4/14/13

Prettying Up Our Front Entry

Hey everyone!  I hope y'all have had a wonderful weekend!  We did some fun-things yesterday, and I will share about our adventures some other time this week.  For today, though, I wanted to share how The Man and I added some "prettiness" to our front entry.  Now I just have to preface this with the fact that I have one of the best hubbies in the world.  He is multi-talented and can make or repair just about anything.  He is so loving and caring, and extremely tolerant to have put up with me for almost forty-four years now.  It seems that anytime I just casually whine mention something I'd like to do or have, The Man runs with it until he figures out a way to make that happen -- did I mention how spoiled I am?  Anyway, I had been whining talking about our "tunnel-like" front entry needing something to soften that long, covered walkway up to the front door.  I was really wanting a bench, but everything I was seeing would have crowded the space; so my "Knight in Shining Armor" (well, more like "Knight with Hammer and Saw") came to the rescue and built exactly what I wanted.  Let me show you!

How cute is that, right?  I want to show you how it was transformed from......



a very rough-cut piece of pine and.......

the perfect frame........


to exactly the right-size bench!

This gives you the idea of how tunnel-like our entry is, but I'm not complaining since the front of our home faces west and this covered entry gives us lots of protection from the late afternoon sun.

In case you haven't read it before in previous posts, I am seriously crushing over turquoise, so The Man suggested this color-combo.  Squeal -- P E R F E C T!



I just adore this little cutout!  The Man sanded the bench-top to avoid "butt-splinters," but left it looking a bit rustic.  He stained it the same color he used on our front door and then waxed it with J&J Car Wax.  The base paint color is Behr Surfer.

Of course I had to make some pillows out of dropcloth fabric.  Since we bought and moved into this home in 2011, it seemed appropriate to celebrate that date on one of the pillows.  The other pillow is sporting a simple fabric rosette.  Do you see that little cut-out in the bench -- The Man's idea to make it easier to move -- you know, for sweeping or perhaps using it in the backyard for a gathering.

I had been using this floral arrangement in my dining room, but thought it would look 
good on the bench.


Well, I didn't reinvent the wheel with my front door wreath, I simply revamped last year's model by adding in some of my color-fave......

to give it a fresh new look!

                                     
                      

 I reused some things from my Spring mantel bunting which you can see HERE in this post.


I surely do adore my new bench, and absolutely love The Man for building it for me!

Thanks everyone for stopping by.  I hope you have a wonderful week!

I love to party with these fine bloggers:
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
Karen at Sew Many Ways for Sew Darn Crafty
Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Dawn at Creative Cain Cabin for Budget Decorating Party
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Mondays
Maria Elena at Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at Our Home
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday
Leslie at House on the Way for Twirl & Take a Bow
Mary Beth at Cupcakes and Crinoline for Project Inspired
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Karin at The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Richella at Imparting Grace for Grace at Home
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Tablescaper at The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been
Jody & Stan at Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays
Kathryn at The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Amanda at Serenity Now for Weekend Bloggy Reading




37 comments:

  1. Cute little bench, love the color!

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  2. The bench makes a lovely addition to your porch, and such a pretty color for spring and summer ;-)

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  3. Carol, the bench is perfect in size and color for that area! LOVE it! Your entry is so welcoming. I need to plant our spring planters soon. It's time to pull up them pansies here in the South! ;P

    xo,
    RJ

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  4. Wow! What a sweet hubby you have! I would have never thought to put the little cut out in the bench to make it easier to move, etc. That was very clever. I really like that light on the wall above the bench too. It looks like it casts a pretty light on it. I had to smile when I read the words "butt splinters." Love that description! :)

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  5. very welcoming indeed and I think that pop of blue is just perfect!

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  6. I love benches and yours is so cute! You are lucky to have a hubby who can make things and make it exactly what you want. Your entryway looks wonderful!

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  7. You have certainly brightened your entry with your happy little bench. I like the contrast between the painted and wood surface.

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  8. That bench looks like it was made for that space, er, well I guess it was thanks to your talented hubby! Love turquoise, love benches - this adds up to one fantastic project.

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  9. Wow, I love your bench Carol! Your hubby did an amazing job...love the colors too! Make for a wonderful welcome for all who come to your front entry!
    Thanks sooo much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

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  10. Don't you just love the aqua? Looks great on your bench that your hubs built for you, love how it looks outside too!

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  11. I love that color and the bench is the perfect addition to your entry! I have a handy husband too and it sure is a BLESSING!!! XO, Pinky

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  12. Adorable! I am looking for a bench myself....hmm, where is that hubby of mine???? HONEY....

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  13. Love the bench . . . love the color . . . love the pretty flowers in the tunnel.

    With my retirement pending, I think I need to take advantage of my next door teacher - the woodshop class. I have a few projects that he can help me cut out and I can build at my leisure. My husband is great, but not handy.

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  14. Gorgeous! Love the paint colour too!! Great job!!

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  15. The bench is perfect and I love the color. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  16. Very pretty bench, Carol! Who isn't crushing on turquoise lately?! I like it with red (one of my favourite colours), but also with orange! Your project is both practical and pretty!

    Poppy

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  17. Awesome! How great to be able to build things.
    I'm visiting you today from Project Inspired. I hope you get a chance to stop by my blog and leave a comment, too!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    Enter my Blog Birthday Giveaway

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  18. love the bench and & color is fabulous. thanks for sharing.

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  19. Y'all are such a talented couple! The bench turned out great!

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  20. What an adorable little bench! I love it! Found you at Project Inspire(d)
    Krista @thehappyhousie

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comment!

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  21. Your entry looks beautiful! Love the new bench and the color is just perfect! Very pretty!

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  22. Definitely in loved with your blue bench :) I like it!

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    1. Thanks so much, Diane! Haven't done much visiting, because I've been very sick. Hop equally I'll be back in the groove soon.

      Carol

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  23. I love it! That blue color is my favorite! A beautiful welcome to all your visitors.

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  24. You spoiled thing, you! I love this post. I was cackling out loud at the "whining" stuff. It works at my house too, lol. I am starting over in blogland, and would love for you to stop by. Some of you I just missed too much to stay away!

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  25. Perfect color, all the pops of blue. Thanks for sharing at the Cabin:)

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  26. What a cute bench! Love the bright color :)
    Lina @ fancy frugal life

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  27. I just love this, Carol. The bench is JUST RIGHT for your entryway--a great reminder of how to work with the space you've got and make it bright and welcoming!

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  28. very cute, I love the blue base with the stained top. Your entry looks very fun and inviting!
    Jenna

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    1. Thanks so much, Jenna! Staining the top was The Man's idea -- so glad he suggested it!

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  29. I am a bench lover, not to be confused with a bench warmer, from way back. I have 4 benches which might not seem like a lot, but in our tiny cottage it might seem like overkill. I have a yellow bench on our front porch.

    You did a great job of decorating your tunnel.

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  30. What a terrific porch bench...beautifully created. TFS. I am a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well on my blog at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
    Hugs, Gayle.

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol