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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Headboard | Bed Parts | Cribs » French Provincial Headboard Bench

    French Provincial Headboard Bench

    Published by Gail | Published December 6, 2016 | Updated April 9, 2019
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    I have a lot of headboards in my stash, but one day while I was putting some stuff in my booth at Vendors’ Village, I picked up this fancy french provincial headboard for $7. I set about changing this fancy headboard into a headboard bench right away!

    fancy twin headboardThe frame is made of wood, but the little curly q’s are made of plastic.

    *this post  contains affiliate links*

    cut legs off twin headboardBecause I wanted it to be a little on the smaller side, I trimmed a couple of inches off of each leg of the headboard using my Rockwell jaw stand  to support the headboard.

    The Very First STEP to building a headboard benchcut list for headboard bench

    All headboards are different, but to give you an idea of the cuts I made I jotted everything down on a piece of paper for you. The very first step to building a headboard bench is to decide what legs you will be using for the front of your bench. Until you know how wide the legs are, you won’t know how long to cut your sides or front.

    I was so excited that apparently I forgot to take in progress pictures, but it’s pretty much like the rest of my headboard benches.

     

    pocket holes join bench frameI cut one front support, and two side supports and joined them using pocket hole screws.

    If you don't have a pocket hole jig, you can use "L" brackets. However, if you do a lot of projects, I highly recommend you investing in one of these jigs. For more details see my post How To Use A Kreg Jig

     

    middle brace for twin headboard benchThen I decided that the seat planks would run lengthwise, so I needed a middle support cut out of a scrap 1x4 and attached with more pocket hole screws.

     

    dry fit fancy twin headboard benchThis is the dry fit of the seat. I was so surprised how quick this bench came together. As I was admiring it, I felt it needed a little somethin’ else.

     

    bottom shelf supportI grabbed a couple of scraps (1x’s), cut them to length, and used my Kreg Jig (micro) to drill smaller pocket holes.

     

    attach bottom shelf braceI used my handy Kreg multi-mark tool to make sure the brace was the same on each side. Hindsight 20/20, I should have placed the pocket holes toward the bottom, duh!

     

    twin bench bottom shelfBecause I have a lot of money tied up in lumber, I decided to space the lower shelf planks since mostly likely they will be holding baskets. That saved me a board.

    twin headboard bench with bottom shelfThis is the final dry fit to make sure all is ready for painting.

    diy chalky paint primerI mixed up some diy chalky paint primer with some plaster of paris and white semi-gloss paint.

     

    paint twin headboard bench slatsI rolled the planks while I was painting some boards for another project. Why did I roll them instead of using my paint sprayer?

     

    lulu mae peeking through the fenceBecause of Miss Lulu Mae! When I get out of her sight, she cries and cries. Doing the paint rolling was right on the other side of the fence.

     

    diy chalky paint primer finish maxHowever, I did use some diy chalky paint primer in my Homeright Finish Max  to paint the bench.

     

    finish max paints twin headboard benchI rested the headboard bench frame up on my easy diy sawhorses  to make it easier on my back. Smile

    headboard bench white primer finish max paint sprayerNotice the overspray on the grass? This is so unusual for my Finish Max, I think it was the paint. This is the first time I’ve used this gallon of paint. I’ve only had it happen once before on another brand of paint.

     

    spacing shelf slatsTo space the lower shelf planks I used a scrap piece of wood and the multi-mark to make sure that each side matched.

     

    nail gun shelf slatsThe Ryobi Airstrike is the perfect tool to attach these planks.

     

    spacing headboard bench seat slatsTo give just a little space in between the seat planks I used a metal yardstick.

     

    caulking nail holesTo patch the holes the nails made I used just a dab of painter’s caulk, and wiped it up with a baby wipe.

    hidden details on headboardI used some turquoise rub-n-buff to give definition to this pretty detail.

    rub-n-buff detailsThis is after just barely a drop of rub-n-buff.

    french provincial headboard bench wire baskets MyRepurposedLife.comAlthough I have tons of headboards in my stash, I just had to start on this french provincial headboard bench the very day I brought home this headboard!

     

    white french provincial headboard bench with wire baskets MyRepurposedLife.comI love how it looks with the wire baskets, and the extra storage is so handy!

    PIN IT!

    I hope you remember that the very first step in building a headboard bench is deciding what legs you will be using for the front.

    gail

    See my favorite Mission Style Headboard Bench with Storage-The Complete Tutorial

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    French Provincial Furniture Makeover

    French Provincial Dresser to Bench

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    1. Pam

      December 13, 2016 at 1:22 am

      Great job. The shelve under for the baskets really add to the storage. Nice.

      Reply
    2. Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage

      December 08, 2016 at 2:17 pm

      I absolutely love this Gail. It turned out so beautiful! The baskets under the seat are perfection.

      Reply
    3. Kate

      December 07, 2016 at 9:42 pm

      I think this is perhaps the cutest bench you've ever done!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 08, 2016 at 8:45 am

        Thanks so much Kate! I was so excited to work on it, but alas, it still waits for it's forever home.

        gail

    4. Jennie

      December 07, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      It turned out so well. I love the little blue accents, and the shoe storage is great.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 08, 2016 at 8:46 am

        Jennie,

        I waited for years to do benches with storage, and now I wonder why I waited so long. Making headboard benches makes me so happy!

        gail

    5. chris aka monkey

      December 07, 2016 at 2:58 pm

      as usual gail such a wonderful job, and I can see how the frame just spoke to you very different and made a gorgeous and unusual bench, love the storage space and those wire baskets, merry Christmas xx

      Reply
    6. Mindi

      December 07, 2016 at 2:02 am

      I love this bench Gail, and the bling is my fave...but you already know that! 🙂 It is adorable!

      Reply
    7. girlfromwva

      December 06, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      the rub & buff adds just the right amount of bling to the bench! i really like how it turned out!

      Reply
    8. Randi

      December 06, 2016 at 9:55 am

      You really came up with a great look for this bench! It has a fresh, modern look to it!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 06, 2016 at 10:23 am

        Thank you Randi! It's still looking for it's forever home at my booth at my local Vendors' Village antique mall. 🙂

        gail

    9. Sharon Whitworth

      December 06, 2016 at 6:38 am

      Gail you are truly talented, you have found your true calling in life. God Bless you and keep up all the good work. We love.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 06, 2016 at 8:56 am

        Ohhh, Sherry--thank you so much for your sweet comment. It really means a lot to me when my real life "family" stops by the blog and takes the time to leave a comment. When I say I read each and every one, it's the truth.

        This bed spoke to me and I couldn't get to work on it fast enough when I brought it home.

        thanks again!
        gail

    10. Jen

      December 06, 2016 at 6:33 am

      Its amazing how much difference that little bit of blue makes. It was lovely before, but beautiful now.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 06, 2016 at 8:56 am

        Thank you Jen! I love rub-n-buff for easy touchups and bling! 🙂

        gail

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