Thursday, May 13, 2010

Before Photos of the Bench

A couple of years ago I found this bench in the garbage (much to my youngest son, William's, dismay since he was with me at the time).  I've always wanted a bench like this and I love this one for its rustic charm and its free price tag.


This weekend hubby and I are going to tackle fixing it up - joining the two halves together and painting it.  I'm not sure what colour, but I'm thinking either blue, using leftover paint from the front door which you can see here, or white.  What do you think?


I'm looking forward to setting my tea down on it, putting a plant on it, sitting on it - the possibilities are endless.  Check back on Monday for the 'after' photos.

16 comments:

  1. Nice freebie Grace! I like the blue, it would look great out in the garden amongst all the greenery. Looking forward to the afters! K x

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  2. Hi Grace!
    I adore that bench. I am looking for one just like it. Are you sure you want it haha? Personally I like white or blue.. but I wouldn't even want to paint it, I would just seal it to keep it from chipping, but that may be more rustic than you were thinking. Or I might just paint the top. I'm sure whatever you do will look great, can't wait to see.
    Janice

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  3. Great find! I didn't notice it was in two halves until you mentioned it. Yeah, definitely need to fix that. As for color, you've seen how I like chippy so I like it as it is. However, if you paint it, I think you should go white and then add a blue pillow seat on top (a long pillow). With white, you have more options to change pillow colors or move the bench around the house or whatever. I love it!!

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  4. Hi Grace...great freebie! I think you should just go with your instinct on the colour. What did you want to do first?

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  5. I think it would be fun to layer it with both colours and gently sand away to expose blue under white under blue and give it a worn look.

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  6. Grace ... great bench. I would probably just sturdy it up, do a bit of sanding and leave it a little rusic looking. I love the peeling look though it is probably not so nice to sit on!

    If not, definitely paint blue.

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  7. I'm with the rustic comments (no big surprise.) The blue would suit your home for sure, but I like things rustic and that piece is perfectly chippy. A good sealer and I would be happy. Looking forward to the reveal, however it is painted. Love love benches.

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  8. What a find! Don't you just love rescuing pieces like this? I have a chair in the basement, tucked away, that I want to re-do, and couldn't believe someone left it on the side of the road...

    You know what I would do? Sand it down as much as possible and do pickling on it, which gives it a very soft grey wash look... then, you could throw pillows or a great throw in any color on top, for punch. Have fun—I cannot wait to see the results :)

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  9. Love your bench. I also love rustic, so I wouldn't do much to it at all. Maybe just sand and repair it.
    I've gotta tell you, your page on blogging tips is great! Those are the things everybody is trying to find out as they begin blogging.

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  10. In my opinion, one cannot have too many benches. And in a variety of colors!
    Brenda

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  11. My dad had the same bench!! He used to have it against his potting shed...looked wonderful. His was painted a french blue which you'd probably like. Can't wait to see it all done.

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  12. How did you make your button?

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  13. What a wonderful find and I think it will be lovely painted either blue or white, but I'm a sucker for it just as it is!!

    Kat :)

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  14. Love the bench Grace! Actually love it chippy the way it is but I'm sure it will look awesome painted too! Can't wait to see the after photo's! Deb

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  15. I love the bench chippy -- the way it is! I would just seal it. OR, if you really want to paint it, I would go with the blue but then I would distress it to make it look weathered. Good luck! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  16. Your post just reminded me. I have 2 of those benches in my storage room errrr ... basement. My old house was done completely in a cottage style which doesnt suit my current home at all. So those poor things have been sitting collecting dust.

    I think yours will look wonderful with your fresh coat of blue paint.
    cheers
    Susan

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