Well guys, we had an awesome birthday weekend, but I think it’s safe to say I’m in a sugar-induced hangover today. We ended up with two giant cakes and apparently I considered that a challenge. I ate more sugar than any one person should be allowed to consume in a single weekend. Yes, I am filled with regret. And I feel like crap. Sugar is like poison for your body, but why does it have to be so darn good?! Ugggh. Anyway, that’s enough of my belly-aching, let’s move on. So a few weeks ago I got a pretty special surprise when my in-laws surprised me with an early birthday present. Bless them, I love surprises–especially when the surprise involves a really awesome gift. You guys, they gave me a farmhouse style headboard bench! My father-in-law actually built it using an old headboard and footboard from a bed they found at an antique shop. How cool is that?! I literally squealed with delight when I realized they were giving it to me. I’ve been dying to show you guys, so today I’m so excited to finally share it!
Isn’t she a beauty? The headboard was stained dark brown, so they sanded it down and I actually kind of love the rustic, weathered look. I’m debating whether or not I want to paint it, but I’m not sure yet. I might just leave it like this and call it good.
My father-in-law built this by cutting the footboard in two pieces and then mounting those to the headboard. He built the seat with pine and they added that wooden embellishment there on the headboard. He also made that front panel on the seat and did all that detail work by hand. He’s definitely a talented guy!
This will definitely be a piece I keep forever and it’s just awesome that my father-in-law built this bench by hand. And you guys know how much I love repurposing old things, so it’s really cool to see how an antique headboard and footboard can be given new life and transformed into such an awesome bench. For now this beauty is hanging out in our dining room, but I’m not sure if it will stay here. And like I said, I’m still debating whether or not I want to paint it. Of course my natural instincts tell me, “paint it white, paint all the things white!” But I actually kind of love the weathered look it has now. I’m going to think about it for a while before I do anything, but I’d love to hear what you guys think. Paint or no paint?
Thanks for stopping by the blog today, I hope you all have a fantastic week full of happy and wonderful things!
A few other posts you might enjoy:
Easy Farmhouse Style TV Stand Makeover
A Simple DIY Farmhouse Style Lamp
Cozy Farmhouse Style Window Seat
Oh my gosh, how gorgeous! Best gift ever! Ooo…The wood is so beautiful I might leave it as is, but painting it white would be so pretty too. What to do!?
Thanks Ellen! Right now I’m thinking I’ll leave it alone and resist the urge to paint it white. Shocker, I know!
No paint!! The wood is beautiful…but that’s just my humble opinion. 🙂 What a special birthday present!! I love any item that is hand-built by family or handed down.
I agree Samantha, hand-made gifts are the best!
I would leave it as is – nice contrast with the white!
Thanks Margaret–I’m thinking that’s what I’ll do!
Looks fab, you could paint the legs, and lower joining attachments white,and rubbed back abit, best of both worlds, or white wash all over so the wood shows through? Just thoughts 🙂
Oh I hadn’t thought of that, thanks for the idea Karen!
As much as I usually vote for white paint, I personally like it the way it is now!
I agree Alyssa, I’m thinking I’ll leave it just like it is!
First of all Belated Happy Birthday!!!! How lucky to have handy men in your life. I love the bench, live with it for a while.I see lots of possibilities… .fall, chritmas decorations. Then I think give into the urge then maybe use a shabby chic paint techinque. Lucky girl!!😆
Ohhhh you’re so right Lorri–there are lots of fun styling possibilities with this bench–all year round! I can’t wait to find a good spot for it and play around with styling it a bit more.
Wow, what an amazing gift! That one surely comes from the heart. In considering to paint it white or not, I would first ask myself
“What would my father-in-law think?” Do you think you would offend him if you painted it. All I’m saying is family feuds and hard
feelings have come from lessor things! I am sure that you would be much happier with it painted white, seeing your style and
home, white is definitely the choice. I am sure your father-in-law wants you to enjoy the piece but I would ask him if he would
mind if you painted it. He put a lot of hard work into it and the stain and color is what he chose for the bench, so changing it
would be best with a little communication and respect for his feelings. Just my thoughts Sarah . . . . I am extremely jealous,
however, that is a family heirloom to treasure.
