Welcome to Day #19 of my March Madness Series! All this month I’m sharing a thrifty makeover every day! You can catch up on all the thrifty goodness at the bottom of this post.
Guess what else today is? It’s Themed Furniture Thursday! That’s where I and a bunch of my favorite bloggy friends get together once a month to makeover a piece of furniture to fit a particular theme. This month’s theme is “Distressed”. I’ve included a few links so you can find the products I used. Read my full disclosure here.
I’m sharing the makeover of this headboard I picked up from the thrift store for $30:
I love the classic style of this little headboard and couldn’t pass it up.
I decided to turn it into a bench!
Color!! Can you believe it? I’ve had a few readers inquire (very politely) why I stick to light neutrals so often in my furniture makeovers. There are a couple of reasons. The first being, that is what I like for my own home and I tend to create what I like. Also, a white or ivory piece sells much quicker in my booth. It is a timeless look that can be dressed up with colorful accessories that can easily be changed out.
Every once in a while though, the urge to add a splash of color comes along. This beautiful soft aqua is Mason Jar Blue milk paint from Junque Boutique. The lovely owner, Becky, was kind enough to send me some to try out. Milk paint comes in a powder form and is mixed with water.
One of the cool things about milk paint is that you can get this wonderful chipping and crackling effect in the paint that looks completely natural:
Ooh love that! It can also be very unpredictable also in that more can flake off than you want to. I did sand the backing of this bench and repaint since it flaked a bit more than I liked, but I loved the second go round.
You can add a bonding agent to the paint to help prevent flaking if that’s not your thing.
Another cool thing about milk paint is that it has absolutely no odor whatsoever. A wax is used to seal the very same way you would seal over chalk paint.
I really do love this color. I imagine this for a pop of color in a bedroom with all white on white goodness.
This is distressed for me since I don’t usually sand my pieces really heavily.
Here is a bit of the process, but you can see my complete tutorial for how to turn a headboard into a bench here.
The first step is to cut the footboard into two and trim some off to create the sides.
I use a Kreg Jig Jr to get those angled holes that allow me to join the new sides to the bench to the back.
Here is the bench without the seat after it was joined together. (It was a very cold day to be working outside!)
I used Elmer’s wood filler to fill the holes from the Kreg Jig.
Because this headboard is mahogany, I anticipated bleed-through. This happens with mahogany and cherry woods. I just give it two good coats of Zinsser spray shellac before painting.
This stuff works perfectly to block stains, and it also covers up odors. Use outside if possible though, it’s stinky! Wait one hour before painting.
I cut pieces of scrap wood for the seat slats, and attached with a nail gun:
This was a lot of work, but the result is worth it!
I love it in this corner of my dining room…
If you missed the link above, you can see here how to make your own headboard bench HERE.
Meet me back here tomorrow to see how I gave this table that my Mom painted a new look:
Now it goes perfectly with this bench!
See you there!
UPDATE: See how I updated it HERE now. 🙂
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
ColleenB. ~ Texas says
I love the headboard benches. All your projects are absolutely Wonderful. That Mason Jar Blue color is so pretty and looks super great on the bench.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Colleen! I was thrilled with how that color mixed up. In powder form, it looked navy blue! XO
Heather J says
Good morning Christy, another piece that turned out gorgeous:) Everything you put your touch on turns out amazing! You have a special touch!
Christy K. James says
You are so sweet, Heather! I’m glad you like this one. 🙂
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
I love the color and neutrals sale… It is alot of work but this is a great tutorial. I will definetaly be bookmaking this. Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Heather! Isn’t this color beautiful? When I do add color, it’s usually always blue! XO
ann says
Hi Christy! I enjoy following your blog and love your creativity. This bench turned out great! I have to agree with you, white or grey painted pieces sell so much better. There are many times that I’d love to break free and go wild and paint a piece a fun color but rarely do it.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ann! And I appreciate you following along. Neutrals really do sell better, although they don’t always make for an exciting blog post. XO
Aleksandra says
Holy molly, Christy.. I am speechless. What a beauty!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Aleksandra! 🙂
Amy b says
Love, love, love this…the color, the shape, the whole darn thing! I’ve been looking for a settee for my kitchen table but now I think I might need something like this! If I lived close to you I would be on my way over to buy this! Great job as always! 😉 pining this!
