Hello dear friends!! I’m back today with a lovely painted dressing table bench! It’s also Furniture Fixer Upper Day, so be on the lookout for my friends’ fabulous furniture redos at the bottom!
Painted Dressing table Bench
This is the final piece of furniture in my 2021 Summer Haul:
This is another piece that came from the estate sale of my sister’s in-laws, and I believe I paid $10 for it.
uh-oh
I was all set to get started when I realized that although I was able to unscrew the top from the base, the top part could not be removed past those handles on the sides.
And believe me, I tried every which way!
I had really wanted to add foam to the hard seat, but because I couldn’t remove the seat, I decided to just recover over the red velvet. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I love.
Prep
To prep this piece I gave it good vacuum to get all the dust and cobwebs off of it, and then I gave the base a quick wipe down with White Lightning.
I then gave it a quick spray with Rustoleum spray primer:
Chalk paint does NOT require a primer…I just like to do this sometimes to get a quick first coat on these smaller pieces! (Especially when I’m short on time!)
Paint
Then it was time for paint! I followed up with two coats of Sawmill Gravy:
If you saw last Tuesday’s Trash-to-Treasure post, you might know where this is going!
After the paint was dry, I sanded lightly all over to smooth it out and distress a little bit using 220 grit sandpaper.
Seal
Then I sealed with Best Dang Wax in clear, applying it with my Best Dang Brush and buffing it in with a soft cloth.
I usually would choose Satin Clear Coat for a piece like this, but I went with the wax because I didn’t have enough time to allow the Clear Coat to dry properly.
Covering the Seat
I was then able to flip the bench over and start covering the seat. It was quite awkward covering it without removing it completely.
Batting went on first to cover the red and add a tiny bit of softness to the seat. This is cotton batting I had on hand. I used my cheap staple gun to attach it:
I cut off as much of the excess batting as possible at the corners so it would be as flat as possible.
Then I followed up with this fabric I’ve had in my stash for many years:
I tried to bring it out far enough to cover the red velvet completely on the bottom.
The Reveal
Although I didn’t think the style of this bench matched the dressing table I shared last Tuesday, I decided to paint them to match anyway!
If you missed this dressing table makeover, it’s from the same estate sale as the bench.
It started out like this:
Don’t let that picture fool you…it was a serious hot mess! I found the mirror by itself years ago at the thrift store, and it worked perfectly with this piece.
I think these two work really well together!
Luckily, this dressing table was still set up in our dining room from last week, so I was able to photograph them as a set!
I just love this soft, neutral color!
The finishing touch
I normally add piping to all my seats and benches that I reupholster. It adds such an elegant finishing touch to any project. I did it most recently with these vintage club chairs from this Summer haul:
However, I had a hard enough time with this bench not being to able to remove the seat, that I chose not to. But, I was not satisfied with how it looked:
I lucked upon a whole role of gimp trim at a yard sale for $2 years ago, and so I dug that out to finish it off…
I just used a tiny screw driver to tuck the sides in after adding a dab of hot glue:
I really like the feminine finishing touch it added to this dressing table bench!
And isn’t this fabric so pretty? I found it on clearance years ago:
That gorgeous purse was a $5 yard sale find earlier this Summer. It had two oxycodone tablets in it. $5 for a purse AND narcotics? I’ll take it!
I hope you enjoyed today’s makeover and getting to see this pretty dressing table again!
That is my final piece of furniture from this haul!
You can see the afters of these pieces at the links below!
Painting the Smalls #14
Painted Dressing Table
Painting the Smalls #13
Cherry Blossom Flatware Box
DIY Fall Frame Wreath
How to turn a Sewing Table into a Dressing Table
$5 Barn Sale Mirror Makeover
How to Paint Nicotine Stained Furniture (Trestle Table)
80’s Country Cabinet Makeover
Four Thrifty Basket Makeovers
Farmhouse Hutch Makeover
How to Repurpose small lamps
How to Repurpose an Old Swivel Mirror
Painting the Smalls #12
Coastal Dresser Makeover
$5 Bulletin Board Makeover
$3 Thrift Store Basket and Lid Repurposed
Summer Basket Wreath from a $3 Thrift Store Find
$7 Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
Vintage Cane Club Chairs Updated
$6 Thrift Store Shelf Makeover with Transfer
Pub Table Makeover
Becky’s Secretary Desk Makeover
Update a Thrift Store Box with Fabric
$5 Buffet Lamps Updated with Decoupage Paper
Mirror Harp Repurposed
Don’t go anywhere just yet! My Furniture Fixer Upper crew has furniture flips to share with you today too!
