Window Seat & Storage Bench

I used the Hailey Storage Bed (twin) as my inspiration for this window seat.  Built just one of the benches fitted to match the exact width of my window.   I also added trim to the cubbies to make it look more finished.   I bought the foam from Home Depot and covered it with a table cloth I loved but never really used on my table.  I had the baskets and boxes laying around and they give it a nice touch.  I was going to put doors in the center when I started, but liked the look of the open storage, so just trimmed out the cubbies.  

This is my fourth build from Ana's plans and I'm so pleased with how it came out.

A note on finishing - to me the hardest part of any project!  I stained it with minwax Early American and used 2 coats of Spar Varnish over that.   I was very nervous after I put the first coat of stain on as it wasn't the color I thought it would turn out to be.  I toyed with the idea of adding another color over the top, but decided just to leave it overnight and relook at it in the morning.  I'm so glad I did.  It had mellowed significantly overnight and was just the right color.  I added a second coat to try and cover up any of the streakiness, then added the spar varnish (satin finish) and it made it gleam.