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Home » How To Create A Trash to Treasure Project

October 27, 2021

How To Create A Trash to Treasure Project

I love a good reno project. You know, the How To Create A Trash to Treasure project, for yourself.

Are you on board with those kind of projects too?

Have you seen my blog on my dresser transformation and my 1890’s chair? They are two of my favorites! I’d sure appreciate it if you check those out, while you’re here.

The Ultimate Find

I’m not sure how it is in your neck of the woods, but here in The Mitten, on trash day you can put out furniture too.

While driving out of my subdivision, early one Saturday morning, my hubby spotted some amazing looking chairs.

What do you think the first thing he did was?

If you said he called me…you’re right!! He took a picture, sent it to me and then called asking if I wanted them.

The detail was amazing, so of course I wanted them!

In a world where one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, I’d argue that the first man wasn’t thinking creatively enough about his trash. – Justin Slater

Cleaning the Trash

The chairs were filthy and definitely needed a good cleaning.

Have you heard of Dixie Belle Paint Company? If you have, you know how wonderful their products are!

Let me tell you, I have used a lot of different paints but Dixie Belle has the most amazing paint, cleaning products, brushes, waxes and all the good things to transform your piece into something beautiful.

I used their Pristine Clean to get all the grime and years of yuck off the chairs. It’s so simple, you just mix with hot water and clean away. I wish you could have seen the bucket of water when I was finished. This product is a definite game changer in cleaning furniture.

Once the chairs were all cleaned, I started the fun part…painting!

Next Up – Painting

I wanted a classic color for these chairs. Dixie Belle has so many pretty colors and I chose Oyster in their Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint line. The all-in-one paint has a 21-30 day cure time, a built in primer AND built in top coat. A time saver for sure and the end result is beautiful!

This small round brush was a life saver painting all the detail on the chairs.

I can’t help but always wonder and dream about the back story of the piece I’m working on.

Who sat in these chair? What conversations were had sitting in these chairs? Were there memories made while sitting in them? What did the table look like?

I am convinced it had pretty details just like the chairs.

Upholstery Time

Have you ever done upholstery work? It can be a messy job but, oh so worth the end result!

My hubby started by stripping the old fabric and horse hair pad off the chairs for me.

Yep…you heard right, horse hair! Horse hair was commonly used in the 19th century as upholstery stuffing.

If I am being honest, that just seems so gross to me!

These chairs are old!!

Affiliate links are used in this post. Read my full disclosure here.

I purchased one inch pad to use for the chairs. Once it was cut to size, I used some spray adhesive to adhere the foam to the wood.

Scissors and a staple gun were needed for the upholstery part.

Next up was the fabric.

In my opinion, there’s nothing like new fabric, to give an old piece a new look.

I love the whole transformation process but let me tell you, picking out the fabric…well, that gives me so much creative joy!

The Big Reveal

These chairs were picked out of the trash and looked old and weathered.

However, I saw beyond their years.

I’d like to think we all have potential beyond our years.

Making the chairs new and useful again was the goal.

As a result of this transformation, it has me wondering all the same questions I had when they were picked that day from the trash.

Who will sit in them? What stories or memories will be made? What conversations will be had sitting in these chairs?

Well, whatever those answers are, I feel satisfied knowing I helped transform them for the opportunities!

I hope I have inspired you to take on a trash to treasure project. Even if it seems a little scary…trust me! I guarantee you’ll love the process!

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Posted In: Blog

Comments

  1. Do Dodson says

    October 27, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    These are stunning! Great choice of color and paint. Great job!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 1:06 am

      You are so kind! Thanks much, Do!

      Reply
  2. Clare L Richards says

    October 27, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    Beautiful!!! Great Job!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 12:21 am

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 1:06 am

      I appreciate that! Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer Howard says

    October 27, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    Wow Kim!!! What a good find!! High five to Big Al!! They come out so nice…and I’m with you…horsehair sounds gross!!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 1:05 am

      Thanks Jen! Big Al coming through for the win!

      Reply
  4. Traci Goure says

    October 27, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    Such an amazing trash to treasure upcycle….and so amazing that your hubby snatched those from the trash for you. As you know I am quite a proponent of transforming trash to treasure. You did an amazing job! Love, love, love!💜

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 1:05 am

      Thank you! They were a great find for sure! We must take on a trash to treasure project together!💛

      Reply
  5. Tina says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    These two chairs we’re in rough shape. Good eye for Mr Mitten and you to see the potential! They turned out beautiful. The Silk mineral paint looks easy to use.
    Was all over the Dixie Belle website. Great fabric.

    I love old furniture! Agree, about considering their “life”, where they came from, what and when were they used. The memories, gatherings, traditions where they were used…. As my Mom used to say, “they don’t make it like they used to.”
    I do this with old kitchen utensils also…
    Love your posts!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 1:04 am

      Thank you, Tina!💛 The Dixie Belle paint was great to use! How fun it would be to hear just a couple of the “life” stories from those chairs! Your mom was a wise woman and definitely right!

      Reply
  6. Elizabeth@pineconesandacorns says

    October 27, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    I love a good trash to measure make-over! And I love chairs, there was a pint a few years ago that every time my husband left town I would find a chair, I amassed quite a collection that I redid and sent off to new homes.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 12:53 am

      That sure kept you busy! I bet the new homes were so happy to get them!

