Bedroom Footboard UpCycle to Kitchen Window Bench
by
Jacque
2 Materials
$60
6 Hours
Easy
My husband found this gorgeous bench at a yard sale for $50. It is a solid HEAVY beast of fine oak, and is exactly what I wanted under our kitchen window. We were in the midst of drawing up plans to build our own when this showed up (almost) on our doorstep! Our neighbors are moving (boo!) so now we are the proud owners of this sweet thang (yippee!)!! They had used it as a their footboard; it was part of the frame to their bed. All we saw was the lovely bench...and I can't wait to make it mine with a little paint and some loving.
(This is a repost that was accidentally removed.)
BEFORE
I Always make sure to clean anything before I paint, even though with chalk paint it's not a must.
Remove drawers & hardware
Keep all your hardware in one place! I removed the old drawer liner too.
1st color apply vertically
The way I achieved a farmhouse weathered look was by layering paint colors. The darker color is always applied 1st and ONLY in ONE direction, vertically in this example. Also a complete coat is not needed.
2nd color apply horizontally
The lighter color is applied on top in a horizontal or side to side motion. Be careful not to (up)load your paint brush to thickly, I find it helpful to offload onto cardboard prior to painting to ensure that paint doesn't get clumped.
I was more generous with top coat but the bottom darker color still shows thru.
Follow the same steps with all pieces.
Dont worry about trying to be perfect, imperfections make it more beautiful!
After 2nd coat is dry, hit it with a sander or by hand using 100-120+ grit.
Use old wallpaper as drawer liner!
I then cut some old wallpaper border I've had for years, as new drawer liner. It's prepasted and is so simple...easier than contact paper!
Add your new hardware or put back the original knobs AFTER the wax or sealant coat is dry. I use Waverly clear matte wax.
AFTER
This is my finished farmhouse window bench!
Completed! In & out
It is better than I had even dreamed! Love it in my kitchen!
From foot board to window bench!
See post "No Sew Bench Cushion" for the how-to steps to make the long seat cushion.
Paint colors used were Truffle & Ivory, and clear matte wax all by Waverly
Comments
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2 of 33 comments
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I am loving this makeover. Exactly my style...somehow I try and try but it never looks quite right. Now? I get it !! The up and down strokes rather than longways makes all the diff ! YAHOO ! Cant' wait to try this on my under TV cabinet...that was...FRRREEEEE !!!!!! :)
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Hahaha love that spirit...can't beat free!! I'd love to see it!!!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Hi, you did a great job! I am not a sewing person but i would love to make a no-sew cushion for a similar bench. Do you have instructions on how you made it? Thank you for sharing your work!