Remember the church pew on the back porch?
The back was painted blue. But the front….
Well I’m not sure what this ‘treatment’ is. Neglect? Is that a stain or just dirt? Sometimes, it’s best not to ask. I brought it inside to work on it, because it was really hot and I just didn’t want to deal with the heat.
I put some painters paper underneath the pew. Then I started cleaning it. It was filthy. And it wasn’t all my fault. It was caked with dirt when I got it! The cleaning took a lot longer than I thought it would. After it dried, then I began painting with a blue milk paint.
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Honestly I just grabbed some paint I had in my closet. I love this color blue!
Milk paint has to be protected from water, so I added a layer of Amy Howard Light antiquing wax. See how the wax really changed the look of the paint?
Here is the amazing thing. Once I painted the bench with paint I happened to have on hand, then added a layer of antiquing wax, the new paint matched the old paint exactly. You can’t tell where the old paint ends and the new paint begins.
I just happen to have the wax on sale right now!
How did I know it was going to work? I didn't. It just did. This happens a lot to be honest. I wasn't sure the paint would match exactly, but I figured it would be close enough. Now let's take a look at what the room looked like before.
I love the daybed, but felt everything in here looks like it was made to go together, even though it wasn't. It looked too 'good' actually. Well it looked TOO MATCHY MATCHY.
It looks too fancy in here, too French, and not farmhouse-y enough. I knew it, but I was busy with a thousand other things.
I didn't actually buy anything new for the room. I just rearranged. I brought in the clock from the city dining room, and the pew from the back porch. (Affiliate link) You can find the clock here.
The ottoman also was in another room.
I also added the blue rug that was most recently in our guest quarters. What you see in the champagne bucket is Buffalo Grass from our farm, because I'm fancy (or I forgot to buy flowers.)
I love the addition of the blue in the rug and the pew. My husband has already complained that the pew will not make a great place to stretch out. I told him it was not for him, but for guests. He said, 'For guests you want to leave, you mean.' Why does no one see my vision? It may end up back on the porch later but for now, I'm keeping it in here. It is just overflow seating any way. What it does it add charm and warmth to the room, even if no one sits there.
I also added lamps in here. I really like the new look.
This is part of my DIY Tips and Tricks. Be sure to check out what my friends are sharing today.
It’s a lovely color blue, but I agree with your husband, guests won’t stay long!
Rhonda, when friends come over we usually visit on the porch, so I don’t think the pew will be used much. The pew didn’t take away any seating, it just added extra if needed. It is just fun.
I have a long German bench in brown so I may think about putting some color on it & using it outside. I think it may need a poly surface though to protect it rather than a wax if it will be outside. Some of my antique pieces have wax & if they get wet they leave a white spot.
I like your new look!
Love the color!! You did a great job with it!!
The bench looks great! Thank you for sharing!
Looks great! I can’t believe the blues were exact. You’re just too lucky?
I love this look!! The color adds a lot of warmth to the room. Great job!!
What would you think about reversing the bench and the couch? The bench is tall and feels like a bit of a barrier; maybe it would be suitable on the wall? Otherwise, I love it!
The pew is a great color of blue. Why did you choose milk paint and not chalk paint? I know you said you had what was on hand, but what is the difference.
I, too, have a pew in my living room but much smaller. I hate to say this but I think your pew is too large for the space and blocks the flow of the room
I love the color and idea but I find even my over fllow company avoids sitting on it. However, as a design idea and for the pictures it is great
The room turned out great. I love it
The new look is much more interesting!
I love the color and the rustic touches to a fufu room. Added intrigue!
Love the pew!! Lovely color!!!
Do like the color, and I am a fan of pews, but sorry, do not like it in this room. The flow seems wrong, better on the porch. The blue rug and other additions are nice and add warmth to the room.
Interesting. Lovely things, great colors but I’m not sure walking into the back of the pew is very inviting.
Looks great!
Love the church pew but agree about the lack of comfort. Suggestion: a long padded seat cushion in whatever fabric is going to give you the look you want. Heck even the pews at church have padded cushions!
Linda, no one is going to sit there. When we have company we stay on the back porch.
Hi Anita,
Love the pew in the living room. Have you thought of adding a cushion instead of so many pillows?
Also, could you please share where you found your mora clock? I found one at Round Top last fall but my husband nixed me spending $6,000 on a clock?. One last thought, perhaps it’s just the way it photographs but the medallion above the clock looks wrong…maybe nothing above the clock.
Hugs,
Sharon
Your bench is gorgeous with its new paint and wax! It’s always great to have overflow seating!! Stretching out (my husband’s term for what one does leading to napping) can still happen on the daybed, or in the bedrooms!! ?
I have to agree with some other posts. Great pew…..but it’s “too” much in that room and looks more like a display piece than a place to sit. Sorry. ?
