Thursday, March 10, 2011

Vision Victory

Today I'm going Green and recycling one of my earliest posts {I don't even think anyone ever read it : ) }.  & talk about green - Sheesh!  I'd like to think I've shown some improvement since I started blogging...
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Once upon a time there was a Mad Bench. What is a Mad Bench, you ask? It is a solid oak plank bench acquired by my mother-in-law many moons ago... many children ago (of which she has 9 and between the 9 there are 32 grandchildren). When her children were young and foolhardy, they were made to sit on what became dubbed the Mad Bench when they were 'mad' and needed to calm down (or if mom was mad at them and she needed a break)


At some point we became the proud owners of the Mad Bench. Over the years it moved further and further from public view and only came out when we needed extra seating. It's sorta functional but not even sorta pretty. I've thought of giving it a makeover for
years some time but am an awful not a very good seamstress . Then push came to shove due to "The Great Furniture Shuffle" and it became necessary to bring out the 2nd and 3rd string players. I decided to tackle the Mad Bench project - duun, duun, duuuuuun! Again, I had no plan or pattern - sometimes people never learn!! Maybe it makes life more frustrating exciting to wing it...

I got all of the materials 1/2 off or with coupons, of course! Handy Hubby : ) built me a wooden apron to go right over the top of the bench so as not to permanently alter the sentimental bench. I used spray adhesive to attach the 2" foam for some cush on the tush. I picked out a fabric suspiciously similar to one in Ballard Designs and some black piping.



I measured, I pinned, I sewed, I undid, and redid. (Grrrrr)

I'm happy to finally, Finally report that the Mad Bench is no longer what it was (although I almost went mad during the process and had to take a time-out from that said bench many, Many times)!!!! Now you wouldn't even recognize it as the Mad Bench, mostly because you can't see any of it anymore. It's not too horrible for my first attempt, if I do say so myself! Not beautiful, not horrible. But... well, nobody is allowed to sit on it - are you kidding me?! After all the blood, sweat and tears? Uuuuum. No. Ma'am!!


Benches are for looking at and admiring from afar. Try to sit on that bench and I'll give you something to be mad about!!  : )

Come join me for another look-see, won't you? We're admiring and admiring.

And so these three new looks (the tablecloth, the spray painted coffee table and the mad bench) were a few of the little things that made me say, "
Aaaaah! so satisfying!" 

Gotta love it when a plan comes together!

So there you have it - MLE's ABC's


Blessings!


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20 comments:

LeadingMama said...

Oh, now that is inspiring. What a beautiful transformation!!! Love the fabric and the piping. Kudos to you.

Pondside said...

I love the story of the 'mad bench' - great to pass along to the kids, but in the meantime, I do like the transformation!

lindalou said...

I love the story about the "Mad Bench". You should be honored to have it. Great job on the transformation. It looks great. The whole wall looks great.

Donnie said...

I like it much better now. You did a great job.

Susan Anderson said...

A mad bench is a great idea!

(I love that sitting on this one is no longer allowed...)

;)

PS. I'm pretty late posting today, so here's my link:
Vistas

Unknown said...

I love the cover you made. This mom might need to sit on the bench every now and then.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

That's a cute story..

I wish I'd had a mad bench when I was raising my youngest (for me, not him)

Lourie said...

I need a "mad" bench! haha. Seriously an awesome job. How I wish I had the skills to do that!!

Jena @ Involving Color and Home said...

LOVE this! I really like the fabric. Just came across your blog and I'm a new follower.

Sue McPeak said...

Great job on the Mad Bend Re-Do and on the RePost. You have made it a Very Glad Bench!

Jackie said...

What a nice bench it turned out to be eh? ! mad bench be gone :) That is lovely and you did a great job at covering it but I have to say it was a very nice mad bench too .

storybeader said...

it's beautiful! And it looks comfe too, but I'm not sitting on it! I like the mirror and the wall sconces ... did I spell that right? Congrats. to you! {:-D

Ott, A. said...

The Mad bench is like an old fasioned time out chair. :) Love the fabic's and patterns you choose to remake it. Looks great!

Jane said...

Looks great in that space! Nice work!

Judie said...

You did a wonderful job! Your mad bench is now a glad bench! Hurray!!!

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

An amazing transformation! VICTORIOUS for sure!
Have a great day!
Coralie

Jenny said...

What an absolutely clever idea. I would never have thought to reinvent a bench (mad or otherwise) in that fashion. It almost gives you storage space underneath for shoes or backpacks as well.

What a wonderful idea this is.

Noone could be mad or sad sitting on that bench now.

You are brilliant.

Thanks for sharing this vivid transformation with us.

A+

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

thumbs up..

well done.

Holly Lefevre said...

Oh my - how fabulous is that! You did a great job! Thanks for entering the mocha mitt giveaway.
Holly
504 Main

knuckstermom said...

I hope you are well and that everything is as normal as can be in your world. I miss your posts, but really do understand the overwhelming-ness of life sometimes. Sending good thoughts & prayers your way.