DESIGN PROBLEM – STTING THE MOOD IN THE FOYER
September is a great time to start thinking about adding warmth and coziness to your home. As the entrance to your abode, the foyer can set the mood for guests right away. Since the foyer floor is stone tile, I needed to soften the space using fabric. As well, I wanted to bring in a wood element to add warmth and help transition into the rest of the home which had wood flooring. Finally, we are a ‘no shoes’ house to help keep down the dirt. So, I needed a place for guests to remove their shoes. A cushioned wood bench was my solution to all three.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOYER BENCH
I love thrift shopping. But why is it so much easier to find things that you don’t need at the momoent than when you need something specific? I had already decided that my fabric was going to be a patchwork of materials that combined all the colors of my whole house color scheme. Hence, I was looking for a wood bench that was not modern, but also not the typical “x” trestle farmhouse style. More importantly, I knew that I was going to be attaching the cushion, so it needed to be solid wood. I finally found one at a local Restore.
MY UPCYCLED FOYER BENCH FOR GUESTS
I had plenty of scrap fabric from other projects around the house to sew the patchwork fabric. Because I wanted asymmetric patches, sewing together the different shapes was the most challenging aspect of this project. Since I wanted some of the wood bench top to be visible, the cushion does not extend the full length of the bench. As well, I attached the cushion in a more decorative fashion with upholstery tacks seen from the edge.
DELICATE FOYER BENCH
Changing styles for this upcycle is easy. First, consider the bench style. A piano bench would often have a bit more detail to the legs. As well, you see them quite a bit in thrift stores, flea markets, and second hand on-line shops (Etsy, Ebay, Craigslist). Second, paint or stain the bench to match your color scheme. Third, consider the fabric. Fabric comes in so many patterns, you’re bound to find something in your style, but it needs to be durable.
Finally, decorative upholstery tacks can take it to the next level. Fringe or beaded trim may have durability issues. Since you don’t need many, this is an area where you could splurge without breaking the bank. You can find some on Amazon, or if you really want something distinct Van Dykes Restorers has a great variety. Nope – neither are affiliates.
No sewing skills? No worries! Simply look for a decorative pillow sham in a size that is large enough to cover the length and width of your cushion. Need something bigger? How about a curtain panel? Just cut to size so that the edges can be folder over before you attach the tacks.
Find more secret fabric tips in the Style Library.
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