Hello, sweet friends! I’m back with a $3 yard sale wall shelf makeover today! I only went yard saling for one day before sharing this new haul, and this was found on one of the last stops that day.
The lady who was selling this wall shelf was only asking $3:
I usually pass on already painted pieces, but I just couldn’t pass this up for that price!
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Sand
I was told this shelf was painted in chalk paint, and since it appeared to have a pretty flat finish, I assumed it had not been sealed with anything oil-based, thank goodness! That makes this job much easier!
Some of the paint was starting to peel in places, so I started with a good sanding first. **Be sure you aren’t dealing with lead paint before sanding! Test swabs like these ones work great.**
I sanded on the outside first using my Ryobi Orbital Sander and 220 grit sandpaper. Then, I used my smaller Corner Cat sander to smooth out the inside:
Although the lady who sold this to me said she had used chalk paint, I did get nervous when I saw other paint layers beneath…hope it wasn’t lead!
Clean
Once I got all the sanding dust vacuumed up, I cleaned well with White Lightning, mixing one TBSP into a half gallon of warm water. A terrycloth applicator pad is perfect for this job:
I kind of liked it at this point, honestly lol, but I kept going!
Paint
I painted the outside first in Driftwood and then gave the interior a fresh coat of white in Fluff, using my go-to paint brush, the Mini Angle from Dixie Belle:
It took two coats of each color.
Adding stripes
I decided to add stripes next to just the back. I used FrogTape for delicate surfaces to lay them out:
They got painted in Driftwood also:
I removed the tape as soon as I was done adding the second coat, while the paint was still wet.
Sand
Once everything was good and dry, I lightly sanded all over using a sanding sponge.
Adding a transfer (or two!)
But the stripes weren’t quite enough! So, I decided to embellish a bit more with a combination of two transfers, Vintage Script Mastery and Creamy Blush Blooms:
Seal
And finally, it was time to wrap this makeover up by sealing with Clear Coat in satin which I applied using a blue sponge applicator:
$3 Yard Sale Wall Shelf Makeover Reveal
It looks a whole lot different now!
Much softer…
I imagine it in a bathroom as extra storage for toiletries and whatnot…
I love the layering of these two transfers:
And here’s a peek at it without anything covering the transfers:
I almost like this better!
Which version do you prefer?
Another one crossed off the list!
See what’s been completed so far below:
Plant Stand Makeover
Freebie French Chair
Oak Pedestal Table
I’ll be back on Thursday with my Furniture Fixer Upper crew sharing what I did with this dresser:
UPDATE: See how I chopped the bottom of this dresser off HERE!
XOXO,
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Jewels L. says
That is the most sweetest ever! Love your use of color and design. Another creative home run!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Jewels! XOXO
Geri Davis says
Love the new look! I recently sold something off FB marketplace and was sharing your website with her! Told her you had the best ideas to redo pieces! Hopefully you’ll get a new followers!
Christy says
Thank you, Geri! I appreciate that SOOOOOO much, my friend!! You’re the best! XOXO
Kathy W says
Christy – GORGEOUS!!!
Thank you for bringing back the stripes and transfers. I’ve been missing them ???? Can’t wait to see the chest of drawers on Thursday. Have a great day!!
Kathy W
oxox
Christy says
I’m so glad you love stripes because I do too! And what’s better than stripes? Stripes with transfers ha ha! Thank you so much, Kathy! XOXO
Cecilia says
Well of course, I like what you did to it the best! The turquoise didn’t quite go with French wording, lol. Love the transfers you used. It turned out beautifully!
????Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, my sweet friend! I’m sure this was cute at the time, but time for an update lol! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Sweet makeover! Love it!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Diana! XOXO
Janet Huey says
Thank is absolutely gorgeous!
I so admire your vision; were I given a verbal description I would think “too busy”, but everything coalesces perfectly.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janet! It is hard to know when to stop sometimes lol! XOXO
Michele M. says
I absolutely LOVE it now!
It’s gorgeous!!
Christy says
Thank you, my friend! XOXO
Beth says
It’s really cute! I love how you can think up new ideas for all of these projects! Way to go, Christie!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Beth! Sometimes it takes me a minute, but then I just start painting and see where it goes! XOXO
Rhonda Dunaway says
So pretty! I love how you styled it too, with the floral transfers trailing upward and leading to the actual floral arrangement sitting on top of the shelf. Thanks for always inspiring to up my own game!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Rhonda! I’d like to say I totally meant to do that, but I just noticed that ha ha! XOXO
Cyndi says
That’s SO pretty! I love the colors and those transfers are perfect together.
