Saturday, October 20, 2012

A small bench refresh

This small bench was a gift from my daughter, Meg, a few years ago. She bought it at a yard sale and knew I would love it. At some time, it must have been exposed to the weather, as there is no finish of any kind, and it had weathered to a natural gray-brown color. It is solid wood, very, very heavy. There is a small drawer, and on the underside of the drawer is the outline of a Maple leaf, and the words "American Homegrown Maple".


I love it, and have used it in my bedroom since she gave it to me. I decided it was time to freshen it up a bit. Since I already loved it, I chose not to paint it, but just wiped it with my DIY wood stain, then wiped it off right away, as I did not want it to be too dark, nor did I want to lose the wonderful patina and signs of its past life. I just wanted to add a bit more life to it.

I finished it with light wax, followed by a bit of dark wax for depth. After a good buffing, it is smooth as a baby's bottom!

             I just had to include this shot, that is Preacher checking it out!

            Have a great day! Hugs and blessings!
  
          Sandra
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29 comments:

  1. UnknownOctober 20, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    I love this Sandra, and it really looks nice. Very unusual bench, as I have never seen one like that. I wonder what the history is behind it, and why it was shaped in this manner? Any idea? Looks like Preacher was enjoying it...
    Thanks for posting....Hugs, ♥

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  2. UnknownOctober 20, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Sandra, I just thought of something, but will wait for your answer first. LOL Question: What is the height of the little legs?

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  3. Shannon@A Cozy Place Called HomeOctober 20, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    The bench looks great with the fresh coat of stain. I have no idea what its purpose was but it sure looks nice with Preacher on it! Thanks for visiting my blog.--------- Shannon

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  4. UnknownOctober 20, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    I do, DUH, I do think I know what it was used for...but gotta wait to see how tall it is first....sure wish Sandra would come in...the suspense is killing me...LOL

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    1. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 20, 2012 at 9:54 PM

      Hi, Betty, sorry to be so long, lol. I spent the day in the city with my girls. I haven't measured the bench, but it is just the right height for sitting on. Normal chair-seat height. Too tired to go measure it, lol. I think it was intended to be a "gossip bench", a place to sit while talking on the phone. The person would have sat where the curve is, the phone would have sat on the end, with the phone book, pad, and pencil in the small drawer below. I have never seen one quite like this before, but others that were similar in form.

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  5. SiobhanOctober 20, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    very cute! :)

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    1. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 20, 2012 at 9:56 PM

      Thanks, Siobhan, and thanks for coming by! I love your name, I considered using that name for my youngest daughter. It is so pretty!

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  6. UnknownOctober 20, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    Thanks Sandra, if it's that's high, then it was not what I was thinking...A 'gossip bench' sounds perfect. I have never seen anything like it. Glad you enjoyed your day w/the girls. Have a good Sunday...TL, Hugs ♥

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  7. Danni@SiloHillFarmOctober 21, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Preacher knows a good thing when he sees it!! So do you and you knew just what to do with it!

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  8. eleven-o-oneOctober 21, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    What an awesome bench and I'm so glad you didn't paint it. It has great character on it's own. Thanks for stopping by my little blog.
    Fran

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  9. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 21, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Thank you, Fran! I am so glad you came by. Love your blog. Blessings

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  10. The Pink Geranium or Jan's PlaceOctober 21, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    What a sweet treasure, I have a hard time painting some things that seem to be saying...this is already who I am..I have a recent bench find that is also saying that as well!

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  11. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 21, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    Exactly, Jan, sometimes the lines of hard work and hard times show, and that is ok! Things speak to me, too, and sometimes they are saying "don't change me so much I forget where I came from!"
    Blessings, thanks for stopping by.

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  12. AnonymousOctober 21, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    Sandra -
    Thank you SO much again for stopping by my blog. I love this little bench!! And the shot of kitty is too funny - you probably saw the shot of mine in my Dining Room makeover post. They just have to be in the middle of whatever we are working on, don't they?
    I am looking forward to reading more of your posts!
    - Claire

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  13. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 21, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    I love your blog, and just had to follow you, don't want to miss anything! Your kitty is gorgeous. Yep, they want to be in the middle of everything! I am so glad you came by, do come back again. Blessings!

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  14. Karah @ thespacebetweenblogOctober 21, 2012 at 9:48 PM

    I love this! Especially the pic with Preacher. :)

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  15. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 21, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Thank you, Karen!! Preacher is a mess, lol. Nosy as can be, spoiled rotten, as all my "babies" are. So glad you came by.Blessings!

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  16. Cristina GarayOctober 22, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    Hi Sandra, don't you think it could had been a little girl's desk? with the drawer to store the pencils and the curvy lines? I love it!

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  17. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 22, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    Hi, Cristina! Thanks for coming by. I don't think it could have been a desk, as it is too short, the top is the perfect height for sitting, so no way to use it with even a tiny chair. It would be an adorable desk though, with longer legs, wouldn't it?!

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  18. UnknownOctober 22, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    Hi Sandra, I'm just getting back here to mention what I thought it was until I found out the height. Plus I didn't know the length or width.... Now I know it was not a bed/breakfast tray that could have also been used as a writing desk/table while you were sitting in a chair or a bed. With the contour it would have been ideal to pull up next to you, as I have seen some bed/breakfast trays that have the contour... It is a very lovely little bench.

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  19. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 22, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    Hi,Betty. With that pretty shape,it would have been a pretty bed tray, but this puppy is HEAVY! It is solid Maple, and weighs a lot more than you would think. I love it!

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  20. Cristina GarayOctober 23, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    I love it anyway! and it looks like Preacher loves it too! :)

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  21. Carlene @ Organized ClutterOctober 23, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    I think your bench may be a cobbler's bench. Great little bench.

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    1. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 26, 2012 at 1:52 PM

      Thanks Carlene! I considered maybe a cobbler's bench, but do they not have a curve on both sides? I'm not sure,I have not seen one in many years, but I thought they were curved on both sides, so one could sit astraddle. In any case, I love it, more so because Meg gave it tome. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!

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  22. ClaudiaOctober 24, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Sandra, it's amazing what some tlc will do for a piece like yours. It's lovely! Your kitty looks like he likes it, too!

    xo
    Claudia

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    1. Sandra@Beneath this Roof, Within these WallsOctober 26, 2012 at 1:52 PM

      Thanks, Claudia! I am not sure if my Kitty really likes it, or is just very nosy!

      Delete

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