Hi everyone!  Greetings from our cabin today!

We've headed south to do some fishing and take some family time before I take off to Atlanta for Haven Conference later this week.

I'm going to cry like a baby when they drop me off at the airport, all by myself.  The kids will be fine with Dad ... it's me that I'm not so sure about.

I'm writing this post to you today on this bench -

This bench pairs with this 2x4 truss style dining table -

I love this bench because it is long enough to fit a whole family on.

But with the splayed end legs, this bench will not tip over on you.  Yet the seat width is narrow enough that you can easily step over it to sit at the table (if you are lucky enough to be able to find a place at the middle of the table). 

To support the extra long width of this bench, I added the center leg.  I love how it adds character and strength, but not bulk to the center of the bench.  It's nice that there are only full legs to manuever around on the ends.

I was inspired by the Wells Bench from Pottery Barn, loving the simple lines and the cross support. 

But needed something longer, and had to use 2x4s (because that's what was leftover from building the cabin).  

I drew up this design (and plans follow for it), but in our mad rush to build all the furniture for the cabin in two days, I forgot to add the cross supports.

We kinda love it simple, so never went back and added the cross supports.  But you can!

For the finish, I used Varathane Early American in one step Stain + Poly -

This is my new favorite finish, ever. Not only is it a one step stain and poly that goes on with a brush, and cleans up with water -

But the way that it goes on is why I'm madly in love.  The finish is very vintage, hand brushed, aged stain, with inset areas like joints and knots pooling the stain and organically darkening, with brush strokes subtly visible.  I used the satin sheen, it is gorgeous! If you are looking for a quick and easy stained finish that has a distressed and aged feel, this is your ticket.  

For those of you with eagle eyes, yes, we did run out of lag bolts for the bench ends.

You know the drill by now - no pun intended - I'm hooking you up with the free plans following (click read more below if this is the home page).  Just please share if you build because we all can't wait to see how your bench turns out too!

XO Ana