Displaying Newly Painted Garden Furniture
My newly painted outdoor garden furniture looks so wonderful out on my terraces - a new coat of paint is an easy way to update and transform these metal pieces.
Not long ago, I decided to paint a large number of metal furniture pieces my signature "Bedford gray". Some of the items were old, weathered, and in need of attention, while others were simply painted the wrong shade or color. It took several days to prime and paint the furniture, and then a few more until everything was completely dry. Last week, we put them all out where they could be used and enjoyed by visiting family and friends.
Here are some photos.
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- Earlier this month, I gathered all my mismatched, timeworn, metal garden furniture along with some pieces that had been incorrectly painted, and prepared a painting area outside my Winter House carport, so all the furniture could be repainted the same Bedford gray.
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- Two of my crew – Pete and Fernando – took on the task of spray painting every piece – first with a primer made especially for metal and then with an oil based finishing paint.
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- All the pieces looked so great once finished. Then it was another three days of drying to make sure everything was completely dry. Drying time is heavily dependent on the surface of the material. Oil-based paints take longer to dry on metal than on wood or drywall. There was no rain in the forecast, so it was fine to leave them all drying in my carport.
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- The first pieces I moved were these benches. They look so nice outside my Flower Room. It creates a whole new space for rest and contemplation here in this passage way to my Winter House kitchen.
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- Last Friday, Pete and I began moving the rest of the furniture to their new summertime homes.
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- On this terrace, I placed this charming plant stand. I’m looking forward to filling it with small potted plants from my greenhouse.
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- Have you every seen one of these? It is called a “conversation chair.” Over the centuries it has also been known as the courting bench, a tête-à-tête, a chaperone chair, the vis-à-vis, or the gossip chair. It was considered a piece of sophistication and style during the Gilded and Victorian age.
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- Here’s another view. Conceived in 19th century France, the basic setup shows two seats conjoined in a serpentine shape, allowing sitters to have a quiet, more intimate conversation while also preventing too much physical contact because of the shared armrest cleverly doubling as an elegant barrier.
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- Over in front of this window is a dainty single chair – also in the same Victorian era style. But look closely…
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- It is actually in miniature size – for the youngest of guests.
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- And here is an average sized Victorian style bench – also painted the same Bedford gray.
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- In the courtyard behind my Winter House kitchen, Pete and Dawa transport this large plant stand.
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- It looks very nice behind this table. Once the glass tabletop is returned, this will be a great spot for summertime brunches.
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- Another small table is positioned on the terrace behind my Summer House. These chairs are Francois Carre Sunburst chairs, also known as Pinwheel chairs.
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- Nearby is another Sunburst chair sitting behind a small glass covered metal desk looking out at the formal sunken garden. These chairs were made in both France and the United States until the 1940s. They have a spring mechanism on the seat and backs.
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- And look at the garden now – so lush and green with all the beautiful foliage. When I first designed this garden, I called it my Boxwood Room. It measures 60 by 120 feet. The garden’s focal point is the old Ginkgo tree at the back of the garden. On the sides are smaller ginkgo trees planted over the sculpted boxwood shrubs and hedges.
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- And over on the terrace parterre in front of my Winter House kitchen – this circular bench, ready for visiting friends and family.
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- Over on the other side, tables and other seating arrangements – everything is now all matched and ready for summer entertaining.
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- One single bench is placed in front of the herb garden with a perfect view of the paddocks and stable beyond. We are in desperate need of some rain here in the Northeast and in much of the country, but the gardens are looking beautiful this season.
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- Here is another view over one of two hand-casted antique fountains I purchased many year ago. They are 19th century fountains with a hexagonal shape. I installed them about four years ago and the birds love them. I hope you are all enjoying your summer and the beauty of your gardens.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
