I’ve been working on my front porch makeover and one of the things I really wanted was to put a bench on the porch. A bench is the perfect decoration because you can layer flower pots on it but it’s also a very useful decoration because people can use it to sit down and remove their shoes.
I looked around a few stores and couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to use this old piano bench that we had sitting in the garage. The piano it goes with is really old, and we’ll probably just end up giving it away, but I figured why not makeover the bench!
I purchased some white spray paint from Lowe’s and painted the entire bench white.
Then I created this french stencil graphic on my Silhouette program. There are tons of cute stencils you can purchase online but I’m too cheap, so I made my own!
After I transferred the stencil to the bench I used an old can of gray sample paint to paint it on. The gray was a little lighter than I remembered so I added a little black to it and it was perfect!
After painting on the stencil I let it dry for a few seconds and then pealed the vinyl off. I didn’t want to let it dry too long because I didn’t want the white paint to peel off too.
Here’s what it looked like when I pulled it off. I LOVE it!!!
Then I used 100 grit sand paper to scuff it up a little and give it that “antique” look. I’ll admit, it’s really hard for me to sand something down because it drives the perfectionist in me crazy!
After scuffing the entire bench up with the sand paper, I carried it out to my front porch and added some flower pots and other decorations on top of it.
I absolutely love the way it turned out. I love the french stencil and that it has our name and year of our wedding on it, I also love the crown at the top of the stencil symbolizing that God is the head of our family!
The best part is that this project only cost me about $5.00, just the cost of the can of spray paint! Now that’s my kind of project!!!
I LOVE this idea….especially the graphics. Every front porch needs a bench -it is so inviting.
I think so too Emily, thank you. 🙂
I love the stencil you made for the bench. It looks fantastic! 🙂
Thank you so much Laura!
It looks fantastic Anna! The stencil adds so much and your porch is looking beautiful. 🙂 I had to laugh because I have those same galvanized buckets! Did you get yours at Tuesday Morning?? Great minds think alike, right my friend?
Vanessa
Haha, that’s awesome! Yep, I got them at Tuesday Morning. 🙂 Did you get my message earlier this week? I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. Maybe we can figure out another time to chat, I’d love to get caught up with you and hear about all the great things you girls are up to on your blog these days! Just text me and let me know. 🙂
This turned out beautifully! I can’t wait to do mine!!!
Yeah, about that… I need to remake yours because the transfer paper got all messed up. I need to find a good way to ship it flat. I’ll re-print it next week, sorry about the delay. :/
This is just perfect, Anna – you did such a great job!!
Thank you so much! 🙂
I love this idea! It’s adorable! How much would you charge for a stencil? Also, have you thought about painting your old piano too? I had considered doing mine. You first!
I need to figure out the shipping costs. 🙂 Let me know if you want one, I have to print one for my friend next week so I could do yours at the same time!
Anna,
I love love the piano bench make over, I too, am wanting a stencil let me give you my info: McCoy
est. 1972
thanks a million, and let me know how to send you payment
Thank you Pam. I will gather the orders this week and then send invoices to your email via PayPal. I’ll try to get to it on Tuesday or Thursday. 🙂
I LOVE it! It’s perfect for our porch as well and a place to set yourself or your packages down. Unfortunately I have no way of making the stencil so I will need to get creative with that one! Beautiful and functional piece. Nice job!
Thanks Deb! I’d be happy to make the stencil for you, just let me know. 🙂
wow. that is amazing. great job!!
It looks absolutely lovely… but the French in me would like to point out that it should be “château” rather than “cháteau”. Still, nobody will probably notice unless you happen to have some French guests. The grey on white is very classy looking!
Haha, thank you. My sister-in-law is tri-lingual and she pointed that out to me too, but after I’d already printed it. :/ I’ll make sure to print the future ones correctly. 🙂
I’d like a stencil as well. where shall I send the info?