      Reply
  7. Dee Cottage Comforts Home says

    October 27, 2021 at 8:28 pm

    I just love how they turned out! Your fabric choice is so pretty, I love it with the white it just looks amazing! Thanks for sharing about Dixie belle, I haven’t used their products but that cleaner sounds wonderous! What’s really wonder is the change and by the way, I also wonder about furniture and think about who may have sat on it or eaten off of it, I guess we have romantic souls! 😄

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 12:29 am

      Thank you for your kindness, Dee! 💛 It is so fun to daydream about their past, isn’t it? Let me know if you try the Dixie Belle products. They are wonderful!

      Reply
  8. Leslie says

    October 27, 2021 at 9:26 pm

    Love the chairs Kim! What a beautiful transformation!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 12:27 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Tammy says

    October 27, 2021 at 11:41 pm

    Oh Kim, these chairs look amazing. I love your color choice and the fabric. What a wonderful find! The best furniture is the free kind made new.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 4:11 pm

      I just loved the fabric. Free made it even more fun to transform! Thanks so much, Tammy!

      Reply
  10. Kelly Radcliff says

    October 28, 2021 at 4:17 am

    Kim I love how they turned out! So much character! I love a good trash to treasure transformation and you nailed this one.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      It was a very fun project! Thank you, friend!😘

      Reply
  11. Marie says

    October 28, 2021 at 7:09 am

    Good find! The shape is so cool!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks friend! The details are the best!

      Reply
  12. Cindy says

    October 28, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    These chairs are beautiful. Such a great find by your husband.

    The details are so pretty. Beautiful color choice too.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 28, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks Cindy! I love how they turned out!

      Reply
  13. Marieza says

    October 28, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    You did a great job, Kim! Fabulous makeover. I’m also working on a project with Dixie Belle at the moment. The most amazing paint ever!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:48 pm

      Thank you! Isn’t their paint the best? Have fun and I can’t wait to see your project!

      Reply
  14. Crystal says

    October 28, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    Wow Kim!!! What a beautiful transformation! I have some projects coming up so it was really helpful learning about the cleaner and the round brush! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      Thank you, Crystal! That round brush was a life saver on this project. Can’t wait to see your transformations. Have fun!

      Reply
  15. Danielle says

    October 29, 2021 at 1:07 am

    They turned out just beautifully!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:45 pm

      I appreciate that, Danielle! Have a great weekend!

      Reply
  16. Cindy Rust says

    October 29, 2021 at 10:55 am

    Amazing makeover Kim! When I come across vintage and antique pieces, I like to think of the story that comes with them. Great minds think alike!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:44 pm

      Thank you, Cindy! It sure is fun to daydream about their past!

      Reply
  17. Regina Jenkins says

    October 29, 2021 at 11:30 am

    You did a great job. Super clear and great directions. Yay!

    Reply
  18. Regina Jenkins says

    October 29, 2021 at 11:31 am

    These look great. Super job on the directions too. Yay

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      Thank you, Regina! Glad you liked them.

      Reply
  19. Leslie Watkins says

    October 29, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    Oh, how beautiful! I’m a chair lover, too. Such a great transformation,
    Kim! So glad your husband loves to help your habit…mine would have been the one who left them by the trash!🤣🤣🤣

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      Haha…that is funny, Leslie! My hubby is a great help. He loves a good project, too!

      Reply
  20. AnnMarie - Simply2Moms says

    October 29, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Wow! What an amazing transformation Kim! Great job!!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 29, 2021 at 7:42 pm

      Thanks so much, AnnMarie!

      Reply
  21. Paula@SweetPea says

    October 29, 2021 at 7:51 pm

    What a great find and you did a fabulous job of updating them with paint and fabric.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 31, 2021 at 1:50 am

      Thank you, Paula! I just love the fabric!

      Reply
  22. Linda Johnston says

    October 30, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    How ’bout doing awall repair in your 220ish year old house and finding horse hair insulation behind the plaster?? I think we have gotten rid of all of it.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 31, 2021 at 1:47 am

      Wow, Linda! I wouldn’t expect that but it definitely makes sense!

      Reply
  23. Melba says

    October 30, 2021 at 3:15 pm

    LOVE IT! What an amazing transformation!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 31, 2021 at 1:44 am

      Thank you, Melba!

      Reply
  24. Kimberly Snyder says

    October 30, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    great job on the makeover! the chairs look fantastic! thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      October 31, 2021 at 1:43 am

      Thanks so much, Kimberly!

      Reply
  25. Sara says

    November 3, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    Beautiful! I stripped back a sewing stool and found the same kind of padding; had no idea it was horsehair lol!

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 3, 2021 at 1:37 pm

      It’s crazy to think about, isn’t it! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  26. Julie Ciechanowski says

    November 5, 2021 at 9:58 am

    Kim, those chairs are gorgeous, what a great rehab job!! You are so talented! Most definitely from of trash to treasure!!! 🪑

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 5, 2021 at 1:05 pm

      Awe, thanks Julie! I appreciate that!

      Reply
  27. Barbara Waldorf says

    November 6, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    I love how the chairs turned out Kim! You always see the potential.

    Reply
    • cottageinthemitten@gmail.com says

      November 8, 2021 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you, Barb! They were a fun project!

      Reply

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About Me


Hi! I’m Kim!

Welcome to my Cottage in the Mitten! I am a native Michigander. I am a wife, mom and mimi. I love DIY, home decor, all things pretty, community with others, and sewing. I make blankets for a cause, hoping to help find a cure for brain tumors. I hope you love my site and pray it inspires you.

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