I got this bench from my friend Julie who owns this adorable little antique shop in downtown Franklin, Indiana called Salvage Sisters. She bought a house “as is” with a truckload of furniture in it. She was ready to throw a bunch of stuff out and I got to pick through it. YYAY FOR ME… I was in furniture revamping heaven. I found this little antique gossip bench that was in rough shape. I asked her if I could rescue it and bring it back to life. So I loaded it up and brought the gossip bench back home.
She is a beauty now but she started out ready to be thrown in a landfill or used as firewood.
Supplies:
Wood glue
Wood filler
clamps
paint
air sprayer with air compressor
fabric
new cushion
chalkboard paint
small foam roller
primer
sandpaper
The chair was broken and the bottom of the table was coming apart. After a lot of wood glue and some clamps I finally had it back in sitting condition.
I then removed the disgusting cushion and found some Waverly fabric at Joann Fabrics that inspired the color scheme for this piece.
The finish on the bench was practically coming off so I sanded the entire piece down to even out the surface and prep it for painting.
I mixed some Sunshine Yellow and Antiques White Dutch Boy paint to lighten the yellow up and make it a creamy light butter color.
Then I distressed the edges. Usually when a piece is already worn I tend to distress it. I feel like it goes with the piece’s vintageness.
After I was done it didn’t seem complete. I thought a little chalkboard rectangle on the table would go with the whole gossip theme. (Let me stop for a minute and say that I don’t condone gossip in case you were wondering 
)
Using blue painter’s tape I marked off a rectangle and painted three coats of chalkboard paint on it.
When dry overnight I prepped the surface by rubbing chalk onto it to condition the chalkboard. So cute!!!
This is perfect for an entryway. I love the pop of yellow right when you walk in the door.
if any of you locals are dying to own this piece check out Salvage Sisters where she will make her debut tomorrow.
If you love Roadkill Rescue projects check out my other site!
Beckie, it’s gorgeous! Now I need me a gossip bench…for, um….yeah chatting. Ha! Great job girl!
I love it! Turned out so cute!!
darling, Becky! love it!
Oh My how CUTE. My grandmother had a desk just like this that I so remember sitting in when I was a little girl. I wish I could have seen into the future back then. It would have been so cute to keep and redo. Great Job!
Beckie it’s perfect. Great idea for the chalkboard section and the yellow is perfect, fun and different. Nice rescue.
I love it! I actually grew up in Franklin. Next time I am back that way I will have to check out the shop!
This is so adorable. My grandma had a gossip bench, and I just love them! Great revamp!
I’ll have to check it out! I live in Columbus.
Very cute!
Love this cute little bench! Awesome transformation 🙂
Wow! I love it!! I’ve been looking for one to transform and this just adds fuel to that fire! Oh! And! I live close to/work in Columbus, IN which isn’t very far from Franklin and now I cannot wait to visit Salvage Sisters! Woohoo! Thanks as always for the amazing stuff!
Beckie-
The gossip er…. I mean conversation bench turned out way cute! I’m the gal you met at Joanne’s when you were purchasing the fabric! I’ll be checking out the shop in Franklin AND following you! Oh and the chalkboard paint is a great touch!
Jackie
Beckie!
Awasome piece….The gossip er…. I mean conversation bench turned out way cute! I’m the gal you met at Joanne’s when you were purchasing the fabric! I’ll be checking out the shop in Franklin AND following you! Oh and the chalkboard paint is a great touch!
Jackie
Hi Jackie…so fun you stopped by. Thanks! You must check out that shop in Franklin…they have some cool stuff. Maybe we will run into each other again!
Love it! I have one just like that, it belonged to my grandmother. My dad refinished it a long time ago so I hate to paint over his nice refinishing job, but maybe someday….
Awesome bench! You did a great job!
My grandmother used this piece of furniture as a telephone table. In the olden days when the phones sat on table…the shelf held the phone book. what a flashback…you did a nice refinish job.
looks great!! I just re-finished one exactly like this!!