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Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers – Four in One

Who doesn’t love a good haul of someone’s unwanted “junk”? I know I do!! What you see below is an assortment of wooden goodies that are prime for making into my own home story. That’s the best part right there…creating that story-telling home. Likewise, I’m 100% NOT a box store junkie and this kinda stash makes my heart pitter-pat. Let’s have some DIY fun with four thrifty farmhouse makeovers, shall we?

Thrifty Farmhouse Finds Before Makeover by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

What you behold is a (1) a butter churn (2) a heart cut-out shelf (3) a magazine rack (4) a card box…I think. Not only are they all are in raw/rough condition, but that also means I get to have my way with each of them. woot!

PROJECT 1

First, let’s take a closer look at the at butter churn. It is raw pine, but it has seen water damage at some point around the bottom primarily. To begin, in order for me to make this cohesive, I stain it with a natural reactive stain that instantly ages the wood as it dries giving it a patina. These stains are awesome as they come in different colors for different aging effects. See how I’ve used them HERE.

Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers with Staining Butter Churn for Aged Patina | prodigalpieces.com

Then, once the stain cures, I apply paint to parts of the churn so that those bands, lid, and dasher all remain a dark contrast. In addition, you can see a larger one I refinished in this past post HERE. My apologies for the blurry picture below…I am on the move!

Painting Pine Butter Churn | prodigalpieces.com

Finally, before this thrifty farmhouse makeover is complete, I add two different waxes and distress to give it an aged appeal. Ta da!

Farmhouse Style Butter Churn Painted Green by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #vintage #prim

Distressed Green Butter Churn by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #diy

Rustic Farmhouse Butter Churn for Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #vintage #diy

Do you love it too? I’m certainly smitten.

PROJECT 2

Second, let’s show some love to the heart cut-out shelf. I definitely have a l0ve/hate relationship with those silly pine heart pieces. What in the world is with the hearts??? Over the years, however, I’ve learned to embrace the hearts, whether it’s cut them out, fill them in, or leave them be. Also, you can see my other heart cut-out makeovers HERE. For this one, I’m letting the love flow with heart as-is, but adding two Shaker pegs using my drill and forstner bit.

Adding Shaker Pegs to Heart Cut-Out Shelf | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Then, I stain the pegs so that they match the original pine. After that, I use a milk paint to give it one coat, then distress for a fun aged look.

Painting Vintage Shelf with White Milk Paint | prodigalpieces.com

At last, here is my second thrifty farmhouse makeover complete and ready for many more years.

Vintage Shaker Peg Shelf in White Milk Paint as a part of Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #vintage

Side View of Farmhouse Shaker Peg Shelf for Thrify Farmhouse Makeovers | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #cottage #diy

Farmhouse Bird Nest | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #nest #farmhouse

I mean, who doesn’t love milk paint on anything…tsk. The chippy look and added pegs really make this piece functional and cute.

PROJECT 3

Next, my third project is the magazine rack/wall pocket. I’m tellin’ ya, these things are so super handy for many things. Tuck in cutting boards, books, towels, and…you guessed it…magazines. This one, however, has been attacked by water and has damage that needs some TLC. First, I apply a boring base color.

Painting Base Coat Magazine Rack Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiececes

After that layer cures, I apply a blue in a wash fashion. That way, the base color peeks out creating a time-worn layered look.

Washing Wall Pocket Magazine Rack in Blue by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Last, I add a bit of brown wax and call it done. BAM!

Farmhouse Blue Wall Pocket Magazine Rack for Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #vintage #farmhouse #cottage

Distressed Blue Wall Pocket for Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #blue #cottage #storage #diy

So much more fun in blue, right? I slipped in a couple of the magazines I’ve been featured in recently. woot! It such a treat to be recognized in any fashion.

