Crib repurpose

A customer asked if I could take her children's crib and convert it into a bench for her grandchildren. This was the firs time I had been asked to repurpose something and this was to be a very special piece for the customer. I accepted and was given complete freedom to create the piece.

Here are the crib parts as I received them from the customer. All hardware was removed and the brainstorming began.

One of the crib ends was split to become the two ends of the bench.

Integrated rear legs and back were added using similar wood using loose tenon joinery.

One crib side was dadoed into the back leg pieces to serve as the bench back and an additional cross piece was added for stability and to support the seat.

The seat frame was added along with bracing and attached to the front and back legs.

Seat slats were added and the front trim was added with detail that mirrored the trim on the crib. The customer wanted me to preserve scuffs and teething marks so I blended the new by dropping tools on the seat and lightly scuffing and striking vertical elements with a screwdriver.

Matching stain was applied followed by multiple coats of water based polyurethane and leveler feet.

Finished. Photos taken. Ready for delivery!