That’s a great point Darlene. Thankfully when he gave it to me he said I could do whatever I wanted with it–he knows my love of white paint! 🙂 But I’m actually thinking I’ll leave it just like this, I kinda love the weathered look.
No paint, its beautiful. Happy Birthday!
The bench is beautiful. What about a white wash? I think it wiuld look beautiful both ways
Thank you Susan!
A belated Happy Birthday! And what a wonderful gift. I would probably leave it as is (although it would be great painted white as well). I just love the look of natural/patina with white. Either way, it will be an heirloom piece to be handed down for generations to come.
Thanks Darcy, I think I’ll leave it as is–no paint for once. Ha! And I agree, this is such a cool heirloom piece!
I think it’s beautiful just the way that it is! Good contrast to white in its natural color! Also, Happy Belated Birthday!
Thanks so much Cheryl, I think you are right about the contrast with the white!
I Agree with Darlene, lovely gift. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Thank you Sally!
What a beautiful piece!! You’re not alone, when I have a new piece of furniture I often go back and forth with what paint color or technique to use. I like a good mixture……so with that being said I would leave it like it is ☺️ but I know whatever you decide it will look great!!
Glad to hear you had a great birthday!
Thanks Stephanie, I’m thinking I’ll leave it like this–at least for a while! 🙂
Good Morning,
NO paint!!! It looks amazing as is, and looks so fantastic next to white. Besides your little ones grampa made this, so the way he made it is the way it should stay.
Love your blog friend,
Tammy
Very true Tammy! He told me I could do whatever I want with it, but I’m thinking I’ll leave it like this and resist the urge to paint it!
Leave it as is… the contrast between all the other white in your house makes this stand out even more.
That’s what I’m thinking Crystal!
Belated happy birthday! What a wonderful gift! Even more special as it was made just for you by your father-in-law.
Tough to decide whether to paint it or leave it white…
My husband made a bench just like this for me from our first bed which we had close to 40 years! It is a beauty which we painted with Benjamin Moore’s New York State of Mind. It is in our sunroom which is painted mascarpone (BM). Can be seen on my Facebook page.
Look forward to reading this blog every day!
Thank you Dot! And that’s so cool that your husband made a similar type bench from your first bed. That is so special and what a keepsake that is!
Just found your wonderful site! Now I’m happy using Rustoleum chalk paint and not worried I need to try the more expensive kind! Thanks!
I too have been painting all things white but…..I think even I’d leave that beautiful bench the way it is!
Thanks for all your informative posts!
Donna
Hope you do some vintage garden posts! I’ll share them on my garden site!
Oh that’s awesome Donna, so glad you are using the Rust-Oleum and happy with it! And I did do a vintage potting bench a while back, you can see it here: https://sarahjoyblog.com/farmhouse-style-potting-bench/
No no no no ! Step away from that paint brush !! It’s beautiful as it is. Don’t give in to the temptation .
hahah! You made me laugh Marilyn. I think I’ll leave it alone this time!
Just gorgeous. I’d leave it the way it is!!
A nice contrast.
Thanks Dianne!
Oh my gosh, that’s Gorgeous! Although my first instinct is to say paint it but I think it looks perfect the way it is (at least for now!) 🙂 Your father-in-law is very talented!
Thanks Donna, I think it will stay this way for a while at least!
NO PAINT!
I would most def paint! I love white!
It’s beautiful a now family heirloom!!
Yes Kellie, definitely a family heirloom!
It is gorgeous! Your father in law certainly is talented, and who doesn’t love reporpused gifts! I love it how it is, although I have the paint all things white syndrome too. 🙂
Thanks Heather, he’s definitely a talented guy!