Farmhouse Style Wall Pocket Rack by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #vintage #cottage

PROJECT 4

Last, but not least, this little cutie patootie. I believe it held cards for a game at one point, but my #trashure eye sees something more. First, I fill in the carved front with wood filler and sand smooth.

Filling in Wood Putty | prodigalpieces.com

Then, I apply a fun yellow in several coats. I’m already lovin’ it!

Painting Mini Wooden Box Yellow for Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers | prodigalpieces.com

Once I got started, I didn’t want to stop. So, I add a stripe, some hardware and voila! Finally, here’s my mini luggage box ready for filing till your heart’s content.

Mini Travel Suitcase from Upcycled Card Game Box for Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #diy #mini #luggage #travel

Upcycled Mini Luggage Suitcase from Repurposed Card Box for Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #vintage #diy #mini

Alright…I confess…I have a thing with luggage, even all things mini. If you remember, I turned silverware boxes into luggage (see HERE and HERE). Plus, I turned a cigar box into a mini dollhouse too. Viva la mini!

Paper-Lined Inside Mini Suitcase Luggage by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #mini #suitcase #travel

Additionally, I add a hasp and window sash for added function and fun. What would you tuck inside? Also, if you’d like to make any or all a part of your home story, you can find them and more available in my online shop.

  • Magic Linen Beige Waffle Blanket available at Prodigal Pieces | shop.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #bedding
    Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130

SHARE

With that in mind, take a minute to tell me which is your favorite of my thrifty farmhouse makeovers below. I’d love to hear! Likewise, do pin and share to inspire others out there with misfits laying around needing life.

Which is your favorite? 4 for 1 ~ Thrifty Farmhouse Makeovers from Vintage Finds by Larissa of Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces #farmhouse #diy #home

To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!

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Also, more thrifty farmhouse makeovers for you to enjoy:

Make Your House a Home with Thrifty Farmhouse Decor as shown by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.comCreating an Old Work Look with Paint by Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Comments

  1. Mother Deer says

    I like all of these pieces, but particularly like the magazine rack with the tea towel hanging from it. I have been wanting to find a small ladder to hang my favorite tea towels, but your magazine rack idea would serve that purpose and more. Also, the wooden box to mini-suitcase upcycle blows my mind. You are so creative!

    • Larissa says

      That’s a great idea! I use things like that all the time for added whimsy in my home. Thanks for the love! 😀

  2. Rebecca - NC says

    A “New Year” and “new life” to the old and tired!! I’m going to take my cue from you and try to make 2022 a year of looking for the beauty instead of the “sad” in my life. I think the mini suitcase could inspire a trip? I wish you and your family a Happy, Healthy and “Dreams Come True” 2022!!!! ?

    • Larissa says

      That’s the spirit, Rebecca! It’s definitely not easy, but looking for the beauty is half the adventure. I wish you much joy in all you do. A trip would be lovely, or even just a stay-cation of doing absolutely NOTHING. 😀

  3. Lori B Sawyer says

    I LOVE the little suitcase!

  4. Charleen says

    I think the heart shelf and the wall rack(?) are my favorites. The new year never seems to be a big deal to me,my year always starts with school and even though I am a grandmother it still stays the same. Whether Sept or January the Lord will hold us in the palm of his hand . God Bless you dear and enjoy the new possibilities of 2022.

  5. Marie B. says

    You’re the queen of thrift store trashure flips, Larissa, and these did not disappoint. I’m looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us in 2022. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

    • Larissa says

      Marie, I’m so thankful for you and all the love you show to me and my family. It’s a blessing to know you even though we’ve never “met”. Sending hugs and blessings in the new year.

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2020-03-21T21:34:13-04:00

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2020-03-21T21:43:16-04:00

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I should have left this review MONTHS ago! I absolute love this lunch bag. I honestly carry this 5 days a week. It is the perfect size! Not only can you put your lunch in it, it can also hold your book. I enjoy reading at lunch, so I have all I need in one cute bag. Thank you so much Larissa!

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