If you couldn’t tell, I’ve kind of been into black and white abstract for a while now (see here + here). I wanted to bring some of it into my home decor, but I thought it would be fun to do it on something other than a canvas.
I found this little bench at an estate sale a few months ago, and have been looking for the right fabric to recover it.
Because it has such classic lines and stain, I wanted to use a fabric that was a bit more modern. After watching my husband, Micah, paint this tablecloth for me, I thought I could give this smaller scale fabric a try.
I started out with some duck cloth (Joann has many different colors and with a coupon, it’s under $6 a yard). I always wash fabric first if I can. Even if it says “dry cleaning recommended,” I still throw it in on cold/delicate and low heat dry. I cut the duck cloth to be a few inches bigger than the bench seat. I used some of this paint that I already had in my stash and a cheap 1″ paint brush. You want to be able to see the brush strokes with this technique, so make sure not to load your brush up with paint. Start with a small amount, you can always add more.
I’m very type A. Abstract and me are not friends. She’s like a beautiful and lively woman I admire from afar and I wish I could be a bit more like her, but when I really get to hanging out with her, I’m a little overwhelmed. But doing an abstract gingham pattern still gives me some control and somehow makes it fun and simple, not stressful. I started out painting the horizontal lines, then I did the vertical lines, just eyeballing it all.
After finishing the lines I went back over the intersecting areas to darken them a bit. Follow your paint’s instructions to finish; mine recommended heat setting with a dry iron and pressing cloth after the paint was dry.
Here are the supplies you will need for the upholstering: scissors, pliers, wire cutters (to get the hard-to-grab or broken staples), staples, and a staple gun.
Depending on your project, you may need longer staples or a more powerful gun.
Remove the seat from the bench. I highly recommend getting a small, cordless screw gun if you don’t already have one. I really like our Ryobi, and use it for all kinds of odds and ends projects around the house.
Begin to remove the old fabric. After several projects, including 6 dining chairs that had 100 too many staples, I have come to find the most efficient way to do this. To save your forearms simply grasp the fabric with the pliers and twist your wrist instead of pulling. It will save you a lot of soreness and frustration.
Do your best to remove all of the staples and clean up the dust. I like to vacuum the wood afterwards, just to keep that dust from getting on the new fabric. If you don’t get ever single staple, no biggy, but keep in mind they can hinder the new staples from getting their best grip.
Are you ready for the best advice I can give you for the most professional looking job? You want to pull the fabric very snug, but you want to use your entire hand to pull it, not just your fingers (see above images). Using your whole hand will ensure a much smoother finish, while only using your fingers will cause the fabric to pull more in certain areas than others. Start in the center on one side and staple your way out to the corners, placing a staple every inch or so.
Make sure to leave the last few inches of the corners alone. Do the same on the opposite side. Then move to the third side and then the final side.
There are a few ways that you can finish off your corners. This is the one I tend to favor. Take the corner of the fabric and pull it rather taut, placing a staple in the middle. Then fold one corner so the crease is perpendicular to the bench seat. Repeat on the other side of the corner. Repeat these steps on the other 3 corners. At this time you may want to trim your corner fabric, as it can sometimes affect the way the seat fits on the bench.
I really love to use Restore-A-Finish on older pieces. It’s like a good drink for the wood, and it seems to fill in small scratches and nicks. I gave the bench wood a quick once-over with this and then reattached the seat.
I really like the classic/modern mix, and I think it looks great in the living room, but it really fits best in the hall.
Now, what color to paint that huge mirror? I had originally thought a white gloss would be fresh and pretty.
But when I look at it from a distance, I’m thinking it may need a pop of color to hold it’s own against the rest of the space. I’d love to know your thoughts!
I’ll be back later this week to show you what I have up my sleeve for this metal crest I found for a few pennies at Red Racks.
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Julia Konya says
I love how the stool turned out and painting it abstract is genius.
