Project #7 - Bench Makeover

When I left Toronto, I abandoned most of my furniture. I kept the few things that I had strong feelings for (my bed, the kitchen table, an old tea cart from G's grandfolks), but the rest of it got passed on. When we sublet, and when we lived in the apartment, this wasn't a big deal. We didn't need a lot of furniture. But then we bought the house, and all the empty space became a little overwhelming.

Of course we can't afford to furnish the entire space with new things (who could?), but nor would I want to (who would?). I immediately adopted grand schemes involving me trawling antique stores, used furniture shops and yard sales. I visualized myself refinishing junky crap into absolute treasures (on the cheap!).

There are a few problems with this.

1. Do you realize how early you have to get up to make yard sale visits worthwhile? Do you? I have yet to find out.
2. The antique stores in my neighborhood are a bit more 'high-end' than I was hoping. They have beautiful things, but the refinishing work has already been done, which means the prices are jacked.
3. Shops in my neighborhood have ridiculous hours - they all close at 5:00 pm and aren't open on Sundays or Mondays. COME ON.
4. I do not know how to refinish furniture.
5. I not own any tools.

Not to be completely deterred, I managed to pick up a few things the last time I was at Value Village:



The chair and the bench are destined for the sun room, and the foam head I could not be convinced to pass up (G tried). The chair is in decent shape and feels sunny, plant-filled room appropriate. The bench, however, is fugly. It's hard to tell, but the bench itself is an awful dark brown paint, and the seat an equally-awful burgundy vinyl. It could not be allowed to continue its existence as-is: and so my first refinishing project revealed itself.


I should mention that I am not a 'doing' person. I am an 'ideas' person. I began this scheme (and this post) back in June. It's now mid-October (ohmyGodit'smidOctober), and I've only just gotten it finished (sort of). But it IS finished (sort of).


I had intended to take pictures of the process (I bought a staple gun!) - but I got caught up in the excitement (staple gun!) and forgot - which means you will have to visualize the process on your own. Though it may have looked a little something like this:



Anyway. Without further ado - The Final Product:





It's not perfect, but who was expecting that, really? Have I mentioned that I am not a perfectionist? I decided to use fabric that I already had in the stash, which is fine because I love this fabric. So bright and cheery - and not ugly burgundy vinyl!





Don't look too closely at the staples, I implore you. Just notice the fact that the fabric is firmly affixed to the wooden frame. I decided not to put the hinges back in as I would have had to punch holes in the fabric, which would make me sad. In time, you won't be able to see the staples at all. I plan to trim the fabric edges with ribbon or chunky rickrack. Fun!



So there you have it. Not perfect, but kinda better. That's how I roll.