Need ideas for a garden bench

[Mavrik]

We have a pool that I feel is wanting a wooden bench on the grass at the end of it.
I have looked through tons of pictures but haven't found anything I really like, and am confident to make.

I'd like it to be minimalist, but comfortable ... and preferable easy to maintain. (Africa sun & rain is harsh on outside wood)
I have many of the Festool tools ... so should be ok with the equipment.
I have "hobbiest" level skills ... and hope to use this as an opportunity to develop them further  [big grin]

Thought I'd issue this as a challenge for your collective creative minds !!

Here's the location it will reside:

 

[Guy Ashley]

Hi Mavrick

I made a bench in 2009 as a "Memorial Bench" for a clients father who had been an avid golfer. This sits overlooking the 18th fairway and is subject to all weathers although the UK isnt as harsh in its variations as your climate.

It is solid European Oak which is given two coats of oil a year, on top of the three I gave it.

[attachimg=#]

Due to being subjected to the elements I used Cascamite powdered resin glue and the main mortise and tenon joints are also pegged with 12mm dowels.

Perhaps the design is not what you want but it mmay give you ideas of proportion.

 

[tiralie]

Guy:
Another beautiful job!
Did you do the carving?
Tim

 

[Guy Ashley]

Yes indeed, but if his name had been something like "Sebastian Jeremiah Postlethwaite" I might have suggested a brass plaque! [big grin]

 

[Frank Pellow]

That bench looks really good Guy!  Simple and elegant.  I'm sure that Jack Bird would be proud to be remembered on it.

 

[Mavrik]

Beautiful bench & great workmanship.
But more complicated than what I'm aiming for ...

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Here's a nice bench that *could* be very simple to make, if you remove some of the various curves.  
It would adapt to straight line construction very easily.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/garden-bench-video-preview/

(Image from URL linked above):
[attachthumb=#]

 

[davee]

I don't have any good pictures, but I made these pretty simple benches a couple of years ago using similar techniques to those in the video Wood Junkie references above.  One of my next projects will be to build similar benches using sipo dominos.  The benches in the picture are made of red cedar which are holding up very well outside. 

I also made a couple of simple benches (this one was with the dominos) and adirondack chairs.  These are all used in and around a gazebo in a small pine woods.

 

[Chris Hughes]

This one started as a coffee table but my customer saw it and bought it as a garden bench in the childrens play area.

 

[colyn]

on my patio
made w/ cedar and tinted concrete

 

[Mavrik]

Thanks very much !!

The ideas from Colyn and Chris seem more within my skill range.

I like the minimalist look of Colyn's bench.
I can't quite figure out how it's constructed though ...  [big grin]

 

[awdriven]

Love your bench, colyn. Can you tell us more about how its put together? Did you cast the cement yourself or is that an off the shelf piece?

 

[tiralie]

Love your bench, colyn. Can you tell us more about how its put together? Did you cast the cement yourself or is that an off the shelf piece?

Yup, exactly my thoughts...Colyn?
Tim

 

[Top Knot]

Mavrik don't under estimate you skills... especially if you have loads of Festool hardware assistance in the shop second to that there is local knowledge  [wink] and a whole host of "on-line" knowledge here on FOG. Use the opportunity to push your skill level up. I assume you have the time to spend on it...