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2/19/12

Bench Makeover ~ I think I have Spring Fever


Lately I've been drawn to pictures of outdoor spaces. 
Light, bright and cheerful spaces such as these:
{Click on photos to follow links to available sources}






Aren't they wonderful???
It's no wonder I'm pining for some sunny outdoor time.

After such an extended period of short, gray, rainy days that are the norm around the Pacific Northwest ~ It takes it's toll on my level of cheerfulness.  I'm not joking when I say I prefer summer months.  I am lucky that in my job I'm able to spend a decent amount of time outside even in winter, so I can get as much Vitamin D as possible.  I also lean towards Cottage and Scandinavian design due to their use of light, white and bright colors.  It may be dark outside more often, but I have some control over the evironment inside my home!

A lack of daylight hours combined with cold and rain for extended periods of time can take it's toll on all of us.  Mother Nature seems to understand this and starts throwing in beautiful, crisp, sunny days here and there this time of year.  Just enough to keep me satisfied!  It's sunny days like these that cause me to start dreaming of those long, warm, lazy summer days.  I thought I would work on a project that would help get me into a breezy, summertime mood.

One of Scott's Craigslist runs a few months ago scored us a couple of free benches.  There were two benches, one about 4 feet long and the other about 6 feet.  They had a pizza parlor label underneath.  I don't know why, but that seems kind of funny to me...how we ended up with these pizza parlor cast offs.  They weren't very pretty...painted a dark brown and covered in brown vinyl.  The vinyl upholstery had numerous cracks and repairs in it also. 

We were in need of some more furniture suitable for our back deck area for the warmer spring and summer months.  I thought it would be fun to make these benches over with some paint and outdoor fabric.  I was able to work on the smaller 4 foot bench this weekend.  Here is what I was able to accomplish:

The metal piece was painted silver to freshen it up, then the wood was painted a pale green with a touch of grey in it and distressed.

The seat was reupholstered in an indoor/outdoor fabric in a beachy, tropical pattern

Fun metal hardware was just an easy spray paint fix.

Bright Shiny Silver on this fabulous feature of the bench.

Colors that bring long, hot, relaxing summer days to mind. 
(And it doesn't clash with the pool either, that's a bonus!)

New life given to a discarded piece.  The fabric was attached to the underside of the seat with a manual staple gun.

A place to sit and sip lemonade!!!


Just in case you forgot how bad it was ~ ANOTHER BEFORE.
And again the AFTER shot!    ;)

This might be the perfect spot for a tiny nap...

I have a whole bunch of thrift store stuff to show you that I'll be using to finish jazzing up this back deck.  This little project took maybe two hours time and $10 in fabric.  The paint used we had on hand.  I purchased $20 total in outdoor fabric so I would have plenty to do some other back deck projects.  Can't wait to show you!!!

Here's hoping that your week is filled with fun projects, little naps, sun breaks and happiness!
xoxo,
Sherry




21 comments :

  1. Wow! I am seriously impressed! It looks so nice. The fabric you used is pretty! Love it:) I am a new follower!

    Karen@Pocket Full of Pink

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  2. Ooh its gorgeous! Love love love the fabric! xxx Nat

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  3. Love your new bench, and all your inspiration pictures too!

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  4. Ahhh the dreaded SAD. I hate winter! It lasts forever and always makes me depressed. I really feel for you:( That is the biggest reason we moved to a sunnier area of the country. Let me say that I still feel sad because of the shortened days and lots of cloudy days, too. But I'm so glad to be away from the worst of it.

    On the brighter side, the bench turned out great! It's really good that your focusing on prettier colors and getting time outside, regardless. Just think, this time come March, the days will be warmer and the sun will peep out more and there will be more blooms to look at on the trees and from the ground.

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  5. Great Job and nice, Summery colors to wick away your "SADness". I've used a similar green-gray in a bathroom rehab I've done before and it's one of my favorite colors. The silver hardware is a cool detail also.

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  6. Beautiful! So many places/times to use something like that, too.

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  7. What a wonderful makeover! And I'm loving that fabric ... so cheery!

    :)

    Linda

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  8. I've got spring fever with you for sure! Love all that turquoise in your inspiration pics and the way you pulled that into your new bench. Great makeover! Thanks for linking up.

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  9. I am loving your outside pins and what you did with the bench! I know what you mean about the weather we've been having--I live in Cornelius (between Hillsboro and Forest Grove). I am ready for some outdoor pretty projects too!

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  10. Love your makeover and how you breathed new life into the pizza parlor bench. So summery and fun! I am a new FB fan visiting from Embellishing Life. Vicky from Mess For Less

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  11. Gorgeous!! I love the bright, cheery fabric you chose!

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  12. you said you didn't have anything big and exciting?!!! THIS IS BIG AND EXCITING AND I LOVE IT!!!!! And I want it... haha :) So awesome! You go girl!

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  13. You definitely breathed new life into that old bench - it looks great! Love the bright tropical fabric and the grey-green base. Spraying the metal piece silver was a great idea. Hope you'll be able to enjoy sitting on your new bench out on the patio soon :-)

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  14. Great transformation! I would love for you to visit and link up at my Linky Party via: ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

    Mrs. Delightful
    Ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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  15. Your picture are so beautiful, I really love the first one! Gorgeous porch! Love you bench, and free, how can it get better than that. The transformation is great, love the fabric you choose really looking good. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best!

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  16. ahhhhhhh bench love. :D and I am crazy for that image of the aqua door. I can see how you were successfully inspired. Thanks for linking up your bench beauty to BeColorful's M. Monday
    pam

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  17. I am so glad I found your blog. I love your makeover and blog. Handy Woman is a great word right? I do all the small and big makeovers at our house. It's fun to do things you never tried before and it turns out perfect.
    Sorry my English is a little rusty, but I hope you understand :))
    I will visit you again and follow you.
    Randi
    Norway.

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  18. Your bench is cheerful and fabulous!! Thanks so much for linking up and sharing!

    igottacreate.blogspot.com
    "Kiss Me I'm Irish" linky party now open

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  19. After reading your post, I thought you can't have too many comfy benches for outdoor entertaining! Pretty makeover...love your fabric choice! I have Spring fever too! Thanks for sharing at the Rock 'N Share!

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