We bought a 6 foot long foldable bench at Aldi earlier this summer and it’s very practical for the our grands to sit on but it sure wasn’t pretty.
I decided to try sewing a slipcover/dust-ruffle to cover it.
I didn’t find much help on Pinterest so I just jumped in anyway.
I ordered 5 yards of black and white buffalo check fabric on EBay. It was described as tablecloth fabric and I was very happy with it when it arrived.
It’s polyester so it doesn’t wrinkle and should be sturdy.
Below is the bench without a cover.
I just measured the bench and cut a piece for the top, then cut 2 long pieces for the sides and pinned them on, and 2 shorter pieces for the ends.
Then I just sewed it all together and finished the seams so it will hold up to laundering.
I don’t think Ducky likes it but that’s OK. He won’t be sitting on it.
I don’t think Ducky likes it but that’s OK. He won’t be sitting on it.
I also added ties on the inside to each corner and middle of the cover are tied to the legs.
The table runner is just the scrap of leftover but I do plan to hem it for a proper runner.
I like the black and white checks so much, I may order more and sew up a new curtain for the window by the front door. What do you think?
In the kitchen, I cleaned out every cabinet and tried to clear as much surface as I could.
The biggest change is the upright freezer was moved to the garage and our fridge moved back to the built in spot it was supposed to be in.
The coffee bar moved into the breakfast nook.
The kitchen seems a lot less crowded to me now.
It’s hard to photograph and I didn’t take before photos but I spent 2 days cleaning out and organizing our pantry.
The biggest change is the upright freezer was moved to the garage and our fridge moved back to the built in spot it was supposed to be in.
The coffee bar moved into the breakfast nook.
The kitchen seems a lot less crowded to me now.
It’s hard to photograph and I didn’t take before photos but I spent 2 days cleaning out and organizing our pantry.
Below is the view top to bottom.
Above is the top half of the pantry and below is the bottom half.
Above is the top half of the pantry and below is the bottom half.
My favorite change is I switched out plastic storage baskets for Longaberger baskets. I already owned several Longabergers and then I bought a bunch more of them at a bargain yard sale in June.
The crocks hold potatoes and onions.
The crocks hold potatoes and onions.
The plastic tubs hold things bought in bulk and things like extra bags of flour, rice, etc;
These changes have made cooking much easier too as I know exactly what we have on hand and where everything is.
I’ve got more sprucing up in other rooms to do and I’ll post progress when I get to it.
This looks beautiful! I love the coffee station. And the bench cover is perfect. I agree that a matching curtain would be very cute, or maybe a plain black curtain with the buffalo check as tie-backs or something like that.
ReplyDeleteEverything look very tidy and organized.
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous! That is some beautiful work, and your kitchen looks so clean and tidy. Your pantry is great, too, everything looks very cozy and welcoming. :)
ReplyDeleteYou have been working hard! Everything looks so organized! The pretty fabric and sewing really made the sewing bench look new and very pretty. I bet you feel as though you have moved!
ReplyDeleteI just love the bench and cover; you made it beautiful! Your pantry is so pretty; love the look of the longaberger baskets in there.
ReplyDeleteI love what you have done with the bench cover and other changes. The coffee station is in a great position too! It all looks so organised and welcoming 😊 Your hard work has really paid off.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about looking at a clean and organized home that just makes my heart sing? Honestly, I just want to step into your pictures themselves and make myself at home. But then that would make me a stalker and that would be bad :) I so admire people who can do what you do--The "domestic gene" (or whatever you want to call it), is such a blessing. I have to struggle to have my home look even remotely presentable because my spatial skills are not front and center in my brain like they seem to be with so many others. GOD gives us all special gifts, it's true, but sometimes I wish that my gifts were a little bit more practical--Sigh....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, absolutely beautiful. Then I would tell my family "now everyone stay out of my clean kitchen" LOL
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy! Great job you've done, and I understand that wonderful feeling of being organized and freeing up space. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThe slip cover looks wonderful! Hobby Lobby has a table runner just like yours that is over $20. Good job making your own from the left over fabric. ��
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen and pantry look wonderful. You have inspired me to get to work organizing.
- Ellie
It all looks so wonderful! You did a great job with the bench cover. I would have NEVER thought of that, but you did great!
ReplyDeleteNice, nice, nice, Love the bench cover. Never thought about using my crocks for potatoes and onions. Great idea. I use one as a trash can.
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy - looks great.
I love that bench cover and will definitely be doing that in the future.
ReplyDeleteYour pantry is so neat and organized! Love the cover you made for your bench - practical AND pretty.
ReplyDeleteI really like the black and white checks and the style of the bench cover. It reminds me of some covers I made when I as a teenager, basically done in the same way only using small 1/4" checks in yellow and green. They covered two orange crates that I used for bedside tables. I stood them on end so that they served as bookcases. Can you even find orange crates these days? I need you to send some of your energy my way!
ReplyDeleteI was starting to comment, and suddenly my laptop began READING your blog to me! I have no idea how that happened! Anyway….the bench looks great--good job. I love the crisp look of black and white checks in kitchens, sort of makes me think of Italian food. I really like the pantry. Now I have to find some crocks for taters and onions!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic. I liked the ease of the idea and photo of having your fridge and freezer in the dining room and so close...but it looks better now ;)
ReplyDeleteI love buffalo checks. I would make white curtains with buffalo check on bottom so there would be light. My kitchen cabinets are the same color as yours and same panel look. Everything looks so neat now.
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks so nice I really like that fabric, you should definitely make a curtain.
ReplyDeleteThat all looks so wonderful. You must be ready to sit back and bask in the glory of it all for a few minutes!! I would.
ReplyDeleteI love the bench cover. It makes the plastic bench look so much better.
The organized cupboards...I love them. Now that yours are so nice, I wonder if you could just come around and do mine:). LOL! I want to get around to cleaning mine soon. I did the garage shelves a while back, but did not ever get to the kitchen cupboards. I have a bunch of canning to do first, as I have peaches and apples sitting around in large boxes and a garden that just keeps producing, so maybe in the fall. Here's hoping.
Couldn't you just sit and admire your organization skills all day :) Looks great and I absolutely love the checked table runner and bench cover. Just my style.
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