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3 Step Furniture Makeover – Flea Market Flip

This 3-Step Furniture Makeover – Flea Market Flip was a quick & easy way to transform this cute chest into the perfect piece for our main bedroom. Using only Chalk Paint & Wax, this tired chest has an updated finish and great farmhouse style.

Y’all, I finally got my Christmas Present in January! LOL!!! I had wanted a new piece for our bedroom but couldn’t find what I wanted. A few weeks ago, I found a Small Chest that was the right size at a Flea Market. It just needed an update, and it would be perfect!

The Flea Market Hunt

This space beside our bed has been filled with this cute little table since we moved here. It was a leftover piece from our previous home, and although I love the table, it isn’t working for me any longer.

The table needs to be bigger for the space and provide more storage. So, I’ve been looking for the perfect piece to fill this spot.

Previous side table.

The Flea Market Find

A few weeks ago, I was traveling back from Virginia and couldn’t resist stopping at a flea market I had spied on the way up.

As luck would have it, I found a great solid wood chest at a great price. In addition, my husband was traveling back later that afternoon in a truck we had just purchased, so I knew it was meant to be.

After a quick phone call, he picked up my new treasure and brought it home.

Flea Market Find Before updated transformation.  Thrift store find makeover
The chest was in great shape and only needed a little update to be perfect.

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3 Step Furniture Makeover

Although the chest was in great shape overall, some scuffs and nicks needed to be repaired. Also, when I placed it in the room, it felt dark beside the natural pine bed.


Step 1 – Flea Market Flip

The first step was to clean the piece thoroughly. Although it was in good condition, I gave it a good cleaning with Pledge furniture cleaner to be sure there were no sticky areas.

Clean drawers of cabinet makeover

Step 2 – Paint

The second step of the furniture makeover was to paint the chest’s exterior. This was an easy process because I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It’s so fast and straightforward to use.

I just removed the drawers and painted two coats of Old White Chalk Paint.

Paint outside of cabinet with chalk paint for an immediate budget-friendly update to thrift store purchase

It took less than 30 minutes to finish the painting. I love using chalk paint for most projects, and you can learn how to use Chalk Paint here.

Paint outside of the cabinet with old white chalk paint.  Thrift store budget friendly furniture makeover

Wax Finish- Step 3

At this point, I decided to leave the drawers their natural finish. In addition, the hardware looked good, so I decided to leave it.

Therefore, everything just needed a little sprucing up. I initially thought about staining the drawer fronts to remove the scuffs and dings.

Instead, I pulled out my Annie Sloan Dark Wax, which worked like a charm to remove any sign of the scuffs. Plus, it brought the rich beauty of the wood back to life. So easy.

Also, the dark wax brought the dull hardware back to life.


Seal the Paint

To finish and seal the painted surfaces, I used a combination of clear and dark wax.

In addition, I added mineral spirits to the wax. This helps to distress the finish while waxing. All of these techniques are detailed in How to use Chalk Paint!

Use a mix of clear and dark wax on white chalk paint to distress the finish.

Using the mineral spirit mixture, you can see how some painted areas are distressed.

After 3 Step Easy Furniture Makeover Flea Market Flip for Farmhouse Furniture transformation. Thrift store finds

The 3 Step Furniture Makeover – Finished Chest

I love a wood and white combination, and I’m thrilled with how this inexpensive chest looks beside the bed. This has inspired me to refinish the chest on the other side of the bed. Please stay tuned for another makeover.

See that lamp? It was a $7.00 thrift store find. It’s now had a makeover and looks like a Pottery Barn or Anthropologie Hack. You see this easy lamp transformation tutorial.

3 Step Easy Furniture Makeover Flea Market Flip for Farmhouse Furniture transformation

You may also notice that I slightly adjusted with just a dab more paint. The bed frame’s natural wood is almost a perfect match for the drawer fronts.

I hope you enjoyed this simple project and that it encourages you to look for used pieces when redecorating your spaces. It’s a great way to recycle, and it feels great when you create something yourself.

If you’d like to see how to makeover a slightly more damaged vintage piece, check out Simple Chalk Paint Makeover for Vintage Furniture. Another great idea is How To Make A Jewelry Cabinet from an old TV Cabinet.

3 Step Easy Furniture Makeover Flea Market Flip for Farmhouse Furniture transformation

You may also like to learn more about how to Shop Thrift Stores successfully.

Pin It To Remember It

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3 Step Easy Furniture Makeover Flea Market Flip for Farmhouse Furniture transformation.

Renae

Wednesday 2nd of February 2022

I love this. It’s gorgeous!

Rachel

Friday 4th of February 2022

Thanks so much Renae,

Va+in+NC

Sunday 18th of July 2021

Love this project....have a piece I want to try the chalk paint on.....I have never painted furniture before so thank you for the step by step instructions. I am not a crafter by any means so your posts are such a delight for me. So many things I want to try! Keep the posts flowing.

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Monday 19th of July 2021

I appreciate you for saying this. You are so sweet to constantly lift me up. Thanks so much.

Michelle @ The Painted Hinge

Thursday 18th of February 2021

I love how this turned out Rachel! And it looks perfect in your bedroom. Thanks so much for sharing it at Farmhouse Friday - we're featuring you in tomorrow's party!

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Friday 19th of February 2021

Michelle, I really appreciate this. Thanks.

Debbee

Wednesday 17th of February 2021

Wowza Rachel, it looks fab-u-lous!!! A great tutorial too — pinned! Do envy you going to a flea market. My current project is potty training a Scottie puppy, a challenge in this arctic weather lol!

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Friday 19th of February 2021

Oh my gosh. But how fun to have a puppy.

Shawna

Monday 15th of February 2021

It's so beautiful and I love how you highlighted some of the natural wood!

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Friday 19th of February 2021

Shawna, Thanks so much.