EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR SETTING

Build it and they will come. Whip up an outdoor table and bench seats worthy of a feast!

Gather your supplies

• 130 x 19mm x 35 linear metre blackbutt decking

• 70 x 45mm x 2.4m treated pine (4)

• Rapidmesh 300 x 450mm Cusco bench seat legs (4)

• Rapidmesh 700 x 732mm Cusco table legs (2)

You’ll also need Mitre saw; measuring tape; pencil; drill; countersinking drill bit; 5mm plastic spacers; clamps; 3 and 5mm drill bits; 30mm galvanised wood screws; circular saw; chisel; hammer; black exterior paint; painting gear; 85mm galvanised batten screws; garden furniture oil; lint-free cloth

Here’s how

STEP 1 Mark out position of all slats on cleats, allowing a 5mm gap between them. Then mark cleats for screws. Use 2 screws per slat, staggered on opposite sides of cleat. Predrill using a countersinking drill bit. STEP 2 Lay seat slats on bench (3 per seat) with ends aligned and 5mm spacers between them. Clamp together. Place cleats over slats flush with both ends of seats, then predrill through holes drilled in cleats into slats with a 3mm drill bit. Screw together with 30mm screws. Repeat to attach 2 cleats 300mm from ends and one in the centre.

STEP 3 Place legs for seats on the cleats 300mm from ends. Predrill with 3mm bit. Screw legs to cleats and slats with 30mm screws.

STEP 4 Using mitre saw, cut braces with one corner cut off both ends. Sit each brace on underside of seat so its ends are 50mm from end of seat. Mark brace where it crosses the legs.

STEP 5 Use circular saw set to cut 6mm deep to make multiple cuts across braces where they cross seat legs. Use sharp chisel to remove waste timber and make bottom of housing smooth.

STEP 6 Apply 2 coats black paint to braces, leaving to dry after each coat.

STEP 7 Place braces on underside of seats. Predrill down through braces into cleats using a 5mm drill bit, then screw in place using 85mm batten screws.

STEP 8 Build tabletop as you did seats. Place cleats at ends, sitting in 565mm from ends, and in the centre.

STEP 9 Sit table legs on cleats 565mm from ends. Predrill with 3mm bit and screw in place using 30mm screws.

STEP 10 Cut braces and rebate for legs as you did for seats. Paint black. Sit on underside of table 160mm from each edge, predrill with 5mm bit and screw into cleats with batten screws. STEP 11 Apply 2 coats oil to table and seats, including underside, with a soft cloth.

Use long-burning candles to effortlessly guide the outdoor setting from daylight into dark

STEP 7

STEP 2

STEP 5

STEP 11

STEP 8

STEP 3

STEP 9

6 a new slant on your garden The angular design of the table and bench legs lets the garden behind shine through and doesn’t overpower the space.