When you head the thrift store and get a good haul, it can leave you feeling pretty pumped. That is until you look at all that you brought home and the realization hits you that you brought home a whole lotta potential and now there’s work to be done. For real, right? Today, I’m showing you a few of the items I acquired and how their thrifted makeovers can help make your house your home on a budget.
Let’s take a look at what I thought was worthy purchases. First, an unfinished stool, a wooden chest, and a corner cabinet. All are solid wood ane are handmade. However, they are most definitely needing something.
DIY TIME
To start, I choose that little milking stool as my first subject.
Since this piece was nothing but raw, I decided to have a little fun with it. First, I used my brush to apply Provincial Stain (one of my favorites seen here).
After I let that cure a bit, I started out using some of my stash of paints to create a textured look with layers. My goal was to make this look like it had been around awhile. Next, I applied a wash of this blue.
For the next layer, I used milk paint. This color is one of my favorites by Junque called Jadeite. Isn’t it pretty? In addition to this project, you can see how I used it on this dresser makeover in this post.
STRIPPING
Before I show you the after, let me show you the other chest real quick. Would you have bought this?
What caught my eye was the hardware on the back and the awesome joints that held this thing together. However, what needed gone fast was that awful orange finish that was slapped all over everything. The only thing I had in mind was to TAKE IT OFF. haha. My Citristrip came in super handy for this.
I used my brushes to apply a thick coat of gel. To ensure it wouldn’t dry out on the hot day I was working in, I always wrap in plastic wrap. This also works well when you are letting it sit overnight. See the finish starting to dissolve in about 30 minutes?
When ready, I just used my putty knife to scrape off all that I could. Last, to finish it up, I used steel wool and mineral spirits to get the gunk off. I was after a rustic worn look, so this worked well.
TWO REVEALS
Here are the first of my thrifted makeovers, the milking stool and farmhouse chest in their finished state.
aaahhh…that’s better. They look like they belong together, don’t they?
The milking stool has that washed look I love…
…and that chest is a time-worn beauty now. It sure looks like a rustic gem to me! Check out those joints and cool hardware.
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST
Last, but not least, is my goose corner cabinet. Raise your hand if you have (and still do – ha!) have geese and country blue decor in your home. Llikewise, my mother did, so you are not alone. As cute as the goose is, it had to go bye-bye with my sander.
The first thing after sanding was to paint the inside. I chose to use the Tea Rose Pink I used on this vanity makeover. It is just the right feminine shade.
The outside got two coats of a off white. But, for added drama, I used my fun mold and hot glue gun to create some pretty decorative pieces like I did for my secretary desk.
In addition, to give these moldings a depth, I painted and then used my brown wax to add detail.
CHECK IT OUT
Once done, I applied them to my newly made over corner cupboard. Amazing isn’t it?
The details are so fun and to think it was all done with hot glue. Yay!
Also, I was even able to find an antique glass knob in my stash to replace the wooden one. It’s all about the little things to me. Though, my favorite is the inside. tee hee.
Likewise, if one or all of these recreated pieces catch your eye, you can find them available for purchase in my online shop.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
So there you have it…3 quick thrifted makeovers to encourage you to give DIY a try and make your house your home.
Also, pin and share these thrifted makeovers to inspire other to break out their DIY skills and update their home decor. It’s fun!
Up next, is Furniture Fixer Uppers and my kitchen remodel is back in full swing, starting with my bar stools. Head here to see the updates!
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Additionally, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
In addition, more of my thrifted makeovers for you:
Love your new found items and what you had done with them. Beautiful.
Actually, I have head and foot board bed frame that I have to do, so them brushes would sure be handy in doing my project.
Thank you for this giveaway opportunity
Thanks, Colleen! It was fun to try. My pleasure to share!
I love the wooden chest! It turned out so beautiful! I have several things I’ve been wanting to make, a coat rack, nightstands, and several Christmas gifts so I would pick one of those to paint first!
My favorite too. I had fun seeing that gunk come off of there. Ha!
Love the little stool and the chest does have great hardware on it. Thank you for this giveaway. This group of brushes can really help with my next makeover!!
Thanks! It sure does. Hope I can help!
I have enjoyed following your work, and keeping up with your progress on your home. You amaze me with how much you accomplish!
I am wondering what glue sticks you used to achieve this. Mine usually have a rubbery quality that yours do not appear to have.
Awesome to hear, Sharon! Thank you. I use you basic craft store glue sticks, so nothing special.
Love the boxes. Great hardware . I don’t think I have seen one like it.
I always have several projects around needing painting.
I haven’t either. They were fun to do. Thanks!
Larissa, as usual you’re makeovers are amazing! I just can’t get over the use of hot glue in the Iron Orchid mold! That additional touch on the corner cabinet really kicks it up a notch!!!!
Thanks, Kaycee! It is so fun to use all these tools to get the look I’m after – I get to play!
Love it! Nice work Larissa!
Thanks, Anne. 🙂
That stool!! OMGeee…drooling here!
hee hee hee! Love it!
Your great site is so inspirational to me and others as well!! You have taught me so many tricks to refine my artsy-fartsy stuff and for that I am very grateful!!
That’s what it’s all about, Laura. Thank you for making my day!
Love seeing what you come up with!
I’m delighted to hear it. Thanks!
I absolutely love what you did to that chest! One day I’m going to get me some of those molds. They sure do make a difference. I’ve had my eye on that triangle brush f a while. I always seem to have trouble in those corners.
What a fun difference it made in that thing. The molds are awesome, and the brushes are the best! They have made my life so much easier.
Thought it was going to be the milking stool as I was reading through the post, but then I saw the difference in that chest! Oh, my! Love how it turned out, that is my favorite of the three.
Wahoo!! So cool to hear. Thanks so much!
I love the cabinet! Very creative
I would use those brushes on all of my furniture painting endeavors! I just recently picked up one of these zibra brushes and it is no joke!
You ain’t kiddin. I seriously love these brushes!
Thanks! It was fun to do. 🙂
Good job! You have a natural talent.
Thanks for the encouragement, Jewell. 😉
Wow! That chest especially is so cool! We have one of those molds too – I reeeeally MUST get out the glue gun and try that! Amazing!
I have a “To Paint” list as long as my arm. Maybe first up though would be the clock I want for my new entry!
Sounds like awesome projects. Hope you have fun!
Larissa, so much vision! That corner cabinet was such a beautiful transformation. Can they all be my favorite? ??
Works for me! Thanks Patricia. 😀
Beautiful! You are always such an inspiration for me – wish I had your “eye”! Thanks for sharing –
You are so sweet to say so. You never know until you try!
Love the chest!
Thank you!
I enjoy watching your projects. I don’t have the eye for potential that you do, but I enjoy the process also. What do you use to clean your brushes? You use the same brushes for so many different mediums? Stain, citristrip, plus all the different paints. I always worry about residue on my brushes.
Thank you, Sarah. I clean based on what I used. For paint, just some warm water and occasionally soap. For stains either water or mineral spirits. I have dedicated brushes for stains and paints, so no mixing up around here. The citristrip can be used on my paint brushes, so no worries there.
Love the cabinet and Dixie Belle paint! Woukd love to try the brushes. I need to get an Iron Orchid mold…
You will love the brushes, Judy! Yes, those molds are sweet too.
Larissa,
You do an awesome job on all of your great finds.
Thank you for sharing and teaching us how we can do this.
Nancy
It is absolutely my pleasure, Nancy. Thank you!
Terrific makeovers as always! Would like to have a complete set of brushes. I do have the triangular one I found while junking one day and I love it for those hard to do corners too. My fave for the reasons you chose it too is the little chest.
What a score for you! They are amazing brushes for sure.
