February 4, 2014

The Church Pew Revival

On New Years Day, whilst still in a vertigo fog, we had brunch with some dear friends.  Though much of the conversations were a blur, I do remember my friend Suzanne saying, "Gretchen, I don't want you to feel like you have to take it, but I have an old pew..."
In which she was interrupted with my over-eager YES!  I'll take it!!!

She described it as "chippy" and in need of some TLC.  
I like chippy.  And old.

 But the chips were falling off like snowflakes.  Chips that were probably fully leaded.  So I decided to give it a good spa treatment... of sanding.  Well, actually, my sweet farmer did the sanding for me.
Yes, I'm wearing "mom jeans" because the barn was freezing cold and I had 25 layers underneath. 

We buffed and cleaned and brought back her original beauty from the ashes of a 1976 mustard colored bad decision.
My original plan was to give it a glaze treatment but when I saw the price of glaze, I decided to try white washing it.
Because I wanted the grain of the wood to show through I combined
1 part paint/2 parts water
Using some leftover white paint we already had, this became a FREE project.  Woop woop!
 It turns out to be the best place to display my great-grandmother's quilt, too.

 It fits perfectly between the windows, separating our dining area from the living room.  Being over 7' long, I was sure hoping it would fit!

I'm so thankful my sweet friend couldn't find a spot in her home for this beauty.  I'll think of her every time I walk by.

9 comments:

Sandy said...

I love it!!!!!!

Vintage Gal said...

What a beauty and the make over is just perfect ~

Little Oak Table said...

Beautiful! Great call on the whitewash!

GreenFlash Productions Photography said...

This is indeed stunning! Having seen the original and now the "Gretchen overhaul" - you have once again outdid yourself. God gave you the gift for seeing beyond the old and worn and into the beautiful !

Carole West said...

Awesome bench - I love it! I have to take the time to learn how to paint like this. Looks Great!
-Carole

Alison Agnew said...

I love old pews and yours is aged to perfection. It fits into your lovely room so well! Would love for you to share at Fridays Unfolded!

Alison
Nancherrow

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

I just love what you did with this old church pew and it will be featured at my party on Monday. Thanks so much for sharing it at NTT!

Blessings,
linda

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

That is just awesome! :) I remember seeing a pew in a thrift store last year and wishing I had room for it.

Stacey said...

That's just gorgeous. It's so big...I love it!