Gossip Bench Makeover

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A few weeks ago I received a text.  It said, "Any interest?" And included this picture:
I couldn't type out, "Yes!" fast enough! I love gossip benches and rose-back chairs.  Not to mention, I already own a rose-back chair and this would be the perfect complement to it.

 A few hours later, it arrived.  Yes, that's right, she delivered it.
In all honesty, it wasn't in bad shape at all.  Clearly, the seat needed to be redone, but the wood wasn't bad.  A couple of nicks and scratches, but nothing major...except for the table top. 
At first, I thought it was mold/mildew so I gave it a good scrubbing...
......and nothing happened.  
My husband took a look at it and suggested wet-sanding it.  Having never wet-sanded in my life, he gave me a crash-course.  Having a puddle of water on wood is counter-intuitive to me, but, let me tell you, it did the trick!
Did every mark come out?  
No.

Did I care?  
No, as far as I'm concerned, scratches, bumps, and bruises tell a story.

Did I wear away the finish on the edges?  
Yes. 
But I touched it up with a little red mahogany stain.  
Why red mahogany?  Because there was a tag on the seat that said 'Tell City Chair Company'.  After my husband's quick internet search, the company was found and I learned they used red mahogany stain on these benches.  The few nicks and scratches also got a touch-up with stain.
The flower detail was given a little love with some black craft paint and then the entire piece was rubbed with lemon oil.
The seat was recovered with batting and some new fabric and to dress it up a bit, I made a little pillow. 
 
My project was complete!
This has to be one of the easiest makeovers I've ever done.  Usually the pieces I get are in much worse shape.  
Not too bad for a project that started with a text asking, "Any interest?"
What are you working on?

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Comments

  1. My Tata's CottageJune 20, 2020 at 10:39 AM

    Oh my goodness, you are such a crafty lady! I L O V E this project so much! I am learning something new everyday. Beautiful finish! Hugs across the miles. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 20, 2020 at 7:34 PM

      Thank you so much, I'm glad you like it. Come back again soon to see more of my projects, won't you?

      Delete
  2. fredamansJune 20, 2020 at 11:47 AM

    It looks beautiful! You did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 20, 2020 at 7:36 PM

      Thank you. I'm so glad I learned about wet-sanding!

      Delete
  3. CherylJune 21, 2020 at 6:38 AM

    Hi, my first time here, and that is an incredibly beautiful piece of furniture! And your repair work is amazing! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 21, 2020 at 1:05 PM

      I'm so glad you're here, Cheryl and I hope you'll take a look around to see some of my other projects. This is a favorite and the least amount of work I've had to do to a piece.
      Come back again soon!

      Delete
    2. CherylJune 22, 2020 at 2:56 PM

      Thanks Ann, looking forward to seeing your other projects. Have a great week! :-)

      Delete
    3. AnnJune 22, 2020 at 11:00 PM

      I'm glad to hear you'll be back, Cheryl. Hope you're staying cool!

      Delete
  4. cloches and lavenderJune 21, 2020 at 10:43 AM

    Great makeover, sometimes they just need extra love. Such difference.

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 21, 2020 at 1:06 PM

      So true, Cindy. It was nice to have an 'easy' project!

      Delete
  5. mary scottJune 21, 2020 at 11:12 AM

    It's charming! Looks brand new now - in a good way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 21, 2020 at 1:08 PM

      Charming is a good word for it. I guess it's vintage in a new way!

      Delete
  6. BethGWilsonJune 21, 2020 at 12:07 PM

    Wow! I adore the way this turned out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 21, 2020 at 1:09 PM

      Thank you, Beth. I'm pretty pleased, too!

      Delete
  7. RIP Little SausageJune 21, 2020 at 12:52 PM

    Beautiful and isn't it wonderful when a piece needs less work then originally thought! Fabric is absolutely perfect.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 21, 2020 at 1:11 PM

      I sure is nice. More than once I've been up to my elbows is paint stripper and sawdust! I can't take credit for the fabric, my husband picked it out. He has a good eye.

      Delete
  8. Kim June 21, 2020 at 9:03 PM

    This is outstanding! I love the colors your chose and the piece itself is just fabulous. Lucky lady!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 22, 2020 at 8:23 AM

      I am lucky! Thankfully, this piece was saved since they told me ten truckloads of 'junk' were taken to the dump before they thought of me.

      Delete
  9. J. NealJune 22, 2020 at 10:27 AM

    The red mahogany looks wonderful with the black detailing, and the color and pattern choices you made for the fabric are lovely. The pillow was a cute idea. I had a thought, though.... If someone actually sits down on the bench, the pillow surely will end up sliding through the space below that middle curved slat. What about adding some light blue netting from the back of the middle slat down to the back of the seat? It would provide just enough support and keep the pillow from ending up on the floor each time someone uses the bench. If you do intend that the bench serve as occasional seating, color-coordinated netting might be an addition that does the trick... while being subtle enough that it won't detract from the transformation you achieved in turning the piece into a thing of beauty once again. What do you think?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 22, 2020 at 10:51 PM

      It really won't be used for sitting, and if it is, the pillow can be placed under the table. Interesting idea, though. Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  10. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasJune 22, 2020 at 1:22 PM

    what a great transformation!! i had one of these year's ago but the seat was not upholstered but had to get rid of it to make room for the boys toys when they were young...Kicking myself now!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 22, 2020 at 10:55 PM

      I know what you mean, Debbie. There have been a few things I should have kept and didn't.....Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. The Invisible InsomniacJune 23, 2020 at 4:08 AM

    Amazing you lucky, clever lady.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Marie-Interior FrugalistaJune 23, 2020 at 9:23 AM

    I remember these sweet benches back in the day. My grandmother had one in her front vestibule and would sit for hours chatting on the phone. I love that they are making a come back. Very nice restoration! I love the fabric you used too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 23, 2020 at 4:51 PM

      They certainly are from a by-gone era, but I love them!
      Thanks for stopping by....