Christy K. James says
Oh this would be perfect at a kitchen table! Too bad you don’t live nearby! 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Love love love your headboard bench Christy! The head and foot board details are perfect for a bench and of course I’m crushing on the color. I haven’t played with milk paint in awhile but I do remember it being so much fun because of the unpredictability of it.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marie! Milk paint and I aren’t always on good terms, but aside from the back, this one did well. The color is amazing! 🙂
Celia says
I love the soft blue color . I also love that you use the Kreg, it is at the top of my list for a birthday present. I wish I had known the shellac trick, it would have saved me a lot of priming on a bookcase! Also I had no idea milk paint worked like that. Thanks for all the tips, tricks, and tutorials. Your shop must be awesome.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Celia and you’re welcome! I have the Kreg Jig Jr. which works perfectly! Kreg makes a clamp that works with it, and I love that this is on your birthday list, my kind of gal! 🙂
Tami @ Curb Alert! says
First of all, you are rockin’ this 31 day series! And second, oh you know how much I love a good headboard bench makeover! The new color is beautiful, well done!
~Tami
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Tami!! I know you pump out a lot of headboard benches and I always admire that because they are a lot of work! I’m glad you’re enjoying this crazy March Madness too…it has been a lot of fun! 🙂 🙂
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
That color is gorgeous, Christy!! Yes, neutrals are best and it’s so easy to change them up with a throw pillow here and there. 😉
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Larissa! I so agree! 😉
Paula@SweetPea says
This is such a great idea! And how did I miss your first headboard bench post?? I love the blue color that you used and know that you’ll sell this quickly in your shop. I’m keeping my eye open now for headboards to make my own bench and also to make some of your coat racks. I’m also wondering how you accomplish so much. Can you send some of your productivity my way? 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paula! I’m sure I have more free time at home than you do, my friend…but those kids need you to help shape their futures! 🙂
Michelle Lepak @ Dandelion Patina says
WOW. This is stunning. I love it so much. I have two old pineapple twin beds from my childhood down in the basement just screaming for a transformation. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Michelle! How lovely that you have your beds from your childhood. My father was in the military so we were always purging before the next move and all those pieces went too. I love the pineapple headboard that I turned into a bench. 🙂
Linda@MixedKreations says
Hi Christy! I love your headboard bench, it turned out beautiful! And I love the mason jar blue color. You did a great job on it. I’ve been watching for a headboard ever since I’ve seen benches made from them. But so far I haven’t found one that I like or the price I can afford.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Linda! I found this one for $30, but I’ll be honest, I am so cheap that I thought that was too much ha ha. It’s seems worth it now though. Thrift stores try to price things too high these days! 🙂
Linda@MixedKreations says
Yes they do, but I agree it was well worth it. It turned out beautiful!
