Good Friday morning! Everyone glad it’s Friday?? I know I am!
I know…like Dear Husband, you are thinking: “She rearranged the living room again?!?” I did, but it all had to do with this bench.
I found this bench at my favorite furniture consignment store. The woman consigning it had brought in a bunch of school-related stuff. She said that this bench came from an old school and it was outside the principal’s office. Students would sit here, nervously awaiting their fate with their principal!
I loved it. The story and the bench. You can see the layers of paint, worn by years of students sitting on it.
I sprayed a layer of water-based polycrylic over the bench so that it would protect the paint layers and patina.
At first, I put the bench by our big window in the living room. It was the perfect size for that space.
I had visions of reading on it, with a cup of coffee, pensively staring out the window.
That didn’t happen. Instead, I got grumpy dogs who were mad that I blocked their view out the window. Sigh.
So, I decided to move it. Bear was certainly happy about that.
I have wanted to put a table in the living room for a while now, ever since I had moved the dining room in here long ago. I like having a place to do puzzles, play games, etc. I gave up my old table (that I used as a place to pile up papers desk) and moved it to the living room.
The bench looked great with this table.
Hank thought so, too.
As a bonus, I can see the bench now; before, the sectional blocked it.
I love it here and can’t wait for us to use it for playing games and doing homework!
Clearly I have a thing for old school items – check out my repurposed lockers HERE:
For more upcycling and repurposing projects, click HERE:
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
Oh lordie I love that bench. And those dogs. 🙂
Thank you, Karah!
You know, I am sitting here thinking about the times I would either pass up a piece of art like that when I was younger (many moons ago), or, after purchasing it, spending hours upon hours stripping the paint and staining and/or varnishing a piece like that. Now, the “chippier” the better! I never would have thought to seal the already-chipped seat to protect it, but now I’m on a mission! lol!
What a beautiful piece! ~~
Enjoy
(And thank you for all the give-away info! I don’t normally enter those, but I can’t pass on Target!! ….and new blogs to follow too!! 🙂 WooT!
Yay! I can’t wait to see what you find on your mission! FYI – I used the spray polycrylic, because I was afraid a brush might take off the paint. Good luck with the giveaway!! Have a great weekend, Sharon!
What we do for out pets! The bench looked like it was made for that window nook, ah well, what stories that bench carries with it, and how cool that you now have it! ~ Amy
Thanks! I love the bench, and reminding my kids that it used to be where kids who got sent to the principal’s office sat! 😉