This Bench Speaks French
So, y’all really seemed to like Lola’s awning window treatment I showed you last week, judging from the number of times I’ve seen it popping up around bloglandandPinterest, and I’m so glad you liked it! Those of you who decide to make one for yourself–be sure to send me a pic! I’d love to see your version. I’m ready to do another one in my house somewhere, but I’m still thinking about it…I’ll keep you posted.
But, for now, I just finished my last big project that was on my list for Lola’s room. And as always, I just had to tell you about it.
It started with this Goodwill coffee table I picked up several months ago for $8. It was definitely in rough shape, but the detail on the front sold me right away.
When I bought it, I thought it would be a great bench for the guest room, (kinda like this one I made for the craft room) but then I pictured it with that black and white striped fabric I used for the window and suddenly, I heard it speaking French, so it went to Lola.
First, I turned to my good friend Krylon and gave the table a few coats of black satin.
After painting, I created the top of the bench by cutting a piece of my favorite particle board (sold at HG and Lowes as Eucaboard) to the the size needed. FYI–when covering a board with foam, I like to cut the board a little smaller than the foam so the foam wraps around well and there are no sharp edges poking through the fabric later. (**UPDATE: Because so many of you have asked where to find the foam–I have found this source for you for a great price. It’s a large enough piece that you should be able to cut to the size you need.)
After that, I just stretched and stapled. This takes a little adjusting, especially when using striped fabric, to keep the lines straight.
Then, I just trimmed the excess fabric and screwed the top onto the coffee table from the bottom.
I’m loving it in this room.
And just a few more…
As usual, getting this done gave me another idea. So, tune in for that sometime soon.
Meanwhile, you can check out more of Lola’s room here. And then check out some of these parties I’m linking this to.
Au revoir for now, y’all!
leesie
July 7, 2011 @ 7:59 pm
LOVE it!
Ms Debbie
July 7, 2011 @ 8:33 pm
That is amazing !
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
July 7, 2011 @ 8:38 pm
It looks great, Julie! Perfect idea to use it in Lola's room. I love it black, too!
SavannahGranny
July 7, 2011 @ 9:33 pm
This turned our beautifully. I have the first coffee table that Bob and I purchased 50+ years ago. Already purchased the fabric to do a similar project. I will post when finished. This proves to me that it is a viable project. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the awning as well. Hugs, Ginger
NanaDiana
July 8, 2011 @ 12:57 am
That turned out great. It looks like it was always MEANT to be a bench! Great job-especially with stripes..those are not easy! xo Diana
Angela Jennings
July 8, 2011 @ 1:03 am
Looks great! I love how you can see past old and unloved furniture and make it beautiful!
Becolorful
July 8, 2011 @ 1:11 am
J'adore! Tres bon. đŸ™‚ Love the fabric. Ikea?
Pam
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
July 8, 2011 @ 1:58 am
It looks fabulous. I love it. Hugs, Marty
Rosemary@villabarnes
July 8, 2011 @ 2:22 am
Magnifique! I love the black, so elegant!
Miss Char
July 8, 2011 @ 10:01 am
I love the detail on the front of the piece too and of course painting it black only enhanced it. Your choice of fabric for the cover is spot on, thanks for sharing.
Megan
July 8, 2011 @ 12:15 pm
Love love love it! That stripe is perfect for the bench!
OAK House 5.
July 8, 2011 @ 1:13 pm
That bench is spectacular! I love the drapes too! Well done!
The mum of all trades
July 8, 2011 @ 7:28 pm
This is fabulous, the room is so elegant, love it!
Julia @ 551Eastdesign
July 8, 2011 @ 8:22 pm
I'm in love and totally want that bench!
Donna, The Decorated House
July 8, 2011 @ 10:46 pm
Great idea! You did a wonderful job with it. It looks perfect in front of the window.
Rachel @ My Happily Ever After
July 9, 2011 @ 12:23 am
Wow lovely! I'm looking around at my furniture to see if I can do this too lol đŸ™‚
Jacqueline
July 9, 2011 @ 12:25 am
I love the bench and the curtains are amazing!
Lacie
July 9, 2011 @ 2:25 am
I love this!! Adding a mental note to keep an eye out for a coffee table with potential. đŸ™‚
Courtney ~ French Country Cottage
July 9, 2011 @ 3:16 am
Looks absolutely darling~ I love the stripe on that pretty bench! Thanks for sharing at FNF đŸ™‚
Suburbsmama
July 9, 2011 @ 5:04 am
Oh my goodness! I can not believe how good it turned out. You are truly a inspiration to me.
I love it so much, that I am featuring it on my blog in the morning, Come grab a button, when you get a chance.
http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/
The Tootsie Wootsie
July 9, 2011 @ 5:36 pm
This is gorgeous! I love the deatail in the bench and What great color choices!
http://www.tootsiewootsieboutique.blogspot.com
Michelle
July 9, 2011 @ 10:42 pm
Love the way this came out!!I am visiting from Tatertots and Jello and I am a new follower!!! I would love if you would come by my blog today or tomorrow morning and link this up to my Delicately Constructed party!!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Michelle
http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com
Hayley
July 10, 2011 @ 4:55 am
Beautiful! Love those curtains too.
Wendys Hat
July 10, 2011 @ 11:04 pm
Beautiful job on the table/bench! Everything looks perfect!
The Birth of KLC
July 11, 2011 @ 12:30 am
Thank you! The exact inspiration that I needed!!!!!
