Custom built pine benches (part 1)

One thing about a large family; when it's time to sit down at the dinner table, you need space for everyone, and it's important that there be enough elbow room that each elbow remains in its owner's space. Although I think it'd be nice to learn to share a bit more... graciously... I like my personal space too, so I get it.

A couple years ago, as real estate at our kitchen table began to demand a more precious cost, the children and I built a new kitchen table, which at the time seemed ridiculously large (Today, I find myself tempted to expand it again...)

As we were new to woodworking on furniture, the table was not particularly elegant, although it was built quite sturdy; I can barely lift it.

Over time, our cheap craigslist chairs wore out and broke, one by one. And by wore out and broke I mean we have kids. Forget industrial/commercial spec; "kid-spec" is the ultimate level of toughness.

For awhile we would do things like bringing the piano bench over and sitting on that, or using a yoga ball (This was actually somewhat beneficial for our son that doesn't know what sitting still means). But, after acquiring my jointer, I decided to tackle the need to provide sitting space for everyone. I decided the best means to do this would be a bench, as they are sturdy, lack a back to be broken, and can be built to "kid-spec" fairly easily for a novice like myself.

I also decided to try and up the ante with my work a little bit and build it with mortise and tenon construction. There is something excellent about the feel of shaping wood to become a labor of love, even if especially when you know it will soon be stained by grape juice from a toddler's sippy cup.

Here are a few of the pictures of the result. I built this from rough 2x4s that I had on hand.

It is amazing, to me, to see such an object formed from rough 2x4 lumber.

My first real attempt at mortise & tenon construction. I love it.

The final result, finished with a nice coat of linseed oil.