It’s just a couple of days away from Christmas, but I’m sure you’ve all seen just about all you need to holiday-wise! So, my beautiful friends, how does a thrifty furniture throwback sound? Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite makeovers from last year.
It’s an upcycled padded bench that was originally given to me by my dear mother-in-law.
Here is how this bench looked before:
They had it in the garage for sitting on to put on shoes, but it was starting to show some wear on the top:
My first idea for this piece was to replace the legs with something curvier and recover the top.
So, I set out in search of a furniture piece I could steal the legs from, but after several trips to several thrift stores, I came up empty. Buying new legs was just not an option as they were super pricey.
Plan B
I could feel wood beneath the padded top and decided to open it up and see if it had a nice piece of wood under there that I could stencil, but underneath was this odd situation instead:
I would need to purchase wood if I wanted to go that route.
Lumber nowadays is insanely high priced, so I decided to see what I could pull from my stash that might work instead:
I pulled these two pieces…
One very nice, very pricey prime piece of lumber that we had leftover from our pantry makeover and a plywood scrap from another project.
A new planked seat
I cut the plywood into strips to match the prime lumber using my table saw:
Then I used my miter saw to cut the strips of wood to fit the bench:
I ended up cutting one more narrow strip for the center so the gaps wouldn’t be so large in between.
Then, I used my smaller Ryobi sander to sand all the planks, including the edges, smooth using 220 grit sandpaper.
This did a fantastic job of smoothing out even the edges of the plywood, so it looked like solid wood planks once painted!
Once I vacuumed up all the dust, I gave the base and the new seat planks two coats of Cotton:
Then I attached my new seat to the base using my Ryobi nail gun:
Adding a stencil
To add a little more personality to the top of the bench, I chose this stencil I found on Amazon:
I like to add a little spray adhesive to the backs of my stencils to hold them in place and prevent paint from seeping under. Then I use a small brush to fill in the stencil. I prefer acrylic craft paint to fill them in since it’s easier to wash off the stencil than chalk paint.
As soon as the second coat went on, I pulled the stencil off:
Then I like to go back and fill in the small breaks that give it away as a stencil using a liner brush:
Once everything was dry, I went back with 220 grit sandpaper wrapped around an old sanding sponge and sanded all over, including across the stencil, to smooth everything out.
The base was black to start, so in order to give the appearance of black beneath the wood planks on top as well, I used the cheat method to “distress” the edges:
I used my distressing block and Caviar paint.
See more on how I do that in this short video:
If you have any trouble viewing, you can see it on YouTube HERE.
Everything was sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the blue sponge applicator.
The After
Here is how this box-store special looked after!
Let’s get a closer peek at that stencil…
Just enough to make this bench a bit more special!
The simple planked top is so much cuter than the original padded top, don’t you think?
This would be great on one side of a dining table or at the foot of the bed. It would also be perfect in an entryway!
Here you can see the faux distressing more closely…
This stencil is so cute!
My favorite projects are always ones that even I am skeptical about making over. I really wasn’t sure anything could be done with this, but I am so glad I was wrong!
This was part of my Free-to-me Haul. Here are all the projects in that haul and none of them cost me a thing!
See the links to all the afters at the bottom!
French Provincial Dresser Makeover
Turn a Mirror Harp into a Shelf!
Painted French Provincial Dresser
Four Basket Makoevers
Curbside Table Makeover
Grandma’s Mirror Makeover
How to Upcycle a Secretary Desk Hutch
Stenciled Stool Makeover
Antiqued Christmas Mirror
STENCILED BENCH MAKEOVER
STENCILED DESK MAKEOVER
CURBSIDE LAMP MAKEOVER WITH WAX
LONGABERGER BASKET MAKEOVER
HOW TO “FIX ” A BROKEN CANE CHAIR
From my family to yours, however you celebrate the season, I hope it is everything you wish for!
I’ll be back after the holidays sharing this favorite from the archives:
Update: See how I updated this steal of a deal dresser HERE now!
Love,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
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Rose Lefebvre says
You hit another one out of the park!
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! XOXO
SHIRLEY D. says
One of my favorites from you! Beautiful family picture too!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Shirley! XOXO
Mary Kaiser says
OK, I remember this bench and how beautiul it turned out, you showed that bench who’s boss! LOL! It is always fun to see one of your old post, a reminder of how talented you are!
My favorite part about this post today is the beautiful piucture of your beautiful family! It is a great picture, and I love it! Enjoy your time with that beautiful family of yours and have a Merry Christmas!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, my friend! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas as well, and I have no doubt you will with all those beautiful grand babies! XOXOXO
Carol says
That turned out beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Carol! XOXO
Susan Cox says
Another lovely, creative makeover–so much better than the original. Thanks for another year of interesting reading and great photos. I’m one happy subscriber. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Susan! I appreciate that SO much!! Wishing the merriest of Christmases to you as well!! XOXO
Janette says
Its gorgeous Christy and I love the script .
I hope you have a lovely Christmas and all the best for the year ahead.xx
Christy says
Thank you, Janette! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Christine says
Amazing, per usual!
