Yeah, we got skills...

The wife and I that is. We make a heck of a team.

You see, she comes up with these great ideas for how we can make use of a particular area, and I build the solutions for her. Then, When I'm done, and there's this kinda OK looking piece of wood sitting in some room, she comes along with a gallon of paint and a truckload of creativity and **POOF** "Dang that looks good honey!!"

Case in point, She decided that the open area just under our railing in the front room needed a nice bench to sit on while we change shoes and that we could maybe store backpacks or blankets in.

A trip to the hardware store, some doodles on a scratch pad and a few weekend days later I built her a bench.... with storage of course.


In fact, she liked the idea so much she decided we needed a matching piece for the library that we finished almost exactly two years ago.


Yep, more storage, can a growing family ever have enough?


But what I built her in wood was only half the project. She went in, painted and "aged" it...


...and then sealed it with multiple coats of protective clear coats and we now have a great looking bench in the front room.


And an equally good looking mini bench/ottoman for our library.


And there you have it, if you can't find what you want, or if what you do find just costs too darn much, give building your own a try. The first few times they may be a little skewed or wobbly, but each time you'll get better and better. Pick up a good how to magazine like "home handyman" for example at the library and do your research. It can be done and let me tell you, there's no better feeling than showing off your own creations.

Now, I hoping the "if you build it they will come" rule will apply. Think the bench in the library will get the kids reading more?
We'll see.
Best
P~