If you enjoyed this post, you will love this one that is very similar…one of my favorites!
You can also see more on how I recovered the seat using foam in that post!
And that is all for today! I’ll be back with this mirror and a couple more on Tuesday!
UPDATE: See how pretty this little mirror turned out HERE now!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Sue Andrepont says
I love all of your creative ideas!!!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sue! XOXO
Mary Kasier says
Wow I love how this turned out, and the fabric and trim really are perfect together. It looks like it belongs with the secretary. You run into pieces that try to give you trouble, but those pieces can’t hold a candle to you and your creativity! I love how the piece came out! Now I have to go so I can check out your new fall colors in your Etsy shop.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! I am so pleased at how well they work together as the styles looked so different before being painted. And you know me well…I’ll never back down from a challenge ha ha! XOXO
Maryellen Webber says
This bench is beautiful! It’s the perfect match for the dressing table. I’m looking forward to seeing the mirrors next week. Take care Christy!
Christy says
Thank you, Maryellen! I’m so pleased that after painting, they actually work quite well together! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I thought the bench was fine before added the trim, but you always go the extra mile – and it pays off! That little detail makes the bench even more lovely. What a job! I wouldn’t have predicted that the seat wouldn’t come off. Then I also wouldn’t have predicted what you’d find inside the beaded bag 😂 I’m constantly amazed that people don’t go through things before donating. Earlier this year I found a $50 bill in a purse from a thrift shop. People, check your pockets before you donate!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Marcie! Sometimes I just can’t leave well enough alone! And $50?? That was the best deal ever lol! XOXO
Christina says
Oh Christy, I am amazed at your skill set to cover that seat when you couldn’t remove it! Wow! This looks so great. I love the trim along the seat. That is gorgeous fabric.
Congratulations on finishing the last furniture piece of your Summer haul!
Have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend ahead!!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Christina! You are always so sweet! Happy weekend!! XOXO
Janice Holt says
I see why the seat wouldn’t come out completely. They must have put the seat in and then nailed the ends to the sides. New one on me. It still turned out beautiful but that don’t surprise me. The trim was a great idea and finished it off so well. You never disappoint us.
Christy says
That must have been the case! I even considered taking it apart. Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
Sue Mellette says
I love the transformation of the bench! The saw mill gravy and the beautiful fabric really brings this piece to the 21st century! The gimp you used is the perfect finish! I agree that that the bench goes very nicely with the lovely dressing table. Both are feminine and adorable! The purse story makes the story complete! Wonder how old the drugs were? Thanks for sharing. Your posts are always so inspirational! Enjoy the rest of the week and have a great weekend.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Sue! I am so pleased at how well these pieces work together once painted as I didn’t think they would! I’m not sure about the drugs…should have tested them out lol! Enjoy your weekend too, my friend! XOXO
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations says
I always say you’re the master at upholstery projects. 🙂 This bench turned out adorable and works perfectly with the vanity. I’ve seen these types of benches placed underneath lengthwise and they look super cute. XOXO
Christy says
Aww thank you, my friend! The styles were so different that I hadn’t planned to match the two, but paint worked wonders to unify them! Yay! Hope you’re feeling better! XOXO
Cathy M. says
Another beautiful bench, Christy! Love, love the Sawmill Gravy color. Going to have to add some to my stash soon!
The pocketbook and its contents for $5 was too funny!!
Have a great weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Cathy! I am loving this pretty neutral! And wasn’t that a hoot?? I don’t know why people don’t clean out their purses first lol! XOXO
Debi says
You are so fun to follow….I love the days your email shows up in my inbox😁
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Debi!! I just love being able to create and share with y’all!! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Love it! That fabric is lovely, and the trim finishes it nicely!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Denise! Have a great weekend! XOXO
Cara says
You always find the best items and then your makeovers are always so wonderful too! I wish I could shop your booth!
Christy says
Thank you, Cara! You are the sweetest! I wish you could shop my booth too!! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
The Bench turned out so pretty. I love Sawmill gravy. The narcotics in the purse would have made my day. 🤣
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Sawmill Gravy is a new favorite for me! And who doesn’t love free drugs?? 😂 XOXO
Dalila says
Very nice, Christy! The bench looks good with the dressing table because of the color.
