then I have no doubt it will feel like a little piece of me leaves with each and every item.