the bench

I found this bench

the same day I found the dresser at Abilities.

That was a good thrifting day!!

As soon as I laid eyes on it - I told them it was sold!

 I had planned on building a 4 cube bench kind of like this one,

but this was a much better option.

The fact that'd it'd be less expensive was just a  bonus.

I had originally planned to put a basket of books behind each door

for each of the four little ones,

but we've decided to use if for fabric storage instead :-)

I love everything about this piece!

(except the fact that I don't know what it is....)

  I even like those little metal things on the legs

but when my primer started chipping off,

I knew they had to go.

The bench (formerly credenza? I don't know!)

was a tad too tall for the window anyways

so I just took the circular saw to all the legs

and whacked about an inch and a half off.

 It was in great shape, except the back was sagging a bit

so Brandon and I slapped some glue in that little ditch there

and clamped it for a few hours.

see that middle leg in the back? scroll up. It wasn't there ~ I built it!

 When I first brought it home,

Ton' wanted to know why I'd bought such an ugly thing.

I went on and on about how perfect it was

and he said, "Well, that's the difference between you and me.

I see things as they are

and you see what they could be."

Yes - I suppose I do....

underneath that cushion are 2 awesome marble slabs

Speaking of the cushion...

I couldn't find just the right fabric

so I made my own!

Well, I didn't make the fabric

and it isn't really just right - but it's more right than not....

 I used a drop cloth from Lowe's

and washed it exactly (really!) like Miss Mustard Seed told me to

and after I cut my rectangle the size of the cushion cover

 I ironed freezer paper to the entire back

and stenciled flowers using regular paint mixed with a fabric medium.

I'm sad to say it faded a lot when I washed it

(although I hadn't realized quite how much, 'til I saw this picture.)

but I'm still pleased with it.

This is my view from the kitchen

although,

often there is a person on that bench...

I love it!

for more fabulous furniture, visit Miss Mustard Seed