Stenciled Potting Bench

Last week here on IBC I shared a fun stenciled coffee tray. I was gratified by the response to that post and thrilled that you liked the tray as much as I did. Today I’m back with another fun stencil-inspired project (a stenciled potting bench), plus a peek at my back porch decor and a fun giveaway. So many exciting things in one post; please try to contain yourself.

So, you’re probably wondering what all the excitement is about. Well, my friend Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors has a line of stencils called Old Sign Stencils. Today she’s launching two new designs (Potting Shed and Garden), and she’s invited a few of her blogging friends (and our fabulous readers) to join in on the fun. There are seven bloggers (linked at the bottom of this post) who have all created projects with the new stencil designs.

As you may remember from past posts and tours, this is my back porch. It’s a fairly small area that’s not especially fancy. However, it is the entrance to my house that I use on a daily basis so dressing it up for the summer is always a must

While some things stay the same, I like to switch it up a bit every year. A couple weeks ago I spotted this bench on the curb at a local antique shop and thought it would be just the right size for the space. It was. For $10, it came home with me.

Although it looked fine as it was, I decided it would be the ideal surface for me to try the new Potting Shed stencil.

My first step was to select paint colors. As I mentioned in my other stenciling post, I’m using Fusion Mineral Paint. This paint works great for these types of projects because it has a built-in primer and requires no top coat. For this project, I decided to use four colors: Picket Fence, Sterling, Upper Canada Green, and Fort York Red.

I relied on washi tape again to hold the stencil down. The stencils have center markers so positioning them on your surface is simple.

With the stencil in place, I started painting. In case you haven’t stenciled before, here are a few tips to ensure good results. First, keep your brush very dry. Add some paint to your brush, then remove most of the paint by wiping the bristles with a rag or tapping the bristles on a scrap surface. Also, apply the paint by tapping up and down rather than brushing back and forth.

If you’re using multiple colors like I am here, you can protect other areas by using a piece of tape or setting a piece of paper over certain areas of the stencil as you work.

Once all of the paint is applied, I let it rest for a couple minutes and then carefully removed the stencil to reveal my finished piece. Voila!

While the bench was perfectly okay the way it was, this detail adds a touch of color and character. And you know how much I love a little color and character.

Surrounded by aged terra cotta pots filled with flowers and my gold-hatted garden gnome Mary Kate, I’d say that my porch is looking pretty welcoming.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about the vertical planter on the wall, that was a DIY from a few years back. It’s filled with hens and chicks and hangs in the same spot all year long. (Yes, even through the winter.) Even though I lose a few of the plants each winter, about 75% of them come back to life every spring. It’s still one of my favorite projects. (You can read more about it here.)

You also might be surprised to see that my outdoor space looks a bit more “country rustic” compared to some of my interiors spaces. I know, it’s kind of weird. For some reason when it comes to outdoor spaces, my designing heart leans toward a rustic, weathered look. Why? Well, I find it comforting. I also feel that it works well with the exterior of my home and the area where I live. Plus, I’ve tried incorporating mostly modern elements, and they just look odd. In addition, in this part of the country, things don’t weather well. I just want to place items outside and enjoy them. I don’t want to worry about them getting dirty or damaged.

Of course, you will notice both modern and traditional elements on my deck and side porch. I guess eclectic may be the best way to describe IBC style because I just love it all. We’ll take a look at those spaces during my Summer Home Tour which is happening next week. Stay tuned for that.

Right now I’m loving how the stenciled detail makes my bench even better.

If you have yet to visit Old Sign Stencils or Fusion Mineral Paint, you should pop over and check out their selections. I’m sure you’ll be bursting with ideas.

Now, before you head off, be sure to visit some of my fellow stenciling bloggers. I’ve linked up everyone below and given you a glimpse of their projects. It’s fascinating to see how each person used the same tools, but created something unique and personal. I love it.

Which project is your favorite?

Garden Wheelbarrow on Beyond the Picket Fence

Welcome To My Garden Sign on Homeroad

Rustic Potting Shed Sign on Organized Clutter

Welcome to the She-Shed on Grit Antiques

Garden Sign Inspiration on Garden Up Green

Potting Shed Perfection on Funky Junk Interiors

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you’re feeling a bit more inspired.