Now we can put on our shoes | How About Orange

December 04, 2013

Now we can put on our shoes


Since we moved in months ago, I've been looking for a bench for the entryway. Preferably something that would match the style of the house and the dignified entry. Walking in the front door, you face a staircase and to the right are pillars. Pillars!


I love modern, but an antique church pew seemed like just the thing. I've been searching Craigslist and secondhand stores religiously (ha) for months, but couldn't find just the right piece of furniture. And then last weekend, I came across this beauty at an architectural salvage store. They'd had it a week.


According to the previous owner the bench is European and dates from the 1830's. A neighbor thinks it was a courtroom bench. It's six feet long, built using pegs, and very sturdy. The seat could use a little more cushioning and the faded red fabric should be replaced, but that's a fun project.


It's exactly what I was looking for. Happiness!

16 comments:

Sarah Marvelous said...

It looks so perfect! And it matches your lovely hardwood floors as well.

www.cephalopodsyndrome.com

Grandma G said...

Yep... it's perfect! I'm so glad you can finally put on shoes... winter's comin', y'know. Actually, it arrived here today. With a vengeance.

Mum

Bronwyn said...

It's gorgeous. Congratulations. Good hunting.

Needle little Balance said...

Great find! Will you reupholster it or leave it as it is?
I second court room bench btw. In some of our old court houses on the countryside (in Austria) they still have those kind of benches.

Martine said...

Congratulations! It's really really pretty!

annie dee said...

Love it. Perfect fit for the entryway. Great find!

Susan@Organized31 said...

You found a gorgeous treasure in your bench. I'm both happy for you and super jealous.

Anonymous said...

it is gorgeous, and looks right at home. congrats on the find!

Anonymous said...

Please, could you tell me where did you find the chandelier on the second picture? thank you.

kansasgirl1 said...

That is really beautiful - that wood grain is gorgeous! What a perfect find.

Dorkys Ramos said...

Sweet find! The bf and I are moving into an apartment with a nice foyer area and we're also looking for a cushioned bench for peeps to take their shoes off. Yours looks lovely and I can't wait to see how you jazz it up with some new fabric.

Jessica Jones said...

Anonymous, the chandelier was here when we moved in, so I have no idea when it was purchased or from where.

Dorkys, yes, I'm debating about fabric... solid or print? What to do? A fun question to ponder.

Kelsey said...

When are we going to get a full house tour?! I'm dying to see the whole place.

Jessica Jones said...

Kelsey, not sure yet. It's only half done, so I'm kind of waiting until I don't have bare, empty walls anymore. Plus I'm trying to figure out how to take decent, non-blurry pictures in rooms that don't have much natural light. It's hard! A couple rooms don't have overhead lights, so we want to install some fixtures.

Christina said...

I'm so enjoying following along as you make your new house a home.

Anonymous said...

That ugly grate beneath it is such a detractor! It looks like stains upon stains with some mildew. (I'm sure it's not but eek!)

The bench is a beauty, but that grate is nasty...