Boy, if you ever feel like something looks, this would be an accurate description of "hot mess". However, even while looking like a mess, you can tell this rustic farmhouse bench has a story to tell. I mean, just look at it...so many pieces of life going on. Today, this bench is getting a reprieve.
If you look closely, there are dents and dings galore, paint spills on shelf, spray paint on the top, and even saw and drill marks where it's been used as a sawhorse.
What has me curious, however, are those side slots. Me thinks it may have had a utilitarian purpose in a workshop. What say you?
MAKEOVER TIME
As you can imagine, I love the story that this rustic farmhouse bench tells - even all the ugly too. Meanwhile, my DIY heart wants to revive it so it can have center stage instead of tucked away in a workshop corner. First, I fill the saw cuts and drill holes with wood filler while leaving the dents and dings carry on their story.
Then, while the filler cures, I mix up some barn red milk paint. You can see all
my past bench makeovers HERE and the use of
milk paint HERE.
It's simple to mix up, just add a bit of water (typically a 1:1 ratio but it depends on brand). That means I can mix as much as I need eliminating the need to have quarts sitting around. What a blessing! Plus, it allows for an aged appeal in various forms to where your artistic style can shine through in any form. My favorite use of this red is when I
built a sleigh HERE.
Next, while the paint cures (only one coat is needed for my intent) I design and apply a design using
my transfer method.
REVEAL
Finally, after all is my DIY fun is complete, that rustic farmhouse bench tells a brand new "old" story.
In my mind's eye, I see this as originally sitting outside an old, but cherished antiques shop. Not only did it function as an advertisement, but also a spot for a weary shopper to rest their feet while loving on an ice cream cone. Do you see it too?
For me, adding the touches of word art give a new life to a tired piece. You can see how I use my other designs on
these past pieces.
So, tell me, what would you have done with this piece if you found it tucked away in a workshop? If you'd like to add this to your home story, you can find this and more in
my online store.
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While you're at it, more projects like this rustic farmhouse bench makeover:
