Monday, August 16, 2010

Do you think my bench can be seen from the road?

I got a great deal on this beat up bench. My favorite local thrift shop was having a "Name your price" sale on furniture when we popped in. I almost forgot about the bench. It was on the front porch when we came in. I was just about to get my total when I asked how much it was. I was thrilled when she told me I got to name my own price.
The metal was in great shape, the wood was saggy, but looked ok.
I asked if they would take five bucks. They did, and the bench came home with me.
I got it home, and immediately took it apart. At this point I was worried I would have to replace the seat pieces.
I got out the wire brush and scrubbed them really well. I made sure to keep them in the order they went on the bench. JUST IN CASE that might make a difference with reassembly.
You can see in this picture the metal parts are a dark green. After they dried, I painted them a glossy black. Because the lattice piece is plastic, I used Krylon Fusion for plastic on the metal and lattice pieces. I love that stuff! It goes on very evenly and dried quickly. I went back and forth on what color to do the wood. Blue ocean or cherry red.....Our house is brown brick with brown shutters. We have black metal hardware and light fixtures. I was really leaning towards the blue, but at the last minute decided to go red. There is just something about the black and red. It reminds me of the old red phone booths... which reminds me of the college my husband and I went to (they had them on campus)....which reminds me of meeting, falling in love and all that stuff....why, I don't know?
So red it became! I lined them up together (in order) and painted them all at one time. I turned them on their sides and did the same. I painted the backs of the upper bench, but not the bottom. The only reason I didn't paint the bottom of the seat is b/c I ran out of paint.
I reassembled the back piece. The lattice is actually plastic. Just in case you were wondering.
I was tempted at this point to forget the bench and just hang this (minus the seat straps) on the brick wall.....I was overruled.
I borrowed my 13 year old son to help me old the ends up while i put the back on and one seat piece. Once that was finished, I was able to put it back together by myself. And I only cut my hand once.....don't ask how because I do not know.
Here is a shot of the underside. I scooted the seat strap over just a bit to make new drilling holes. I was afraid with the age and condition of the wood, if someone plopped on it the screws may just pop out.
Both sides got tightened. Then it was finished! It is going in my front garden. It is really a flower bed, well no, a bush bed? The builder just randomly planted a bunch of bushes with no pattern or spacing. This will all be changing really soon!
So, here it is! All put together, shiny like a fire truck and waiting for someone to come take a seat. As I work on redoing the landscaping I'll post pictures of the progress. I am too embarrassed to show you the whole thing now.....it is just ugly.
I think it looks lovely! I am quite pleased with the change! One of my concerns when I bought it was if it would show from the street or not. So what do you think? I am pretty sure it will show up! Not bad for a $5.00 bench!

24 comments:

  1. Your bench turned out really cute. I like the black and red. I have a similar park bench in really bad shape that I need to tackle...after I tackle the 101 other things ahead of it LOL!

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  2. OMG that looks wonderful! I have never been to a name your price sale.....I would love that!!

    Carol

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  3. Wow! Nice job! and great color choice!

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  4. Oh, it will definitely show up from the road. I don't recall where you live but if you get snow it will look really pretty in the winter!!

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  5. Wow, I can't wait to see it in person!

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  6. Looks great! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  7. Love this! Great use of scraps. You have to link this to my Upcycled Awesome Linky party at http://tinyurl.com/Upcycled10

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  8. It looks great! I think red was the right choice!!

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  9. I heart red! This bench is awesome:) You should come to my "Restyle Your World" linky party on Monday...saying goodbye to summertime http://1bellastager.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/restyle-your-world-a-linky-party/

    Blessings,
    Jen

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  10. Love your blog and the layout. Visiting from Finding Fabulous. New follower. By the way, the bench turned out great.

    ~Makalani
    www.MakazHome.com

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  11. Wow, I saw your post on The T-Shirt Diaries and this bench turned out awesome!

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  12. That is so awesome! What a score for $5.00. I love the color too...you can see that from the road for sure! Thanks for joining in...I would love for you to add my link or button, thanks:) Debbie

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  13. I see you do have my button on the blog but if you could add the link to the post so that others know you participated in the party....I would love to get word out more:)

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  14. It's cute! I love the red. Really pops. Great job!!!
    I'd love it you stopped by my blog and joined my Friday link party!
    http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post.html
    Have a great Friday!

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  15. Absolutely love the makeover...great job, girly! Thank you so much for linking this fabulous find up to my party at Frou Frou Decor! Have a wonderful weekend!
    ~Terrell @ FFD~

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  16. Great job. It really came out well.y favorite part is that you got to name your own price!! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. This is amazing. You are way more talented and patient then I am. Visit my Goodwill finds at www.mydeartrash.com. Take care.

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  18. I LOVE the red bench! Amazing that you actually took it apart...it was definitely worth the effort! Beautiful job!
    smiles!

    www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

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  19. I love it!! I just got 3 benches at a great price (free) and was trying to decide if I wanted to paint them or not. Now I am thinking I do.

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  20. This looks really good. You did a great job and what a deal you got!...Christine

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  21. I am a HUGE fan of ALL things red. And I am L♥ving this makeover! Thanks for sharing!
    ♥ {DavesWife}
    http://www.daveandkristycall.blogspot.com/

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  22. Okay, now this is one my favorite things out here this week. You went to a lot of work but I love the red and the bench has great lines. Put it together and you have one fabulous piece that people will definitely notice.
    Pam

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  23. I love how your bench turned out - just beautiful! Bet it's the talk of the town!

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