Vintage garden bench makeover [and a peek into my garden]

Our iron and wood garden bench had seen better days and the creaky old slats finally gave way last summer. It has been waiting forlornly for some TLC ever since and I am chuffed that we have finally got around to fixing it up and giving it a whole new lease of life.

I bought like-for-like sized hardwood slats from Feuillus Fencing Ltd and it once it was re-slatted, it looked much happier:

Bench before painting — *Bench with new hardwood slats, before painting*

I used Ronseal Garden Paint in ‘Bluebell’ and wow, is it a stunning colour! It can be applied directly onto wood, and there was no exposed metal or rust on the ends thanks to the old layers of paint, so I just went straight onto it with the paint. 3 coats later…

Blue garden bench in dappled shade — *At mid day, in the dappled shade of the wisteria*

Blue garden bench in evening light — *In early evening sunlight*

From old and creaky to hip and peppy – I love it! 😀

Oh look, I found it a cushion. £2 for that tropical palm cushion cover from eBay!

We’ve been working away on different areas of our garden this year, and seeing as we’re in the patio today…

Pergola over patio — *Don’t you just love a perfect blue sky? 🙂 (Ignore the neighbour’s outbuilding)*

… in this area, we’ve replaced the old rotten pergola timbers with pressure-treated timber, and planted the little flower bed by the fence (the vine and clematis were the only plants there previously). I’m so looking forward to seeing the new plants grow and bush up. Perhaps in a couple of years we’ll get around to staining the new pergola timbers to match the support beams.

For now, the next change, or additions rather, will be a couple of chairs in front of the flower bed and a coffee table. I’ve just ordered the chairs and can’t wait to see them in situ!

EDIT 06/07/16: See the post with the new garden chairs here.

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9 Comments

Kimberly Duran
June 6, 2016 / 1:29 pm

Oh the new bench looks great and I’m loving your eBay score!! Actually, I’m loving your patio area! We’re planning on putting up a pergola at the bottom of our garden very soon and I can’t wait to train the ivy to trail all over it 😉 xxx

- Meera
  Author
  June 6, 2016 / 9:18 pm
  
  Thank you Kimberly! I knew what colour I chose, yet I was surprised by the vividness of it against the red brick+paving and greenery when the bench was painted. I love it. 🙂
  How exciting about your new pergola plans! Looking forward to seeing that xxx
  
jadewilce5
June 6, 2016 / 10:05 pm

Looking fantastic lady! And can not wait to see more of your garden! It reminds me so much of the beautiful Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech, especially in that wonderful sunshine we have had all weekend! X

- Meera
  Author
  June 7, 2016 / 3:51 pm
  
  Such a lovely comment, thank you! I now think of the YSL gardens every time I look at the bench 😉 x
  
Fiona Cameron
June 7, 2016 / 9:10 am

This looks stunning Meera. Good job. The transforming effect of a splashy bold colour should never be underestimated! This looks splendidly vivid in the sun but I bet will cheer the patio up on gloomier days too. x

- Meera
  Author
  June 7, 2016 / 4:18 pm
  
  Ta muchly, Fiona! Yes, it is a very cheerful colour for any kind of day 🙂 x
  
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Lins @ Boo & Maddie
August 25, 2017 / 10:00 pm

Ooh that blue is just beautiful, well done for bringing it back to life!! X #HomeEtc

- Meera
  Author
  August 26, 2017 / 3:38 pm
  
  I’m so happy my old bench is looking good again, and that blue makes me happy everyday, whatever the weather! 😀💙