Monday, February 11, 2013

A New Project!!!!!

I know I've been showing you guys my buddy Connie's Florida Cottage....
but.....
I'm going to digress for a couple of posts and share my latest project with the class.
Last year I helped my niece Miriam with her dining room.
This year we're working on her living room.
Since I'm back up in Massachusetts for one or two more weeks, 
I figured I would make lemonade out of this sucky winter 
and work on something that's going in her living room.
I will be posting more about her new space once we get it a little further along.
but.....
I will show what I make as I make it....
Because I can't wait to show off.....
Because I am a big baby.....

I wanted to put a bench in front of the new bookcase that holds the TV.
It will soften the wall and add some extra seating.......
if anyone ever comes over to visit them.....
even though no one likes them.....

I was looking for ideas for a small bench and trolling around the internet,
as I'm wont to do.
I may have found the picture below in a blog link party, 
I can't remember.....
I'm old.....
give me a break.....
anyway.....
this was done by Kim 
at kimskottage.blogspot.com
I thought it was a really cute idea for an old piano bench.
soooooooo.....
I thought to myself.....
"Betsy, (I call my self by my nickname....) I bet you 
could find one of these on Craigslist 
just like Andie does from The Devine Theatre Blog!!!!!"
soooooooo.......
I found this ad on Craigslist....
And I thought.....
35 smackers?????
Miriam and Ross can afford 35 smackers!!!!!
So I called the nice lady and she lived just a couple of miles from me!!!!!
I raced over with my money, 
only one problem.....
I only had 20's and I was too lazy to go get any change.
sooooooo.....
I said to her, said I.....
"I can give you a twenty and a check for 15 dollars...."
or......
"I can give you 40 dollars and you can give me a check for 5!!!!!"
or......
"I can give you a check for 35 dollars....."
Where upon she answered....
(being of a comparable age to me, me, me....)
"Just give me a twenty and get the bench out of here!!!!!
I just want to clean it out of my house.
I'm moving!"
(she was very very very very nice....)
so miram and ross scoured again!!!!

sooooooo.....
I lugged it up to my workroom and started removing the top fabric and padding.
Here's the before.
Someone had glued some thin foam to the top and stapled this tapestry fabric to it.
So I remove all the staples and scraped off the foam.
Then I lugged it down to my basement workshop and started painting it with Chalk Paint.
I am so glad Amy from Maison Decor talked about dry brushing in her class,
because I use that technique all the time now.
First I painted a coat of French Linen.
Just one coat, it covered really streaky, but that was OK.
I let that dry and then I dry brushed Old White over it.
Here's a closer shot.
Then I wanted to add more depth and make it a little browner/greener, 
so I dry brushed Chateau Grey over it.

Here's a closer look....




Then I added some Cream detailing to the legs....
And then I waxed it with clear and dark wax.
Not the top though,
'cuz that was getting covered.
Here's a close up.
Here's a side by side....
and another one.....
So, 
That's if for the paint job.
Next post will be the upholstery on the top,
and then I'll do a post on the slipcover.
This little bench took a lot of work, but it was really really really fun!!!!
on that note....
all together now.....
LATER GATOR!!!!
(I unintentionally deleted my signature....oops)
Betsy






















13 comments:

Lee said...

So glad you found something to keep you from getting into trouble...er to keep you busy! nice project but why do you make us wait when we know you already finished?!
Stay warm and keep smiling!

drue said...

Love it Lee, good for you for calling Betsy out on tormenting us!!! I bet that lady will be mighty ticked off when she see's how cute that bench is. I have to learn about this paint. Project for the summer. I don't know how you do it, but I guess you have that 'workshop', but I need to be in the garage and it's tooooo cold and I'm in the NW!

Erin~Just*Grand said...

This turned out really well, so far.... Can't wait to see the top and the room it's going in?

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Love the layers of paint colors on the bench!

Di said...

That bench now has some character can't wait to see the finished product.

Cynthia said...

This turned out great andf love the color. It will really add some warmth.

Cynthia

fixitfaerie said...

I really like the finish you achieved. May borrow that one for my dresser. And by the way, isn't the first picture on this particular blog the finished product? lol

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Looks amazing, can't wait to see the rest!
Blessings,
Cindy

Pam from Louisville said...

I remember dry brushing from the ceramics I painted as a teenager. I never thought about dry brushing furniture. Thank you Betsy, I'm going to dry brush everything now. I love your blog.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Wow Betsy you scored for sure! I have a vintage piano bench that the seat is made out of straw.Its been re-covered with a red and tan checked woven fabric. I have been wanting to sew a slip cover for it, just to change it out. I am looking forward to seeing how you created the bench cover for your niece.
Happy Valentines to you and those you Love, Elizabeth

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Babs said...

I think I have that bench's cousin in my entry. It's the same color as yours before you gussied it up. The Chateau Grey, and Old White look so good, and really enhance the details. Now you have me wanting to gussie up mine. Thanks. :)

Amy Chalmers said...

Just had to come back to see how you painted the newly upholstered bench. It is so nice Betsy! I love the softness and the depth. Great looking piece~

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