Hello, dear friends! I’m back today with a cute vanity bench makeover. This vanity bench started out like this:
Would you believe I actually found it just sitting beside a dumpster there for the taking:
Thank you, dumpster fairy!
I might have taken the table too if it wasn’t already painted.
I also spied this massage table on another drive past this area:
I decided to pass on that one lol.
I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Removing the Wax finish
The finish on this stool was a very shiny oil-based wax finish that needed to have the wax removed before it could be repainted. Otherwise, any water-based paint would not adhere well to the oil-based surface.
I removed the wax with Odorless Mineral Spirits using a terrycloth sponge:
Then, I wiped it down with White Lightning to remove any excess wax and then rinsed again with clean water.
Now, I was ready for paint!
Paint
I gave it two coats of Caviar by Dixie Belle, applying it with my favorite mini angle brush…
As you can see my brush is well loved! They will last for ages if cared for properly!
Sand
Once the paint was dry, I sanded lightly all over to smooth using a fine grit sanding sponge. These sponges are great if you prefer no distressing, which was the case here as I did not want the gray to show through.
Don’t worry about how terrible the finish looks at this point. Sealing will make it gorgeous again!
Seal
The base was completed by sealing with Dixie Belle’s Clear Coat in the satin finish, which I applied with a blue sponge applicator.
As you can see, I like to cut my sponges to make them easier to handle.
I set the base aside and moved on to the seat portion.
The Seat
The original fabric had been applied very nicely and was in great condition, so I saw no need to remove it and covered right over it with this cute gingham check using my new awesome staple gun (woohoo!!):
To cover the previous upholstery job, I covered the bottom in the check as well…
I like to finish off many of my upholstery pieces with piping, and I made some for this vanity bench as well:
See how I do that HERE. (Sew and no sew!)
I attached that using my staple gun as well, but you can also hot glue it.
Dumpster Vanity Bench Makeover reveal
Here’s how this dumpster find looks now…
I love this simple black and white mini check!
The piping adds a nice finishing touch…
Such a fun, quick makeover!
I had originally planned to pair this bench with the dressing table I shared last week, but the lines of the legs weren’t a great match. Seeing it done, I think it might have worked!
Another one done!!
I am beyond thrilled to be so close to finishing this haul!
I have three frames, a mirror, and a lamp. The lamp requires a particular kind of shade that I am having trouble finding, so I might have to scratch that one until I can find a shade for it, but I will be back with these two on Tuesday:
Have a lovely fall weekend!!
UPDATE: See what I did with these two HERE now!
XOXO,
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Mary Kaiser says
FREE IS FUN!!! That is called luck to be at the right place at the right time to get that stool free! You made it beautiful, so you were the right person to find it!
Christy says
FREE is the best!! Thanks so much, my friend! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO
Nana Diana says
I love the lines on that little bench and I am betting the piece sitting beside it also gets a new life. Have a great weekend. xo Diana
Christy says
Thank you, Diana! It was such a cute little piece in great shape just waiting for me! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Jackie C says
Love the lines on this! Would slick stick have prepped something previously painted for DB paint? You have a great weekend too!
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie! Although it seems like it should, that won’t work over oil based surfaces, so I’ve been told. I haven’t tested it myself though! XOXO
Missy says
Hi, I love reading your blog posts. Your finishing are beautiful. I’m curious about your new staple gun. I am a quilter and built my own ironing board topper for a rolling kitchen cart out of plywood and 1x2s so I have a large surface on which to iron. I have to recover it periodically but is always an exercise in frustration because of misfired staples. Do you find that happens less often with the Ryobi stapler? I’m ready to try anything!
Christy says
Thank you, Missy! I have used a light duty Stanley staple gun for the past decade and it has rarely misfired if at all that I can remember. If I only had to use it occasionally for a few quick staples, I would still be using it. However, it isn’t the most fun on my hands to squeeze that thing repeatedly for a project that requires a ton of stapling like upholstery. So, I finally switched to a power stapler. I’ve only used it on two projects so far, but so far so good. It has worked great! XOXO
Rebecca Payne says
So,so cute. I love finding great finds also. I can’t wait until you share the rest of your haul.
Christy says
Thank you, Rebecca! Finding fantastic items for free is the best!! XOXO
Charleen says
A precious road side find!! Black and white us hard to beat, I think gingham rocks. Seems it’s regard to find in dressmaker fabrics, or the maybe it’s just me. Take 😘
Christy says
Yes! What a treat to find it there just waiting for me! With the fabric shops slowly closing one by one, I’m left with Walmart and Hobby Lobby, but luckily Hobby Lobby pulled through on this gingham! Thanks, Charleen! XOXO
Michele M. says
WOW- you made something thrown away into such a lovely treasure. You did a great job on it- sometimes simple works so well. And your piping work is amazing. You are a gal with so much talent and vision.
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my friend! This one didn’t need much! XOXO
Cecilia says
Woohoo for freebies! Such a cute stool too. Love its new look. And wow! You’re almost done with this haul. Almost time to find some more, huh?
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Yes, yes, yes! Freebies are the best! Thank you, my friend! Yep…I get to shop now!! XOXO
Colleen says
Christy, I love this makeover! The black with the checked fabric it so great! Perfect timing as I am restyling a footstool and two chairs. I’m going to try your piping method on them also. (I would have taken the little aqua table too!)
Christy says
Thank you, Colleen! I don’t even use a fancy foot to sew my piping, and it just adds the perfect finishing touch to your upholstery projects. I should have grabbed the table too! XOXO
Lorri says
Oh lo la la!! You made the stool look so grand… This wont stay long at your booth.You style your furniture with Panache!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! Not only was it free, it was so easy to redo and to stage…gotta love those projects! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, what a sweet little stool…free, and quick redo! Can’t believe you are almost through this uber haul !! As always, looking forward to your next round of makeovers….
Speaking of makeovers, the Kacha Silver Bird (I think that’s what it is..) indicates it’s 18×24; is it 1 18×24 sheet or 2 sheets like her gold Bird Song?
Christy says
Thanks so much, Janice! Free is the best! And I know…I’ve been sharing my van with my hubby as his truck has been in the shop, so I haven’t been able to shop much for my next haul. I need to get on it lol! The Silver Bird transfer is also divided into two sheets. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! XOXO
p says
Oh ya. Such a great curb find. I really like the style of this stool
Do you have special areas you drive around curb shopping ?
I never see the great pieces you find.
So glad you are the ‘finder’ – giving them new life
Great black/white redo. Perfect for the tiny check fabric.
The piping makes it such a nice ‘finished’ piece.
You definitely have multi-talents, and Know how to use them 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you, P! I’m so glad this piece was waiting for me. Finding great pieces on the curb is my favorite! This particular area is behind the shopping center of the Fed Ex place where I have my inventory delivered, so I’m always on the lookout now when I pass by those dumpsters. Otherwise, I don’t do much curb shopping, but I should lol. Now my friend Denise (Salvaged Inspirations) really finds the best stuff since they have a bulk trash day in her area! XOXO