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! These smaller projects are so fun for trying out/mixing up new items! XOXO
Laura J. says
Christy, your talent is unrivaled!!! You are quite the creative visionary!!! I just love the wall shelf… and your staging is always perfection! In my opinion, everything you makeover is a KEEPER!!!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Laura, thank you SO much!! I truly appreciate your kind words! And the staging is one of my favorite parts! XOXO
Jackie C says
Wow! what a difference that made. The funny thing was as soon as I saw that yellow paint as you were, I thought oh I kinda like that and as I scrolled, you said the same thing. Lol. Gimme chippy all day long, unless it’s Christy working her magic! This is just beautiful.
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! Ha ha yes! I did kinda like that sanded look too! 😀 XOXO
Jackie C says
I need to learn not to use my voice transcription. Ugh. That was supposed to say …as you were “sanding“ and the OCD in me couldn’t leave it alone, I had to explain ????
Christy says
Ha ha you are so funny! ????
Kim Wollmer says
I think we all agree we like your version so much more! Amazing job!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Kim! I bet this piece was really enjoyed when it was done, but it was time for an update for sure! XOXO
Patricia says
I love this shelf. It would be perfect in my bathroom. Thank you so much for sharing.
Patricia
Christy says
I’m so glad you like it, Patricia! Thank you! Who couldn’t use a little extra storage in the bathroom, right? XOXO
Judy says
Be still my heart! I love this. When you added the transfers it really made everything pop. Now I’ll be on the hunt for something similar and I know exactly how I rehab it.
I can’t wait to get your emails because I know there is going to be something wonderful to see.
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Judy, thank you!! The style of this piece was so cute before that I just knew it would be a fun one to redo! Good luck in your search! XOXO
Denise says
I can honestly say I have been following you for years and I have liked all of your work! You put things together so well and I would be overrun with your pieces if I lived near you. I have no idea where you find the time to do what you do, but please don’t stop. Everything is so amazing. Happy Summer!
Christy says
Aww I appreciate you following along with me for so long, Denise! And thank you so much! As long as y’all keep showing up, I will too ha ha! Happy Summer to you as well! XOXO
Caye says
This turned out very pretty! I am not a fan of stripes, but I love what you did with adding the transfers. Spot on!! Once in a blue moon I’ll see something done with stripes that I like. Now skinny stripes I can get into. I mean no offense Christy because you do a fabulous job on everything. I recognize that everyone has a different slant, and I support that. I just want to emphasize how good the transfers look on these stripes because I love subtlety. I agree with you that the shelfs look better without the pretties.
Have a great week. XXOO
Christy says
Thank you, Caye! You know I love me some stripes, but honestly, it’s just because they are so easy to do, and when a piece needs a little something, they often do the trick. That, and I’m in a coastal town, so they lend themselves really well to that vibe. But that is totally okay if they aren’t your thing! The transfers really do work nicely with the stripes in this case. I appreciate you, my friend! XOXO
Carroll Xavier says
No contest,the after definitely wins the style award! Love the transfers against the stripes, gives it a masculine/feminine vibe. Great choice 🙂
Christy says
Thank you so much, Carroll! This one kind of evolved as it went…I love that! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
Well it is so beautiful now!! I LOVE your makeover very much. The colors are great and I love the transfer you used with it. You are the DIY Queen!!
Christy says
Hi Mary! Thanks so much, my friend! Stripes AND transfers…my favorites ha ha! XOXO
ZOYA K RAUSCH says
Totally amazing. An ugly $3.00 shelf into a
beauty. You are so good at what you do.
Thank you for sharing all you do. I get excited when I see your emails in the morning!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Zoya! That makes me SO happy!! XOXO
Julie A. Henry says
GOOD MORNING! I LOVE THIS PIECE….GREAT FIND AND BEAUTIFUL MAKEOVER! HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Julie! This was such a great find for sure! Enjoy the rest of your week! XOXO
p says
So fresh now. I love your signature stripes. Adds some life and contrast. Great price at $3. It’s much more valuable now.
Great size for a bath shelf.
You have soooo many more to go !! Keep inspiring.
Christy says
Thank you, P! I loved the style of this piece when I saw it and you can’t beat $3! Lots to goooooo! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I LOVE THIS PIECE! SO CUTE! KEEP IT COMING!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose!! XOXO
Robin says
Much cuter now, Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Robin! XOXO