You make choosing hard! I’m going to have to pick that adorable stool. I’m loving the hot glue and mold idea…its giving me some inspiration! Quick question… Do you use the same brushes for both stain and paint, or do you keep a separate set for stain? I’ve always been afraid I’d ruin a brush using it to stain.
hahaha…too funny! I have dedicated brushes for stains vs. paints. No mixing up the finishes. 🙂
I love your style!! It makes me look at thrift store finds a new light! Thank you!
So terrific to hear, Kaitlyn. Thank you!
So adorable, and I have to admit I do have some leftover geese, apples and other country things I am slowly making over! My favorite is that little stool, I have a weakness for milking stools 😉 Thanks for the inspiration!
We all do and that’s okay because it will be back! hahahaha!!
The word section is my favorite too! Those turned out cute!
Can’t go wrong in there. Thanks for the love!
Love all 3 pieces but the stool and cabinet are probably my favorite . You are so creative and such an inspiration. Would love to give those brushes a try on my projects.
Wonderful to hear. Thanks, Debra!
I like the corner cabinet and am fascinated with the orchid mold. Is the mold made specifically for hot glue?
I have a couple of Zibra brushes and love them but would looove to try more! I would paint an old china cabinet.
Thanks! You can use the mold for food, paper clay, sculpey…anything. So fun! Happy to hear you love Zibra brushes too!
Love that chest! Great find and makeover.
I love the little wood chest. There are a few things I always fall for and that is one of them! You did a wonderful job on giving it new life.
I’ve never had a Zibra brush but I have plenty of projects on which on try some – from an old sewing chair – with the little drawer that comes out the side (love it!) to an antique chest of drawers with an attached ornate mirror.
So kind of you to say, Michelle. Sounds like you’re a kindred spirit! The Zibra brushes make life much easier.
Wow, are you sure these are the same items you picked up at the thrift store? I love how the trunk looks so different. Good brushes make a world of difference.
haha…woot! Happy to hear you can tell a difference. Thanks so much!
Thanks for showing us once again that it does not take a lot of cash to make a house a home.
You bet! It’s the only way to be with a big budget or not. It’s fun and frugal, no matter what your status.
I love the iron orchid molds, so cool with hot glue..❤ i want to paint my dresser with the zibra paint brushes and i might have to get me some iron orchid molds
They are fun and so are all these brushes. I go crazy! 😀
Larissa, I love how you can see beyond the outside to the potential of pieces!
Thanks so much for the love, Kim. 🙂
Oh my! There are all wonderful! My favorite is the little chest. I can think of several things I could use it for. ❤️ Great post! I always love your tutorials.
It sure was a fun piece to find. Thanks!
Lots of pretty here Larissa. That little stool is adorable.
Thanks, Mary!
I love everything you do. I look at furniture at the thrift store with a new eye. I just don’t have all of the knowledge (or patience) for some pieces. I am very interested in trying out these paint brushes though. Thank you!
Awesome to hear! It does make the trip more fun to see it with a different eye. Thanks for the love!
My favorite is the art deco buffet. I’m obsessed with makeovers of buffets, because I plan to do that (one day) with my mom’s buffet. So I appreciate the ideas/inspiration.
Sweet to hear! Thank you.
I passed your recommended for Zibra brushes on to my daughter. I love the chest! All my country blue pieces are things my mom tole-painted so I try to work with them. Fortunately they all have more complex designs so there are more colors to work with! What I call her Lord and Lady chest has a partly stained and partly blue painted top and sides. The front panel has gray horses and the riders are in burgundy. I used gray on my updated armoire and a gray wash on the table top and there is a touch of blue in my rug so it all works!
Wonderful! That sounds like you did it good. Enjoy!
You convinced me! I really did not like that corner cabinet, but after your makeover, I love it! Love the colors and the applique’s.
