Stenciled Potting Bench
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyLast 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.
I already subscribe to you!! 🙂
Donna’s old sign stencils are all wonderful. I have some projects in mind now, using the new Potting Shed stencil!
The Fusion paint looks amazing. I love the Upper Canada Green, if I have to pick just one!
So glad to have found your blog via Funky Junk! I have now become a subscriber!
I love the color ash
This is absolutely gorgeous! What a lovely space to come home to. As for the paint colors, I’m dying over the Renfrew Blue!
I’d never make it inside the door! Just fabulous! That table is absolutely perfect just below the window and the stencil gave it the perfect touch. Really, I’d just plop down on the porch and bask in all that flowerness.
Loved stopping by to visit from Carole’s place.
I’ve also added my email to get yours ?
My favorite stencil is a toss up..welcome to my garden or potting shed
I love the Champness color…
Popping on over from Carole’s project and loving your’s too!
This was a fun project and I adore your cute and clever style!
Leaving inspired!
Jemma
little rustic bench is fabulous…I’ll sit and have coffee & ask you about the hens & chicks! now I want to keep one of my old seed trays I’ve been selling! I’m also eyeing up that outdoor mat 🙂
What a great space, it’s beyond inviting just makes you want to sit and relax. That bench is simply priceless and all that Terra Cotta is wonderful.
Love the flowers …
Wanted you to know I popped into Target and bought a gnome! I named him Mason.
You did!? Yay!! How cool. Thanks for sharing.
xo Michael
I love the route 66 stencil
The Ash paint is my favorite color
Love the porch!
Fusion’s Champlain is my favorite color along with Donna’s newest stencil – Potting Shed.
I have subscribed!
Thx for the opportunity to win this fabulous combo?
Hey Judi, since you did all three things to enter, you’ll welcome to leave two more comment for multiple chances to win. 🙂 Good luck!!
xo Michael
Cute and clever! I love MaryKate, too.
Oh Michael, your new (old) bench is perfect for your back porch! The added depth and old world interest it brings is soooo ‘the outside of your home’. The stencil is like an added surprise for those that walk up to the door. I LOVE that!
Thank you so much for joining this very special blog hop! It’s a pleasure launching these designs with your wonderful work! You are the BEST!
Michael I love the bench! Nice work 🙂