Dollhouse bench 1:12

I am working on a 1930s Cracker style farm house and wanted to have an old fashioned bench on the porch. This bench is quick and easy to make and will add lots of character to your scene. You can distress it as I have or give it some stain and varnish and place inside the house.

Cut out 2 legs from the pattern using 1/8” thick wood (I glued 2 pieces of 1/16” together). Use the thickness of your front and back brace pieces to determine the size of the notches you will need to cut at the top of the legs.

Cut the front and back braces, 4” x 3/8” from 1/16” thick wood.

Glue the braces into the notches you cut to fit to the legs. Brace them. Let dry.

Cut out the top piece 
4 1/2” x 1 1/4” (I glued 2 pieces of 1/16” together). Glue on top of the legs and braces.

Glue on the side braces as well 1 1/4” x 1/4” from 1/16” thick wood.

Use your knife and sandpaper to distress the wood. I used pretreated wood from another project that is why it is gray. You could stain your wood whatever background color you wish before starting the crackling process.

I made my own sandpaper block by stapling a piece to a block of wood.

Read the product instructions and paint on the crackling medium anywhere you think the paint would be chipped. I added it to the bottom of the legs.

Then paint your bench in the color of your choosing. I dry brushed the paint in the areas where the paint would be worn. Don’t be afraid to scratch up the bench to give it some age.

You can add some mat or satin varnish to the areas that would be in better condition, but be sure to sand those areas a bit. For more inspiration, look for me on Instagram @auraleakrieger!