Monday, May 17, 2010

Everything Old Is New Again!

About 25 years ago, (crow, where does the time go?!) Doog and I were out antiquing...and I came across an old deacon's bench. Painted black, chipped and faded, it looked like it was waiting for a new home. Perfect for our tiny, and I do mean tiny, dining room. So we dragged it home.

Over a couple of years time, we made a new friend who was very handy and loved wood working. Every time Joe came for a visit, he'd look at that bench and get the same look in his eyes that my Dad got when he saw an ancient piece of wood. The inward gaze said, "I bet that's a pretty piece of wood under all those years of use!"

I finally asked Joe if he'd be willing to take the project on and he was thrilled at the chance. Several weeks later the beat up old deacon's bench came back in beautiful condition, one that could take pride of place in any church. I was thrilled!

Since Michael and I started our life together, the old bench had no room in our home. However, I thought it would make a nice sitting spot outside, so it lived its first year under cover on the back porch of our rental home, and the past five years as an inviting spot at our front door.

Recently, I really started to feel that it was way past shabby to even be sheek. And, I was just getting ready to put it out at the curb when....

...I started feeling sad about losing a bench that has seen so much of my life. So, I worked on it this weekend. What do you think? Does it invite you to come and sit with me for a visit? Share some iced tea on a warm summer's day?

Painted, refinished, and now painted again. Full circle. I'm beginning to notice more and more examples of that phenomenon. Is that a process of aging, do you suppose? But, taking something that's done well for you full circle is better than not keeping it. Isn't it?

I didn't want it to look freshly painted, so I took two different yellows- one high gloss one flat, and melded them together so it would look as though its had some wear and the luster of the once bright glossy yellow has been worn. Did I achieve the look?

The pups and I will be on the look out for you. You're always welcome to come and sit a spell.


Namaste' Till Next Time,
Holly

12 comments:

Eileen said...

Holly, if wishing myself right there could only make it so! Some of my most favorite things are like your lovely aged bench ... the time spent with those pieces is much too rich to discard. Wonderful new life for your friend!

Sarah Sullivan said...

It is beautiful!! I love the bench...what a wonderful treasure for your front porch!
Love the new scottie picture!!
Hugs and love, Sarah

Marisa @ Getting Back To Basics said...

It's beautiful and very welcoming.

Unknown said...

I don't blame you for not wanting to discard such a lovely piece.

Cindy said...

Holly I love it, good for you for not letting it go. Did Sarah paint the new Scottie picture, It is simply wonderful whomever did it. take care, I wish I could sit on the porch with you, I have been a little under the weather with an abscessed tooth, waiting to have it pulled, hopefully tomorrow. be well my friend. take care.

lmgsemail@gmail.com said...

Love the bench! I always thought it looked inviting - everything in your home always does - but now it looks even more inviting. You did a great job. It's always nice to keep those pieces you've had forever and just touch them up once in a while.
Love you!

Joanna Jenkins said...

Mission accomplished Holly! The deacon's bench is born again and looks perfect, and very inviting, on your porch. You did a great job.
xoxo
jj

Boozy Tooth said...

Cool bench and VERY cool color choices. Love the blend. But the best photo is the one with your Scottie gazing out the front door.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Wishing I could drop by with some Rocky Creek Lemonade and sit a spell and talk to you. The bench is beautiful and so inviting.

Lynn

PS - if that's the kind of stuff you put out on the curb, I'd like to be your neighbor.

flowers1 said...

Holly, you definitely created the look you desired (as you and only you are so able to do). Great job.
I also loved your blog from May 12 the colors were presented so well-my favorite was the Queen of the Universe

Bleeding Heart said...

I love your post and how you tell a story! Thanks for sharing and you have a beautiful home!

Big Pissy said...

I LOVE it!!!

Love the color and the paint treatment you did as well.

So glad you kept it. :)

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