Hello beautiful friends! Today I am continuing with a super cute find from my new Shop my own Garage Haul; this bench that I scored for $5 at the thrift store:
They actually had the entire set:
Unfortunately, the dresser drawers would not go back in at all. It was as if it had been left out in the elements and the drawers had swelled…swollen…gotten too dang big to fit back in. The night table and dressing table both looked as though they had mold growing on them. The old me would have bought it all, but these days I am a bit more hesitant to take on problem children when I know I can find pieces that need a lot less work instead.
The bench was marked $10.25 and half off that, so it came home with me!
As you can see on the close up above, the fabric was filthy. In fact the whole thing was quite dirty. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
I removed the top and gave the base a good wipe down with Lysol-type wipes.
Then I gave it a coat of Dixie Belle’s Cotton and got some bleed-through in the joints, so I followed up with some BOSS in white and let it dry for most of the day. Then I gave it one more coat of Cotton.
I sanded all over using 220 grit sandpaper, being careful not to remove any from the edges. You’ll see why in a bit.
Then I started removing the layers of fabric using this tool to remove staples. I always love uncovering fabrics from the past!
I had three layers of fabric in all:
I actually loved the gold, but I really loved the original fabric, and it looked to be in perfect condition:
I’m assuming it was the original because it was held in place by tiny furniture tacks.
Unfortunately both this and the gold were dry-rotted.
I wanted to add a layer of cushioning anyway and do to that I added two pieces of foam to my Walmart delivery order.
These were $6.98 each and I just butted two together. Did you know that Walmart has delivery? At least, the one near us does. It has been SO nice!
I used an electric carving knife to cut my foam:
It cuts through it like butter! I found mine at the thrift store, but I bet you could find one at a yard sale pretty easily. The blade is removable so it can go in the dishwasher, so we can still use it to cut Thanksgiving turkey!
Then I used spray adhesive to join the two together.
Then I wrapped it in batting first and stapled it in place with my staple gun…
And then I followed up with my fabric! I had to use what fabric I have on hand, and luckily I had enough of this cute check!
I love this with white and I was thinking that it might be cute with this desk that I redid not too long ago that is already in my booth:
The check would be super cute with the floral drawers:
The distressing is hard to see in these photos, but I always like a little distressing. Because this was originally green and tan before, I cheated the distressing once again using my distressing block:
You can see more on how I do that HERE. It really looks so authentic!
You can see that before the top was almost flat and it was hard as a rock to sit on…
That’s because when I removed all the fabric, there was no cushion at all…just a layer of thick batting. Adding brand new foam not only made it look so much better, it made it much more comfy too!
The new foam cost me $14, but since the bench was only $5, it was still a great deal for $20!
If you liked this post, you’ll enjoy this one too! Remember this one??
See it HERE!
And that is three pieces down!!
If you missed the first two pieces I redid, you can see them HERE!
I’ll be straying from my new haul on Thursday to share a piece that my Mom has wanted me to paint for several years!
It’s this pretty hutch:
And because she’s been staying home more than ever, she is finding all the things she wants to change about her house ha ha! We started with this piece!
UPDATE: See how this beauty looks now HERE!!
Take another look at my haul photo and tell me what you want to see next!!
Take care and I’ll see y’all Thursday!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Robin Stephens says
Crazy-cute! And, yes, paired with that dressing table…darling! So….how was the “grand, soft re-opening of the shops?”
Christy says
Thanks, Robin! It went well! I sold several things on Saturday, mostly paint, but a couple of smalls too. Nothing on Sunday, but at least it’s a start! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
I love how sweet that turned out, the black and white checked fabric makes the piece like classic. Your moms hutch is so cool. I can’t wait to see what you do to it. I would love to see you do that lidded urn next from your haul. I really can’t wait to see all of it. It is so fun to see what you do with every thing. You are the highlight of my Tuesdays and Thursdays!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Mary!! I love my Mom’s hutch! It’s just a simple redo, but it looks really good. I’m so glad I can still do what I love while we are on lockdown…ya’ll make my day! XOXO
Carla says
The bench turned out really cute, and I love the idea of placing it with the dresser with floral drawers.
I can’t wait to see your mom’s hutch!
Christy says
Thank you, Carla! I think it will be cute with the desk too! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Pam Walsh says
Love the bench !!! I can’t wait to see the hutch. Your posts are such a treat. Thank you for brightening our days at home during this time.
Take care !!!
Christy says
Thanks, Pam! Ya’ll brighten my days too!! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
I think black and white is so crisp and smart. The stool turned out precious and I had to flip back to the one you did with the blue on it. Love how it turned out. I want to see the little black box with the straps fixed up next! I have a similar one and since I don’t have an original idea in my brain these days, I’ll ride on yours! Your mom sounds so fun! Stay safe and be strong!
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I too love the look of simple black and white. I will definitely move the box up in the cue…I think that will be a fun one! And yes, my Mom is awesome! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Good Morning Christy! I always love your little stools and benches. I have looked for that distressing block and Amazon is out. Maybe when Hobby Lobby opens back up they will have one. Thank you for sharing your awesome creativeness.
Christy says
Good morning, Cheryl! Thank you! Oh no…I made my distressing block by wood-gluing a wooden knob to a block of wood…maybe that’s an option for you too? Have a wonderful day! XOXO
Christina says
Beautiful in white and oh so pretty with the new fabric. Wonderfully done!
I can’t wait to see your mother’s hutch! 🙂
Be well!!
xo
Christy says
Thank you, Christina! I’ll see ya Thursday! Enjoy your day! XOXO
Lisa says
I love how the bench turned out. I have a similar one waiting to be done. I am anxious to see what you do with the desk/table with Queen Anne style legs. Thanks for sharing your projects. I look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays to see what you have created from your finds. You are very much appreciated!
Christy says
Thank you, Lisa! I was thinking of starting on that table next! I’m so glad you enjoy what I share…and I appreciate ya’ll too! XOXO
Janice Holt says
How pretty. Looks like a different bench. Love the black and white. Whatever you do next will be fine with me. Just keep them coming.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I’m a sucker for simple black and white. And sounds good to me…you know I will! XOXO
Toby Peplow says
This is SO darn cute!
Thanks for sharing Christy!
You are really are an inspiration!
I finally took the look and am opening a booth.
Have a great day!!
Toby
Christy says
Thank you, Toby! And congratulations!!! That is so exciting! I wish you lots of success! XOXO
Sue H Mellette says
First thing I do Tuesday mornings is to open your email to see what goodies you have in store for us! I love what you did with the bench. I am a fan of black and white and the check just tops off the beautiful white wood. Thanks for sharing.
Christy says
Aww I love that, Sue! Thank you so much! I love black and white too! XOXO
susan says
Love how that turned out! And your Mom’s hutch is beautiful! It will be lovely I know! Would like to see what you do with that sofa/entry table with the shiny finish. I see a lot of those and not sure what to do with that finish.
Christy says
Thank you, Susan! My Mom’s hutch turned out so well! That’s two votes for that sofa table. I was thinking I wanted to tackle that next, so I think I just might! XOXO
Becky says
I love it! Sooo pretty!
Christy says
Thank you, Becky!! Hope you are well! XOXO
Carol S says
I’m excited to see what you do with the tile on you Mom’s hutch. Well, all of it really. From your stash, I’m a sucker for mirrors and trays. Can’t wait for those to come up. Happy to hear your shop space is beginning to open up to customers. Hope all goes well as things progress. Take care and be safe.
Christy says
Thank you, Carol! You are so sweet! I’m excited to see this particular pile get done also since it has been hanging around longer than I’d like. And I have an idea for one of the mirrors, so I’m looking forward to that! I had a few sales on Saturday, so that was nice!! You take care also! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
The nightstand! And the table! 😭 Looks like someone left them out in the barn. At least you got to breathe some life back into the bench. I also love doing upholstery archeology, can’t say I’m a fan of any of the ones you discovered, though. Any fabric from your stash would be lovely but I’m a sucker for gingham, so it looks like the perfect choice to me. The fact that it would work with the piece already in the booth is a bonus! The painted distressing really does look natural, and I’ve filed that away for the future. I’m a sucker for barley twist, too, looking forward to seeing what you did with Mom’s big hutch.
