DIY Network

Blog Cabin: Granite Countertops and Distressed-Finish Bench The country kitchen in DIY's Blog Cabin gets some modern enhancement with the installation of granite countertops. Also, tips on creating a distressed look on wood furnishings. From "Blog Cabin" episode DBLG-108

(Continued from page 1)

Building a Distressed-Finish Bench

Tools:

measuring tape
triangle
table saw
circular saw
planer
router
screwdriver
distressing tools such as hammers, sandpaper, etc.
paint brush (for staining)

Materials:

construction adhesive
screws
wood for a bench
wood stain

advertisement

	General contractors and log-cabin experts, Chris and Simon Hodshon

Steps:

1. Decide on the type of wood to use for the bench.

• Note : When choosing a type of wood, consider what materials to use to achieve your desired finished product: the age of the material and the tone of the wood. Do you want it to look young and fresh, or older with some distressing and individual character? Do you want it to be natural, or stained a richer color?

2. Decide what kind of bench you want, and draw a template for the pieces of the bench to include legs, horizontal support and a seat.

• Note : Depending on your design, your bench legs may have to be cut an angle, so make sure to take that into consideration and measure properly.

3. Cut out all your pieces with which to assemble the bench.

• Tip: Wood doesn't always come to you cut symmetrically, so if you prefer each piece of your bench to have identical proportions, you can run your individual pieces through a planer, which will smooth them down and make them square and flat. Again, it is all about the look you're trying to achieve.

4. Build the legs.

• Tip: This is easiest if you construct a jig that will allow you to repeat the steps multiple times without having to re-measure and re-cut every time. The jig will guide the router and create uniform cuts. There are several different types of joints to connect your legs. We opted a lap joint and set the router accordingly for making those types of cuts.

5. Install the legs to the horizontal seat support on both sides with screws.

6. Attach two 2x6 boards to the top of your bench with screws to make the bench seat.

7. Distress the bench for a worn look.

• Distressing Tips: When it comes to distressing wood, this is one of the few times where "abuse" is a good thing! Creating a naturally distressed look can be achieved using various techniques — such as striking the bench with a hammer, sanding, scratching it up or simply banging it around a bit. One common technique is to use a metal chain to strike and "mar" the wood surface. The chain technique helps give a naturally irregular pattern.

8. Stain the bench.

• Note : Again, on pieces with the distressed look, the stain doesn't have to be perfectly applied. As long as it is completely covered, the piece will look natural even if it is darker in some places, yet a bit lighter in others.

1 | 2

RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Blog Cabin 100 series

Baird and Wilson Sheetmetal (cabin roof)
www.bairdandwilson.com

Aespyre Custom Metal
www.aespyre.com

Rolling Rock Building Stone Inc.
www.rollrock.com

Heat & Glo Fireplaces
www.hearthnhome.com

Peachtree Doors and Windows
www.peachtreedoor.com

InsulTechnology
www.insultechnology.com

Lumber Liquidators
www.lumberliquidators.com

Wildwood Cabinets Luxury Handcrafted Cabinetry
www.wildwoodcabinets.com

Mountain Sage Gallery
www.mountainsagegallery.com

Stonecraft Inc.
www.stonecraftusa.com

Crossville Ceramics
www.crossvilleinc.com

Nuheat Industries Ltd.
www.nuheat.com

Kohler
www.kohler.com

Cobble Systems Inc.
www.cobblesystems.com/index.html

Rolling Rock Building Stone
www.rollrock.com

Hampton Bay
www.hamptonbay.com

Sets-Systems (tankless water heater)
www.sets-systems.com