We picked up this poor little antique sewing table at the Brimfield Antique Show and Flea Market last year for $30. It was in really rough shape but it had such character I knew we could make it pretty again. What a great project for the thrift store (in this case, flea market) upcycle challenge?
The Rules:
Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
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And a challenge it was…
First we remove the sewing machine…
We found all of these cool parts in a compartment on the top that dated back to the 1940’s. We started by cleaning it up with some good old fashioned soap and water to remove the grime that had built up. We had originally thought that much of the grime would come off to reveal this cool gray/blue rustic kind of look but it didn’t clean up like I had hoped and just looked dirty. I reluctantly decided to paint it. Unfortunately, I kind got ahead of myself here and had my husband add the top to it before I decided what to do about the color.
We used our go to wood, rough saw pine from the mill, because we had a few pieces left over from another project. I sanded the pieces down until they were smooth and stained them with Watco stain.
Then it was time to prep the piece for paint. I used regular spackle to touch up all of the holes.
Then I removed the hardware and door. I placed the hardware in a plastic dish and soaked them in lemon juice and salt to remove the rust and grime.
All sanded down and ready for paint…
I wanted to try to get the color close to what it was originally. I made chalk paint with some plaster of Paris and mixed black craft paint with Benjamin Moore Green Winter I had picked up in a sample. It was more blue than I wanted but I went with it.
I added the hardware and door back on and gave it another coat of stain to darken it up a bit. I also sanded here and there to make it look more worn and rustic.
Once I saw it all put back together I didn’t like the gap at the top of the table under the wood so I asked my husband to add another layer of wood. And this antique sewing table makeover is complete…
I love this piece, probably crafted by someone’s husband back when homemade everything was the norm. Pieces like this have such character that bring so much warmth into a home. Love your update! Thanks for sharing it at #Fridaysfurniturefix Colleen.
This turned out really cute! I really love the color you chose. Wondering what you did with the beautiful sewing machine that was on top! Those can go for a lot of $$ 🙂
I love a good makeover and this is one of them, love what you did with it! Adding the extra top to hide the gap gives it a finished look. Love the color and how you distressed it for an aged look! Thanks for the tip about the salt and lemon, never heard about it before
Oh my gosh that is probably the roughest looking old sewing cabinet I’ve ever seen. Poor person who used it didn’t even have a place for their knees. But you sure cleaned her up and made her beautiful again!
Thank you, Lora! It’s nice for a little pop of color. I had not heard of the lemon juice trick either but it’s amazing the stuff you find on the internet 🙂
Thanks, Victoria! I wish I could say I had the magic formula but I don’t really have a secret/technique. It’s more like randomly sanding here and there and hoping for the best. 🙂
I love this piece, probably crafted by someone’s husband back when homemade everything was the norm. Pieces like this have such character that bring so much warmth into a home. Love your update! Thanks for sharing it at #Fridaysfurniturefix Colleen.
Super cute little chunky thing! I love to sew, so this piece really speaks to me! Love the color too!
Thank you, Holly! It just needed some love. 🙂
I love how this turned out. What character it has.
Thank you, Debra!
This turned out really cute! I really love the color you chose. Wondering what you did with the beautiful sewing machine that was on top! Those can go for a lot of $$ 🙂
Thanks, Chelsea! We kept the sewing machine for now. Not really sure what we’ll do with it but we’re hanging on to it.
What a great makeover! I just love the color!
Thanks so much, Michelle!
What a gorgeous piece! I have never seen a sewing table quite that old, what a great find. Have a great week!
Thanks, Kimm!
This turned out beautifully! It fits so well in that little corner.
Thank you, Chelc!
Wow…what a transformation. Great job.
Thanks, Denise!
What a beautiful transformation and great antique table. The color is perfect.
Thank you, Kim!
Holy cow! This piece is wonderful. You kept the farmhouse feel while restoring it. Absolutely love the blue you chose as well.
Thanks so much, Sue!
I love rustic farmhouse style furniture and this is amazing.
Thank you, Dru!
What a great find! I have never seen a sewing table like that before. Love what you did with it and if you ever get tired of it, let me know!!!
Thanks, Maureen!
Love the final result, definitely an excellent flip! The blue is so pretty.
Thank you, Megan!
I love a good makeover and this is one of them, love what you did with it! Adding the extra top to hide the gap gives it a finished look. Love the color and how you distressed it for an aged look! Thanks for the tip about the salt and lemon, never heard about it before
Thank you, Pili!
What a great transformation! It was really in rough shape before you got a hold of it! Love the color!
Jeannee
Thank you, Jeannee! Truth be told, it was actually my husband who spotted it and said we could fix her up!
You really gave that worn out cabinet a new lease on life. I am wondering how someone used it as is back in the day?
Thanks, Amanda! We thought the same thing!
I would have grabbed that piece too for $30. I love how you painted it and made it beautiful again!
Thanks, Sherry!
That is one heck of a cabinet!! I love the stain color on the top, and the fresh paint looks wonderful! That’s an awesome find 🙂
Thanks, Kim!
I have to say that I probably would have passed this piece up. But I’m so glad you didn’t. You did a fabulous job updating it!
Thanks so much for the DIY inspiration!
{BIG hugs}
~ Ashley
Thank you Ashley! I probably would have walked right by too, but my husband saw it and thought we could “do something with it”. He’s an enabler 🙂
Beautiful transformation. I’ve never transformed anything that need so much work, but definitely inspiration for me to try it.
Thank you, Erlene! I love the history with pieces like this. They usually have good bones because they were built solid.
Oh my gosh that is probably the roughest looking old sewing cabinet I’ve ever seen. Poor person who used it didn’t even have a place for their knees. But you sure cleaned her up and made her beautiful again!
Thanks, Toni! I wondered that same thing. How did anyone use this as is?
What a BEAUTIFUL job. I love it. Didn’t know about the salt and lemon juice trick!
Thank you, Lora! It’s nice for a little pop of color. I had not heard of the lemon juice trick either but it’s amazing the stuff you find on the internet 🙂
Wow, great transformation! Wish I had those painting secrets to perfectly aging pieces. Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
Thanks, Victoria! I wish I could say I had the magic formula but I don’t really have a secret/technique. It’s more like randomly sanding here and there and hoping for the best. 🙂