Storage Bench Project, Part I

So as we mentioned in a previous post, we are building a storage bench for our entryway so that we have a place to sit to take off our shoes and a place to stash gloves, hats, scarves, etc. in the winter.  We're adapting this plan from Ana White to fit our space; since we only have a 40" nook, a 48" bench would just be too long.

Last time we built furniture, we used pine, which was great for the guest bedroom project because pine is a soft wood and it's more forgiving for a beginner project.  Pine in many different widths and lengths is also really easy to find, and is usually quite cheap if you aren't too picky about knots (which we weren't since we knew we would be painting the finished product).  For this project, we decided to step it up a bit, because unlike the guest bed and night table, we expect this storage bench to get daily use and we want it to be extra durable.  I also wanted to try my hand at staining wood, so we decided to use red oak for our bench, and hopefully it will end up being a piece we can pass down to our grandkids.

We picked up our lumber today, along with a few other necessities, and couldn't resist the temptation to make our cuts tonight.

Unfortunately, there are other Sunday night chores that need our attention, so this is as far as it gets tonight.  Next time: assembly!