First attempt at shabby chic!

Today I decided to have a go at turning something boring into a shabby chic piece as I am going to try doing this style in my new cottage, I thought I better see if I could even do it before getting too carried away!


I had a little bench I bought when I got my first cottage as I thought it had a shabby chic look to it but the colour never really fitted in anywhere so its been relegated to my spare bits draw. I seem to have gained a bit of confidence with making a few bits here and there so I thought I would have a go at giving it a revamp. I had some nice Fired Earth duck egg blue paint and the plan was to make it into a little bench to sit outside Seashell cottage.

I took the seat part off and recovered it with some nice patchwork fabric I had. I then gave it a coat of paint which when it was dry I gave it a light rub down. Its actually worked really well as the original gold colour has come through giving it a nice effect. I then made a few cushions just to finish it off and I have to say for a first attempt I am really pleased at how its turned out!

Its pictured here sitting on the new outside seating area for the icecream parlour. I repainted the fence in the nice blue paint and took off the grass 'carpet' and laid some wood effect vinyl tile. I marked this out in 1cm sections and drew them on with a black biro. I then rubbed at the lines with a babywipe to take off as much pen as possible so they lines were a bit more subtle. Its given the decked look I was after quite effectively. I have a couple of white wire tables and so I have just ordered some matching chairs and will see what other ideas I can come up with for decoration!

I thought I would also show you a couple of great Ebay finds I have just received. I have been after some chairs for the beach hut for ages and found these yesterday for £3 for the 2 and they look just perfect. Also I got this little brass mug stand with a bell on the top which I thought looked very nautical. It looks great in Lavender cottage just right for when Bob wants a night cap after a hard days fishing!!