When I look down the hall at your mirror my first thought was royal blue or emerald green since you have little hints here and there. But I'm sure gold would look great too 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Gold was an original thought too! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Ola says
Great idea! I'm renovating my apartment right now so it's really useful for me 🙂
http://www.byblondepeanut.blogspot.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Good, Ola! They're both rather simple to accomplish!
Jenny says
I think you should paint the mirror the green that is in your pillows. It would be so striking at the end of the hall!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jenny! That's what I'm kind of leaning towards (that green is in our bedroom at the end of the hall too!)
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
I think your type A paid off because it is lovely! I'm really digging the plaid in b&w. As for the mirror, I think color would be great – maybe a deep pink or green? Both would play well with the b&w as well as your blue mirror in the living room.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Elizabeth! Deep pink would be pretty!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
It came out great, Gwen! Upholstery projects have totally changed my world since I started doing them a couple years ago. I see furniture in whole new ways now, and I love taking old pieces like this and giving them new, contemporary life 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks! Me too, Jennifer! Although there are some pieces I still come across that are beyond beautiful, but also beyond my skill level. 🙂 I really want to try and take on some tufting!
Jen Grifin says
I love the little vase or container on the book shelf. That color would be pretty on the mirror. Love the new piece! I have a set of dining room chairs I need to re-do that I bought for $25 for the four. I want to paint them and put new material on the seats. Thanks for sharing such useful information!!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jen! I had thought about a red too! The chairs sound like a great deal, and chair seats are definitely an easy fix! Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
happeningsofourhome says
Awesome project & great tips, girl! And YES, a pop of color on that mirror, for sure. What color, I have no idea. I'll leave that to the professional {aka:YOU} 😉
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, I'm certainly no professional, but I think I've got an idea of what I want. 🙂 Thanks, lady!
Deneen@dreaming-n-color says
Love how it looks so updated and modern. Yes the mirror needs color, can't wait to see which one you choose! O love the crest too!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Deneen! I look forward to sharing the crest later this week if all goes well. 🙂
Autumn Beach says
Gwen! Where to begin?? First off, I love your ring. Secondly, it cracks me UP that you are type A, because you are SO incredibly creative. What a fabulous combination. (This coming from a type A who likes to think about being creative.) Thirdly, I LOVE how you mix old with new. New with old. I have noticed that you do a great job of using touches of black throughout your design. Even with all of the warm wood tones you have going. Such a great feel. This bench is the perfect example! I bet a lot of design bloggers would have chosen to paint the wood. Don't get me wrong…I am not against painting wood. In fact, I love it. But I love how you left the wood finish. D. Your analogy about your abstract friend was SO funny. And lastly, as much as I love a good glossy white, I say pop of color for the mirror! Possibly a bright reddish-orange?? Oh, what do I know? Not much! So, don't listen to me. Fabulous tutorial! Still can't believe you're in KC. 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh this is so lovely, Autumn! Thanks for your kind words! Yes, I love black, but I also feel you need a little something natural too, and wood gives you that, along with warmth and often texture. I really only like to paint wood if it's in bad shape, or if I already have too much of it in a space. It can be so beautiful!
I'm so glad you get me. 🙂
little miss vintage says
Hot pink? Or tomato red? It would pop and tie into the living room too. Your home is beautiful!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much! I think I'm going to make a decision this week, those are both in the running!
Melanie Knopke says
your home is GORGEOUS!! What color is on the walls?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Melanie! You can find the mix for the color in this post about the living space.
It's a custom color, but those numbers should get you to it. Hope to see you in the next few weeks, hope you're having a nice time away!
Caitlin Sullivan says
LOVE your house- cant stop looking at your house tour pics.- totally obsessed.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thanks Caitlin! I really appreciate that!
Shavonda says
Awesome! I love the modern fabric you diy'd paired with the classic stool. It looks amazing in your already amazing space!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Shavonda!
Whitney says
You are so good! I just came over to see what you've been up to and ended up getting hooked and clicking and clicking and clicking! So talented!!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, thanks Whitney! That means a lot coming from you. Hope you're doing well!
scaries chuster says
Thanks for sharing such useful information.
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