I love the pop of blue in the room. Amazing how one thing can totally change the look of the room. It was beautiful before, but so much cozier feeling now.
I think it doesn’t solve the problem. That large white wall still looks matchy. Try putting the bench under the white pictures. Don’t block the doorway with that couch. Either face the Love seat out or put it opposite the bench. Personally, esthetically, it feels more of a porch piece. It just looks awkward and “decorated” in there. I’d make some slip covers in a more current color to break up the white. While white rooms will always be liked, I think they’ve had their day.
The new color is beautiful and I love the new look of the room. That ottoman is adorable. 🙂
I like the transformation of the bench and the room. I love the idea of the bench with some linen or cotton ticking cushions.
Love the blue! The room looks cozier!
Anita…I love the look of your bleu pew in your room…Do not be concerned with how it fits or if it is balanced. We all lead unbalanced lives…Ha..I have been in many homes in France on mission trips…Some of the dreamiest and not a one was balanced but we were in awe…I LOVE YOUR LOOK…
Oh no. Now I just HAVE to have a {shorter} church pew for my entry! So very beautiful!
You make painting look easy – I might try my hand at it when I find a cute wood piece for my house. Always scared I’ll screw it up. I just love the church pew, great color for it.
I love the color and the room looks fantastic!
Love the pew and the blue color. Makes for a very nice change to the match/matchy.
Hi. I’m stopping over from Thistlewood farms.
I love your style! I’m looking forward to adding your blog to my morning routine.
Such a cool piece!!!!!! And don’t you just love when things just turn out!!!!! Love the paint and wax finish on it!!!!! Everything looks so beautiful as usual!!!!!! Roxann
Anita,
I love the colour of the bench- looks like the same colour used on shutters in the South of France in lovely towns like Old Antibes, Grimault and Eze. So ending up with the perfect blue was a happy accident! I agree with some of the others: some rectangular cushions in antique flour sack material with a lavender stripe that could be used as back cushions or as seat cushions. Guests will know which one they prefer! Fabulous job btw!!
I love the church pew. Wish I had my aunt and uncle’s so I could paint it.
How lovely! Perfect color and it does look great in the room! Wtg!!
it looks great. I have used the Amy Howard was and it does a fantastic job.
I love the look of the pew painted that pretty blue! And it looks fabulous in the room!!
I love the new color. We had a dark brown church bench in our basement received room when the kids were young. I had a French mattress made for it to make it more comfortable. I wish that I had thought to paint it. I just love your new frenchy blue.
Your room is just lovely! It’s amazing the success you’ve had painting and waxing your church pew!!! It’s perfect!!!!
Love love love the bench!!! It brings back memories of my childhood. Dad was a country preacher, and our family did all the janitorial work each weekend. How well I remember dusting each and every bench all browned with age and dirt, EXACTLY like your bench!!! Thanks for bringing back such warm memories of my childhood. Unintentionally, and over the years, we forget details until someone triggers a memory.
Oh my gosh, I love what you did to the old church pew. I have one also, wasn’t sure what to do with it but now seeing yours I think I’ll try my hand at painting it too! Thanks for sharing & Love your blog!! Have a Blessed day!!
I love it! Have been looking for a church pew for my entry, but so far they are all too long. I may have to settle for just a bench.
Just LOVE the new look of that room with the church pew in it! I agree, the other was nice but too matchy matchy for me as well. This is just DARLIN’ as we say in Texas!! LOVE, LOVE. LOVE it!
Gorgeous!!!! I love the blue, I’ve been thinking of painting in some blues or teals to through color into my dining room. If you happen to know the name of your blue let us know. I love the pew, it is fun and eclectic! Thanks for sharing.
Really like the pew! – the wax makes a huge difference.
I have to agree with your husband. The church pew looks very uncomfortable. Also, with so many pillows, there really isn’t much room to actually sit. I love throw pillows as much a the next person. But realistically, too many pillows take up too much room on a chair, couch, bench. I used to have beautiful, fluffy pillows on a few of my French chairs. Guests always pulled them off the chairs and put them on the floor.
Your pew turned out so cool. It looks great.
Oops, I meant to write throw, instead of through.
LOVE the blue pew. But, where did you get your new table lamps? May I ask? They are perfect! Love the shades!
They are old and not available any more Sue.
Very timely post for me. Soon I will be picking up a church pew from my sister, and am filing this post in the back of my head.
I love your bench!! The blue color is wonderful too. Hugs,’
Love the color. May I ask where you got your ottoman?
I can order one for you if you want one Karen-Anne. Just email me, and I can send you a price.
I’m with your husband on this one….looks to big for the space and would definitely be a hard seat. But, it’s your house so if you like it, that’s all that matters!
What did you use to clean the pew? I have one that’s filthy plus the veneer is peeling off. I don’t know whether to try to repair the veneer or just pull it off. Love the new look and enjoy your posts. Chris
Chris, just water and dishwashing soap.
