Friend, it’s Themed Furniture Makeover Day – one of my favorite days every month when my DIY Furniture Makeover Girls and I all share projects based on a theme. This month’s theme is Rustic.
These campaign-style nightstands didn’t start out too rustic, except for the huge missing chunk and the scribbles on the side.
Believe it or not, this makeover has been months in the making!
Actually… If I’m totally honest, I went through my computer files to find those Before photos and they were dated TWO YEARS ago. Dang, how time flies!
Well a few months ago I was inspired to turn them into a knockoff project inspired by Pottery Barn’s Redford Trunk Bedside Table. They just needed a major makeover to turn them into something like this:
First I removed the hardware and filled the handle gaps with a few layers of 3M Wood Filler.
I also managed to fill and smooth out that missing chunk.
I bought balsa wood strips from Hobby Lobby to mimic the metal trim on the PB table and painted them brown. (I used way more than what’s pictured here!)
How to Decoupage Fabric onto Furniture
Then I found this lovely linen-like fabric to decoupage onto the tables. It took a long time measuring and cutting panels for every drawer and wrapping the three sides of each table to decoupage. Leave a little excess fabric on the sides if you’re worried about the sizes, and then off the extra afterward.
New fabric-cutting scissors and matte Mod Podge really helped me out with this step! Definitely don’t overdo it with the Mod Podge. A thin coat is best. You don’t want it globbing up or leaving bubbles under the fabric.
How to Make DIY Leather Handles
I searched high and low and all over the internet for leather drawer handles but finally decided to DIY them myself. I cut one thrift store leather belt into six pieces for drawer pulls, and this little punch set helped me make the holes for the hardware.
Drill new holes in the drawers to fit the bolts, and finally attach the DIY leather handles.
Finally I measured and cut the balsa wood (with regular scissors since it’s so soft) and used both Mod Podge and upholstery tacks to attach it to the tables.
These painted tables with decoupage fabric and DIY leather handles were a lot of work but I think they turned out fabulous!
These are going to my booth and I hope someone will love them as much as I do.
(And no, I won’t charge anywhere near what Pottery Barn is asking for them.) 😉
Here’s another before-after comparison below. Feel free to save or Pin this project for easy reference later!
Update: You might also love this similar project below that I did recently… Vintage Steamer Trunk Painted Nightstand
Now head over and visit my friends’ posts below to see their rustic makeovers!
– Jen
[email protected] says
Great makeover, Jen! I think that these will sell very quickly!
[email protected] recently posted…Cobbler’s Bench Coffee Table Makeover
Jen says
Thank you Paula! I hope so! 😉
Rachel says
whaaaaaat the heck!!! these are freakin amazing Jen. I’m seriously in awe of you. You are genius. the end. actually not the end because I can’t stop raving. this is so smart, so well executed, and I would not have thought of the fabric option– I’ve seen it but nothing that looked quite as classy as these. Amazing job, friend.
Rachel recently posted…Rustic Eastlake Headboard in Master Bedroom
Jen says
Oh my gosh Rachel, you made me blush so much! THANK YOU my friend!! 🙂
Lindsay Eidahl says
They turned out great! I love using belts for handles! They work great!
Lindsay Eidahl recently posted…Summer Organization For Under $15
Jen says
Thank you Lindsay! Using belts is definitely way more budget-friendly!
Jolinda lampo says
That is tons of work and they turned out amazing. You are so talented and your ideas just keep on coming.
Jen says
Thank you so much Jolinda! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Jeanette says
Wow, Jen you out did yourself! This is awesome!!! There is nothing like a new pair of scissors! Jeanette
Jeanette recently posted…Rustic Crate Makeover turns into Rustic Furniture
Jen says
Thanks Jeanette! Yes I love my new scissors- and I’m only using them on fabric this time!
Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says
You are a GENIUS! Seriously! This is amazing!
Jen says
Awww thank you Karin!
Debbie Farmer says
Cute
Jen says
Thank you Debbie!
Pat says
Yours are way better than the Pottery Barn one.
Jen says
Oh my goodness, thank you Pat!
Carol Paulus-Kalis says
Jen,
The two bedside tables are absolutely amazing. I kept going back and forth looking to see what they looked liked before. You truly did an exceptional job. I hope you get a good price for them because they are sensational.
Carol P-K
Jen says
You are too sweet! Thank you so much Carol! 🙂
Kim says
Love these!
Meegan says
Oh my goodness! I would have NEVER thought these could come out SO dang great! You are so talented in everything you do. BUT this makeover is the icing on the cake. Without a doubt.
Meegan recently posted…DIY Clamp & Crystal Sun Catcher
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
These are great! Love..love, LOVE the linen covered wood. I have some projects like this too.. they last and hang out forever before getting a makeover!..those are usually the best ones:) Yours is!
Wendi @ H2OBungalow recently posted…Rustic Coastal Chair Makeover and Themed Furniture Day
Shanna Gilbert says
These tables went from trashy to classy! Great job!
Shanna Gilbert recently posted…I Built My First Coffee Table!!! (and I still have all my fingers!)
Kimm at Reinvented says
What an amazing transformation! Your work is so inspiring Jen! It’s probably a good thing I’m not local, or I might be knocking down the door of your shop to take those off your hands! 🙂
Kimm at Reinvented recently posted…Modern Rustic Bench Makeover
Nancy says
One of the reasons I read your post (seen on Pinterest) was to find out more about the screws you used to attach the leather handles. But you didn’t mention them. Are these decorative screws easy to find?
Cute makeover (although I personally think they were cute to start with).
Jen says
Hi Nancy- thank you. I used carriage bolts and then a nut on the other side to secure it. This post explains it a little better: https://girlinthegarage.net/2016/10/diy-rolling-industrial-coffee-table-indecisiveness Carriage bolts are available at any hardware store.
Shirley says
Jen…very nice!i didn’t read it fully yet but I love the makeover!
Shirley says
Ok I have now read this fully and I am very impressed! Who would have thought the trim was wood?? I am totally loving this! Just curious, how long did it take to get them sold?