You can email me at askannamoseley (at) hotmail (dot) com.
what program did you use to make the stencil and how do I get it?
I used my Silhouette program to design it and cut it out. You can only get the software if you own a Silhouette.
Anna I love this! It came out beautifully!
Thank you Cindy! 🙂
Love this Anna! love your stencil and the bench.
is that a insulator pole cap turned candle? LOVE that!
Thanks Christina. Yeah I found that “candle holder” at a garage sale down the street. They had 2 of them with a pretty flat surface on the bottom so I figured they’d make perfect tea light holders! 🙂
Did you sand down the bench before spraying it white? I just got a roughed up piano bench from a neighbor that i wanted to distress, its in ok shape, and i will clean it, but just curious if the bench needs sanding in order for the spray paint to stick?
I had to sand mine before painting it because it has some rough edges and dings in it. I don’t think you have to sand though.
I love the French stencil on the bench you made. I am currently remodeling my home and would love to stencil my coffee table with the same stencil. I own vinyl and a Silhouette. Do you sell the Silhouette image?
Yeah, I’m sure I could do that! Email me and we can work it out: askannamosely (at) hotmail (dot) com
How exactly did you make that stencil ???
I designed it and printed it with my Silhouette machine.
Hi, I’m just having a look at your furniture…looks great and about to have a go at some of my own. Just a quick question if you don’t mind though…
Probably a very obvious question but i’m a newbie so bear with me…The middle of your ‘a’ ‘o’ ‘e’ and ‘0’ is very neat so i’m curious how you’ve achieved this with a stencil? When you pull of the vinyl does it also pull of the middle of these letters or somehow leave something behind?
Thanks for your advice
Using vinyl makes it easy to get any lettering you want because when you pull it off you can control what you leave on the bench (as your stencil outline) or what comes up to leave the opening where you paint. This isn’t an option with regular stencils but vinyl makes it much easier to get the look you want. I’m not sure if that helps at all but I think when you go to do the project it will make more sense. Just make sure you cut your vinyl with a Silhouette or Cricut and then use transfer paper to transfer it to whatever you are stenciling. 🙂
I loved your website for French stencils. I would love to do them myself or have you help me. I love that u give God the glory because He is truly worthy of our praise. I do not know if you will get this email or even if I am filling out this correctly but ran across this website while on pinterest. If this gets to Anna Moseley, let me know.
Thank you Susan. 🙂
You KNOW I love this, too. I covet it every time I see it.
Hi Anna, I would love to be able to get the art for the french stencil but the link isn’t working : (
Hey Wendy,
I just sent you an email with all the information!! Hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Anna, I love the bench. I was wondering if you could tell me how the Silhouette program works and how you make a home made stencil?
It’s a program that comes with the Silhouette vinyl cutting machine. You can check them out here – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R83VKE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007R83VKE&linkCode=as2&tag=askan01-20&linkId=ZOFGYDYGV2KX4OMY
MaybeI’m not reading slowly enough-Did you treat the bench with something to protect it from rain?I’d hate to see the bench ruined after you made that lovely stencil!
I didn’t treat it with anything but I like that it has a little bit of a weathered look to it now. In both houses our porch has been covered so it doesn’t get too much rain on it. 🙂
Love the bench makeover!
I have a bench that I’ve been thinking about giving a fresh look, and this just might be what I’ll try!
Thanks for sharing this!
I love how this turned out! I have the exact same bench. Does yours have storage? Mine does. What I really need to know is, how big was your stencil? I have an idea or two for mine. I want to put it in our laundry/mud room.
Thanks for your help and sharing your beautiful works!
Sharon
Hi Sharon! Yes, my bench had storage, we must have the same one. The stencil I used was 12″ x 12″ and it fit perfectly. I love how this project turned out and I was super bummed when my bench got hit with a rainstorm and the wood split apart. 🙁 I was so sad because it was unrepareable. I would love to see how yours turns out, if you want to email me a picture of the finished product! 🙂