Sunday, May 16, 2010

Our Distressed Bench

I did it  - I made something old, look new, and then look old again!   Well that's how I felt this weekend anyway.  Here's the bench all purtied up -


Just to jog your memory - here is what it started out looking like, fresh from the garbage (well and it sat in our garage for 2 years, but fresh from all that) - 


Why is it that projects always cost two times as much and take two times as long as you expect then to.  I came back from the hardware store having spent $70 to fix up our "free" project.  Now I will admit that most of what I bought were things like clamps that will get used on other projects, but still....  And in order to get the project done all in one weekend, I was painting like a madwoman in the dark no less.  The things I do for my bloggy friends.


Now for the nitty-gritty step-by-step.  The first thing I did was sand the bench down to get rid of all the flaking paint.  I know some of you are sobbing that I got rid of all the chippy loveliness, but it was a bit too rustic for our house, so cover it up I did.

Since the bench was split in half, I had to glue it together and clamp it overnight.


Then I cut 2 small boards to put underneath for added support, and glued and screwed them into place.


Then I primed the bench,


and painted it two coats of blue, sanding the edges after each coat.


Then the fun began - I used a product that was a combination of stain and sealer that you rub on and then wipe off.  It was messy because it is oil based, but does the job of making your bench look old and dirty.  Here is a picture with one board just with paint and one board that has also had the stain applied so you can see the difference.


Then I had to let it dry.  All I can say, after writing all this, is I know why no laundry got done this weekend.

I love the toned-down blue and the bench looks really happy on our front porch.  Now we just need to get going on planting some flowers.

Here's a few more photos for your viewing pleasure.





The End!



Linked to:
Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
More Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality
Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative
DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land
Show and Tell Day at Blue Cricket Design
Home and Family Friday at Home is Where My Story Begins
Inspired by Linky at The Inspired Room
We Can Do It Cheaper at The Virginia House
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Modern Craftswoman Monday at Tools are for Women Too!
Best of 2010 Twice Owned Tuesday Party at House of Grace

43 comments:

  1. Well all I can say is thank you for all your hard work and investment, because I am very impressed! Looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I had to laugh- my husband is always saying he'll go broke with my "free" projects! It looks wonderful! Great job!
    xoxo pattie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Grace I love this! Fabulous job! The finishing is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks great Grace, not bad for a garbage find. Just remember the supplies you bought will be used in future and will eventually pay for themselves. I'm sure your "dumpster diving" days are not over now that you've done this piece!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dontcha love Curby's? My favorite place to shop. Very cute bench.

    ReplyDelete
  6. F..A..N..T..A..S...T..I..C..!! I love it!
    It looks so amazing..and it looks like old paint. Love the picture of you painting in the dark ha ! So funny! See this blogging thing does get us stressed...gotta get it done for the next post!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love that bench blue and distressed. It looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It looks awesome! I am so glad you distressed it! By the way, do those flowers stink? I brought some in my house that look very similar and they were horrid smelling! Just wondered if they are from the same kind of tree. I wonder how something so beautiful could smell so bad! Great job on the bench. It's totally worthy of a weekend of dirty laundry.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love that old bench! I think he effort was worth it and you will, indeed, be able to use those clamps, etc. on future projects!

    Great job,
    Lana

    ReplyDelete
  10. AWESOME redo of the bench! What is the name of the product you used to stain the bench with?
    ♥ Toni

    ReplyDelete
  11. I absolutely love the colour you've chosen. Well done! Rxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. That turned out great. I liked it every step of the way! You chose a great shade of blue and the stain and distressing really made the difference. I'm impressed you repaired the two pieces all by yourself. That is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You did a wonderful job, and used one of my favorite colors of blue. Love the bucket of flowers on the bench.

    I am happy to be a follower of yours. You are an inspiration with your projects and your photos.

    FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  14. Grace ... great job. I love the stained blue.

    ReplyDelete
  15. a beautiful redo! and you're right - you'll be using clamps, etc., in other projects, so not as costly as one would think. But I *do* understand about projects taking twice as long and costing twice as much. . . . we suffer from the same!

    thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. love the bench and the way your are displaying it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gorgeous bench! I love what you did with it -- although I would have left the chippy white! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh wow! I adore this project. What a wonderful metamorphosis.

    Please stop by and see my project. It only took 23 years to complete.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great job Grace. I had a bench sort of like that but didn't do anything to make it look like that. Very impressed.

    xx - Christina

    ReplyDelete
  20. Grace you did such a great job! Normally I would've loved the chippy white original version but your blue is perfect! Great job my friend.
    T

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love the color you put on the bench! Very nice find I'd say! Marla

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the blue paint job!!! And the flowers are beautiful too!

    ReplyDelete
  23. The bench looks fantastic! What a job but great results.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great job and I love the color of blue you used.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Absolutely beautiful! It's every bit as pretty as my bench I paid lots of money for from Pottery Barn! Love every inch of it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wonderful! Thanks for the tutorial. I have an old bench and table that my Grandfather built in the 30s just waiting for the same treatment so we can use it in our house. I'll have to look for that stain/sealer combo. Looks great! Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  27. Simply adorable, great job, don't you love what a little paint and love can do!
    Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  28. Grace it turned out perfectly! I LOVE it! And it was worth all that time and money!

    Kat :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a beauty! The color is great and just the right amount of character shows through.

    ReplyDelete
  30. this is totally steal-worthy. awesome redo :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Grace ... what was the stain product you used. I just painted my office chair red and it needs to be toned down a bit ... I think your stain would work perfectly ... thx

    ReplyDelete
  32. Nicely done, Grace! I love the blue next to the brick of your home...a very warm contrast that works so perfectly. And those flowers! Wising I could stop by for a visit :)

    Have a lovely day!

    ReplyDelete
  33. It was totally worth the time and money! Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Looks awesome! And I love that blue-I agree that it looks awesome next to the bricks.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Beautiful bench! You did a fabulous job!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Your bench looks amazing! Great job. Visiting from The Inspired Room.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Perfect! Although I did like the white and chippy, I can understand the redo. It turned out so great too, looks very old! Great pictures too. Thanks for linking up to We Can Do It Cheaper. Come back anytime!

    ReplyDelete
  38. The color is super successful. And I marvel at all you gals with your serious hardware. Jane F

    ReplyDelete
  39. This is absolutely fantastic! I love the color you chose and the oil based stain on top. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for linking up at Home and Family Friday!

    Becca

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great bench! I always hate it when I end up spending a small fortune on something that was free! But in the end, you have a treasure to enjoy for many years to come!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Nice project. I would love it if you would link this up in Modern Craftswoman Monday. Very well done. Rory

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for linking and helping to make this the most successful Modern Craftswoman Monday! Rory

    ReplyDelete