Hello my fellow DIY lovin’ friends. I’m back with a brand new project for you involving a treasure of mine. While I’ve been living in the same spot for nearly twenty years, I’ve held onto a dream of being able to get my bare feet back in the country. Reality of life’s happenings is forcing, or rather, helping me to let go of things I’ve saved for that opportunity. Take, for instance, this farmhouse bench makeover.
You may recognize it from a few of my past posts. First, I bought it looking just like it is now with a bit of lovin’ from my kids. We used it for a few years at our dinner table since my littles would rather stand or kneel at the table instead of a booster seat. Second, I’ve used it to stage many projects like this DIY antique store sign from wood scraps.
As much as I love the natural patina it offers, it does need repair, which is why I was hanging onto it. So, let’s get this DIY party started, shall we?
REPAIR
First, if you look close, you can see that the right side has an original brace. However, the other side has a jerry-rigged repair with a small metal brace.
This worked fine for us for many years, but my plan was always to fix it right. Off to my wood stash I go! I dig around in my hardwood pallet wood scrap from these previous projects. Since I need a 1¾” thickness to match the original, I can’t use a soft pine 2″ x 4″ like the rest of the bench. In addition, I have hardwood on hand and that will be more stable for longevity reasons.
Next, I trace the original brace onto my scrap wood.
After that, I use my jigsaw to cut it out. Naturally, a bandsaw would have been the easier to way to do this, but I’m using what I have. (one day a bandsaw!!)
Last, I need to create a divet for the brace to rest up against the back spindles. It wasn’t easy using what I have on hand, but it went quickly and I’m happy with the outcome. Now, I just need to drill holes and attach.
NEXT STEPS
Finally, it’s the fun part of what I do. I need to fill the large gouges with wood filler. However, I wanted to leave some of the story as it adds more charm. Can you see the replacement? I even had salvaged wood plugs from a vintage bread box makeover. A girls gotta have a stash, right?
My choice in color is a seconds paint I just used on my last project, a vintage Redman picnic basket rescue. It’s a gorgeous dark green in a flat finish that is yet to be named. Thoughts? This is when it’s wet, and it dries much darker.
Finally, after that I apply two coats of a matte poly and call the bench finished. Let’s take a look-see at the final product.
REFRESHED
Isn’t that sooooo much better? This farmhouse bench makeover is complete and it is ready for many more years of love.
Likewise, I’m smitten with that color to the hilt! It’s just dark enough, but adds a touch of color punch.
Not only that, but my replacement brace is looking mighty original! tee hee.
It’s even beautiful all naked. Yes, I’m a sucker for a furniture makeover. With that in mind, if you’d like to add this to your home story, you can find it and more available in my online shop.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
SHARE
Alrighty folks, in addition to chatting me up in comments below, do pin and share to inspire others to give a try at their own furniture revival. It’s fun, it’s affordable, and leaves you beaming.
WAIT!! Before you head off, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you can see what becomes of this caned chair I found at curb le chic. HEAD HERE. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Also, check out these DIYs like this farmhouse bench makeover:
Gorgeous!!! And that color!?!? I LOVE!!!! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bench quite like this. The braces instead of arms make it so versatile. And again… that color!?!?! ???
Right? I really aimed to keep it, but it needs a new home now. Thanks so much for the giggle, Rebecca!
Oh my word Larissa!! My heart breaks for you not being able to hold onto this bench. This is fabulous!! The color- my first thought was it looks like an Emu egg. It is so rich and adds a different edge to the farmhouse feel of it.
Ooh…you’re right! Good call. Emu egg it is! Thank you, Niki.
Great job making your own brace and love that color also. I wish I had room for it. It’s beautiful transformation Lady.
It felt good to finally get it done right. Thank you, Marietta. I wish I had room too. 😉
Very cool fix, Larissa! Love that color. Good all-round job Ma’am!
woot, woot! Thank you, Miss Caye. 😀
Whoo hoo! Wow, what a great fix. No one would ever guess that your brace isn’t original. It’s perfect.
That is a really cool color. I know it will sell fast! Well done, ma’am!!!!
Thanks! I’m just happy it can have new life, even if it’s not in my home.
Gorgeous!!! !love that color.wonderful. child you are the bees knees! Have a beautiful day.
You made me giggle! tee hee! Thank you so much, Charleen.
What a great bench. I wish you had your place in the country to keep it. I love the dark green. You are so handy with the tools you “ have on hand”.
I do know one day in heaven I will have everything I need with no sadness, no pain…that will be a glorious day. Thank you for the smile. I truly love woodworking and come by it honestly.
This turned out WONDERFUL! While I generally love old, natural patinas, I love how the paint gave such a spark to this awesome bench! I’m also very impressed with your brace repair – a top notch job!!
Thank you! I planned to keep that patina, but the new brace just didn’t gel and there were some pretty deep gouges when we bought it. I left oodles of the gouges and part of the story while making it all cohesive. I do love my tools! #toolsoverjewels
Your handylady talent continues to impress me! Gorgeous color!
You’re so fun, Trudy. Thank you. I sure enjoy getting to build…it’s kinda like therapy for me.
Beautiful makeover and I LOVE the color! You continue to inspire me to take on the kinds of repairs that look like more than I could tackle – but you do it, and I love that you share your wisdom. I imagine that your some-day country dream home is going to be filled with beautiful pieces you have rescued, restored, and renewed – just like we are in Christ! Have a blessed weekend!
Judy, you’ve made my day. Thank you so much! I really want to encourage others to try things that may seem daunting because more often than not they just need to try. Blessings to you! I’m focusing on my mansion in the sky…
Hi Larissa, I have to say, you have done it, again. The bench looks fabulous. I love the color and I do wish you knew what the color is. I have a cabinet that would look so good in that shade. I having been looking for that color ever since I saw it on another project that someone had done. If you ever figure it out, please let me know. Have a great weekend and continue to make a change in the things that others discard.
I’m so glad to hear you say so, Glenda. I try to do what I can, but also try to push myself outside of my limits. I would probably call this color emu egg because it matches so perfectly. Thank you for the love!