A few days ago, I made a small update/repair here in the upstairs living room, aka the bonus room or FROG.
It turned out so well, I thought I’d share it in case you find it helpful. When I moved into this house so many years ago, the upstairs living room already had window seats under all the windows.
There’s storage built in under each of the window seats. The two dormer window seats have little doors in front that open for storage.
But the window seat that’s underneath the two windows at the end of the room has a very heavy, lift-up lid. I’ve always worried about that lid since it’s solid wood (as is the window seat) and quite heavy. I wouldn’t want the lid to slam down on anyone’s head while they were looking inside, or onto their fingers.
I went in search of some type of supportive hinge and found a pair that I thought would work great. When I first read the instructions that came with the hinges, they sounded “involved.” There was a lot of talk about measuring the distance from the top and rear of the upper edge of the window seat, but the part that worried me the most was getting the angle just right. The instructions said, “Do not install the support at an open angle less than 90°.” Further down in the instructions, it said, “Adjust the open angle to 105°.”
Ummm. I may have looked like this for a few minutes before I decided to just go for it and install it.
Thankfully, my installation worked out well—no do-overs needed, and no extra holes in the window seat. Ha! The hinges are the soft-close type, which I really love. To close the lid, I only need to pull it forward a little, then the hinges take over and gently lower it down until it’s closed.
Since this lid is so heavy, it probably goes down a tad faster than a lighter lid would, but not much faster. There’s plenty of time to move a hand (or head) out of the way.
Here’s how the other side looks with its hinge installed.
So happy to have this done! If you have a toy chest, cedar chest or window seat with a lid that could use some support and could be a bit safer, you’ll find the hinges I used here: Lid Support Hinges. I’m very happy with how they look and work for this heavy window seat lid.
Brilliant! Oh how many times I have had various lids slam on my hands.
And I must tell you it is so nice to see that stunning grandfather clock in this room. I have loved it for years. It is one of my very favorite pieces you own.
Thanks, Michele! ♥
Susan, you are so smart! I never would have thought of that solution. Incidentally, my old Lane Cedar Chest has a very heavy lid also. But the Lane Company thoughtfully placed locking hinges on each side. It will be 50 years old next year on my 50th wedding anniversary.
Thanks so much, Kathy! I wish I had thought to add those many years ago, not sure why it took me so long. Ohhh, Lane cedar chests are sooo nice! Wow, celebrating a 50th anniversary is going to be amazing! ♥
Susan,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words in regards to Joe’s passing…I gratefully appreciate it..
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
You’re so welcome, Deb. I’m so sorry for everything that you’ve had to go through the last few weeks. ♥
Hi Debbie, so sorry to hear about Joe. Even though we aren’t active on every blog, we are still here and drop in sometimes to see what you are up to.
Myrna,
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and thanks for your kind words….
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
The photos of how you may have looked while pondering the angle instructions? I laughed out loud
🙂 Those instructions definitely made my brain hurt. Hahaha
Your room do-over is beautiful and so inviting looking! I could take a book in there and not come out for hours. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Rebecca!
XXX
You never continue to amaze me with your “do-it-yourself”projects! I would never know how to even START following directions that mentioned “105 degree angle”! But, I do agree that a lid support is a good idea. I had a Lane storage chest that I received as a wedding shower gift in 1969 and I still remember stocking it with towels and tablecloths, etc.! Special memories, indeed!
Thanks so much, Rosie! I love that about your Lane storage chest. I remember several of my friends having those. That’s a tradition that should go on even today. ♥
You amaze me with your skill in these projects. Kudos to you. I would not even attempt it. Is the picture of the swimsuit ladies someone you know?
Thanks so much, Lin! I found the picture (I think it’s a Giclee) in A Classy Flea Antique Shop several years back. It’s signed on the back by the artist, Hilarie Lambert.
I finally got around to having it framed and now it hangs over the blue chest that I ended up moving to the upstairs hallway. Sadly, A Classy Flea has closed now. You can see it more closely in this previous post:
https://betweennapsontheporch.net/art-for-the-upstairs-hallway-the-beach-girls-by-hilarie-lambert/
I just loved it! The women look so much alike, it made me think they were sisters enjoying a wonderful beach holiday together. Or, they could just be really good friends on vacation together. 🙂
Susan, how perfect! Years ago on a girls’ trip, I bought a small chest that I use as a coffee table in my sunroom. It has needed something to hold the lid when I open it. I keep all my pillow covers in this chest (and may I say it’s full!). I usually have to bring over a chair from my table and put it behind the chest when I am using it to lean the top against when I keep it open. Now I have my answer to the problem! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Susan, you are always an inspiration. It’s these everyday little things we need to know. I, too, had a Lane cedar hope chest in ivory French Provencial in 1963. I gave it to my daughter with her baby records, clothing etc, and some hand made rag rugs from her great grandmother.
Lane never asked for our “Lane hope chest stories” Must be a book in there somewhere worth writing.
Susan, there are so many things I like about this post. First of all, that’s great info and I’m glad you feel better about the way the lid comes down now. Also, kudos for using the thinking-lady meme, lol.
I have always loved that picture of your little dormer with the cute cushion and pillows, especially the roll pillow, lol. It always makes me smile. It’s such a tiny space, but you’ve got so much going on in there. I especially love the little picture low down on the wall. Your whole house is so prettily decorated, even this little cubby. It shows your attention to detail.
I also like that this post features a view from your back staircase. It’s nice to see that little beach corner and blue chest. We don’t get to see that view coming up the steps very often and it’s a good one.
Well, can’t wait to see what you have in store for us tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday. See you then!