A Chip Off The Old...Bench

Alaina
Jun 30, 2017
2 min read

I found this sweet little bench on a Yard Sale site while living in Virginia. It caught my eye because it was a miniature version of church pew or something and only $10!! A regular chip off the old bench, haha, and so Chip was born. I think he definitively has a good story. Maybe he was the naughty seat at an old school house or a witness stand in a court house. I'm certain he has seen a scandal or two. Who knows, but he definitely needed a makeover. He had an ugly brown painted finish and several scratches and words carved into him. Unfortunately, I do not have a before image.

My first thought was to sand him down and refinish the wood to look like he had been sitting out by the sea for years, but that seemed like a ton of work! I'm not sure how I would have gotten all that brown paint off. Next, I thought white, clean traditional, farmhouse style, but that seemed just a bit boring. I peered in the my paint cabinet and found Castle by FolkArt Chalk Paint. Castle is a nice warm gray. I used it on Alice and on my very first piece I ever painted, Evelyn. FolkArt Chalk Paint is a really affordable option that you can get at your local craft store. The pieces I've used it on have held up really well to scrubbing and three boys.

I painted a coat of Castle on Chip and was underwhelmed. He looked like a cement block. Sorry Chip!! Back to the paint Cabinet. I love grays and creams together. It is such classic combination that tends to go well in any room. My go to color to pair with Castle is Sheepskin, also by FolkArt. I didn't want too bold of a pattern, just something to give a little interest. I recently read this article over on Lost&Found Decor about dry brushing so I thought I would give it a try. You basically dip your brush in the paint and then rub it mostly off on a paper towel or cardboard and lightly go over the piece. I applied this technique to chip and wala, a seafaring bench just waiting for you to sit on and watch the sunset!

I'm contemplating adding a stenciled word. Something like sit or stay. OOHH, or maybe "time out." Not that MY children would ever need a naughty chair. What do you think? Should I add a stencil?

I'm gearing up for Dragon's Shark birthday party next month and have been hard at work on decorations. If you are loving this banner you can head on over to my Etsy shop and grab one along with the rest of the shark decor!!