customizing a store bought piece

Before I was introduced to this wonderful world of thrifty DIY-ness, I used to have a tough time find the right pieces of furniture for my house.  Either something was the right color, but there was something off about another part of the piece, and so I would have to spend a lot of time searching for something that met everything I wanted, and we all know that those pieces are pretty non-existent or very few and far between.  My whole perspective in looking for pieces to add to my house has now changed because I now am so very aware of how easy-peasy it is to fix the small things you don't like.

Recently, I ordered this entryway bench from Target.com.  I have always loved the bench, mainly for the size of it and the additional storage it offers, but I wasn't quite sold on the color of the storage baskets and the cushions.  It's not really that there was anything wrong with it, it just wasn't me.

So, when this baby arrived to my house, I did what I do best and revamped it slightly to fit with me.  First off, I spray painted the baskets black.   Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of this, but you all know the drill.  Just that one little change made all the difference for me!  After I finished the baskets, I debated what I wanted to do with the cushions.  I went back and forth between choosing a fun print, or keeping it classic with burlap.  In the end, I went with burlap!  Affordable, and timeless, it doesn't get better than that.

Here's the cushions before, what I didn't really like was how peachy-ish they looked against the white wood, they just kind of clashed in my opinion.  So I recovered them in burlap in my own no-sew way (which I won't disclose because it's pretty ummmm....let's say inventive and I am ashamed how I managed to do it LOL!!)

And here's the AFTER!!

I really love what the burlap added to it!! Definitely blends more with my style!

Looks so different than the basic bench that it started off as!! I love it! It's added such a cute little quaintness to my entryway!  I love how easy it was to customize this store bought piece to what I love!!

So now what I am trying to decide is if I should number the cushions 1, 2, 3 or if I should monogram them with a D? Not all would be monogrammed but maybe the center cushion and then a design on the other two? I'm torn!! I would love if you would leave me a comment with what you think would be cutest! :)

(P.S. I added this post to DIY Day at a Soft Place to Land, swing by & check out other great projects!!)