Farmers Market Bench Makeover

Farmers' Market Bench Makeover by What's On My Porch

I find real pleasure in taking something unwanted and old and turning it into something beautiful and useful. This Farmers' Market Bench was no exception.

I found this bench in a thrift store. I knew as soon as I saw it that it would be perfect for an entry way: a place to store shoes or toss a bag or coat. It just needed a little updating.

First, I cleaned and primed the wood with Zinsser primer. This makes it ready to take on paint. You could also sand, but that takes a lot of work, and it's not necessary as long as you prime first. It's easy to think you can skip this step, but I don't recommend it. The paint just won't stick well without it.

Next, I measured the bench and found some cute fonts and printed the words "Farmers' Market" in large letters and taped them together. (Fonts: Mottona and Twiggy Pop).

I colored the backs of my words with willow charcoal and placed the words on my bench. Then I traced them onto the wood with a pencil. I removed the paper and outlined the tracing, again with pencil. Then I filled it in with black acrylic craft paint and a small paintbrush. I extended the "f" and "s" at the beginning and end of "Farmers'".

I love how it turned out! How about you?

 

Want MORE makeovers?
Check out this Antique Dresser Makeover!

 

Perfect. Just the way they are...

Sometimes I find or buy items that just scream, "Make me over!" They are usually scratched or neglected or from the 1970s. Other times, though, an item is so old or beautiful or perfectly rusted or chipped that I can't bear to alter it. Here are a few of those "found" items that I decided to just leave alone.

This cute little bench came from a flea market.
I loved the old leather top and rusty studs.

I found this lady left all alone on a curb. She was so graceful and
perfectly chipped. I just updated her hardware, painted some corner details,
and added a basket for her missing top drawer. Beautiful!

This potting table was a thrift store find. With its metal top and chipped paint
I couldn't even think about changing it! It's found a home on my Porch. :)

My daughter found these little lanterns on a curb. Perfectly rusty and chipped!

Another "free" find, this old wash bucket is a home for my impatiens!

Bought all this rusty hardware at a flea market. LOVE the patina!

Originally, I bought this RCA radio cabinet to gut and paint. But
after my hubby found out the radio STILL WORKED I couldn't
bring myself to gut it.