I just love old church pews, I’ve always wanted one for my own home, but have yet to find one. I love what you did with this one, it blends beautifully with the rest of the room. Most men don’t see our visions when it comes to the home, but as long as they don’t complain, I’m good with that! Keep making things beautiful!
Love Love it, my favorite color of blue. Enjoy!!!
I love the pew and would definitely sit on it! Your husband sounds like mine though 🙂
Beautiful job on the bench!!!…..Have not tried Amy Howard’s antiquing wax…and this bench makes me want to look for something to paint!….it looks great in the room!…So serendipitous!
Thanks Shirley you are so sweet as always!!!
like that it is a versatile piece. When or if you get tired of it in the living room, you can put it on the hallway or a bedroom or the outside porch! Great paint job, btw.
Another beautiful room, Anita!
Great way to change thevlok ofth room and add interest!
Ann on Sutton Place encountered her readers to check out your blog. I’m so glad I stopped by. I love the old pew and your paint job that you gave it. I think it looks great in the new location.
men! they can be so practical sometimes!! ha!
Love the painted bench! There’s one waiting for me at my parent’s house. I was thinking about painting it & using it at my dining room table. I would be interested to know your opinion on the difference between milk paint & chalk paint. Thanks for the post.
Either will work. It is just a personal preference Amy. The milk paint is much easier to distress, but needs more protection from water.
Anita
Love the BLUE! Yes, I too have to ignore my husband. If he did the decorating, his study would be Blue and Silver for the Cowboys! LOL
Love the blue bench, adds a rustic touch
You did a beautiful job on that old pew Anita…love it! These are the types of things that make a house a home and will be remembered for years to come. You have my kind of style!
LOL!!! I’m laughing about what your husband said. Men think benches or sofas are for reclining and watching football!. I think it’s a beautiful piece, especially the back with the trim. It may not be comfortable for seating but it is a gorgeous conversation piece.
Love the change its always fun to switch things up great look . I have wood chairs in my kitchen with no padding people can sit for hours on them . I will offer them a pad but they always say ,good thanks .
You did a fantastic job matching the paint! Looks amazing in your living room. I’m sure you’ll get tons of compliments on it.
Your church pew looks great! I did a very similar pew last March for a contest .. I’m linking it because even our rugs are so similar. 😀 It’s a great color. My pew still has the hymnal holders, but it’s against a wall and hidden. I love how yours is floated in your room. Take care, Cynthia
http://www.clockworkinteriors.com/church-pew-makeover-march-fab-furniture-flippin-contest/
The church phew looks so beautiful! I especially loved it outside during your fall porch tour!!
The most important part to this project is your willingness to “try” something and see how it works. I ,too,would be very excited to see how the new paint job matched the old because of some creativity. We all have projects that become a frustrating chore. All the more reason to appreciate the fun of a project that “just works”! I know it does have something to do with being brave and adventurous! A bit of experience helps too! Great post Anita.
This is beautiful and I love how you incorporated the bench indoors. Many times I see them placed outside but inside like this just really worked. The details are fantastic!
I adore the bench!!!I have the perfect place for one in my home. I’ve been searching in vain for two years for just the right one. Looks like you scooped up a great one. I love what you did with it. Yesterday I went to my favorite furniture place and bought a new bench that that looks old. Not a church pew like I wanted, but I’m in love with it just the same. Enjoy your day!
Wow! Not only is your pew gorgeous but storing the shoes under it is so super smart. That would be perfect in our entryway. Now I just need to find an old church pew. Thanks for sharing your beautiful makeover with us at Merry Monday this week!
Anita, I love it! The pew definitely added a little more farmhouse to the room. It’s less fancy now and more laid back. I’m so glad you shared this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. 🙂
Posting on Facebook.
I have a smaller pew in my laundry room but it’s black. Think I need to rethink its color. Love the blue on your pew
Lovely color. Thank you for linking up with us at #HomeMattersParty. See you again next week.
The pew is pretty but I LOVE your clock!
I love how everything you touch seems to come together. I tend to agree that the pew is a little awkward, though. But if you don’t plan on using it for seating the arrangement looks awesome 🙂
Mind blowing painting work. I think this the best to paint a home with really amazing looks. I am in the same profession and you gave me great ideas for my painting projects.
Great job with the pew, first time I ever saw one with a ledge at the bottom under the seat , pillows on the seat, items on the ledge , you have wonderful style instincts . Some husbands need to live with changes.
Well it’s been moved outside, so it’s working for everyone now!
Hi Anita, I read this post a couple of times and didn’t see what paint you used. Was it milk paint? I want a little chippy and maybe some crackle in a short Church pew. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks
Yes Cecilia, it was a milk paint. I can’t remember the brand. If you want a crackle, then you’ll want to use a crackle medium. Try Amy Howard. They have something that will work.