And thanks for the giveaway!
hee hee…I don’t blame you! 😀
I really like the chest,before and after. I’m wanting to get my small,light stained,chimney cabinet painted a primitive,antique look.
The before wasn’t bad except the varnished the hardware and it was just awful sticky. I think someone tried to touch it up. 😉
your projects are great. I love how the stool turned out and will try it on an old milking stool I have. the paintbrushes are the next ones I will try.
That’s wonderful! Have fun with it, Mary.
I love you concrete tables and your changing table cart. Very clever!
Those are some of my faves too. Thanks!
You rock my friend!
Love, love the AFTER’S!
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PROJECTS AND THE ENCOURAGEMENT YOU LEND TO SO MANY OF US DIY’ERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF US DIYING ON A STRICT BUDGET!???
INSPIRATION IS BLISS!
MANY BLESSINGS,
Yokanda❤
Thank you, Yolanda. 😀
Wow! I like them all but my favorite is the corner cabinet. I can just see that in my, (on the way) nieces nursery! My little sister is 39 and this is her first baby. We are all Ga Ga over this because she never thought she could have children. God is giving her and hubby this child as she has never used any birth control, nor used medical assistance to become pregnant. What a miracle! Thanks for sharing your fabulous ideas with everyone. I get excited everytime my inbox tells me you have shared with us again, YAY!
Oh, how wonderful!! What a blessing to have such a gift bestowed. Prayers for all.
That corner cabinet is adorable.
Thanks for saying so, Mechele. 🙂
Hi Larissa I love the little farm style bench you did in milk paint. It’s adorable! The wood aisle at Goodwill is also my favorite. I have the same style bench but in larger full size I would paint with those awesome brushes. I have the chalk paint and I’m ready to go! Just need your brushes, LOL!
Great minds shop alike! 😀
Love your projects. The chest is my favorite. I have lots to paint so praying I win. Thanks for doing giveaway.
Thanks, Melissa! Wish I could send all of you some.
Always joy your posts – especially like the hot glue additions to the corner cabinet. We are doing some remodeling and could sure use some good paint brushes.
Hope you’re having fun!
I love the goose corner cabinet. It’s hard to believe you can make such beautiful accents using hot glue. I will be giving that a try for sure. Do you have to use a specific type of paint? Anyway, if I won the brushes, I’d first paint the desk my mom used as a child.
Crazy, isn’t it? So fun to get crafty, especially with the brushes. I use basic latex, chalk, etc.
My very favorite is your repurposed changing table potting bench and I have been keeping my eye out for a decent shape changing table. I also collected a bunch of palettes to make the compost bin. I actually want to make 2.
So awesome to hear! Thank you and hope you find one. 😀
I love the small box. I have a few things waiting to be done. A desk, nightstand and 2 dressers. The brushes would be wonderful to have.
They sure would be sweet for your projects.
I love how your items turned out! I have a dough bowl with the same goose painted in it, wasn’t sure what to do with it until you inspired me. I will have to sand it off and repaint it. Thanks for the ideas.
How fun! Sounds like a project waiting to happen.
I love the box. It would be great to stencil on.
Thanks! It was a fun find.
If i won the brushes, i would use them on my projects from the thrift store too because I enjoy finding treasures & making them fit in my decor by painting them. I am loving your recent upcycles & how u see the beauty in discarded items from others…Blessings.jenny
You are so kind to say so, Jenny. Thank you!
The green stool is so nice because the green is subtle. Oh rats, I love them all.
haha…atta girl!
I love the box for the same reasons you do, the hardware and the joinery! I have 4 tables that I want to paint and am so happy to have found your blog. I tried stripping a butterfly table years ago and had a terrible time. You have given me direction and motivation to try again! I would use the brushes to do these small end tables. They are all vintage family pieces.
I was like “OOOhhhh” in the store. Had to have it!
WOW !!! You’ve done it again!
I have quite a few projects to get done, but alas, my lack of brushes & $$ make it difficult.