Wow! Just WOW! The detail and craftsmanship is gorgeous! What a special gift 💓
Thank you Molly, I sure got lucky with this one!
Beautiful. But I must ask where you found the cushion on it. It lt looks old and so stunning on that piece. I’ve been looking for one just like it but assumed it was vintage also.. thank you!
Leave it!! It’s such a beautiful wood – and white cushions and blankets would compliment it wonderfully. It’s a stunning bench!!
That’s what I’m thinking–thanks Jess!
Happy b-day, Sarah! Hope it was a blessed day! LOVE the bench!
Thank you Julie, we had a great birthday weekend!
I love it!! I’d definitely keep it the way it is for awhile and then you can always paint it white later. I love all things white too but there’s something kinda special the way it is. It’s so pretty!!! Happy birthday btw!!!
Thanks so much Carly, I’m thinking I’ll leave it like it is!
It is beautiful! I’d keep it the way it is for now then couple years from now paint it! What a wonderful birthday gift!
That’s what I’m thinking I will do, thanks Rondell!
Wow what a awesome gift! He sure knows what a girl would like.
He knows me well, that’s for sure!
It’s a nice contrast between the weathered wood, and the white of other pieces you have. I would leave it. Just wondering where you got the cushion for the bench. I’ve been looking for one similar, but can’t find a neutral one.
Thanks Carole! That cushion is from Pier 1. You can find it here: https://rstyle.me/n/cq7mrxb6hgf
It’s fabulous! How very sweet of your FIL, a labor of love for sure. I’d keep it the way it is, a little bit of wood tones here and there work so well with all the white. Happy Birthday !!!
Thanks Brenda! I think you’re right–the wood balances out all the white.
Love the way it looks now. Don’t paint it!. Happy belated birthday.
Thanks so much Karen!
Wow!! That is gorgeous!! I would have squealed with delight also!! Normally, I saw paint it white, but that wood look is awesome the way it is, with the cushion and the white decorative piece he added – so I say No to the Paint (this time). Beautiful the way it is!!!
That’s exactly what I’m thinking Sharon. Thanks for dropping by!
Leave it natural. Happy belated birthday!
Thanks Sylvie!
Happy late birthday! What a special gift from your husband’s parents! I think it’s beautiful as it is. My daughter did something very similar to your bench. She has it at the end of her bed. She is very talented in building with wood!
that’s awesome Susan, sounds like your daughter is very talented!
Oh! I would definitely paint it white, without a doubt! But that’s me…
NO PAINT! If it was supposed to be painted, your in-laws would have painted it. If you paint it, they may think it wasn’t good enough and you had to improve it. I also think you would take away a little of the charm of it. It also looks great in the color it is where you have. I think if it was white it might wash out in the area it’s in.
Just my thoughts! 🙂
I love it as Is! Please send details on cushion. I love it also and I am looking for one for a bench i have. Thanks!
So beautiful! I would leave it just the way it is! That’s amazing that it was done by hand too!
Happy Belated Birthday! I would leave it. It’s beautiful the way it is. Where did you get the mattress for it. I am making one and would love to have a mattress like that.
I started following your blog and have be redoing my whole down stairs! My husband can’t understand why I am getting rid of perfectly good furniture and buying used old STUFF. That’s the way he says it, if you know what I mean. Lol
I even had one friend ask me, “if I was depressed when I picked out my colors for the walls?”
or lack of it. I am having so much fun going to Estate sales and even the 127 yard sale last week end. Have a great blessed Sunday.
Thanks Debbie! I’m planning to leave it unpainted, I love the rustic look it has now! That cushion is actually from Pier 1, you can find it here: https://rstyle.me/n/crc3bgb6hgf And I love that you’re selling your furniture to buy “old” things with more character. Good for you and high five to vintage!
I love this idea! I just gave a bed and frame to Salvation Army; should have kept it!
Your blog is lovely and creative; I like your style!
Happy birthday! Mine is also in August!
I would leave it !