• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Partner
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Southern Hospitality

Adventures in Decorating, Thrifting, Cooking, Fashion & Gardening

  • My Home
  • Categories
    • A+ Blogs
    • My Blog Story
    • Decorating
    • DIY/How-To
    • Family
    • Gardening
    • In the Kitchen
    • My Home Tours
    • Thrifting
    • Travel
  • DIY Gallery
  • Fashion
  • Feature Friday
  • Shop My Home
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

A Little Bench Makeover

February 18, 2013 By Rhoda 33 Comments

0 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Before I left Birmingham, I hit a sale at the Catholic Rummage Sale in Homewood and found a cute $10 bench that I couldn’t pass up.  I always found some good stuff at their rummage sale, so if you’re in Birmingham, be sure to look it up on the 4th of July.  I had kept this old bench and had plans to use it somewhere, so I finally got around to giving her a makeover.

bench before

Here she is in her Before state.  Cute, but definitely needing some sprucing up.  That old gold velvet has seen better days. You can see the veneer is gone on the side.  But, I’m painting it so that doesn’t matter.

under bench

I turned it over and took off the seat.

top off bench

Ready to recover.

striped green fabric

I am making a couple of pillows for my bed out of this striped fabric, so for now I used some of it since I already have it, but I may change it out later for something not striped, since this is going to sit on my striped rug.

corners stapled

Using an electric stapler and this method, turn the corners under and staple all the way around.

stapled cover

That’s it!  Stapled and ready to put back on after painting the base of the bench.

Annie Sloan Old White

I painted the base with 2 coats of my Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint and left some of the brown showing through on the legs.

Bench After

Added the seat back on and how cute is it now?  A far cry from the original.  All it needed was new paint and fabric.

Bench legs

I love those legs, so cute!

bench by bed

I did get out my clear wax and a little bit of dark wax (Annie Sloan) and gave it a quick coat of wax, rubbing it in and letting it dry and now it’s sitting at the end of my bed.

Legs

I’m still not a wax expert, but once you rub it all over the paint, let it dry and then go back and buff it with a soft cotton rag to bring out the sheen.

bench

I didn’t spend a lot of time waxing and rubbing, but I’m happy with how it came out.

It’s a cute updated piece at the end of my bed for now.

Do you have something that needs a new paint job and maybe some new fabric? Think of the possibilities!

Today, I’m posting over at My Way Home, Wayfair’s blog about organizing a pretty office and I’m happy to say, I’m a brand new contributor over there and will be sharing posts once a month, all about sprucing up the home. 

Joining Linda’s Nifty Thrifty party today!

Related


Don't Miss a Post, join my list!

Filed Under: Decorating Ideas, Projects and How-To 33 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. susan maclean says

    February 18, 2013 at 5:25 am

    Lovely fabric, and looks like more than $10 worth! The two different stripes look well together (cushion and rug) too.

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:29 am

    Great price! Your bench has such pretty lines and they show up nicely with your paint touches…the fabric is so pretty!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  3. Debbie says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:53 am

    I did a little bench just like yours recently. The legs on yours are much prettier. I haven’t added wax or some stain over the paint yet, can’t decide how I want to do it yet?

    Great post! I wish I would get my stuff together and start documenting my projects. You make it look so fun to blog…

    Thanks.

    Reply
  4. Cathy says

    February 18, 2013 at 8:28 am

    What a fun and simple make-over! You’ve inspired me to do a chalkpaint transformation or two!
    Cathy @ Room Rx

    Reply
  5. Kathy says

    February 18, 2013 at 8:54 am

    Love it! I would love for you to show photos of a wax process. Probably sounds simple to you….I just haven’t ever waxed anything…..other than my eyebrows and mustache!

    Reply
  6. Martina says

    February 18, 2013 at 8:55 am

    Super cute makeover!!

    Reply
  7. Carol T says

    February 18, 2013 at 9:41 am

    Thanks for reminding me that little projects don’t have to be overwhelming! And congrats on becoming part of Wayfair’s blog team!

    Reply
  8. Lynne says

    February 18, 2013 at 9:46 am

    What a pretty bench! I am sitting on a similar one as I type this. My sister and I were just talking about trying ASCP last week, and Old White is the color I chose!!! So glad to have it pop up here in your post, Rhoda. Guess this little bench will be getting a facelift soon. Thanks so much. I LOVE your blog.

    Reply
  9. Sally says

    February 18, 2013 at 10:00 am

    How cute!! I’m in the market for a piano bench and this post helps me remember to not overlook anything that may just need a coat of paint and new fabric. I also like that you went ahead and used fabric you have so you can start using the bench, rather than waiting for the perfect fabric to come along! I have so many un-started projects because I’m waiting for the right fabric.

    Reply
  10. Lisa Lee says

    February 18, 2013 at 10:07 am

    I did a little table recently in ASCP’s Florence, it too had legs like your little bench. Too cute! Still love your blog Rhoda!

    Reply
  11. Donna Duffy says

    February 18, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Nicely updated

    Reply
  12. Lisa Fernandez says

    February 18, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Perfect little touch. Love the bench. What would we do without little projects. Lovely.
    Lisa
    leeshideaway.blogspot.com

    Reply
  13. Kathy says

    February 18, 2013 at 11:12 am

    Your bench looks so cute!! I love the colors. Your home is truly amazing. You worked so hard , and it’s so beautiful!!

    Kathy

    Reply
  14. angela says

    February 18, 2013 at 11:59 am

    I have your blog in my favorites but I am having a problem it does not go to the new post and I hit the home button and I still do not see your new post I have to go to the archives to get it. I do not know if other people are having a hard time too.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      February 18, 2013 at 12:45 pm

      Hi, Angela, I am getting some comments about that, so I don’t know why that is happening. I have no idea how to fix it either! I’m hoping this glitch will go away.

  15. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    February 18, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    Such a cute transformation! Love it!

    Reply
  16. katie says

    February 18, 2013 at 1:37 pm

    Looks great – such a difference! I need to hurry up and try chalk paint, already 🙂

    Reply
  17. Lynne says

    February 18, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Rhoda, love the little bench.

    On another subject, I’m having my kitchen island changed from doors to drawers and I plan on painting it when I’m finished. I want to use your beadboard wallpaper on the sides and back and will order from you. I live close-by in Cumming and would love to see if I could pick it up from you rather than having it shipped. I can’t find an e-mail address for you to contact you directly.

    Reply
    • Rhoda says

      February 18, 2013 at 4:03 pm

      HI, Lynn, you found me and I emailed you back. I don’t stock the beadboard wallpaper, thanks!

  18. Jill Flory says

    February 18, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Very cut makeover! Well done 🙂

    Reply
  19. Olga says

    February 18, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    She’s got great legs and you have GREAT taste!! Well done!

    Reply
  20. Doris G says

    February 18, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    I love doing benches! So easy! I actually like the two stripes together.

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Thanks for stopping by! I'm Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn't have to cost a fortune and I've spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I'm here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won't you join me?

Subscribe

Click Here

Click Here

Subscribe to the Blog
How to Decorate in
Classic Timeless Style
.....without breaking the bank!

House Renovation Journey!

Our Paint Colors

Archives

Categories

Footer Widget Header2

Featured here:

Better Homes and Gardens
Atlanta Magazine
Better Homes and Gardens

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Partner

Copyright © 2025 · Southern Hospitality · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy