I bought this little black bench a few years ago at a yard sale. I think I paid $20.00 for it. It has been sitting at the back of my yard at the entrance to the garden, and I haven’t done anything with it.
The hot weather has dried up many of my plants and the pineapple sage that is usually blooming by now, remains green. I decided to add a little color to the area using my bench and a few pieces of garden décor.
I first sanded the bench with this hand sander. It had weathered, and there were areas where the black paint had peeled.
Next, I chose this robin’s egg blue paint to add color.
I also like to use the hand sander to “distress” the edges, and dull the new paint look.
This old house vent took on new paint. In my post DIY House Vent Pumpkin, you can see how I used an estate sale house vent to create a pumpkin for fall. I’ve used it a couple of years now and decided to spray paint it red to create a red white and blue theme.
The little red mushroom was a set of three mushrooms that were unpainted in various sizes. They were hand made from a stump with a piece of wood carved in the shape of mushrooms, and I painted the tops red with white polka dots. I sold the other two at a craft show, and now wish I hadn’t. A group of three would have looked great here. I added my red watering can to the bench to complete the look.
Mushrooms seem to be a reoccurring theme in this setting. This mushroom stake takes it place among the lantana. The old chore time feeder sign is red white and blue.
Don’t be afraid to pick up “less than perfect” finds. It may take a few years, but can be brought back to life to add to your home or garden.
Happy Gardening,
Karen