Built-in Oak Bench
One of my neighbors had a bad experience with a well-meaning contractor recently while attempting to get a bench built into a corner below an open staircase. Result was: no bench. I am not very good as a finish carpenter but I offered to do my best in exchange for some old redwood beams. Anyway, here is how it went: The design mandate was to match the staircase in look and feel and make the overall dimensions of the "L" shaped bench legs 60" long by 36" wide, with a seat depth of 14 inches. 8/4 red oak, stained with Minwax English Chestnut and sealed with satin polyurethane was agreed to. The bench was to rest on 4 or 5 "T" shaped braces protruding from the wall. finished bench top with square