Welcome back, beautiful friends!! Today is one of my very favorite days of the month: Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday!! Not only do I have a trashy makeover for you, so do four of my favorite blogger friends! That’s FIVE makeovers in all. You’ll find links to their projects at the bottom!
I had finished just about every piece from my last day of thrifting, but there was still this extra drop leaf I removed from this table I shared a couple of weeks back:
I thought it was the perfect candidate for a trash-to-treasure kind of makeover, so I was determined to use it up.
I already shared what I did with the other drop leaf. I used it to build the box for this thrift store drawer:
You can see more of that project HERE.
But this one got an entirely different repurpose.
How about as a brand new shelf for our living room?
Yes??
It seems y’all really enjoyed seeing me work through my last thrift store lot, and it helped me stay focused as well. So I am starting a new load of goodies! How does that sound?
Friends, meet my new thrift store haul:
This is three days of hard core thrifting! There still wasn’t much in the way of larger furniture pieces out there, but I did find a few smaller pieces. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
When I was deciding what I wanted to do with that extra leftover drop leaf, these corbels I just picked up (right in the center of that photo above) gave me the idea to turn it into a shelf:
I rarely pass up a set of corbels and these were only $4.25 for both!!
What a steal, even if I had no earthly idea what I was going to use them for. I knew they would eventually find a purpose.
After measuring the drop leaf, these were the perfect size to help turn it into a unique shelf.
I cut 7″ off the side with the rounded edge to create my shelf, using my mini circular saw:
This is one of my favorite saws because it is small so it’s easy to handle, and if I use a straight edge to run it along (Here I used a 1 X 6 I had and two clamps to secure it to the leaf and the cabinet below it.), I get nice straight cuts.
Here I did a test fit and it was just right…
I decided it would be easier to paint everything separately and then assemble the shelf. I used my favorite white, Bit of Sugar by Behr, made into DIY chalk paint. (Recipe HERE.) It took three coats.
Then I used Dixie Belle’s Satin Clear Coat to seal. When Country Chic Paint sent me some products a few months back, they included a sealer of their own and at the bottom of the box was a sponge applicator to apply it. I just found it as I was cleaning out my garage this weekend. I used it to apply the Dixie Belle Clear Coat and can I say game changer?? It made applying the sealer SO easy and quick! Update: I now use this one…it’s even better! 🙂
Before painting the corbels white, I gave them a quick coat of brown first so that when I sanded, brown would show through the white paint instead of gold:
I used Rustoleum clear spray sealer to seal these since it was easier with all those details.
I used my mini Kreg Jig to help attach the shelf to the top of the other piece. The Kreg Jig helps create pocket holes which makes attaching things at a 90º angle so much easier and super sturdy. All you need to use it is a drill:
This drill by Black and Decker is my favorite. Again it is small, so it’s easy to handle. Combining it with the Kreg Jig leaves behind perfect pocket holes:
I used wood glue and then the drill bit and screws that were included with my Kreg Jig to secure the two pieces together:
I’m keeping this shelf for our living room so I cheated and left the back unpainted. Shhhh.
I attached the corbels with wood glue and my nail gun:
I added D-ring hanging hardware to the back to hang it.
This mamma jamma is heavy! I used my stud finder to find a stud to screw one side into, and I used a heavy duty wall anchor on the other side. (If I were smart, I would have spaced the hanging hardware the same distance as the studs and I could have secured both sides into studs!)
You can see in that photo above that I didn’t even trim the bottom edge where it was originally attached to the table. I left it as is. I like that you can still see that it was part of a drop leaf table at one time.
This set of three hooks already painted white with a little bit of shabby was a HomeGoods find for $7.99:
I considered adding a stencil to the bottom piece where the hooks are, or my favorite…stripes. But in the end I opted to keep it a simple white. Who knows what I thought I was going to hang on those hooks in my living room, but the wreath is working it just fine.
I moved this chair I redid last year (See the UGLY before HERE.) to this corner for photos, but this is the wall in our living room behind my hubby’s recliner. I had yet to hang anything on this wall and this was just perfect in here.
Since the drop leaf was a leftover piece, which means it was basically FREE (my favorite!), I only spent $12 before tax on this pretty shelf. Not too shabby for $12, eh?
Don’t forget my girls have trashy makeovers to share with you today as well!
You can visit all my Trash-to-Treasure Tuesday makeovers in one place HERE.
That’s one project down from this haul!
Several more to go! I’ll meet y’all back here on Thursday as I continue to work my way through this new pile-o-treasures with this suitcase:
UPDATE: See how this suitcase got a brand new look HERE now!
See ya then!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
That is so pretty. You did it, you used every bit of it!! I love this new pile, am looking forward you working through this pile. This reminds me of your March Madness you use to do, I LOVE it!!!
Christy says
I did it woohoo!! Ha ha this was so great for keeping me on track. I even resisted the urge to stop at the thrift store several times because I knew I had to work through my exisitng pile first! And yes… this kind of reminds me of March Madness as well….so fun! Thanks, Mary!! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
Such clever creativity! I love how you re-purposed these items!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! I had a lot of fun with this one for sure! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Great save! And I daresay I’m jelly over the corbels. Score!!
Christy says
Thanks, Larissa! Weren’t they a steal?? I was giddy over finding those! XOXO
Debbie Sellers says
You did it again!! That shelf is awesome!! Love Love!
You have the best thrift stores! I visited 3 nearby yesterday and thought, “ Christy couldn’t do anything with this crap!” Guess I’m gone have to visit other cities!
Thanks for sharing! You are always an inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Debbie! I was really disheartened when I started shopping for this round because I wasn’t finding much at all. Winter is like that since there are very few people dropping their yard sale leftovers off if at all or aren’t in cleaning-the-house-out mode when it’s cold. I just kept going back and got lucky finding a few things that had just been put out. Keep revisiting often! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
Christy, what a great deal those corbels were and your shelf looks super! Great job!
Have a great rest of your week with your new haul!
Christy says
Right?? Those corbels were a steal! Thanks, Christina! XOXO
Michele D Branham says
I love it! I have a drop leaf side table that I think will work perfectly for this fantastic idea. Thanks for always thinking out of the box. You are so creative and really do inspire others.
Christy says
Thanks, Michele! I really appreciate that! Glad I could give you an idea for yours! XOXO
Cheryl says
Wow! You really have a creative mind and the knowhow and tools to bring your ideas to completion. This is a beautiful piece.
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl!! XO
Paula Pentoney says
I love your projects! You are so creative. Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful ideas!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Paula! It is my pleasure! XO
Mary says
I love this! I am all about “white” things!
Love your style ????????
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! Oh yes…I’d paint everything white if I could! XO
Cindy Hathaway says
Wow!!!! Your creativity astounds me! It also inspires me so thank you so much for sharing. I actually have a gate leg table that I painted a while back. It now lives on my courtyard patio and it couldn’t stand the heat of the Phoenix summer so the drop leaves fell off (50 year old glue, I’m guessing). Holy shelf, now I know what to do with at least one of them!
When I do I will certainly let the universe know that you gave me the brilliant idea. Thanks so much! Can I just say I look extremely forward to Tuesday and Thursday’s thanks to you! ???? And…I think we must be kindred spirits because i ADORE everything you do! Have a fabulous day my friend!!!
Christy says
Wow I appreciate that so much, Cindy, thank you!! Yes your poor drop (literally) leaves will make great new things! And yes we are kindred spirits for sure as I see you love all things white and so do I!! XOXO
Margie says
I’m in love with the shelf,corbels perfect!!!! Can’t wait for what’s next.
Christy says
I’m so happy to hear that, Margie! Thank you!! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
Wow, that looks fabulous, Christy! I was surprised to see you keeping something, but I can’t blame you for wanting this one for yourself. Maybe you can create hanging photo frames from something else in your stash so you have something to put on those hooks.
Christy says
You are genius!! I LOVE your idea to create hanging photo frames for the hooks!! And yes I knew I wanted to keep this one the minute I dry fit it together in my driveway…I do try to be good, but I really need something for that wall and this was just the thing!! XOXO
Linda C Johnston says
I have to tell you, this was one on your best posts yet as far as I am concerned. Although I love all you girls to pieces and I LOVE to hear about your lives, I really get excited when a post has this much VALUABLE information in one post. I have been reading, rereading, checking out links, etc. for over an hour!!!! I love the “Smalls” that you and Artsy Chicks do! It makes so many things doable for so many of us. In short, THANKS! I know I speak for a lot of people! Keep it comin’!
