Faye from Farm Life Best Life cut an old church pew in half to create a bench that fits her home perfectly! Read on to see how she prepped, painted, and sealed her new bench.

10 feet of bench at a Sunday service — YES! In a home — NO (far too wide)! Lived and served a good life — YES indeed! Life ended — gosh NO!

Although this bench has well-served its first life, its solid form offers so much more life to live! Church pews have so much to offer beyond their first provisions. Most are easily transformed into smaller benches that can accent and accommodate both great and moderately sized homes. Entryway seats, mudroom stalls, foot of bed rests, and dining room seating! Solid accommodation that will withstand the test of time, and never lose their style!

I was sooooo very lucky to obtain three solid 10-foot pews that were longing for their next lease on life. Tucked away in our garage, with plans to restore and transform one-by-one.

My transformation process for this one:

• Disassembled original 10-foot length ~ oh so very carefully
• Stored-away one of the 5-foot lengths and unfinished-middle-end ~ for another future bench transformation/restoration project
• Secured finished-end to the 5-foot length ~ to achieve matching-ends
• Lightly sanded down entire piece ~ to remove flaking finish and to prepare for product adhesion
• Thoroughly vacuumed and washed the entire piece ~ certainly required before transforming any piece of pre-loved furniture
• Applied 3 coats of Country Chic Paint in the colour ‘Sunday Tea’ to the entire piece ~ a warm grey tone that’ll make you think of cozy Sunday mornings spent curled up on the couch sipping a warm cup of tea
• Sanded entire piece down for a buttery smooth and slightly distressed finish ~ for the farmhouse chic look I adore and always strive for
• Applied 2 coats of Varathane’s ‘Diamond Wood Finish‘ (water-based, satin) to the entire piece ~ to achieve a crystal clear, water-resistant, and highly durable finish

Although I wanted to obtain more pictures amidst my transformation, these were the only two I was able to snag amidst my busy work-space and process:

Many prayers were sure to been prayed, and many hymns were sure to been sung on this once 10-foot church pew.  Although time in its’ church has passed, its’ soul is still very strong, beautiful and alive. Reduced to a 5-foot length, and transformed in a warm, soft greige that oozes comfort and charm. A delightful accent and accommodating piece for an entryway, mudroom, foot of bed, hallway, or dining table.

To see more examples of painted benches, click here.

Leave a comment below to tell us what you think of this refurbished church pew project.

Filling OUR home, and creating pieces for YOU with country chic character and sweet imperfections!