Surfboard: A Bed Turned Bench

I saw this bed at my local Goodwill & practically pushed over an old man to get to it!  I had already made 2 twin headboards into a bench & had been looking for another bed to make into one.  Building is addicting!  I knew once I had this bed safely tucked into the back of my truck that I was going to paint it with American Paint Company Surfboard.

Before, boring, dated bed.   (No the footboard isn't already cut that would mean I forgot to take a before picture & I never do that)

Here is the footboard cut in half to make the sides, I cut it with a skill saw.  Super easy!

I used my Kreg jig to make pocket holes so I could join the sides to the back.

This is what the holes look like, little pockets.

Sides & back joined together.  I made 4 pocket holes on each side. 

The color I was inspired to use, American Paint Company, Surfboard

Closer look, soft gorgeous turquoise blue.

All put together with 2 x 4s along the front & back to support the seat.  Paint is still drying but only used one coat.

 

This one board was cut at both ends so I had to touch it up with my favorite mix of stain.  Sunbleached & Dark Walnut.  It's the closet match to weathered gray that I can find.

Pretty close match, could have used a little more Dark Walnut but I was too lazy!

After loading the pictures onto my computer I realized I should have put a big burlap pillow in one corner but couldn't convince my husband to help me drag it back outside :)  

Let me know if you have any questions about building your own bench, I did this one all by myself!  My husband only helped to move it outside for pictures.

Bench is available, measures 42"W x 38"H x 23 1/2"D.  Seat measures 38"W x 20 1/2"D.  Will hold 2 adults comfortably.  $225

(No old men were hurt in the purchase or making of this bench)

Smoky Mountain Gray - Have you tried it yet?

Smoky Mountain Gray, this color is...magical!  It truly is an amazing, gorgeous color.  What makes it so magical, you ask?  When you paint with it, it will decide what color it is going to be!  Sometimes it is  a beautiful blue/green and others it is a blue/gray.  It is truly magical!
I first used it on my paint display & mixed it with Vermont Slate & Vintage White.

When I decided to keep this drop leaf table (until I find something else I love!) I knew I wanted to use Smoky Mountain again.   I purchased this table from a lady who told me it had been her grandmother's & she was so happy I was going to refinish it.  I am sure if she knew I was painting it she wouldn't have been too thrilled!

I stripped & sanded the top then put on some wood conditioner.

striped & sanded

My favorite wood conditioner

After wood conditioner.

I used a new stain from Behr that I picked up on clearance at Lowes.  It was different from anything I had used before.

It is thick & I didn't feel like it absorbed into the wood.  I put on 2 coats of stain, this was dark walnut but the end result looks very red.   I sealed it with 3 coats of Wipe on Poly.

 For the bottom, I brushed on Smoky Mountain mixed with a little water.  Then I added a little Vermont Slate to what was left but it was a little too dark so I added Vintage White & more Smoky Mountain.  I didn't stir it together completely but just kinda swirled it together so I would get some color variation.
I am still looking for a foot to match the others but its for me so I haven't been in a hurry.  You know how that goes, the shoemaker's kids have no shoes :)

Cinco Bayou Moss & Mississippi Mud

When I first opened a can of CeCe Caldwell's Cinco Bayou Moss I thought, I will never use this color on anything!  But then I saw a few other people use it & I realized it is a much prettier color than I thought.  I recently picked up this very chunky end table from Paper Moon Too in Dawsonville.  This table is solid wood & super heavy!!  Even though it was in good shape, it was dated so it needed to be updated.

I mixed Cinco Bayou Moss & Mississippi Mud, not stirring completely but swirling them together.  For the 2nd coat I dipped my paint brush back & forth between the 2 colors & a little water.  I really liked the color it made.  I painted the handled with Rustoleum Metal spray paint in black.  I distressed with a wet rag & used CeCe Caldwell's clear wax to protect it.

Now available for sale.  

American Paint Company - Fireworks Red

A few weeks ago I decided to sign on as a retailer for American Paint Company.  When I got my 1st shipment of paint I was like a kid in a candy store!  I was dying to paint something so the 1st day I painted a tray with Liberty.  It was incredible!  Super smooth & lush!  It covered in one coat!!!  One coat!!  I almost couldn't believe it!  It dries super fast & is VOC free so there are no odors!  After finishing the tray I had to paint something else.  I was dying to use Fireworks Red.  It looked so bright & vibrant in the can, I couldn't wait to get it out.  While I was sitting at the kitchen table it hit me that I could repaint this china cabinet that has been in my family since I was a little girl.

I had painted it a few years ago with black spray paint.  It needed a lot of work & it was one of the first pieces I had redone.  

This was right after I brought it into the house, you can see how much my kitchen has changed & the gray fur ball in the right corner is my kitty that is no longer with us.  I loved it black but after redoing the kitchen I decided it was too dark & was originally going to paint it turquoise.  I am so glad I waited because I think the red is perfect!

This is a true gorgeous, vibrant red & I am so happy I didn't paint it turquoise!

I used Liberty inside.  I think the lighter color makes a huge difference!

If you follow me on Facebook you saw the sneak peak I posted asking if you would distress or not.  I love distressing.  Lots of it!  I really love chippy, peely paint.  My daughter didn't think I should distress so I asked my Facebook followers.  Most said to distress which I had secretly planned on anyway but I am trying to get away from distressing everything.  

Love this shot with the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook that was my Grandmother's, along with some of the Metlox dishes.  This is her pattern but most of these I found on ebay, at Goodwill & at auctions.  Even thought most of these aren't hers they still bring back good memories every time I see them.  

Sunday With The Queen

I spent Sunday with a group of Atlanta bloggers at Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors.  If you live in the Atlanta area you probably know this place.  Everyone I talk to tells me this is their favorite antique store.  They have 3 locations, Alpharetta, Buford & Marietta.  They opened the Alpharetta store early just for us!  We were greeted with a champagne brunch & sway bags that were personalized with our initials!

Aren't they cute!  What Southern girl doesn't love an initial?!  After our wonderful brunch, Stacey, the owner introduced herself & several of the staff members.  You can tell they are really passionate about what they do & they love being a part of the Queen!  We were given a few hours before they opened the store to shop.  I met Lisa from Before Meets After & we did some shopping together.  She is pregnant & just found out she is having a boy!  She picked up some great items for the nursery & I can't wait to see what she does with them.

I loved this pallet wall & this console table.  There was lots of cute stuff in this booth!

I loved this idea!  Cut holes in the drop cloth & push smaller pieces through to make a fringe!  I am so going to do this!!

Totally love this idea!

This painting caught my eye.

Chippy goodness, need I say more?

Ahh, more chippiness.  Love!

Cute little lids for mason jars, I picked up some of these.  Now I just need to have a party & use them!

I am in to horse heads right now & love the weathered gray boards behind it.

Burlap, piping & cute bunny!!  

This was another cute booth!  Loved the turquoise shutters & check out the old ironing board.

Super cute idea for a frame, there were several to choose from.

There are so many great things to choose from at Queen of Hearts.  Be sure you visit one of their stores soon, I am sure you will find something you can't live without!  

I was not compensated for this post.  I was given a gift certificate & a bag of goodies.