With risking the chance of sounding like a broken record, I’m going to say it again…the wood section of the thrift store is a veritable gold mine. Totally! If it is wood, it can be altered. Take a peek at what my daughter and I picked up while out one day. We’re excited to share with you some mini thrift store makeovers to inspire you.
Out of my 6 children, they all love to shop thrift stores with me, and they all love to work on their own projects. My oldest three daughters were looking for some project pieces, so this is what we found: (1) a beanie baby shelf (2) a milking stool, and (3) a little wooden box.
While I haven’t shared their work as often as of late, they do all have things on my blog or in my shop that they’ve worked on.
1ST PROJECT
To get our DIY fun started, I’ll begin by sharing what Miss C did with the beanie baby shelf. Do take a peek at her past projects to see why I’m a proud mama. Around here, we seem to find oodles of these beanie baby storage pieces that nobody wants. You can see what I did with the one I found HERE.
This one isn’t bad off, but does have the staining action going on at the bottom. Not a problem for my girl. I told her to turn it around and try to see what it can become. We both decided it would be better flipped upside down and have a few Shaker pegs added.
She measured and marked, then used my drill and forstner bit to make holes. Then, after that, with a little bit of wood glue, she’s ready for the next step. Like her mama, one of her favorite colors is blue. Also, she added some >keyhole hanger to support a heavy item like this. Previously, it only had sawtooth hangers.
Two coats of paint, followed by a bit of distressing and dark wax to accent, she’s done. Buh-bye beanie babies! haha!
Do you like my cup collection? I don’t collect much, but these little things always catch my fancy when I find them, so I snatch them up. They remind me of simpler times.
Didn’t Miss C do a fabulous job on the shelf? I love that she added the Shaker pegs that not only added form, but function as well.
2ND PROJECT
Up next in our mini thrift store makeovers, Miss S is ready to tackle her vintage milking stool. She too is a veteran of many furniture, and thrifty makeovers seen in these projects. It isn’t is disrepair or anything, but she wants to refresh it. After a bit of sanding, she’s ready to use my custom mixed paint.
For a project like this, she knew a round brush suits the turned legs. In this case, however, she only needs one coat of paint to get the effect she was after. After that, she used a gray wax to add more depth and texture.
Here is her project with a new “old” look. Isn’t it sweet?
If you look close, the milking stool was also missing a little bit of leather or twine in the handle, so she added that too.
3RD PROJECT
Last, but definitely not least, Miss E is ready for her turn. She too is not a newbie. Check out her work HERE. Her project is a mighty mite ready for a release from the apple prison. haha! I have nothing against apples, but this one is dated fo’ sho’.
First, I helped her remove the apple panel from the front the box. Then, she picked a couple muted colors to do the top and bottom differently.
While her paint cures, we designed a little label to cover the apple panel. One of my favorite sites to get vintage graphics and typography from is The Graphics Fairy. Miss E chose an oval frame and we added the text.
Here’s her mini thrift store makeover made new.
I adore it’s sweet charm. A cup of tea is like greeting and old friend and offers such a release from daily woes. Doesn’t everybody need a special place for such a treat? The glass knob is the perfect touch.
Are you inspired yet? My girls and I are excited to share our mini thrift store makeovers with you. If one or all of these decor pieces catch your fancy, you can find them available in my online shop. (ALL SOLD)
In addition, do pin and share these mini thrift store makeovers to inspire others to give DIY a try too.
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Holly says
Beautiful. I love them all.
Your girls are very talented.
Larissa says
Thank you from the four of us! 😀 They had fun for sure.
Rebecca - NC says
You look as if you could be their sister, not their mother!!! Looks like the “apples” didn’t fall far from the tree. They’ve inherited your talent. My love of all things DIY came from my Mom as well. I’m lucky to still have her and she is still “crafty!” There were four kids in our family and we all still love creating. It brings back such wonderful memories seeing your kids participate. ❤️
Larissa says
haha! You deserve an award for that, Rebecca. That’s awesome your mom is such a treasure. Those are wonderful days!
ColleenB.~Tx. says
They All look Fantastic and it’s easy to see that they enjoyed what they where doing.
Can see by their projects where they get their talent from. They for hire? :} I can always use some helpers when it comes to projects.
My dear sweet hubby is out of the question……..A painter he isn’t.
Great jobs girls
Larissa says
Thank you for saying so. They all really work hard on the things they do in life, and this is an example of it. I’m a proud mama! 😀 Your husband sounds like mine…no touchy my paint brush. haha.
Deanna says
I love that you and your children thrift together and work on projects together. The results are awesome!!
Larissa says
We have the best fun together and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 😀
Cheri Rice says
Larissa, love your projects n interaction with your kids!
When I signed up for your site I never received the furniture guide. Hope you n yours are well. Cheri
Larissa says
Thanks so much, Cheri. Did you receive a confirmation email? It would have had the link to it in there.
Carolyn G says
What a wonderful job your girls did! They have obviously inherited their Mom’s talent!
Larissa says
Just seeing them have fun makes it a blast for me. Thanks so much, Carolyn. 😀
Becky says
All three of those project came out great! Practical AND pretty! ? You girls have a super handy skill… and a great teacher! ?
Larissa says
You are so sweet to say so, Becky. I just love sharing their work. Fun! 😀
Marie-Interior Frugalista says
The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. and they are uber-talented just like their Mama! Great job on each one of these ??
Larissa says
Thanks so much, Marie. You know the buzz that is so awesome seeing your kids grow before your eyes. Hugs!