      Delete
  13. JeanneJune 23, 2020 at 10:15 AM

    I have (two?) of those chairs! Your redo is great :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Artsy VaVaJune 24, 2020 at 8:53 AM

    Great makeover!

    ReplyDelete
  15. RebeccaJune 24, 2020 at 12:30 PM

    So cute! I love your color choice. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 24, 2020 at 7:16 PM

      Thank you, Rebecca. It's so nice to have an easy project once in a while!

      Delete
  16. KathyJune 24, 2020 at 1:50 PM

    Great redo! So glad you were able to salvage the finish instead of painting it! I know mahogany isn't the current fave but I have my late m-i-l's bedroom set, a gossip bench with a needllepoint seat, 2 china cupboards, 2 buffets (one in bedroom for more storage!) and several mirrors all in that finish. I have grown to love it! Love how you centered the motif on the pillow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 24, 2020 at 7:19 PM

      I always try to preserve the wood whenever I can...not everything needs paint. I'll bet that furniture is beautiful.
      Thank you for noticing that I centered the pillow!

      Delete
  17. LeeloJune 26, 2020 at 2:20 AM

    Wow! It looks amazing now! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 26, 2020 at 8:45 AM

      Thank you. It just needed a little love!

      Delete
  18. LeanneJune 26, 2020 at 5:15 AM

    That seat is absolutely gorgeous - you did an amazing job refreshing it - and I want it now :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 26, 2020 at 8:47 AM

      Thank you, Leanne, but I'm keeping it. I'll let you know if I find another one, though!

      Delete
  19. Sum of their StoriesJune 26, 2020 at 5:47 AM

    It's completely gorgeous. Here in the UK we would call this a telephone table, at least that's what we called them back in the 70's and 80's! From those olden days when we just had the one phone in the house and kept it in the hallway!! I'm sure the kids would have no idea what it even is!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 26, 2020 at 8:50 AM

      It is sometimes called a telephone table here too, Julie. This one is from the 1930s-40s, but I remember seeing them in the 70s too! It's definitely from a by-gone era, but, so am I! lol

      Delete
  20. TarahlynnJune 26, 2020 at 11:02 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing with us! I'm going to be featuring you on my blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter pages when the next To Grandma's house we go link party starts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 26, 2020 at 3:44 PM

      I'm thrilled that you're featuring it, Tarah. Thank you so much!

      Delete
  21. French EtherealJune 28, 2020 at 9:34 PM

    Ann, what a beautiful, beautiful bench!!!
    I didn't know about wet sanding, either, so I'll have to check it out. I have two projects to work on just brought home from my inlaws' home this past month, and a dresser (really a French commode) that need refinishing.

    The commode needs to have its top pieces reglued together. I did the dresser drawers about five years ago and they are nice and solid. Anyway, enough about my work... LOVE how your new bench turned out!!! So cheery with its soft blue and white bench cushion and pillow. <3

    Hugs,
    Barb :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 28, 2020 at 10:15 PM

      Thank you, Barb. Wet sanding was a game-changer for this piece. I look forward to seeing your commode when it's done...gluing the top shouldn't be too much of a problem, just time-consuming!

      Delete
    2. French EtherealJuly 1, 2020 at 8:03 PM

      I'm glad you linked up to Share Your Style this past week! Happy to feature your post at SYS #262 today. <3

      Happy 4th to you!
      Barb :)

      Delete
    3. AnnJuly 1, 2020 at 10:06 PM

      Thank you so much, Barb. Happy 4th to you too!

      Delete
  22. Our Hopeful HomeJune 28, 2020 at 11:37 PM

    Ann I absolutely love what you've done with this telephone table! Restoring the wood and adding that gorgeous blue and white patterned fabric -- just perfect! Jealous that it was just "dropped" in your lap -- lol! We should all have fairy godmothers like that:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJune 29, 2020 at 9:12 AM

      Thank you so much, Kathleen. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the picture on my phone! I'm glad you stopped by - have a great week!

      Delete
  23. Amber Lyon FergusonJuly 1, 2020 at 11:23 PM

    It looks gorgeous! Thanks for sharing at TFT!

    ReplyDelete
  24. CatJuly 2, 2020 at 2:43 PM

    It's absolutely gorgeous (I know others already said that, but it's the first word that came to mind)!
    I know nothing about furniture makeovers, my ex was always the one who did that, but only all wooden furniture, he couldn't sew, neither can I. We loved old furniture. Now I wish I had paid more attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnJuly 3, 2020 at 2:34 PM

      Thank you, Cat and I think you should give furniture makeovers a try. Start with something small and go from there. It's so much fun!

      Delete
  25. مهاJune 26, 2023 at 1:38 AM

    Loved the beautiful transformation. Rare find. Lucky you.

    ReplyDelete

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