Maggie M says
Love it! I want that white one you created…but this one is beautiful, also. I don’t have the wood working tools to create a headboard bench, but I’d love to have one:) Great job!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Maggie! My Mom ended up buying the white one (at a very discounted price), so I still get to see it every once in a while. That is a favorite of mine too. 🙂
Jeanette says
Ah Christy, a headboard bench. I love everyone of them. They are each different and yours is one of my favorites. The slats for the seat are perfect. The color is lovely too. Jeanette
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Jeanette! I feel the same way about headboard benches. I just love them. 🙂
Becky says
Wow is THAT beautiful! Such nice work here.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Becky! I really enjoyed this one. XO
Louise says
Beautiful! The headboard had such nice bones and it’s perfect as a bench! I know you added the seat but is the wooden slat in front also an addition? Love the tips about milk paint as have been unsure of difference between milk versus chalk paint. Truly enjoy your posts! You are Amazing.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Louise! You are so sweet! The slat in the front is new also. Good eye you have! I’ll be honest I do prefer the chalk paint for it’s predictability, but it’s fun to work with milk paint every once in a while. 🙂
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
Yes! I love the color and I think it’s the perfect amount of chippy-goodness. Building a bench from an old headboard at our cottage is on my to-do list. I’ll be sure to use your tips, and link up to your post if I ever get around to writing about it. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jenny! I love any kind of headboard bench. They are always so charming. Building one is a bit of work, but not difficult. 🙂
Corey @ Tinysidekick says
This turned out so cool! I love the color you used!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Corey! XO
Paige says
On my that color!!!! I love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Paige! I love this color too! 🙂
Jody@Southern Seazons says
I love this bench! I wish I could be that lucky to find nice looking furniture at the thrift stores. It seems like every time I go all the ugly furniture is there. I have always wanted to make a bench like this for my porch. That blue is perfect for Spring. Have a wonderful weekend!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Jody! I know all about the ugly thrift store furniture, they’re full of it! When you go as often as I do…every once in a while you are rewarded with a treasure. Don’t give up. 🙂
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
Geez…girlfriend, I wouldn’t have known this was your project because of the blue! How funny! I LOVE your bench! You must be crazy dedicated because it looked like a really cold day out there to be working! Thanks for sharing your tips on the milk paint too!
Christy K. James says
Ha ha Surprise! Color! It was really cold, but I was tired of it sitting in the garage. I knew I had to shellac it first, and I was patiently waiting for a day above 40 per the directions. I think it reached 38 that day…close enough. 🙂
Peggy says
Awesome! It turned out just gorgeous and I am completely smitten with the blue. Love the way it looks in your room.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Peggy!
TwoPlusCute says
Boom! That’s exactly what I thought after I saw what you made. I didn’t expect it at all: a headboard into such a CUTE bench.
Very nice job. 🙂
Christy K. James says
Ha ha thanks! I’m glad you were pleasantly surprised! 🙂
Elizabeth @ Rustic Maple says
The bench is a beautiful piece and such a gorgeous colour. Thanks for sharing the instructions. I hope to build one when I find the perfect bed.
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Elizabeth! Good luck on your search. 🙂
Pamela Smith says
Absolutely love this! The color is perfect and happens to be my favorite! My daughter picked up a headboard and footboard on the side of the road and I think this would be perfect. Pinning for later! I am visiting from Funky Junks today!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Pamela! A free headboard? Yes! You definitely can’t beat free…this would be a fun project to do together! XO
Breanna says
This is so awesome Christy!! That color is so beautiful and I’m seriously so impressed with your 31 days of makeovers! You rock!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Breanna! This 31 day challenge has been a lot of work, but I’ve loved connecting with my readers over it! XO
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
What a transformation Christy! And with all your other projects too this month I’m so impressed! It’s really beautiful in the blue, too.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Therese! I did take on a load this month, but it has been fun! XO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
That’s an absolute beauty Christy! I love, love, love that color! Your benches are fabulous…maybe I’ll get around to making mine one of these days! 😉
xo
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! They are a bit of work to put together, but so cute when they’re done. XO
Andi says
Haha….I was scrolling through Hometalk and all I saw was the intro picture and I immediately knew it was YOUR project! 🙂
-andi
Christy K. James says
Ha ha I love Hometalk! 🙂
Kristi @ Chatfield Court says
Love it Christy and the color is fabulous!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Kristi! XO
Bliss says
I stick to neutrals too, probably because I always mess up choosing a color, but that bench in that blue is all THAT!!! I love it.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Bliss! I’m the same way, I always play it safe with neutrals. I love it when I finally do step out of my comfort zone though. 🙂
Teri@The Freshman Cook says
Oh goodness, you are so talented! Your headboard bench is beautiful and you do such nice work! I am truly inspired! I would love if you would stop by and link this to Celebrate It! It’s where you can share the big and small moments of life, so we can all celebrate together!
http://thefreshmancook.blogspot.com/2015/03/celebrate-it-blog-party_26.html
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Teri! XO
Evija says
Hi Christy, I just wanted to let you know that you are one of my nominees for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award that was recently passed on to me! https://fromevijawithlove.wordpress.com/2015/04/12/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ I love your work !!