Storage Bench With Upholstered Lid

table saw
one sheet of medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
wood glue
nail gun
spackle
paint (Anderson used Behr brand 1A24-5 in Bittersweet Chocolate)
weenie roller (paint roller with a small tubular pad attachment resembling the size and shape of a hot dog; can also use a standard paint roller)
foam
spray adhesive
batting
staple gun
drill
muslin
upholstery fabric
covered buttons
string
coat hanger
hinge

Steps:

1. Use a table saw to cut pieces of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and assemble using first wood glue and then a nail gun to secure the bench base.

2. Use the table saw to cut three-inch strips of MDF and use the strips to trim out both the top and bottom of the piece so that they look like molding. Adhere with wood glue and nails.

3. Use spackle to hide the seams and to prevent the paint from seeping into the cracks between the "molding" and the bench sides. Once dry, paint the entire assembled box using a weenie roller. Set aside to dry.

4. Use the table saw to cut a rectangular slab to use as the bench lid. Secure foam to the lid with spray adhesive. Cover the foam with batting and affix with staples.

5. Mark where you want the buttons to go with a pencil and then drill holes for them.

7. Attach string to one end of a straight piece of coat hanger. Run the hanger up through the predrilled buttonhole, exiting through the face of the upholstery. Detach string from hanger and thread through each of the covered buttons. Pull snug from the bottom and staple down onto the back of the lid.

8. Attach one side of a hinge to the backside of the lid and the other side onto the lip of the bench base using a drill and screws (figure B).