I hear ya. My hope is everyone could win.
I just love little wooden stools. Yours is so cute!
They are slightly addictive. 🙂
I go straight for the wood and rust at the thrift stores. Seeing your creations makes life so much fun.
That’s so wonderful that you think so, Teresa.
Sad for the goose.but wow love tge details out of the molds..tge chest needs to come to me….
Thanks!
I love all these cute projects but I think the little stool is my favorite!
I would make over two kitchen chairs I bought for $1.50 each that have been sitting in my way since May waiting for me to find some inspiration!
Wahoo! That’s fun to hear. You will rock it!
Larissa, I am in LUST with that gorgeous wooden box! It reminds me of a bible box I found at a flea market many years ago. Painted brown, I discovered a gorgeous oak with dovetail corners after we stripped off the paint. I would love to have your brushes, and I hope one day to win one of your giveaways. Not sure right now what will be painted first, there is so much to do ! Probably a table, maybe some chairs. Thank you for the chance!
I hear ya! If I had a need for it that chest would be staying here with me! I have too many non-needs already, as you can imagine. hee hee hee.
You inspire me, thank you!
My pleasure!
I think the stool is my fav I like the layering of colors.
It’s always fun to do that technique. Thanks!
Really love this corner cabinet Larissa!
So happy to hear it! Thank you, Kaycee.
My fav is the box. Over 30 years ago I discovered a large wood box in a storage room at a school where I was teaching at that time. It was being used to hold old football equipment. I asked my principal if I could have it, and he said why do you want that? I got the treasure home, had it refinished, and it is now in our home storing our Christmas decorations.
How cool is that? Sounds like a wonderful piece with a story to tell.
Sure could use that triangle brush! I like the trunk!
Thanks!
I am blown away with the hot glue trick. You are so creative.
That’s so fun to hear! Thank you.
I like the trunk best (probably because I could use one!) and I’d finish a bookshelf project I have going on with the brushes.
I know the feeling, Jessie. haha… Thanks!
All three makeovers are fabulous, Larissa and they are pinned. But you had me at the molds and hot glue gun, what? These are going to rock my world!
My favorite of the makeovers is the little corner cabinet, and not just because I’m seriously excited by the revelation of what you can do with a mold + hot glue gun!
As for the first thing I’d paint with my new brushes? That’d be my mother’s sewing machine cover. Great old midcentury machine, but the cover has been battered to… very bad places… and back over the last half century!
I know, right?! hahaha… Thanks so much, Theresa.
I lovr all of yoyr makeovers but yhe one I love the most was the wicker rocking chair. I ha e so many projects waiting to be painted. I have a dresser in my front entry that needs some tlc and i was thinking of painting it with white milk paint and leaving yhe top natural or stained..
I’m happy to hear it, Amy! Thank you.
My favorite is the chest, it’s just beautiful! I’m most impressed with the hot glue molded details. Hot glue? who knew! If I won I’d use the brushes on a small chest of drawers sitting in the basement.
I love the corner cupboard! I have an adorable side table with drop-down sides I bought at a flea market I’d like to paint with my new brushes.
Love those kinds of tables as they can go most anywhere. Fun!
Your energy is boundless, Larissa. I like all three projects for different reasons — the stool for its simplicity and usefulness; the chest for its workmanship and hardware; and the corner cabinet for the unique treatment you gave it with the molds. I would love to try the Zibra brushes for a variety of different projects as you always rave about them and I consider you to be a master craftsperson,
You are such a sweet soul and made my day. Thank you for the love!
Just amazing decor idea. As a DIY’er, I wanna thanks to you that I have got some new idea. I will follow all of your makeovers idea and make a unique decor. Thanks again
Thanks, Steven. 🙂
Wait a second….you used hot glue in your molds? And then painted them??? Life changing!!! LOL!! Thank you for sharing!
hahahaha!! Yes, it works wonders! Thanks for the giggle.