Saturday, March 17, 2012

{The Bench That I Saved from Certain Destruction}

Recently, my neighbor was doing some spring cleaning and threw some trash out.  I did a double take while driving past her house because I saw a bench and nightstand in her trash pile.  I drove around trying to figure out the best plan of attack.  I had to have these two pieces of furniture!  They just couldn't go to the dump!  So I stopped my car in the middle of the road, grabbed the nightstand, shoved it in my back seat, and drove off with tires squealing!  (Well, my tires weren't squealing, but that would have been cool, wouldn't it?)  I really didn't have time to grab both items, but, luckily, when I came back home from my mom's, the bench was still in the trash pile.  So when I saw my neighbor drive off (I wasn't looking out my window for her to leave or anything...), I ran out the door, grabbed the bench, and ran back to my house!  I haven't done anything to the nightstand yet, but I've refurbished the bench.  Here she is in all her glory before I gave her a makeover.


Rather pitiful looking, huh?  I think my husband was a bit appalled that I brought this in our house.  But I knew I could make it beautiful.  I started by taking the bench apart and working on the base.


I unscrewed the cushion portion of the bench, sanded the base, wiped off all the dust, and primed it with Kilz primer.  When the primer was dry, I sprayed it with Valspar spray paint.  I love the color of the Valspar paint, but my personal favorite spray paint is Krylon.  I have small hands, and it's hard for me to use the Valspar spray without feeling like I'm going to break my finger.  But since the stores around where I live don't carry Krylon in this pretty turquoise, I had to use the Valspar.  After the paint dried, I distressed the edges with sandpaper and then brushed on a few coats of polycrylic sealer.  Then I had to show the cushion some love.


I took all the tasmanian-devil-mangled fabric and padding off the top of the board it was attached to.  I sanded the board some to get rid of any weird residue that might have been left over.  Then I used spray adhesive to attach foam to the board.  Guess where the foam came from?  My grandpa gets insulin sent to him in the mail.  It has to be kept cold during transport, so the medical supply company packs it with foam.  He's been saving the foam for me for a while now, and this was just the project to use it on!  After the foam was attached, I stapled two layers of batting to the board.  Then I covered it with a pretty fabric I purchased from Hobby Lobby.  I sprayed the fabric with two coats of Scotch Guard to protect it.  Now my trashy bench has a brand new look.


I really love the fabric and the turquoise color.


This bench is the perfect inspiration to motivate me to redecorate and organize my disaster of a craft room.  I hope to have that accomplished in the next month...or two.  :)

And before I sign off, I must thank everyone who took the time to vote for Round Three of Creative Bloggers Got Talent.  I made it to the top ten with this project!!!  (Did you think this was mine?)  Now I have to come up with an amazing project for next round!
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27 comments:

  1. So beautiful! Of course you made it to the top ten! Can't wait to see your next creation!

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  2. I knew this was yours in the competition - and voted accordingly. Contratulations!

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  3. Bethany the bench looks great! Love the fabric and paint color!

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  4. I love this bench! Congrats on making it to the next round. Sad I won't be moving on but I can't wait to see what everyone makes next! :) Thanks for linking up to A Pinteresting Party.

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  5. Great transformation!!! I chuckled at the thought of you squealing your tires!! Hehehe!! Bravo girl!

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  6. OH MY!! How beautiful! I bet your neighbor wants it back now, I hope they read your blog!! Thanks for linking up at SweetTalkin' Sunday!

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  7. Wow, sure glad you saved this bench, it is so darn pretty now. Bet your neighbor is sure unhappy she gave this to her! You really took it up a level. Love the color and your fabric choice. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best.

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  8. i love it! huge fan of the turquoise!

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  9. Oh Dear SWEET Bethany!!! That bench is FABULOUS... and on its behalf.. THANK YOU for saving it!!

    Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!!

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  10. I love the aqua color that you chose. The transformation is just fabulous. How does the saying go "from shab to fab"? You definitely did this. I'd love it if you'd share this at Whimsy Wednesdays at www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/whimsy-wednesdays-3.html. I'm following. We go live tonight at 8 ESt.

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  11. This looks great!

    -Erin Spain
    DIYOntheCheap.com

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  12. Loving the New Look of the Bench. Love the color and fabric choice:) Stay Fashionable! Love,Candy
    www.candysclothescloset.blogspot.com

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  13. Super cute bench! I'm loving the fun floral fabric! I'm following you now. Your blog is cute. Would love it if you come follow me back. :)

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  14. I'm so glad you shared this at Whimsy Wednesdays! Congratulations on the feature over at Michele Paige for your bunny box. Super cute!

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  15. Such a cute bench Bethany! Love the fabric. Thank you so much for sharing this at the party at Project Queen and thank you ALSO for entering the giveaway! Good Luck!

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  16. I LOVE that fabric! The whole bench looks terrific!

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  17. Hi, Bethany

    I love your new creation. Its lovely. Have a great week.

    Vanessa

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  18. WOW!!! WHAT A TRANSFORMATION! I am in love with that fabric too....so pretty and springy!! Great job!----Katie

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  19. Beautiful! Love the color and fabric!!! Great job!
    Barbara @ chase-thestar.blogspot.com

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  20. Great Job! Don't you just love what a can of paint and a little fabric can do :)

    I just found your blog and I am your newest Linky Follower.
    Come check out my blog and follow if you like.

    Blessings,

    Diana

    AnyoneCanDecorate.blogspot.com

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  21. Haha! I can just picture you trying to figure out the best way to grab the stuff!! Thanks for sharing at Things I've Done Thursday!

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  22. Thank you for linking up this fabulous project!!
    I hope you will stop by and link up another great project http://polkadot-pretties.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/you-inspire-linky-party_24.html
    Claire xox

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  23. GREAT redo! Love that turqouise color! Thanks for sharing at Shine on Fridays!!

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  24. Wow, if only your neighbor could see that bench now! I know exactly what you mean about the Valspar cans. I used them to paint my kitchen chairs and I thought my finger was going to permanently cramp up. But the color is so worth it - I used the same turqouise on one of my chairs! Great job!!

    sara @ applestonedrive.blogspot.com

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  25. WOW!!! this is amazing!!! I want one SOOO bad! Now I have to be watching at local thrust stores for some stinky, but cheap bench to pop up:) I can't wait!

    Thanks for the tutorial! LOVE IT!

    Check out my new blog-

    www.forcraftinesssake.blogspot.com


    ~Hannah~

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  26. Howdy! I love the color, which Valspar color is it?

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  27. Howdy! I love the color, which Valspar color is it?

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