There I was just driving along on my way to get errands done when I heard angelic voices singing. Right before me on the side of the road is a pile of furniture loot that this junker did a rubber-necker to take a peek. {{gasp}} Did I just spy and antique bed? Oh yes I did. But…I kept driving. You see, I have too many projects already. My line of thinking is if it’s still there when I come back, it’s ALL MINE. This is the beginning of today’s project…an upcycled hymn board. Yup.

Okay, so you may have guessed that it was still there when I drove back past. Imagine me skipping across the street with my older kids in tow to help me load ‘er up. I couldn’t believe it was a complete bed!! It has the headboard, footboard, pediment piece (removed), and even the rails. Plus, I grabbed that old crate.

I actually had hoped we could use the bed in one of our bedrooms knowing full well I already had an antique wrought iron bed gifted to me waiting in my dad’s barn. Not yet have I given up on my dream of moving to the country and having more space for my kids.

Anyhoo, to cut to the chase, after much discussion, JC agreed that we could alter our plans for our family room built-in bookcase to include this bed transformed into a bench. It’s done y’all!! Though I can’t share it yet as our room itself just needs a bit more. We completed most of it before summer, but then had to pause to take on summer projects. Stay tuned for a family room reveal in the next few weeks.

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE

Once JC finished building the bench, there were these remnant pieces that looked like he set aside to get rid of. I was like…”tsk…those are still worth something”. Immediately he returned a quizzical look, so I said, “there’s potential in them thar pieces.” So I grabbed them and added to my stash. Evidence below.

Fast-forward a few summer months and here we are ready to get crafty with my “junk”. First, I want you to see the beautiful patina in the wood and in the rusty metal clips that are still present. Notice the one longer piece has a split that deemed the bed not functional without a major repair.

Then, I decided to set aside this shorter remnant and work on the larger pieces. I couldn’t choose what to do with all of them, but trust me there will be another post in the near future. tee hee.

Back a few months ago, I took chest of drawers from my sons’ room and revamped it into a map cabinet. You can see the full post with video HERE. When I did that I had these leftover drawer pulls that at the time told me they wanted to become part of my upcycled hymn board. They totally look like those little slots the letters and numbers rest on.

NEXT STEPS

I grew up in an old church where they still had these boards with attendance, offering, and visitor stats. Plus, they also had a board with the hymns listed for the service so you can find it before singing. I’ve always wanted to find one of my own. Since that wasn’t happening, nor was I forking out a large lump of dough for an antique version, I decided to make my own. hmpf.

It’s at this point I got lost in creating. Let’s just say I was totally having a blast to take more pics. However, I will say I found a few more pieces of the same scrap 1800’s wood we used to build our range hood. You can see that in our kitchen remodel reveal over HERE.

Meanwhile, what fun it was to build this little vision I have been waiting for. I even used the salvaged hand-forged nails out of the rails to assemble it all.

THE HAPPY ENDING

Finally I have my little upcycled hymn board assembled and ready to go.

It now rests on my antique upright grand piano. Doesn’t it look perfect there? I must say I have quite the motley crew for my vignette. However, that’s exactly how I want it to be. You can make your own.

I’ve shared before the story of my piano, paired with an ugly organ bench in this past post. It’s a good read and explains why my house is filled with found treasures as opposed to box-store boring decor.

My piano is in our living room that is one of the last places we have yet to remodel. There isn’t much that needs done, but hopefully we can achieve a complete room by the end of winter. Fingers crossed!

Either way, I just love this space, especially because of my piano that my family and I play. It brings back memories of my childhood as well as creating our own memories in present day.

Do pin and share my upcycled hymn board. You just don’t know who needs to be inspired by their junk! tee hee.

Up next, it’s Reduce, Reuse, REFASHION time! I’m going to get my craft on with these thrifted socks. Woot! Head here to see.

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