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Christine! XOXO
Denise Cox says
Hmmmm….I don’t remember this one, but I like her!!
Merry Christmas, Christy! Thanks for sharing all of your skills, talent, & inspiration throughout the year!! Merry Christmas to one and all….
Christy says
Thank you, Denise! I truly appreciate all of your kind words throughout the year, my friend! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Roe Squire says
Beautiful family photo! I really like how you redid the bench. I often see mass produced pieces at thrift sales and think about giving them a new life.
Happy Holidays
Christy says
Thank you so much, Roe! I wasn’t sure about this one, but I’m glad I got the chance to play with it! Have a lovely holiday also! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Good to see this bench again. Something I don’t remember about it is the legs. They look so much better after you finished your “magic” on the bench. Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your family.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I agree…the legs work better with the planked top for sure. Merry Christmas, my friend! XOXO
Celia says
Love the bench it looks fresh and new. Great family pic, have a wonderful holiday!
Christy says
Thank you Celia! Enjoy your holiday as well!! XOXO
Cecilia says
Oh goodness what an improvement! And thanks for the idea…I have a vanity bench that I attempted to redo and I haven’t liked it but lightbulb moment! This just might do the trick – I have nothing to lose!
Wonderful picture of you and your family. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Merry Christmas,
Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I’m glad I could give you an idea for yours! Merry Christmas to you as well! XOXO
Diana Cosgrove says
Dear Christy….
May you enjoy Peace and Love this Holiday Season … Wishing you much success in the New Year 2023…. All of your faithful followers look forward to your amazing transformations and posts.
Merry Christmas,
Diana
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! Merriest of Christmases to you!! XOXO
Vicki Bray says
I agree with Mary – great job! Wonderful family picture! Merry Christmas!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Vicki! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Gayle says
Merry Christmas, Christy! Thank you for all the joy that you bring to so many lives! Blessings to you and your family!
Christy says
Merry Christmas, Gayle! Thank you SO much!! XOXO
Peggy says
Very nice and updated. Love the Christmas greenery! LOVELY PICTURE of you and your family. Merry Christmas!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Peggy! Merry Christmas!! XOXO
Cheryl Atkinson says
Very pretty. What I wouldn’t give to have the room and the tools to do whatever I wanted!! Well Christy, I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas.🎄❤️
Christy says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! Wishing you a very merry Christmas as well! XOXO
Denise says
As always, you make everything beautiful! I love your family picture and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy, safe and healthy New Year. Thank you for all the time you give to share your work with us. It means a lot. Take good care. Denise
Christy says
Aww I appreciate that so much, Denise, thank you! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas as well!! XOXO
Sandi says
It’s gorgeous!! I love seeing what you do with different pieces. Merry Christmas! Hugs,
Christy says
Thank you, Sandi!! Merry Christmas! XOXO
Edna says
Wonderful job as always, Christy. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you and your beautiful family a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2023
Christy says
Aww thank you, Edna! A very merry Christmas to you and yours as well! XOXO
Michele M. says
BRAVO!! That re-do is a winner for sure! Love it!
You have a beautiful family. Your elder son looks a teeny bit like a younger Donnie Walberg a bit. But son is way cuter – but there’s a similarity there I see, maybe in the eyes.
Have a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year, Christy.
Christy says
Thank you so much, my friend! My sister was in LOVE with Donnie Wahlberg growing up lol! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and new year as well! XOXO
Ruth Anne says
Another great transformation! If anyone could ever make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, it would be you!!
Christy says
Aww you are the sweetest, Ruth Anne, thank you!! XOXO
Mike says
It looked better before! True mid century bench in very nice shape and you turn it into a farmhouse plank bench. Travesty!
Christy says
Ba ha ha…nope. It was a Costco special. And, the pleather on top was split in two.
Petra says
I think you transformed this piece beautifully 🙂 And lovely family photo – you’re all very photogenic 😀 Hope you haven’t been too bothered by the icy storms we’re hearing about in the northern hemisphere? Stay safe and well 🙂 Petra xo
Christy says
Thank you so much, Petra! We got down to 11 degrees F which is -11 in celsius but at least we stayed dry, thankfully…just cold! XOXO
Shirley says
Christy…. I couldn’t even imagine changing it to begin with but , wow, you have really outdone yourself on this one! I love it very very much!!
Christy says
Aww I’m so glad you like the outcome, Shirley! Thank you! I’ll admit, it is way harder to take a brush to lovely pieces like this for sure! XOXO
Darienne says
Hi Christy
I love love your work!!
Absolutely gorgeous pieces.
Would you consider posting what you ask for each piece after they’re finished?
My whole family is full of artisty/artists..
I know the process that goes into each piece (time-supplys-products) blah blah so I’m always curious.
Either way,
Cheers
You and Salvaged Inspiration.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Darienne! I sold this piece for $125, I believe. This post on pricing might be helpful and then I link to one just for the smalls at the bottom: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-to-price-items-for-resale/ I love Denise too! Happy New Year! XOXO