Christy says
Thank you, Dalila! Yes, for sure! XOXO
Jean Andazola says
I loved the bench! You are so good at staging. I do wish I had your “eye”!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Jean! I’ve had lots of practice lol! XOXO
Michele M. says
That is soooooo perfect to complete that set – they are awesome together! Well done, Christy. Sorry it didn’t come off – but I think you solved your dilemma in your excellent way. : – )
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! Yes, I’m so glad it worked out anyway! XOXO
Roberta Menconi says
Congratulations on finishing the haul! All great projects. Love this one.
Christy says
Thank you, Roberta! I do still have a few smaller pieces left, but the furniture is done yay! XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
This really looks nice! Despite the difficult procedure you finished it up nicely and gave it new life. Well done!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Rose! Enjoy your weekend! XOXO
Cecilia from Georgia says
I can just see you trying to remove the seat! Good thing you came up with a plan B! I finished a little bench and couldn’t figure out what was missing🤔 The trim! Thanks for your brilliant idea! Wow you are down to 4 in this haul!
Christy says
I was so determined to get that seat off, but alas, it would not budge! And yes, the trim is a great way to give it a finished look. I need to shop for a few more smalls and I’ll have another haul ready to share soon! Happy weekend! XOXO
Lizzy says
That turned out great! I’m always a sucker for that leg style. I think it’s Louis XVI? The new fabric was a great choice. The red/burgundy had to go for sure. (Doesn’t it always?! Lol) BTW, I’m pretty-sure I have the same rug in my media room — or at least something extremely close to it.
Christy says
Thank you, Lizzy! I love this style too, but the velvet was not doing it any favors lol. I was happy to cover it right up! I love this rug…I have several versions of it in our house…so perfectly neutral! XOXO
Leticia Beam says
Love how the bench turned out! So precious and sweet. Great job!
Christy says
Thank you, Leticia! XOXO
Tracey says
Beautiful work Christy, love the new colours, rich and neutral. Thank you for teaching us new ways to to enhance classic pieces.
Christy says
Thank you, Tracey!! It is always a pleasure to share! XOXO
Cecilia says
Very pretty! Who knew the top wouldn’t come off all the way? Still it turned out nice. Love the trim and fabric.
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! Glad I was able to work around that little hiccup! XOXO
Vicki says
Such a pretty piece! I love little paint/upholstery projects like this. I’m glad to know that even though you primed white, you could still distress where the dark stain shows through, I love that look. Kudos to you for tackling that top even though you couldn’t remove it! I was also thinking they must have attached the tops of the end pieces after the seat. I would have never thought that. Looks great, and the trim was the perfect touch!
Christy says
Thank you, Vicki! Yes, you can still see the wood, but you also see just a tad of the white as well when you get up close. I don’t mind that though. They must have assembled it as you said…that is the first bench I’ve seen made that way! XOXO
Connie says
You had to go to plan “B”but still got it done! Good job! Those three pieces look so lovely together. I know they will sell fast.
Christy says
Ha ha yes! I often have to defer to plan B! Thank you, Connie! XOXO
Celia says
Your last project turned out great, very satisfying I’m sure! Thanks again for an interesting makeover.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Celia! XOXO
ColleenB.~Tx. says
You are so creative and providing such great inspiration.
The bench looks Awesome. Adding that trim really added a nice touch
Christy says
I appreciate that so much, Colleen, thank you! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
This is gorgeous, Christy! So strange that the seat couldn’t be removed all the way, but kudos to you for making it work anyway! xo
Christy says
Thank you, Jen! I know, right?? Glad it worked out in the end! XOXO
Mary says
I love the two pieces together Christy! A match made in heaven 🙂 I love the new color too…its a great neutral. Beautiful transformation, both pieces!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Mary! This really is a fantastic neutral! XOXO
Robin says
Best value EVER for that purse 😉
The Sawmill Gravy is really a delightful neutral. I’m going to have to try it out soon. Great job.
Christy says
Ha ha yes!! Thank you, Robin! I can’t believe it took me so long to try it! (The paint, not the drugs lol.) XOXO
Mariele says
I was going to leave a comment about what a great job you did, and how elegant it looks now, and how nice the trim finished off that job… but then I got to this part:
“$5 for a purse AND narcotics? I’ll take it!”
And I haven’t regained my composure since. LOL!!
Christy says
Ha ha… what a deal, right?? That cracked me up! Thank you, Mariele!! XOXO