Coastal Inspiration
When you walk through my house I doubt you would describe it as coastal dĂ©cor. Traditionally speaking it’s not. But the real story behind my home’s color palette is 100% coastal. You might just say a little birdie told me which direction to take! 
Next week I will share ALL my home’s paint colors and more about how the coast brought them to my home. Today I am sharing a DIY Furniture Girl makeover Coastal style. You can check out my friend’s seaside inspirations below.
I’ve already worked on some other sitting areas around our yard, like this headboard bench and the bold color bench I chose on our private patio. One spot still needs some love. We have a port a cochere at our house that connects the front and back of our home. You can actually drive all the way through from the front street of our house and out the back street. It’s kind of cool. This area tries really hard to be a gathering spot for everyone’s junk, including mine, but I have been on a quest to tidy it up. I wanted to create a comfy sitting area to hang out while the kids ride bikes and throw baseballs.
While hunting through a Friday of garage sales I came upon the perfect bench for this spot. It came with two chairs that will show their face at a later date. The paint color was a little outdated and not in my color scheme, but that is easy to remedy.
I am a messy painter so prepping this bench was essential. I used good painters tape where the arms meet the rattan and wrapped the rest of the seat in good old plastic wrap out of the pantry. I used homemade chalk paint made of the same paint I have on my doors. The homemade chalkypaint mix I use is a mixture of latex paint, a touch of water and Plaster of Paris (affiliate link). I use roughly a cup of paint, 1-1 1/2  Tablespoons plaster and a few Tablespoons of water until a nice consistency forms. It’s a little different every time, but the more you play with it the more you figure out what you like!
I finished the job with Annie Sloan’s wax. It is a great sealer and gives off more of a matte finish than glossy. I really feel the sealant finish you use is what makes the difference between homemade looking painting and professional looking finishes.
Black may not seem like a coastal selection of colors when you think of the typical sea blue, sandy khakis and soft greens you see, but I think this picture explains my inspiration best.
The rattan texture reminds me of the reeds on the beach blowing in the breeze and that is one of my very favorite sights. The seagulls are calling out to the wind. I’m sure I will feel like I’m lounging at the beach when I sit here and referee my little loves. 🙂 Hope this little bird inspires you too. You really can get inspiration from anywhere! Here are a few more inspiring projects to enjoy, please check them out.    
I totally get you. 🙂 I totally get the black inspiration. This is a great find for this spot and a great little makeover. Hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
so glad you do friend 🙂
WOW! It is amazing what a different color of paint can do to a piece. This looks so much better in the darker color! I love it!
Glad you like it! It was a fun makeover
What a gorgeous find…I would have snatched that up too…love it in the black! XO
Thanks Christy!
Such a great find and I love that you chose the dark color – it looks amazing!
Thanks Jeanie!
I love it with the dark color! It really changed the look of the whole piece! Just beautiful!
Hugs,
Karina
It’s amazing what a little paint will do
I have been looking for a bench like this forever. What a great score and it makes your space so inviting. It looks great in black with the cream peaking through in the distressed areas!
I know you would do wonders to a bench like this!!!
What a fabulous find and it really pops now in black – nice job!
Thanks Marie, it definitely shows up better now
Such a pretty piece! And I’m totally seeing your beach inspiration in the black and the rattan. I actually really like it when people interpret themes in their own way instead of just taking the obvious route. I would put this little bench in my house in a second.
I’m glad it translates!!!
This bench looks great in black. It’s a pretty piece that you are sure to enjoy for many years.
Thanks, it is perfect for the space…I know we will use it a bunch
I am a grandma so I have time to sit and watch my grandchildren, even though I tried to find time for my son’s when they were young. I had a great time watching and laughing very good , for stress! Ha! Ha!
My mom loves to sit and watch the kids…I do too, but I do feel crunched for time so often and wish I would just relax with them more!!! Hard lesson to learn, but I know it’s a good one!
Beautiful makeover and love your inspiration!
Thank you!
Kim,
Your inspiration photo as well as your description of the beach grasses made me feel like heading to the coast. First I need to sit a spell at your home on your lovely bench and meet you.
Happy Creating,
Karen Marie
That would be awesome!!!
The black paint turned this piece into a beauty. It was a little plain jane before!
Thanks Kathy, It made it fit our house better for sure!
I love how this turned out! I always add a little black to my decor. I think it really adds some personality! Now you have the perfect little spot!
Thanks – black is always in style!
The bench looks perfect. I always love black and it seems never out of style, right? Nice job! I love your blog.