Design*Sponge, the charmingly quirky home decorating site launched in 2004 by Grace Bonney, attracts more than one million page views each month—and among its many step-by-step tutorials are projects simple enough for anyone to master. Now the blog's singular style inspiration can also be found in Design*Sponge at Home, a compendium of all-new homemaking hints—which Bonney has in droves ("To make a small space seem larger, getting things off the floor is key"; "Leftover fabric makes a great placemat!"). The book is also full of creative furnishing ideas—like this sweet, functional, and endlessly customizable storage bench (completed version pictured above).

Rolling Storage Bench
Cost: Around $40
Time: One hour plus

What you need:
  • Wooden box (similar styles can be found at flea markets and thrift stores)
  • Four rolling casters
  • Mounting screws
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Scissors
  • Fabric (three inches larger on all sides than plywood)
  • Sturdy midweight plywood (for the lid)
  • Upholstery foam (two inches thick)
  • Cotton batting (available at fabric stores)

bench materials

Next: Step-by-step instructions to make this gorgeous, functional bench
From the October 2011 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

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