Recovering a Thrift Store Bench
- By Joan
- April 4, 2016
- 20 Comments
Welcome back and I hope you all had a great weekend.
While doing errands last week I decided to stop into one of my favorite thrift stores. No sooner had I stepped into the furniture section of the store when I spy this bench calling my name. I did a quick scan…nice shape, sturdy, $25 not cheap, but not too pricey. I left it there, but could still here it calling my name in the distance, and checked out the rest of the furniture.
It was about this time that I get into a chat with a man also looking for furniture. He was looking for 2 end tables for his house in West Virginia. They couldn’t be too dark because the room is dark, but he did want them to match. This thrift store had 2 great tables that did match, but this guy didn’t want to do any painting and they were dark wood. OK, good luck with that. (I would have gotten the end tables, but that’s just me). I have my own problems.
Do I get the bench? The question I usually ask myself is… If I leave it here, will I be kicking myself when I get home wondering why I didn’t just buy it? I’ve done that more than once.
As you can tell by the picture, I bought it. And as for the other guy, he’s going to be kicking himself, because he didn’t buy the matching set of end tables.
The bench was actually in perfect condition. The foam had no bumps or dents which is super important when you’re doing any kind of upholstery since foam is rather expensive. The cover was rather dirty and there were a few scratches in the wood…
…and one end had sort of come unglued. The perfect condition for a makeover.
Just four screws held the cushion to the wood frame. Pulled the staples from the bottom holding the dust cover upholstery cloth in place. With no rips, it’s going back on.
Pulled out the rest of the staples from the fabric and what do you know..there was another layer of fabric underneath. The second layer of fabric was beautiful..not my style…but in fantastic shape. Because it was in such fantastic shape I just left it as it was. It’s doing a great job of holding all the batting and foam in place and some day when somebody else recovers this bench, they too will find the original fabric in fantastic shape.
Only needed 2/3 yard to cover the bench. The fabric is stapled on as if you’re covering a seat cushion…start from the middle and work your way to the corners pulling tight as you go.
Reused the dust cloth to hide all the seams and staples.
Needed two coats of white chalk paint to cover the dark wood.
One of the reasons I wanted to paint the bench white was to highlight the fluted legs. The legs and all the other edges were given a light sanding followed by a coat of clear wax.
Number 2 son was telling me that they needed a bench to keep their extra pillows off the floor and away from the dog fur. Not sure if I’m going to part with it, it looks kind of nice at the end of my bed.
Shared at Metamorphosis Monday, Be Inspired Tuesday,
Wow us Wednesdays, Talk of the Town, Trash 2 Treasure,
Thoughts of Home, Fridays Furniture Fix, Link Party Palooza,
Funky Junk Party Junk, Share it One More Time,
DIY Sunday Showcase, Silver Pennies Sundays, Making Broken Beautiful,
Dishing it and Digging it, Amaze me Monday, Inspire me Tuesday,
DIY Like a Boss, The Scoop, Make it Pretty Monday
I was featured at
Your bench looks lovely at the foot of your bed! I’d keep it …. and I’d go back to get the pair of nightstands the gentleman passed on … I never seem to find a pair, and have found that parents like to split them up in their children’s bedrooms. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you didn’t leave that beautiful bench behind! Looks perfect!
I love your bench and the fabric you selected, I’ve been searching for one to refinish for our master. So far nothing has turned up at a price I can afford. You’ve inspired me to search harder! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Lori in Atlanta
I usually find the best stuff when I’m not looking. So just pretend you’re not looking.
I love how your bench turned out! The fluted legs are gorgeous in white and distressed! You did a lovely job making it over! I hope you have a great day!
Smiles!
Terry
The Curator’s Collection & Making Broken Beautiful (Thursdays)
http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com
Wow what a great find! The paint finish goes so perfectly with your bedding. I’m working out on my patio chalk painting a table today. I’m glad to see the way you’ve distressed the edges. Gives me good ideas.
Thank you so much for joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. 🙂
I love the unique shape of the bench.
It has a Hollywood Regency look.
You do beautiful work!
Thank you for joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
Laura
White Spray Paint
What a fabulous find and a terrific transformation! Your post is such a happy addition to Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Thank you SO much for sharing the joy.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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Joan this little bench has turned out so pretty! Love the white and the distressing is just perfect. Thanks for sharing at Friday’s Furniture Fix.
Great job on the bench! Thanks so much for sharing this at the Dishing It & Digging It Link Party, I hope it brings you some wonderful new friends to enjoy 🙂
You got a great find there and would have been upset with yourself if you didn’t buy it. I have done that and still remember the items I should have bought. The bench looks wonderful. As for the guy with the tables I bet he is upset with himself for not buying them.
Your bench turned out lovely, and looks great at the end of your bed. I glad you went ahead and bought it, I would be one of those kicking their selves for not buying because as the hubby says I’m cheap. Love how you brought out the detail work of the legs. Beautiful piece!
You totally scored on that bench! It looks great now.
What a beautiful transformation <3 Love the light sanding you did to show off those gorgeous legs.
I wish my legs would look so nice with a light sanding 🙂
This does not even look like the same piece of furniture. It looks so beautiful!
[…] Scavenger Chic picked up a bench at her local thrift store and got busy giving it a transformation. Lovely job! […]
You did such a great job on this! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at the Sunday Showcase from the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/05/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-6-3.html Hope to see you again at the party tonight! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
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