Love it. I think a fabric cushion for a back would be just the right touch.

I would love to see a custom cut of wood (shaped with a wide U-shape in the middle to follow the round curve of the mirror)

Then upholster the new wood backing (use plywood or a cheaper cut) with a worn-looking tapestry fabric. Or maybe a simple heavy cream linen or burlap.

Add lighted electrical sconces on each side of the mirror. Or a small round antique (perhaps painted black to echo the mirror?) table with a black iron lamp.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I wonder if you could add beadboard to the back, stained to match, eve though you might not find 3/4" material?

I've seen the tongue and groove beadboard like that at Home Depot. I think it would be the best way to add a back IF you can match the stain or refinish it so it all matches. It's really an interesting piece and my guess is you're right about it once being a built in by a stairway.

Another thought is to notch out the other side and just put a board (stained) across the back.

You could send it to me LOL! I've been looking for something to fit next to our stairs!

Thanks for the replies. I'm assuming because no one said the mirror isn't working, that it looks fine there. Or am I incorrect in my assumption???

I like the idea of copying the shape of the mirror in the back. Or how would a few pillows look, just to soften it a bit? I had also thought about repeating the beadboard on the back, but matching the stain would be quite challenging.

Any other ideas?

It's an interesting piece ; I would sand it and restain it to even out the color and luster, it will still have character. Try putting a few pillows and show us what it looks like.

Like ajsmama said, a board along the back would balance out the high sides,
at a height where it would be logical to lean back on.
I keep looking at the round mirror and I'm finding it too contemporary looking, although I'm stumped as to what shape would look best above your bench.

I like Jan's idea....
So fun to use family pieces!

what about beadboard on back and painting bench and back a cool distressed red or black? it reminds me of this shaker bench [i LOVE it] from plow hearth but beadboard...
http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?section_id=0amp;department=0amp;search_type=normal&search_value=bench&cur_index=&pcode=1363

or what about a fabric back mounted to wall? i'm picturing something like the fabric headboards they're always doing on those shows on HGTV. that might be cool...of course makes it hard to move around. LOL.

It's cool as is with throw pillows as well...

Trish

What a gorgeous piece of furniture! I like the idea of putting a board in for the back and I guess you'd have to stain the whole thing to make it match.

And with decorative pillows on it, it would be beautiful!

Tntw, don't you just love Plow and Hearth?

Hi Barb, what a great piece for your entryway! I love the history and the style of the bench. Here's my thoughts on your questions:

Mirror - I personally don't think it fits. IMHO the mirror looks too modern for it. Living in cold country, I'd take my que from that bench and make that area a quaint "mud room" space with coat hooks, a nice rug and an umbrella bin.

Back of Bench - I like the idea of matching the bottom but think that it could get a little busy. I might opt for something a bit more plain that sort of mimics the back of a pew bench or has just some block trim to frame it. A nice seat cushion would be pretty.

Clean up - As far as the character of the piece goes, I think that's really a personal choice and how well it fits into the space. It seems like if you're going to add a back to it, you'll need to sand the whole thing and re-stain it so the woods match but how much of the character you sand off is really just a matter of what you like. If you decide you want to leave it in it's rougher condition, you could distress the new wood you use for a backing some so it matches.

On the other hand, I found these great inspirations as well to give you some ideas they all have something that could be incorporated into the bench:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/beach-style-entry-beach-style-entry-boston-phvw-vp~34472-Hill-Rhode-Island-Residence-traditional-entry-boston

http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/_images/portfolio/sarahs-house/laundry-mud-room/image2.jpg

http://www.renovationdesigngroup.com/images/portfolio/13/Mudroom%20-%20After.jpg

I don't think you should in any way alter that bench. The mirror is okay but I would take it away and replace it with some kind of hook system where you could hang hats, coats, etc for guests who enter your home. You could even hang some decorative 'stuff' from there, or maybe put something with a shelf and hooks. The mirror can even remain in the space and move to one side or the other.

I agree with sasafras, do not alter the bench. You can clean it up a bit with Briwax, a natural cleaner that will also return the luster to the wood. Finish it off with a cushion and/or a pillow or two. I'm okay with the mirror. I think once you clean up the bench and add some color with pillows, the mirror will be less of a focus. It's handy to have a mirror near an entrance/exit.

I REALLY do appreciate all the replies to my questions on this bench, as well as the inspiration pictures. As mitchdesj requested, here are some pics showing a few pillows on the bench. They are just pillow forms I have in my stash. The first pic shows an 18" square with a 12"X16" rectangle. As you can see, I moved the rug from in front of the front door to centered in front of the bench, just to see what it looks like. Does it add or detract from the bench? It leaves the area near the door bare and that's where I really need a rug, tho. I also added a plant, again, just to see what it looks like.

This picture show a 20" square with an 18" square.

I'm sure there are endless possibilites with shapes and sizes. I think the pillows may be just enough for now. What do you think? Is 2 enough?

If I don't keep the mirror there (altho, I really do like having a mirror in the entry), I have 3 old glass door knobs from my in-laws that I've always wanted to mount to a piece of wood and use as hooks. I also like the idea of a shelf.

Prairiemom, where can I find Briwax? I googled it and it seems like just the thing to clean up the bench and leave all the charm. Have you used the product?

I love how it looks now. I'd still make the hook idea with the glass knobs and place them on the wall to the left of the bench. And yes, I do like the mirror there. It looks great.

Yes, Becky, I think the pillows are an improvement. Just have to figure out what size, configuration and number. And then of course, there will be the difficult part of choosing a fabric.

I moved the rug back to closer to the door, but still a little in front of the bench. I may try to find something a little longer, but I can't do any wider.

The pillows look great, and the mirror is not so prominent. AND - Those door knobs are perfect for hooks! I have made those as gifts and actually have several hanging around our home. You can use old found wood, or go to the home store and buy a corner block and simply drill a hole and wah lah! AND YES, to the left of the bench. Nice change, it looks lovely so far!!

The pillows are an improvement, but it still looks like the bench is missing a back. The sides are too high. If you don't want to modify the bench, you could always put beadboard and a rail up behind the bench (just the bench, I don't think I'd do the whole wall) so that it *looks* like a back.

I love the door knob coat hook idea.