White linen bench project!

  I had been looking for a bench to put in front of the window in our master bedroom.  I knew exactly what I wanted.  White, linen, simple.   I found quite a few.

I love these benches from Ballard Designs. $549.00

Or this one from my favorite Pottery Barn.  $499.00

This cute one is from Z Gallerie:  $399.00

This one I found at Wisteria.  $400.00             

This simple bench is from William Sonoma-$850.00


I love all these benches!!!  BUT I did not want to spend alot.  I started looking for a less expensive bench I could re do.  I found this little zebra bench at Kirklands. It was on clearance for $49.00.  I did not bother putting it together since I was getting right to work on it!

The first thing I did was paint the legs.  I used Annie Sloans Chalk Paint in Old White.  I then mixed a few drops of Annie Sloans Provence in with the clear wax and applied a coat of that. I followed up with a coat of the dark wax. 

Now for material.  I knew I wanted white linen.  I was SO EXCITED when I realized I had some laying around that was perfect!

I had bought these curtains from IKEA for my bathroom.  I wanted  white linen curtains on the windows. I could not find that in a valance.  These are the Ritva curtains from IKEA and they are $24.99 for 2 panels.  It is a great linen material!

Since I can't sew, I brought the two panels to a little sewing shop near my house and had these made.  I think he charged me around $10.00.  And I was left with a lot of left over material.  PERFECT for my bench!!!!

I missed a few pictures of me actually recovering the bench. I get on a roll sometime and just GO!  I did remove the zebra fabric first since it would show through the white fabric.  I then used my staple gun and attached the fabric.  I followed up with some left over nail heads I had.  I love that look and it is so easy to do!  I attached my white painted legs and here it is.......

The little throw pillows are from Pier 1.

Here is one of the legs close up.  I love the Provence Annie Sloan Chalk Paint color.  It is a beautiful blue.  Mixed in with the clear wax it gives just a hint of blue.  PRETTY!!

I love this bench.  It is absolutely what I had wanted for that space.  Here is a break down on what it cost me to make it:

Zebra bench:  $49.00
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: FREE already had on hand
Material: FREE-extra fabric just laying around!
Nail Head Trim: FREE had left over from another project
Total: $49.00.

So I saved a couple hundred at least making this bench myself.  LOVE THAT!!!  :)

My FREE wreath!

I love free projects!

  I have 3 sisters, but the one that I refer to most on my blog is my sister Kim.  She is the one who shares my passion for painting, old things, flea markets, etc.  So while I have 2 other sisters, you will hear about Kim more often.  (the other 2 sisters think we are kind of crazy anyways :)  )

On that note this next idea is one Kim discovered. (we share ideas quite abit!)   We are constantly sending each other pictures of cool things we see when we are out and about.  Then we try to do it ourselves!  She sent me a picture of a really pretty silver twiggy wreath that was at a floral shop near her home.  It was $89.00!!  

 She went  Michaels, bought a twig wreath for $19.99,  spray painted it silver and had her wreath!  Total project under $25.00!

Her finished wreath looked just like the one above.  Although I found that one online at Santa's Quarters for $99.00 for a set of two!


I went in my basement and found this old wreath I did not use anymore.  (sorry for the blurry pic.) 

I cut off all the flowers......

  In a matter of minutes I had my twig wreath ready to be painted.

I used some silver spray paint I had used for another project.  It was Rust-Oleum Metallic Silver.

I sprayed one side and when it was dried flipped it over and sprayed the other.  This helped cover all the little twigs.

I know this is probably more of a Christmas wreath but I plan to hang it up all year long.  I love it against the light blue walls!

This little project was fast and free!  My most favorite kind of project, and I love how it turned out!  Thanks Kim! :)