Christy says
Wow Linda, thank you so much! I am thrilled that you found some useful info here! I try to share as many details as possible and I’m glad to know it is helpful! I love to work on the smaller pieces as well…thank you for following along!! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
What a great haul!! I see curtain rod holders that look like corbells but with a big hole. I wonder how it would look to use one of those? I can’t wait to see what you do with the suitcase!
Christy says
Thanks, Cecilia! It was a rough start, but I did end up finding a few goodies! I think the curtain holder corbels would work just as well and in fact, you could add a dowel also and use it for a quilt rack! XOXO
Tori says
So excited to see you work through the latest haul!
Christy says
Yay! Me too!! XO
Becky says
So cute! Who would guess that started out as a bunch of odd junk!?
That was so fun watching you go through your haul. Looking forward to seeing the next one disappear too!
Christy says
Ha ha I know, right?? Thanks, Becky! I’m really looking forward to working through this haul! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
OOOOhhh, I can’t WAIT to see what you do with all of these goodies! I’m trying to make plans to do the 127 yard sale. I hope I get to go this year!
Christy says
Yay me too, Robin!! And lucky!!!!! I wish I lived close enough to go to the 127 yard sale. Traveling it with GMC a couple of years back was an amazing experience! I hope you get to go!! XOXO
Robyn D Wright says
I’m not that close. I’m in Southern California. It’s like a vacation plan.r
gwen says
so cute and i think relatively easy!
(i was going to say that i’d like to see the suitcase next, guess i’m getting my wish!)
Christy says
Thanks, Gwen! Yup…not too hard at all! And yes your wish is my command! XOXO
David Smith says
I have the mother load of wood,antiques and very old furniture. I am 74 and I no longer have the energy and motivation to make use of these items. I can take pictures of about half of the stash but I would love to hook up with someone who would help me turn these into treasures and also make money. Dave Smith
Christy says
Hi David! Are you local to the Hampton Roads, VA area?
Kaycee says
Hi Christy, I just love your shelf, what a great idea! I’m glad you made this for yourself this time!!
Christy says
Thank you, Kaycee!! I am so excited this worked out perfectly for that blank wall in our living room! XOXO
Debra A Wise says
Love the shelf with the corbels! Such a cute piece! You’ve kept us in suspense working through the prior lot of items to see how you would repurpose them. Can’t wait to see what you do with the next batch! Thanks for the inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! I’m so glad you’re enjoying seeing these projects one by one…I have to say, I am too! XOXO
Julie Briones says
Love this, Christy! Wish I could find some wood corbels for $4.25/pair! 😉 Go you! Looking forward to seeing what you do with all these pieces! (come on over and link-up if you have a minute! 😉 )
Christy says
Thanks, Julie!! I know…what a steal!! I’ll come over and link this up! 🙂
JODY GILBERTSON says
Another great piece! Thanks!
Christy says
Thank you, Jody! XO
Carole says
I love this beautiful wall shelf. I want one please.
Christy says
Thank you, Carole! I’m so pleased it worked out, but it is heavy lol! XOXO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I love this!!! What a great use for the drop leaf. And I just love your little corner now. Perfect! Oh and I just ordered some sponges really similar to those from Dixie Belle along with their Gator Hide, to try! Glad to hear they work well! I’m excited to try them! 🙂 xoxo
Christy says
Thank you, Nancy!! I am so excited to finally have something for that wall! And that sponge worked amazingly well and no streaks! I love it! XOXO
Marie Blackburn says
I would have never guessed a wall shelf for that drop leaf, Christy – great save! Nice thrift store haul too and I can’t wait to see what you do with each an every one of those scores.
Christy says
Thanks, Marie!! I am really excited to start working my way through this pile! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This is super creative, Christy! I love how you used mismatched pieces and brought them all together like they were meant to be. xo
Christy says
Thanks, Jen! I am so excited I have the perfect spot for this in our house! XOXO
Naomi S says
That is just beautiful! Really inspired! I wish I had and could use power tools to create something like that. Maybe someday.
I love the projects you come up with for recycling and refurbishing “junk”! They always turn out so well. Thanks for sharing this one!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Naomi! I love that you are inspired!! For a long time I had my hubby cut everything for me, but eventually I got tired of waiting for him ha ha! XOXO