Monday, May 16, 2011

Sitting on a Sunny Spot

I am FINALLY bringing back some DIY to the blog and what better way to lift the clouds of our stormy aftermath here in Alabama than to bring in a little sunshine.

This little phone bench belonged to my grandparents (my mom's parents) and has been sitting in their living room as long as I can remember. I mentioned to my mother a while back that I was hunting something similar for my new office. She was over at my grandparents house a few days later and noticed the bench was gone. My grandmother said it was moved to the basement to make more room. Mom mentioned my liking it and she said I could have it. Yes!

Having a piece that belonged to them means so much to me, especially now that my Granddaddy is gone. There is something extra special about a piece of furniture that has been in your family. Just glancing at it brings back a multitude of memories spent at my grandparents house.

Alright, I'll be nice and go ahead and give you before and after shots.

BEFORE


AFTER



Since my office accent colors are pink and yellow, I went with a light yellow for the bench. I couldn't be happier with the color. It was the exact shade I envisioned. 

I'll go ahead and mention the picture frame as well as the random piece of fabric hanging out in the corner. I wanted to pay tribute to my grandparents with a photo of them so that anyone who may see the bench will know it was theirs. I chose a picture from their honeymoon in 1942. They are on a dock at the beach in Panama City, Florida. I just love it! I bought this frame for it because it reminded of the dock. I placed a little starfish by it to echo their seaside romance. They were married 65 years when my Granddaddy passed away. Their love story is truly remarkable. What an inspiring pair! 

Here's an up close shot of the frame and photograph. Such a handsome couple!



The scrap of fabric I have there will eventually be a pillow. I just haven't gotten around to making it yet. But this gives you an idea :) It's the leftover material that I used to cover my thrift store office chair.



But let's rewind a bit. 

Starting off, I sanded this sweet little bench A LOT and got rid of the shiny top coat, getting down to a nice and smooth paintable surface. Sorry no picture.

After cleaning up the sanding mess that covered the bench, I primed the piece with my Kilz primer. 

Cell Phone Picture Alert!



After priming, I lightly sanded again and then added about 4 coats of paint over the next couple of days. Nope, not kidding. I should have listened to the Lowe's guy and bought a tinted primer. But alas, I convinced myself that my white primer would be fine. Oh well, live and learn. The paint I used was Valspar's lemon curd in semi-gloss. As I said earlier, I L.O.V.E this color.



I placed the bench on a short wall in my office that is the perfect location for it. I hung my window with my yellow wreath above it to complete the look. 

Yes, that's a red ball in the doorway. Wonder who left that there... 
Honestly, it's like he hears the camera and comes running...




I love having this in my office. I think it looks adorable! Lots more to come on the office soon. It's almost done! 

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16 comments:

  1. Looks fabulous-- great color. And the picture is priceless as well.

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  2. Hi Laura,
    I'm a new follower. I think I found you at Keeping it Simple. I absolutely love this color. I am wanting to redo my kitchen table with a yellow, and this might do the trick. Love the cat sneaking into the picture.

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  3. Yellow things just make me happy! This is darling. You did a great job (even if it did take multiple coats!).

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  4. Oh my goodness, it looks wonderful! The photo is just precious, looks great in the frame.

    Placed under the window and wreath it looks fab!

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  5. LOVE this! This is like the fourth or fifth phone table I've seen and makes me think I REALLY need to get the one I have out from under the basement stairs and do something with it! I love the color and that photo is stunning!

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  6. this is so cute! i love the color you used it is really great for spring!! i also really like your wreath and how you hung it in front of an old window! thanks for sharing your lovely upcycle!!
    madisonavenue2011.blogspot.com

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  7. Thank you ladies! Your comments are so sweet and and very much appreciated!

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  8. I love this! I now wonder whatever happened to my Grandmother's telephone stand?

    I'll put this on my "garage sale list" this summer.

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  9. What a great desk & I love the creamy yellow you painted it. I'm putting it in the PoPP Spotlight this weekend. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  10. I love the shape of that bench. The colour is perfect, too. Such a sunny shade of yellow!

    Awesome makeover! :)

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  11. So beautiful, love the color! I also love the rails around the sides. Check out my gossip table redo that I did recently....ours was also sitting around forever before I realized its potential:)!

    Beth
    huberhang.blogspot.com

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  12. Love this sweet project! Such a great color and love the special meaning it has for you- what a great piece! Now following along~ Thank you for linking up to Feathered Nest Friday this week- hope you come share again soon!

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  13. Love this! You couldn't have chosen a better color. It looks so good up against your gray wall. And that scalloped skirt in front is just too adorable. Great job!

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  14. what a PERFECT shade of yellow! love it!

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  15. This is so cute, i love the color!
    marie
    notverydomestic.blogspot.com

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