Christy says
I know…that is exactly what it looks like! Such a bummer because it was really nice quality. Upholstery archeology…I LOVE that ha ha! The black fabric didn’t photograph well at all, but I do love the replacement check much more too! See ya Thursday! XOXO
Ashley says
Morning, Christy! The bench is adorable! ❤️ the check! Too bad about the dresser with permanently swollen drawers; that would’ve been fun to refinish! XO
Christy says
Hi Ashely!! Thank you! I tried really hard to fit those drawers back in…everything was priced so cheap! XOXO
liz says
Love it!! And I wanted to get back to you and say thanks for the advice for my dark dresser that your marble top table inspired me with the metallic gray colors. I Will let you know how it comes out when I get to it. Thanks again for all the gorgeous inspirations & ideas!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Liz! You’re so welcome, and yes, definitely let me know how it goes! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Super cute! Love the gingham check. 💕
Christy says
Thanks, Larissa!! XOXO
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
Another cute re-do. I would have used blue checked for my colors in my home! Look forward to the rest of the projects.
Christy says
Thanks, Rose! Blue check would have been cute too! XOXO
Marian says
Your little checked bench turned out sooooo cute! I am into black and white checks right now. They are the background of so many other colors. They were great for Christmas and they look so cute with my summer yellow. I can’t wait to see your Mom’s hutch after you spin your magic. I am excited that you were able to open your store again. Yay!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Marian! I’m a sucker for a black and white check too and yes, they are almost like a neutral that work great with many colors! My Mom’s hutch is simple, but it turned out really pretty. And I’m glad too that our store is trying to get things going again. I sold a few things on Saturday, so that was really nice. See ya Thursday! XOXO
Deanna D Combs says
The bench turned out stunning! Love the black and white checked fabric with the white wood. So classic. I can’t wait to see your mom’s hutch reveal. Excited to see what you do with the rest of your stash, but I really love old frames reloved.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Deanna! I think that check could make just about anything cute! Looking forward to sharing my Mom’s hutch, and I just can’t pass up a deal on a pretty frame so I accumulate a lot of them! XOXO
Kimberly Wollmer says
Wow, that bench was in bad shape! And now it’s beautiful. I loved your statement about “taking on problem children”. haha! Thanks for the heads up on the Walmart foam. I always hate the price when buying it off the roll.
Christy says
Thank you, Kimberly! I have taken on my share of bad purchases over the years lol, so I’ve learned! And yes…Walmart sells those squares which are nice and thick and they also sell a roll of foam that is 72” long, but only 1” thick for $14. Foam can be crazy expensive elsewhere! XOXO
sophia says
Goodwill, the thrift shop with the high prices… FIRED EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE SO THEY WOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES ANY MONEY. BUT THE CEO MADE $5.7 BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR. THINK ABOUT THAT. HE FIRED EVERYONE… BUT MADE BILLIONS.
DON’T SHOP THERE. THEY ARE CROOKED.
Phoebe says
Absolutely adorable!!! I love the way the bench turned out. Thank you so much for popping into my in-box with so much enthusiasm, and awesome projects. I look forward to seeing how you create beauty from pieces that were unwanted, and you give them a whole new life.. Thanks so much for sharing..
Christy says
Aww thank you, Phoebe! I appreciate that SO much!! And it is my pleasure!! XOXO
Cate says
This turned out so sweet! Glad you were able to save it and make it a treasure! Good job!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Cate! Me too! XOXO
Petra says
Oh I’m a HUGE fan of gingham – especially black & white check! Love it so much. xo
Christy says
Thank you, Petra! Me too!! It just makes anything so much cuter! XOXO
Rosie says
Super cute! It turned out beautifully!
Christy says
Thank you, Rosie! XOXO
Robyn D Wright says
When I saw your fabric reveals, I thought “those are gorgeous but she’s not going to use them”. I LOVE the gingham!!
Christy says
Ha ha no way…although they weren’t awful this time! The gingham is so much cuter! Thanks, Robin!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! XOXO
Christy says
Ack! Robyn!! 😀