Vintage Bench Makeover

This was one of my favorite projects for many reasons:

• • it was a treasure from my father’s house;
  • it is old;
  • I was able to trace its history (the furniture manufacturer);
  • I was able to combine two of my favorite things (chalk paint and using fabric); and
  • It was also a quick transformation!

Below are more before pictures.

I noticed the original sticker on the bottom of the cushion. I researched the Brumby Chair Company. They are located in Marietta, Georgia and still in business today. They have the history of their company on their website. I love knowing where this bench originated. Here are the tools I used on this project:

• • staple gun and light-duty staples.
  • hammer
  • screwdrivers
  • plyers
  • chalk paint
  • poly and a cotton rag

Below is a picture of my favorite chalk paint. I buy this at Home Depot but you can also purchase at Amazon. I absolutely love this color (primitive). It is sort of an oatmeal color. Once I put poly over this, it tints if just a little darker, sort of an antique look. I have used it several times. Here are some other chalk painted projects using this color:

• Chalk Paint Front Porch Bench
• Craft Room Dresser Makeover

First, I removed the cushion. It was screwed to the frame. Here is the picture after the cushion is removed. I then sanded the entire frame. Always sand the same direction of the grain of the wood. Sanding helped me remove all the loose stain/paint and other dirt and rough spots. After sanding, I wiped it down to thoroughly remove any dust that occurred as a result of sanding. I painted two coats of chalk paint, being sure to get all the crevices. I paint small items on my kitchen island on wax paper. I turned it upside down at first to get the feet and underside, then I flipped it right-side-up and finished painting. Just knowing that it was not painted underneath would bug me.

A few painting tips . . .

When you paint, be sure to paint in the direction of the grain of the wood. Try to paint using long, even strokes.

Also, check for drips. If you have a drip, go over this again with your paintbrush.

Because chalk paint dries so fast, I try to chalk paint inside (shop, basement, garage, etc.), especially on a warm, breezy day. I usually paint small items on my kitchen island. I put wax paper down and if I get any paint on the countertop, it is easy to wipe off. I have learned this the hard way in that my paint was actually drying before I finished painting a section and this led to brush marks.

Make sure you provide adequate time for the paint to dry between the two coats of paint.

Below are pictures after chalk painting. Up close, you can see the grainy texture, which is characteristic of chalk paint. The purpose of using chalk paint is that it sands off easily to reveal the wood or color beneath the chalk paint. Here are other pictures in daylight after two coats of chalk paint.

Then I started sanding.

I sanded off some (but not all) of the chalk paint in strategic spots. I sand all the like areas first (all four legs, then the four flat brace pieces, the four flat pieces around the top, etc.) This helps me to double-check myself for consistency (so all the leg and sections blend/match), but at the same time wanting it to look random as if natural worn spots. Even though I try to be consistent from leg to leg, I am also inconsistent to give it a naturally worn appearance.

I really like the rounded sections. To me, it gives it an authentic look once sanded.The edges are easiest, but I don’t overdo it. Then I work on all the flat pieces. Again, the goal is to have a naturally worn look. Below is a closeup of one of the legs. You can see the randomness of the reveal after sanding.Corners are fun to do because I can give them a real worn look. I constantly look over the piece until I am happy with its appearance. You can sand more or less depending on your preference.My next step was to use poly. I don’t use wax, but instead use Minwax wipe-on poly (clear satin). I use rubber gloves so I don’t have to clean my hands with paint thinner. I take the gloves off and reuse for each coat. I use a cotton rag, which is usually from an old cotton t-shirt.

I don’t want the furniture to have a shiny look, but just to have protection. I put two coats of poly on the entire piece of furniture. I start the same way that I did the chalk paint, with the furniture upside down. Make sure that you read the directions and give plenty of time to dry between coats — overnight is best.

The poly tints the color a little – – sort of an antique/aged look, but I actually really like the look of this, especially when I use this color. Now, it is time to recover the cushion. I pried loose the small nails holding the vinyl covering. Below is the bench, the original cover and the wood that was under the cover. Here is the original cushion under the vinyl bench cover. And the underneath view. I pried out the nails to remove this layer of fabric. There was a layer of cotton cushion. It was old and was a little questionable in terms of cleanliness, so I opted to replace this. I used this one-inch foam for a cushion. Here is the wood under the original cushion coverings. This is a picture of the top of the wood seat. I laid out my fabric, then the foam, and then the original wood insert. I started pulling the two longer sides tight and stapled both sides. Then I pulled the two shorter ends tight and stapled both of these ends. I tried to keep the polka-dots aligned with the edge of the cushion. The picture below is mid-process (only partially stapled the two sides, but had not worked on the corners yet). Below is a picture of both sides stapled, but prior to stapling the corners. I then pulled each corner tight, making sure it has a uniform appearance from the top. Here is the top view of the corner after it is stapled. Here is another corner . . . And the top view of another corner… Here is the underside of the cushion once it was completely stapled and ready to be secured to the bench frame. Using the right size screws is essential. They needed to be long enough to securely hold the cushion in place, but not too long that they came through the cushion. Neal helped me with this (trial and error on the length of screws until we found the perfect length). And Voila! Here is the big reveal!

I absolutely love how the fabric blends so well with the color of the chalk paint! I just LOVE the final outcome. I initially used this in my craft room. However, now I use it in my closet (sit and put my shoes on or sometimes stack clothes on it ?‍♀️).

Thanks for letting me share this project with you! Please comment below and tell me what you think or ask any questions you have.

Check out some of my other chalk painting blog posts:

• • How to Chalk Paint a Lamp
  • From Butcher Block to Farm House Table
  • Dresser Makeover
  • How to Chalk Paint a Bench
  • How to Chalk Paint a Table
  • Green Chalk Paint Nightstand
  • Farmhouse Table (chalk painted legs)
  • How to Chalk Paint an Entertainment Center
  • How to Chalk Paint Picture Frames

 

Happy Painting!