Broken Headboard Bench
Hit the brakes.
As we drove past the Goodwill I could see it out of the corner of my eye. This crazy cool headboard. Knowing me like he does my husband was already turning the car around. Bless him.
As I nonchalantly approached my find I was preparing a go price in my mind. The head board was $10, well below my mental budget. Don’t you just love that!?
After trying to stuff it in my suburban on top of my three children we decided a return trip was best.
My sweet delivery and muscle man husband dropped us off at home and jumped in his truck to go get the headboard.
Only, they wouldn’t give it to him. I wrote his name on the hold tag like they said, but they wanted the receipt, which I didn’t give him. And they were ugly about it. Mind you this was all of ten minutes later. He huffed home and sent me back with the truck and receipt.
When I pulled up the headboard was layed out on the sidewalk…broken.
Slightly peeved is an understatement. I felt sure this was no accident. As I stood pondering what to do the store manager came out and told me she had been watching everything on the security camera in her office. She apologized and asked if I would like a refund. “I understand completely if you don’t want it anymore” she said. She knew what happened and was doing her best to be gracious. I appreciated that, but I wanted the headboard. Frustrated at the inconsiderate actions of others I decided I needed a lesson in wood repair.
So – I loaded up the broken headboard and headed home.
The paint job I signed up for now a repair job.
This story paints a picture of the disposable world in which we live. Unfortunately this scenario plays out all too often.
We live in a society that trades up and out all to easily. Broken friendship, job, finances, marriage? Dispose of them and move on. It’s the norm these days.
Especially in relationships.
Marriages suffer from this rampant attack.
The headlines are full of celebrity divorce and breakups. Setting the example of Hollywood chic divorce. Social media allows us to instantly “unfriend” on a whim. There is nothing glamorous about broken homes or broken hearts.
God intended beautiful things for marriage and relationships among believers. But he never promised is would be easy. So often things that start off easy take a turn for the difficult.
When you look up and find this thing, whatever it may be…your marriage, job, life or friendship, that you once desired, loved and cherished, now broken I implore you – go to God. Don’t go to Him looking for a way out or to rationalize your reasons for desiring to dump whatever you have going on. Go to Him for a heart change. Pray to Him for eyes to see the unseen, perseverance and desire to stick it out, work hard and heal instead of dispose.
This disposable society teaches us to focus on what we see right in front of us and move on if perfection isn’t at the end of our nose. God says differently…
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Trust in what you don’t see. Project your sights to your desires, not your reality. That’s what God sees. He sees the desires of your heart.
And guess what?
His desire for your good is bigger than yours.
When we approach the throne with hope, faith and determination to wade through brokenness the end result is more beautiful than anything man made. A redeemed marriage has strength that is lasting and real. Friendships coated with trials are loyal and honoring.
I know these things because I’ve been there.
I’m so grateful my husband and I have chosen to stay on the hard days and not fallen to the temptation of seeking other options. The best friends I have are the ones who have stuck with me when I was at my worst.
And God?
Well, he’s been there through it all. Just as he will be for you.
Because we are never disposable to the King of Kings.
Basic Instructions:
Each project like this will be slightly different because the headboards aren’t the same.
I repaired the headboard with some wood glue and held it together to dry overnight with a few clamps.
Next I filled in the gaps with some wood filler and after drying, sanded it down.
The bench got coated with homemade chalk paint.
We turned the footboard upside down to allow the front and back to have a similar height for the seat part.
When the old casters decided to be stubborn and not come out I went with plan B. Make them cute rope arm rest holders. I love the patina on them anyway!
We had to cut down the spindles off the “top” of the bed to get the heights to match perfect. You can see in the picture above how we lined up the two pieces and, using a board drew a cutting line.
Luckily I hold on to old things I find and this cool piece of wood came in handy for the bench seat. We cut the seat to fit and I got to keep the part with words! You’ll see it resurface at a later date for sure!
We added two side rails to sure up the bench and are actually going to go back in and add corner brackets to make it extra sturdy.
Using finishing nails we connected the seat to the box portion of the bench.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Well said. Our relationships are of vital importance to our walk. God uses each of them to mold us and shape us into the image of our King. Our marriages, especially! It is in our marriages that Ephesians tells us that we are an echo or picture of Christ and the Church. One leading, one submitting and yet submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. I thought I was just popping over to see a pretty bench today but I received so much more as God graciously reminded me that his children are everywhere-even in blogland. Have a blessed day!
So glad you were pleasantly surprised! I agree it is all about relationship…with God and others. At the end of the day those relationships are what matters! So glad you stopped by.
Beautiful visual! Love the “flight line maintenance” wording on the wood too. You are amazing!
Thank you 🙂 Not sure about me being amazing…inspired maybe
Girl you are so talented! My favorite part about your blog is how you tie things together with a message. Love it.
It makes my heart full that the stories speak to you. Thank you!
Yes, I love what Shelly said about tying everything together. I love your message and your makeovers because I love to salvage relationships and odd broken pieces of furniture, etc. I think we are kindred spirits ❤️
It sounds like we are 🙂
I echo what Shelly said! I love how you tie a message about God and marriage and the need to have a relationship with both into your fixing a broken bench!
Thanks Dianne, When I am working on a project, that is when God and I chat. He shows me stuff then and I merely share it with you guys. I am so thankful it is well received!
You have such a beautiful heart.
I appreciate your kind comment, but I can assure you, my heart has some ugly dark spots in it as well! That’s why we need a savior right? thank you friend!
Glad you were able to resurrect the bed. Love most of it; not sure about the rope armrests,think I would like wood better. But it looks cute.
Thanks – I think wood rests would be good too! I’m sure there are a million ways to dress up this bench! I actually can’t wait to style it and add some other chairs, pillows, etc!
It turned out just perfect! Thanx for sharing at THT.
So glad you think so!!!
Kim – I am so sorry they broke your headboard! But I am so glad you decided to fix it up anyway! You’re so right about this being a throw away world. Its so nice when people take the time to love and respect the people and the things in our lives. I just love the way your bench turned out. I’ll be pinning and sharing your post!
Cat – sincere thanks for the pins and shares! Thank you for the kind words! You are appreciated!!!
Kim, beautifully written post and newly remade bench. It’s amazing how God uses those messy and ugly things in our life and transforms them into something beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your bench and inspiring words at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Please join us again tomorrow night at 8 EST. Take care, Tara. I am pinning and sharing this:).
Big smiley thank you!!! I love the business of remodeling God is in!
This really came out adorable…love it
Beautiful upcycle and beautiful post. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much!
Again, well done! You are so right. It is easy to give up, but often there is something beautiful underneath. I hope you keep sharing your inspirations, they are beautiful.
Thanks for sharing at our Pretty Preppy Party.
Amy
Thanks so much Amy for coming over to visit the blog. I appreciate your kind thoughts and words.
I love love love this bench! I love that you fixed it. I love the paint you selected. I mainly love that it is on your porch for all to enjoy!!!
Where did you get those cool old Air Force signs?
The trash pile on a neighbor’s curb!!! 🙂
Beautiful project and wonderful lesson for today. Love your blog –
Thank you so much for stopping by, hope you will continue to walk with us
Just love this project. I’m sharing with a friend who mentioned this week she wanted to make one for her daughter. Also, I found your post on making Pottery barn knockoff, blue ikat, etc. pictures. I lost the post and now I can find it!! Can you help me??
thank you for sharing! I don’t have a pottery barn knock off post, so not sure which one you are looking for!? let me know more and I will see if it was one of my projects!
Gig ‘Em! I love the salvage, the message in your post and the Aggie ring!