Today is: March 11, 2026

Cheryl Phan

Categories: DIY, Faux FinishingPublished On: February 15, 2016

One of my favorite things to do is go to thrift stores, goodwill and garage sales to find cheap furniture. I am always amazed at what people throw away. I wish I could find the person that donated this little table so I could show them what I did to it.

The price tag on this book stand was $6, but I got it for $3. I’m not bragging by any means, in fact I almost didn’t even want to tell you but I thought it was kind of funny. Evidently it’s senior citizens discount day on Wednesdays and everything is half price. LOL! I qualified. What?????

YUP! I guess I’m a senior now. I even got $2.50 off my movie ticket the other day. Hey, it paid for the overpriced Coke I bought. So now I make sure I go to the Thrift Store every Wednesday to see what gems I can find.

This is the little book stand I bought. So I thought what the heck for $3 I’m sure I can do something to spruce it up.

Book Stand Before

The first thing I did was clean off all the grim and cobwebs with TSP. Then I wiped a Dark Oak min wax over the top. Once it dried I applied this French transfer that I found on The Graphic Fairy website and distressed it a little. She has hundreds of free designs to choose from. Lastly, I sealed it with a Min Wax satin clear coat.

Book Stand top after

For the bottom half I painted it with a white chalk paint and let it dry. Then I paint a light blue chalk paint over the white. 

Book Stand finished

Once it was dry I distressed the edges, And there you have it, my $3 Thrift Store find. Easy Peasy!

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Me

Signiture

Pin it: $3 Thrift Store Furniture Makeover

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