Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Sweet Little Bench Makeover

Yesterday I officially moved out of the shop and back into my garage. Yesterday also was supposed to mark the beginning of my "break". So, I spent the morning organizing my "stuff" in the garage and then started on another project (that I might be able to post later today, too!) for my stairwell.

 I was at my kitchen table and, all of the sudden, I had the urge to paint something! :)  

So, my "break" lasted about 6 hours! lol  But, this was something for me, so it doesn't really count. ;)  

I bought this little bench out in Wyoming (by my sweet mommy) over 10 years ago.  I was going through my cutsie, rustic stage (what?  you didn't go through one of those?) and adored it because it was pine, and, well, it was cute.  It's sat in many different places in the house over the past decade and finally ended up in the upstairs hallway as a catch all and dust collector!  

I recently painted the stairwell and it's getting a revamp, so I thought this little bench better get one, too. I'm not really into the little hearts anymore but I didn't think they warranted getting rid of the poor little thing.  Plus, there's memories attached to it (what?  you don't keep things for any other reason than they have memories?).

I had to counter those darn little hearts that I couldn't do anything about, so I decided on a chic, french look.



Before 
(dust and all!)



After

Love the contrast between the black and white and since it's mine I went with a very chippy look (which isn't for everybody, but it is for me!!)! 



 I just had to include a shot of him.  ;)



It means "I adore you" in french.  









 Am loving this wall color, too.  It's not green, it's not blue, and it's not gray.  I will let you know what it  is when I remember the name (I'm totally drawing a blank right now!). :)








 

28 comments:

  1. It is sure an interesting piece. I actually like it and I don't usually like "distressed" furniture, I am sure it has to do with the color combination...
    It also matches the candlestick beside it. Did you do both of them at the same time?

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  2. Great redo of the cute little bench! Yes, I do have things that I keep for sentimental reasons. Sometimes I think I'm ready to give them up, and with some I am, but then there are others that I just hang on to. Giving them a new lease on life makes them even more special! Thanks for sharing! Hugs, Leena

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  3. Awesome redo!!! Doesn't even look like the same bench.

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  4. Wow! I love your bench! Very French looking!! I am a new follower from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and hopefully you will want to follow me back! Happy weekend, Nicole!

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  5. This looks Amazing.. and I just love the quote on the front~ I featured your planter boxes on my Pink Hippo party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2013/05/pink-hippo-party-125.html
    Hope you stop by and grab a featured button~
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

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  6. The bench looks amazing, love it!

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  7. The bench looks amazing, love it!

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  8. Very nice. Worth the 10 year wait:)
    Thanks for sharing at Restyled Sundays!

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  9. After seeing this bench maybe there is hope for the five or six "heart" pieces in my attic! Love the distressed white finish! The hearts disappear into the background. Great job!

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  10. Wow looks great! I love the transformation.
    Found you at Pretty Things at twelve0eight.
    Lucy @coffeewithus3.blogspot.com

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  11. oh.my.WORD. i LOVE this!!!! what a sweet little bench. great job!
    megvcornwell.blogspot.com

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  12. Wow you are amazing with revamping furniture! looks fabulous!

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  13. What a cute bench! I'm hosting a new linky party at http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/efforts-and-assets-linky-party-1.html

    I would love to have you!
    Angela

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  14. OMG this is gorgeous! I’d love it if you could link this up to our party, Give Me The Goods Monday! {1 party, 5 blogs}
    http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/05/give-me-goods-party-7.html
    Have a great week!
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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  15. I absolutely love this!! Following you on Bloglovin now.

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  16. Gorgeous bench! I'm pinning it to my Fabulous Furniture board!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
    http://usscrafty.blogspot.com/2013/05/submarine-sunday-30.html

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  17. WOW! You turned ordinary into extraordinary! I would never have guessed what it looked like before. Beautiful job!

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  18. What an amazing difference. I bet you're loving it! I love the white, the chippiness (is that a word), and the saying. I'm also loving your wall color as well. It looks great with your bench. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful day!

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  19. Hi Lisa, Love the way it looks, I love anything French inspired, cute owl too!

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  20. Lisa you always blow me away with your projects! Your six hour break huh! Now that everything is right there at home you'll never have a break! LOL Shared on Pinterest & G+, thanks so much for linking up to ITS PARTY TIME. xoxo

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  21. Sweet bench Lisa! It turned out really cute, and I love the words. I have a little backless bench with hearts cut out of the sides from that same era. I think my hearts are smaller than yours, and I have an idea to cover them, if I ever get around to that project! Thank you for sharing this and your pretty gray desk and night stand at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

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  22. Thank you so much for linking up to Give Me The Goods Monday! Hope to see you this Monday ;)
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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  23. HI Lisa,

    Love your bench or should I say je taime! Thanks so much for sharing with Transformed Tuesday.

    Hugs,
    Peggy~PJH Designs

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  24. I found your blog, and this adorable bench, through PJH Designs post. I am so glad I did. This is exactly my style as well. And I think we all keep things for sentimental reasons, it's part of human nature. I wish I had your talent for finishing furniture because I have quite a few pieces that need some love. . . Lol! Thanks so much for sharing this beauty!

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  25. Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured tonight!
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow evening for Make the Scene Monday #78!

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  26. Hi Lisa,
    Happy Monday! I am visiting from Alderberry Hill's feature. I absolutely "adore" your bench makeover. Thanks for the inspiration. I bought a vintage telephone bench and it's been sitting outside patiently waiting for its transformation. Now I'm inspired! You have a great blog, not following. Would love for you to visit me at http://altered-artworks.blogspot.com and say hello.
    Doreen

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