Snuggled up under the window, this
bench is the perfect place to set
a pot of flowers.

• One 6-foot 1x10 pine board
• Two 6-foot 1x4 pine boards
• Two 2-foot 1x12 pine boards
• Two 6-foot 1x2 pine boards
• 4d finish nails
• Wood glue
• Radial arm saw, saber saw, dovetail saw
• Latex paint: flat red, flat black
• Paste wax

Step 1.

1. The 1x10 is the seat. For the aprons, cut the 1x4s to 71 inches, mitering the ends 45 degrees as shown.

2. To attach the aprons, draw a line down the center of the 1x10 top, then measure and mark along the length 4 1/8 inches from the center (about 5/8 inch from the edge on each side). Using glue and finish nails, attach the aprons, starting at the angled ends and working from the bottom. Turn the top over and finish nailing along the length of the board from the top into the aprons.

Step 3.

3. The legs of the bench angle at 15 degrees for greater stability. Cut 20-inch-long pieces from the 1x12s, angling the cuts 15 degrees. Use a radial arm saw, tilting the blade 15 degrees, or use a saber saw with the base tilted to cut at 15 degrees.

4. To keep the bench from wobbling, cut a 4-inch-radius half-circle out of the bottom edge of each leg, using a dish or lid as a template. Allow 2 inches on each side of the cutout. At the top, cut a notch from each top corner of each leg piece to receive the aprons. The side cut will angle 15 degrees; to mark it, lay the apron board across the side at the 15 degree angle and mark. Use a dovetail saw to make the apron cuts and a saber saw for the bottom half-circle.

Step 5.

5. Place the apron in the notch and mark its outside edge on the face of the leg. Draw a line from this mark to the outside edge of the foot. Cut along this line to angle the leg.