DIY: Tufted Bench Transformation
May 4, 2009
Last week, I picked up this dowdy bench with really great lines at a local thrift store. It was $12. I transformed it this past weekend with fresh paint, a bit of silk, and some custom fabric covered buttons. If you want to know how to create a custom tufted seat, follow the tutorial at the end of this post.
Here’s the Before and After:
Step One: The first thing that had to go was the original fabric. Ewwww. The bench seat was easily removed with a screwdriver, but those side cushions were another story. I thought they would simply peel off with a little tugging. I was way wrong. I had to take the end of a hammer to them, and the inner stuffing completely disintegrated in the process. Say it with me now when you see the photo: YUCK. ICK. BLECH. Pliers were necessary to get that horrible green fabric out, and let me tell you, it was an exercise in frustration. But CG is not easily deterred. (All it took was a cocktail for liquid courage.)
Step Two: The paint had yellowed, so I decided to prime it and give it a fresh coat of white paint. Sanding is necessary to remove any varnish, and give your new primer something to adhere to. [It is a good idea to wear a mask when you sand old furniture just in case the paint is lead based.] Then I gave it a good coat of spray primer. I highly recommend a spray paint application with fast drying primer rather than a brush application as a time saver.
Also, buy one of these plastic guns – it saves your fingers from cramping. And you’ll look cool.
![heirloom white spray 2_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/heirloom-white-spray-2_thumb3.jpg "heirloom white spray 2_thumb[3]")
The primer took 30 minutes to dry, then I applied two coats of Rustoleum’s Heirloom White.
Step Three: As the paint dried, I recovered the bench cushion with pale celedon silk and a staple gun. If you do not have predrilled holes, then use a drill bit to create holes in the bottom of the wood section of the bench cushion.
![staple fabric_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/staple-fabric_thumb3.jpg "staple fabric_thumb[3]")
![staple corners_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/staple-corners_thumb3.jpg "staple corners_thumb[3]")
Tufting Tutorial for Bench or Cushion:
- Screwdriver to create holes in bench seat
- Long decorator needles from craft store
- Thin twine or embroidery thread (regular sewing thread is not strong enough)
- Button cover kits
- Staple gun and staples
Step Four: Once the bench cushion has been covered in fabric, create your own fabric buttons with the button cover kits.
![tufting supplies_thumb[5]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/tufting-supplies_thumb5.jpg "tufting supplies_thumb[5]")
![custom buttons_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/custom-buttons_thumb3.jpg "custom buttons_thumb[3]")
Step Five: Thread your decorator needle with the thin twine or embroidery thread. Push the needle up from the bottom throught the predrilled hole. Once you come up through the top, thread your fabric covered button through the needle. then push the needle back down through the hole.
![push needle through hole_thumb[4]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/push-needle-through-hole_thumb4.jpg "push needle through hole_thumb[4]")
![thread button_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/thread-button_thumb3.jpg "thread button_thumb[3]")
Pull your button tight and secure with a staple gun. Staple thread once, then pull in opposite direction, and again secure with staple gun.
![staple and tie_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/staple-and-tie_thumb3.jpg "staple and tie_thumb[3]")
I needed to cover the gap where the original side cushions were secured, so I used some simple complimentary trim and kept the sides open and airy.
Compare the sides Before and After:
![side before and after_thumb[4]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/side-before-and-after_thumb4.jpg "side before and after_thumb[4]")
![soft focus side view_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/soft-focus-side-view_thumb3.jpg "soft focus side view_thumb[3]")
Bench $12, Primer and Paint $6, Fabric $8, Button Kits $7, Needles $4, Embroidery Thread $1. Total = $38
![after_thumb[3]](http://www.centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/after_thumb31.jpg "after_thumb[3]")
Isn’t it amazing what a little paint and fabric can do?
Tags: bench, spray paint, thrift store find, tufting
Brilliant, my dear – absolutely Bee-u-tee-full!
amazing amazing amazing!! You truly are inspiring and I hope now that the weather is warm I will put some of your inspiration to good use!
I love the new version. I wish I could find nice furniture like that at my local thrift store!
You are absolutely amazing. That is gorgeous!
You rock! I would have never thought to loose the padding on the sides completaly. I’m so glad I found this blog!
Wow! What a transformation you did. I love it without the puffy sides too!
Gorgeous! You completely transformed that little guy into a total beauty!
That is one amazing revamp of the old bench!
This is too good. TOO GOOD!
Amazing properties those cocktails have, lol! Beautiful job!
Amazing!!! You have the best luck thrifting!!!
Gorgeous! I have Heirloom White and it such a pretty soft white color. I am using it on my kitchen table and chairs.
Holy cow, I love this! Awesome job!
And I’ve never seen anything like that little attachment for the spray paint can. Genius! Thanks for mentioning that.
Oh my, what a transformation.
You’re good! I love it.
Oh crap! That looks fantastic! My thrift shops never have anything good like that!
I’ll trade you my table redo for your bench redo.
Great work!
WOW! You find the best stuff and you make it look SO pretty. Love that! I’ll be linking.
What a fabulous job you did here! Great tutorial too.
Yuck, Ick, Blech! I’ve said it….now I’m saying “Bravo!” “Brilliant,” as Simon Cowell might say. Am getting ready to make a vanity seat. Will use this technique for sure. Love it.
AWESOME!
REally, REALLY amazing! I love the idea to keep the sides open too! bravo!!!
Wowza! What a comprehensive and great tutorial! I’m LOVIN’ it over her…staying for awhile if you don’t mind!
You must have awesome thrift stores, your makeover is fantastic…………great instructions.
Why oh why was I born without a creative bone in my body… or if there is one I haven’t discovered it yet!! Great job, keep ‘em coming!
That looks amazing. I love all the details!
Wow! You did a great job on this. Love your blog!
I am loving this completely. I tried oh so hard to find something to DIY at a local flea market with no avail. I am not a quitter though. Until I find that perfect piece… I’ll just continue to covet your pieces!
I want your thrift stores near me.
Edit: I want your thrift stores near me, and I want the time to visit them and find buried treasures for next to nothing.
Edit: I want your thrift stores near me, and I want the time to visit them and find buried treasures for next to nothing, the eye to see their potential, and then the skill to make it all happen once I get home.
Edit: I want you to move in and do things like this for me.
i am impressed! i am bookmarking you right now! =)
I love it….. I want your thrift store by me because the thrift store by me is blaaaa…
Thank you, you have given me tons of inspiration.
[...] Tufting Tip: If you want to add tufted buttons to your headboard, then measure and drill holes in the back of your headboard with a drill bit, and follow the tufting tutorial I used here and here. [...]
You INSPIRE me! I consider myself an always-looking-for-that-diamond-in-the-rough type person too, but you’ve got me beat girl! Just scored an amazing table at the thrift store yesterday for 3 dollars and a gorgeous full length mirror for 5! Can’t wait to try out your Heirloom white paint on them to make em purty. Thanks for all the great ideas!
[...] to be found online for fabric covered headboards, and for tufting, including my own how-to from this bench project, but here’s the step by step on how I created this this casual look for a fabric covered [...]