A sweet bench makeover

My cousin had a garage sale with several family members and friends all adding things to sell.  Her friend wasn’t able to sell this cute children’s bench, and encouraged me to take it. 

First thought:  Sweet!  Free furniture!!

Second thought:  Hmmm, Josh is not going like it if I bring home another piece of furniture… Maybe I will hide it in the garage.

It needed some fresh paint, and  I originally envisioned tufting the back.

Here it is today.  (I can’t find the pictures of the paint process.)

I have it in Hannah’s closet.  It’s the perfect place to read a story to one of her (many) babies…or dinosaurs. 

First I primed it with a brush on white water based primer.  The previous colors were really bright so I used a really generous coat.  (I think it was Zinnser, but I have used both Kilz and Zinnser and they are both great).

Then I top coated with Dutchboy’s Sugar and Cream (just a creamy white….I had it leftover from these cabinets.)

I then glued on the piece of decorative molding (which I had already painted the same color as the base).  I added it after painting the base because, the latex is thick.  This gives it crisp edges, if I had glued, then painted, the thick paint may have puddled around the edges, from where I was trying to get in the small nooks.  I used my favorite Benjamin Moore , Raw Umber finishing glaze.  I painted it in the edges, corners, and crevices.  I wiped away the excess with an old sock.  I took the same small brush I was using and splattered small amounts randomly to simulate water marks. The cushion is actually……..from Hannah’s crib bumper.  It’s one of the small end pieces.

I just tied it to the back.   It fits perfectly (the exact dimensions).  I am a sucker for sentimental too!I had originally intended to cut a piece of wood to fit the back, add foam and cover it with a sweet blue floral fabric, then tuft it with covered buttons.What do you think?  Leave the crib bumper, or tuft the back?