Heather
July 11, 2011 @ 12:55 am
I love this bench. I was just thinking about what to do with an old coffee table I have in the garage. I'm going to do this!!! Great idea. đŸ™‚ Heather @ 500dollarwedding.blogspot.com
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
July 13, 2011 @ 1:16 am
things were so nutty here with our house last week that i totally missed this post!!! and i LOVE it! so glad you linked up so i could see it, julie. it looks amazing and so chic!
Sue@Uniquely Chic
July 13, 2011 @ 1:15 pm
Beautiful bench and you chose the perfect spot fr it.
just another mom
July 13, 2011 @ 3:55 pm
awesome job especially with the stripes, i know from past tries not an easy task. well done…im doing this with my coffee table soon to be "soft sided" coffee table….thanks
God Bless
Jenny
July 15, 2011 @ 3:41 am
So cute and I love the fabric you chose! I have had a similar project sitting in my house for awhile now, and I keep putting it on the back burner. I love your technique too – well done!
Jennifer
July 15, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
Julie – I have been admiring this bench for about a week – it's so beautiful!! I love your fabric choice, and it was such a creative idea! I featured you today in my Friday I'm In Love Favorites.
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2011/07/friday-im-in-love.html
xoxo
Jenn
Kathy
July 15, 2011 @ 11:04 pm
Krylon…oh my goodness that is awesome!!! Your new best *friend*!
Leslie Davis
July 16, 2011 @ 4:02 am
Excellent in every way. I was curious about how much did all the foam and batting cost?
MJ
July 17, 2011 @ 3:31 am
Beautiful! đŸ™‚
4ccc7af6-f674-11e0-b3b1-000bcdcb471e
October 14, 2011 @ 2:53 pm
I know I'm way after everyone else, but I have to tell you I am so jealous of the price you paid. I never find anything this low at any of the places I go to. While I am more of a modern style girl, I love this piece as it embraces mod and traditional.
RMather
October 20, 2011 @ 10:01 pm
I am about to do the same thing with a table in my living room… I need to know where you got the foam. PS, I LOVE the bench!
Julie
October 20, 2011 @ 11:23 pm
@RMather
I get the foam at a foam store in my town, but they do sell it at some fabric stores.
Hillybear
November 11, 2011 @ 6:26 pm
I'm a new follower. Getting ready to paint/refinish a bench today…what a great inspiration you gave me. Just beautiful!
Tori
November 12, 2011 @ 6:26 am
I just saw this on Pinterest and it's awesome!! I must try!! Love the blog too!!
http://www.mythriftychic.com
Casey
November 18, 2011 @ 2:29 pm
Hi! I am becoming more and more curious about these DIY tables-to-benches! When picking out fabrics to use, are there certain qualities I should look for? i.e., thread counts to make sure the bench doesn't rip when sat upon, thickness… anything like that? Thanks!
Julie
November 18, 2011 @ 3:42 pm
@Casey
I would recommend a quality upholstery fabric or even a canvas dropcloth…I've done 2 others with those. You can fins those posts under "Canvas Drop Cloth"
Photo by emma
November 23, 2011 @ 9:24 am
Love it
midwestdomesticbliss
December 30, 2011 @ 1:03 pm
It looks perfect there! I want to try duplicating your project next year.
37823172-411f-11e1-ba47-000bcdcb471e
January 17, 2012 @ 3:23 pm
I have a coffee table just waiting to be transformed. Just for clarification you removed the original table top and used a piece of plywood? Would this work by just covering and reattaching the oringal top?
Julie
January 17, 2012 @ 6:16 pm
Yes, that is a possibility as well if the top is easily removable.
Jen
February 8, 2012 @ 10:05 pm
Julie, absolutely beautiful bench and so pretty in front of the window! I am sure Lola loves it.
Vaccine Free World
October 12, 2012 @ 2:21 am
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!!!!!
Nicole O'Connell
October 26, 2012 @ 4:52 am
This is fabulous! I am so happy to have come across your site as I have a similar project I've (been putting off) wanted to do! Thanks!!
Ryan
February 10, 2013 @ 10:24 pm
This is beautiful. I am hoping to make a cushion to put on top of our play table to make it look more like an ottoman. Where did you get the thick foam?
Julie
February 10, 2013 @ 10:27 pm
I get the foam at a foam store in my town, but they do sell it at some fabric stores.
Vicki Dutcher
July 28, 2013 @ 10:50 pm
Just saw this on Pinterest — I so have a perfect table to do this with! Thanks for sharing~
GENAE DIXON BANKS
October 18, 2013 @ 1:40 pm
love!!!
Belinda Delgado
December 28, 2013 @ 11:14 am
Gorgeous!
isabelle garel
January 7, 2014 @ 2:43 pm
superbe
cheryl
June 11, 2016 @ 3:13 pm
Just to clarify did you remove the top? Did you attach the cushion to the top and if so how? I love this bench and want to make one myself. You did a great job! I am sure the stripe took some expertise to keep straight. I am going to follow and subscribe to you. What an inspiration. Also, the krylon paint doesn't leave drip lines for you? I always have trouble with spray paint.
Julie
June 11, 2016 @ 3:55 pm
Yes, the top is usually screwed on. You can easily remove it and then put it back on after it's done. As for the spray paint, be sure to just do a few thin coats and hold the can back far enough to where it doesn't go on too thick. Good luck with yours!!