Church pews at home generally conjure scenes of country cottage, shabby chic interiors for us. But what about using the often-rustic furnishing in a modern interior?
That's what we saw in this Sneak Peak of Rebekah Sigfrids' home over at Design Sponge, pictured up top. The sight of the broad, simple pew in a modern, refined interior made us rejoice! And instantly scour for more old pews used anew in homes:
from the home of Amy Zurcher, via The Constant Gatherer
a reclaimed pew at the dining table in this London home of artists Rob and Nicky Carter. Image: Michael Franke, via The Independent
tying shoes in the entryway of this Swedish-style farmhouse interior. Image: Ellen McDermott via Country Living
A church pew no more, this dining table once was in a former life. Via Completely Coastal.
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We had one in my childhood home in the entry way it was beautiful especially in an old spanish style home, kicking myself for not taking it!!!
I particularly like the washed distressed grey one above with the little girl.
I love the first one--so clean and simple. Oh, to have that much free wall space....
pews? p'sh.
http://realestate.sfgate.com/homes/listing/104-1997/94110-CA-USA/2-beds/2-baths/SINGLE-FAMILY-type/104-1997--219-354002--290-355985--193-354614--193-355415--123-2144--104-2141--193-354855--158-11-27294--123-2149-ls/27-t
I prefer to leave my lapsed catholic guilt in the church, not take it home with me.
I have been looking for the perfect one ever since I saw that first photograph. Most of them are 7 feet plus or very "country carving" looking.
I think you could take any simple furniture and make it work in a modern home. It's all about using what you love.
@inkstainedwriter, there is only one option: you must rob a Lutheran church.
Ahem. I'd like one, too.
Only for an entryway bench or something like that. I was raised Catholic and can tell you from experience that pews are definitely not comfortable to sit on for extended periods of time.
Actually, now that I think of it, the Presbyterian church I attended as a child was a total MCM structure, built around 1960. Minimalist pews, clean lines. Hmm.
That house/church for sale is unreal. Here's an example of modern pews, in the Eero Saarinen-designed North Christian Church in Columbus, Indiana:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joan_benedetti/3492180622/
Pews Hurt.
We've had a pew in our kitchen for many years. I do love it but I'm ready for a change. I think you featured it a few years ago here on AT.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/76/154572710_a1aefd9192_o.jpg
reiskid: whoa... I'm in a bit of shock. For two years I lived just 3 blocks away and walked by each day to work. Too much to see it described as a HOUSE.
My sister has one in her dining area. It's ideal because my nephew is always inviting friends over and they can plop down, straight from the pool, and have a snack. I think they found it on eBay for under $200.
Seaside- chuckling... ditto
I "bought" a simple, beautiful and old 10' bench by making a donation toward the renovation of the old Czech meeting hall from whence it came ... and appeased my husband by promising we'd never scrape off the decades of gum petrified immediately under the front seat ledge. Which is actually sort of okay -- authentic, even.
I think every "piece of wood" with history is great, I just love the idea that it had a life in an entirely different context/environment. Thanks for featuring my pew table!
i love using furniture with history. but as someone else said, many of them have this country-traditional carving stuff that i don't like at all. if i could find one with the wonderful simplicity as the one in the first photo, i would totally use it. great ideas!
and about that giant "house" for sale...freaky! i can see fixing up a tiny little chapel or something, but that is just weird.