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entry renovation: bench makeover

December 16, 2011 By Linda 10 Comments

Entry Bench birds eye (550x413) (2)
You know those furniture makeover stories that start with an amazing find on craigslist … or the thrift store … or a garage sale … or some freebie snagged from the side of the road?  The ones that talk about the ‘great bones’ or an ‘interesting curvature of a leg’ but it ‘just needs some TLC’?

Yeah, this isn’t one of those stories.

Instead it’s about taking an ugly particle board and plastic laminate chest and giving it a rich, updated look with some paint, poly, and fun fabric …

This is what I started with:

entrybefore11

Hard to believe I hauled this thing all the way to Chicago from New Jersey.  Must be some silly sentimental attachment because it was one of the very first-ever furniture purchases I made for my very first-ever grown-up apartment.

Since the surface of the bench was – for the most part – a plastic-like substance, I skipped the sanding and gave it a coat of this super-sonic-will-withstand-an-apocalypse primer from Zinsser …

image
… followed by two coats of the same black satin I used on the closet door …

Entry enter (550x413) (2)
I lightly distressed around the edges with sandpaper …

Entry chest (550x413) (2)
.. and then used some of the stain that I used on the stairs (see here) and wiped it over the distressed areas with a rag.  I immediately wiped it off with a clean rag.  I liked that you can see some of the white of the primer, but wanted to tone it down a bit …

Entry Bench closeup (550x413) (2)
After a coat of satin poly applied with a foam brush, I got started on the custom cushion and pillows …

The bench seat was made from two 15 x 17 pieces of foam I found at JoAnn’s.  The fabric, on the other hand, was a bit harder to come by …

…  I had to cyber stalk that Michael Miller pattern.  I kept hitting a “sold out” wall …

Entry bench more (550x413) (2)
The pillows are simple envelope pillows that I stitched up.  The red and gray pillows were given a few felt-covered buttons for added interest.

In the end, the bench works perfectly with the new entry design (which you can read more about here) …

Entry B&B 3 (550x413) (2)
It offers a functional place to sit and put on shoes …  and provides a place to store backpacks out of sight.

Entry Bench birds eye (550x413) (2)

The best part:  It gives this first impression of our home a great punch of color.

P.S. If you’re visiting from one of the link parties, then I hope you’ll click here and join me and five  incredibly talented bloggers in our collective “Imagine the Impossibilities” challenge.  It all culminates in a January 31 multi-blog link party … so you better get started.  No pressure.

Looking forward to learning more about your “impossibility” …

Linking up:
Jennifer Rizzo
Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic
Meg and Mums
Funky Junk Interiors
Domestically Speaking
Kammy’s Korner
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Savvy Southern Style
Primitive & Proper
Shabby Creek Cottage
The Shabby Nest
Homemaker on a Dime
A Bowl Full of Lemons
Home Stories A 2 Z

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: furniture makeover, painted furniture


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Comments

  1. Meg and Mum's says

    December 16, 2011 at 6:34 am

    I’m lovin’ it sick! Which means I love it in Aussie :). The fabric and cushions are gorgeous and you’ve inspired me to do something with my ugly chest! Well not my actual chest, I’m quite fond of it. But the ugly box thing I have sitting in the spare room. Please share this on Saturday at my party. You are a clever cookie Linda 🙂

    Reply
  2. The Rooster and The Hen says

    December 16, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    I love before and afters! We use the Zinsser primer as well and I think it’s a pretty good product. Have you tried the oil based stuff? I have a can of it but hate the cleanup of oil. Just wondered if you knew if it held better to unsanded surfaces. -Rooster

    Reply
  3. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    December 16, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    Rooster — I haven’t tried the oil-based. I will probably try it though when I find myself rethinking the dark cabinets in the kitchen. Uh oh … I hope my hubby isn’t reading this!

    And when I prime, I tend to used foam and/or cheap brushes and throw them away. I know, I’m terrible that way. I hate the clean up …

    Reply
  4. Christina at I Gotta Create! says

    December 17, 2011 at 3:51 am

    VERY impressive! I can’t believe it’s particle board. Love your color combo!

    Reply
  5. Kammy Wielenga says

    January 3, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    absolutely wonderful and FUN!! Totally love your blog name – “it all started with paint”!

    Reply
  6. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    January 4, 2012 at 3:43 am

    that is so fun! i love the pop of color it adds to your space!

    Reply
  7. Liz @ thequickjourney.blogspot.com says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:34 am

    I am in love! It is so color-licious! I would have never guessed that it was one of those particle board pieces of furniture. The fabric is great!!!

    Please visit and link up to Find YOur Craft Friday… you would be a great addition!!

    http://thequickjourney.blogspot.com/2012/01/find-your-craft-friday-5.html

    Reply
  8. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    January 7, 2012 at 3:25 am

    That is so cute and I love the whole area.

    Reply
  9. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    January 11, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    That bench came out great! I have some questionable pieces I’ve moved all around too. Just ask my husband. 😉

    Reply
  10. Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy says

    February 20, 2012 at 4:26 am

    what a PERFECT up-cycle! I adore your new bench look! :o) it is official I am going to be on a search for a bench just like this!
    Jaime from crafty scrappy happy
    ps thank you so much for linking up at crafty scrappy happy

    Reply

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