It’s Trashy Treasures Tuesday again already, dear friends! How does time fly by so quickly?? Doesn’t it seem like I just shared this oval oak mirror makeover for our last TTT? Today’s trashy treasure is this yard sale bench makeover:
I paid $15 for it at a yard sale in my neighborhood. It looks like the previous owner had started to remove the nail heads to redo it but lost interest.
I gladly took it on!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Removing Nail Heads
That part is NOT fun at all. I can see why she may have ditched this project after barely starting.
Sometimes, those nail heads are in there good.
To make the job of removing them a bit easier, I enlisted the help of a flat head screwdriver and a small hammer:
This allowed me to pry them up enough to use this tool to remove them the rest of the way…
I did have a few that had the heads break off, leaving the posts behind. I just hammered them in all the way.
Clean
Once I had all the nail heads and fabric removed, I gave the rest a good cleaning with White Lightning:
I wiped it down well and then swapped it out for clean water and gave it another wipe down to remove any residue. White Lightning is a degreaser and deglosser, so it is not reccommended for pieces you do not plan to paint. Gloves are recommended.
Paint
I decided to start with a coat of Cotton first using my favorite brush for furniture, a mini angle brush:
Then I followed up with a custom mix of about 25% Hurricane Gray with about 75% Cotton:
It yields a lovely, soft gray…
My goal in starting with a base of white was to have some of that show through after sanding, but I only got a little since I waited till the next day to sand.
Sand
I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge to smooth and distress a bit:
Had I sanded as soon as it was dry, I would have gotten more white coming through.
Seal
I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge applicator to apply it:
Upholstering the top
Luckily, the padding underneath was in perfect condition, so I was able to go straight to upholstering this bench.
After cutting a piece that would fit the top of my bench, I cut a couple of strips that would become my double welt trim, using my rotary cutting set:
Would you believe this gorgeous, thick fabric actually started as a thrift store shower curtain?
It sure did!
See what else I used this fabric on HERE.
Making Double Welt Trim
Double welt trim will finish off all of the raw edges and hide all the staples, so I set out to make that next:
I used cotton cord I found at Walmart. If you can sew a straight line, you can totally do this.
I share step by step how to make double welt trim here.
And you can see in that photo, I used my regular foot to make this.
Once I had all my supplies now ready, I recovered the bench seat. I used my el cheapo staple gun to attach the fabric:
Once I had the top covered, I added the new welt trim with hot glue:
The Big Reveal
Here is how this bench looks now!
Updated and new!
You can also use gimp trim to hide the staples like I did HERE.
But I really love the professional look of matching trim…
There you can see not a whole lot of the white came through the gray paint, and the distressing is very subtle.
How pretty is this fabric?
You would never know it started as a shower curtain! Don’t forget to hit up the linen aisle at the thrift store!
And of course Lyla thought I redid it just for her!
She’s daring me to make her move lol.
Don’t forget my friends have three more makeovers for you to see today!
And that’s the first piece of my new Yard Sale Haul done!
I’ll be back on Thursday with this little chair:
I hope to see you then!
UPDATE: Wait until you see how sweet this one turned out in a color I’ve never used before! See it HERE now.
XOXO,
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Debra Samuels says
Super impressive. I will make this a summer project. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I’m so glad it offered some inspiration for a summer project! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Wow, I love how well that turned out! The fabric is elegant and I love the color. I am glad that you only did a little distressing, I think that it looks perfect for the color and the fabric! Lyla’s throne is perfect for the queen! LOL!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! Isn’t this fabric so elegant? And yes, a purrfect throne for the queen ha ha! In fact, she is lying there as we speak! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Sweet score and save. It looks beautiful now, Christy.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Larissa! XOXO
Lorri says
Christy… you do such a lovely job reupholstering this bench and other pieces of furniture. Im going to call you the Queen Bee of Upholstery!! I look for quilts and blankets when thrifing. I havent been able to find a quilt in the colors I decorate in but found some lovely furry blankets that I use in the Winter.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Lorri! It seems like it’s been a while since I got to upholster…such a great way to renew something! Thrift stores hold so many treasures…I too have found some nice blankets! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh much better. The details on the legs show up nicely and that fabric is so pretty! Great makeover!
????Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I love how the paint enhances the details as well! XOXO
Amanda says
Lovely transformation!! Love it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Amanda! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Christy, that tattered old piano bench had no idea it could look so good! I always think of you at the thrift shop when I look at linens, on the off chance there’ll be a fabulous shower curtain or drapery. If I had your eye, I’m sure I’d find something worth bringing home ????
Christy says
Thank you, Marcie! I have found some great curtains, shower curtains, blankets, and even yards of fabric at the thrift store…you just never know what you’ll find! XOXO
Janice Holt says
An ugly bench made beautiful. Great job as usual. Love the fabric and trim. Great colors.
Christy says
Thanks so much, Janice! This was a pretty simple refresh once those stubborn nail heads were removed lol. XOXO
Denise Zdziennicki says
I can’t believe this was a shower curtain thrift find! I need to start hitting up the linen aisle at the thrift stores. Always love your upholstery makeovers my friend. Absolutely gorgeous! Pinned! XOXO
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! Isn’t the fabric fantastic? This was one fancy shower curtain lol! XOXO
Sue says
I love how this sweet bench turned out, I didn’t even notice the beautiful details in the legs until you painted them!
Christy says
Thank you, Sue! It’s amazing how paint highlights all those pretty details! XOXO
Audra says
This looks amazing! Love the fabric!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Audra! XOXO
Denise says
Absolutely amazing!!! What a major redo and it is gorgeous. I have to say Lyla looks beautiful on it. Of course, all cats look beautiful on everything!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Denise! I have to agree…I just love cats too! XOXO
Lizzy says
I love how it turned out! I would have chosen the same paint color and fabric style. I envy your upholstery skills. I have to send mine out to be done.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Lizzy! I used to make and sell dolls like Raggedy Anns, Santas, ets, in the 90’s, so I got lots of sewing practice lol! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
This makeover was a major improvement. Hard to believe that a shower curtain could look so elegant! Love how this turned out, and loved seeing the beautiful picture of your kitty : )
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! This was one fancy shower curtain lol. Lyla has been lounging on that bench ever since I finished it! XOXO
Michele M. says
Oh Christy it is absolutely gorgeous. WOW! I love the colors you chose – and that fabric is perfect for it!!!!!! One question: at this point would you be able to “add” white wax to it to bring in a little bit of that white look? Just curious. That sure is a beauty. Well done.
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! You sure could add white wax and let it nestle in the details, but since I sealed it already, it may wipe right back off. XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
You are the welt trim queen, for sure! That always finishes your pieces so beautifully! Love it! xoxo
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! It is so easy to make for real! XOXO
Jeanne says
It’s a beautifully crafted bench so glad you were the one to help keep it in service. Still a huge fan!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jeanne! Yes, hopefully, it can be enjoyed for several years to come! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
So cute! I love it!
Christy says
Thank you, Rose! XOXO