Cobbler’s Bench Coffee Table Makeover

A cobbler's bench style coffee table got a makeover with paint. virginiasweetpea.com It’s time for another round of “Themed Furniture Makeovers.”  Each month my blogging friends challenge each other to makeover a piece of furniture using a theme.  This month’s theme is rustic.

The rustic theme had me stumped until I found this cobbler’s bench coffee table at Goodwill for just $14.99.  It’s solid and charming in a rustic sort of way and I thought a great candidate for a makeover.

Cobbler's bench coffee table before its makeover

I started the makeover with sanding and followed by spraying with an acrylic sealer.  I was afraid that the knots in the wood would bleed through the paint and I’ve learned from my friends that acrylic sealer prevents this problem.

I used three coats of Velvet Finishes paint in Opulent on this piece.  I love this color and also used it on a glass topped table that I snagged from Goodwill over the winter.

Cobbler's Bench Coffee Table Makeover by virginiasweetpea.com

 

This cobbler’s bench coffee table has a drawer which would be handy for storage.  I lined it with scrapbook paper to give it some personality.

Cobbler's bench coffee table makeover by virginiasweetpea.com

 

The caddy comes out and I think would be perfect for remote storage.

Cobbler's Table Coffee Table Makeover by virginiasweetpea.com

 

I had fun rooting around my basement looking for coffee table accessories.  Of course if you have a coffee table, it’s going to have a beer on it from time to time.  Mr. SP collected beer cans when he was a youngster and the Schmidt Beer can is one that he saved.  The brown bottle was one of my dad’s.  I’m not sure why it was saved but if I had to guess the brand that it held, I’d go with PBR.

Vintage Schmidt beer can and PBR bottle from the 1970's

 

Of course in real life a coffee table most likely wouldn’t hold antique books but I couldn’t resist getting out a few of mine to show.  The Bergen’s Botanies-Key and Flora is copyrighted 1908.

Antique Books..Ropp's New Calculator..Spanish Reader...Bergen's Botanies-Key and Flora

 

The Spanish reader belonged to the son of the uncle who built my mom’s 1912 house.  The copyright on this book is 1897.  Isn’t the liberty loan sticker interesting?Buy US Gov't Bonds of the Second Liberty Loan of 1917 Sticker

 

My grandmother enjoyed watching birds and both of these books were hers. The Birdlife of Virginia is a Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries publication dated 1951.  The Golden Guide to Birds is copyrighted 1947.

Late 1940's Golden Guide to Birds and a 1951 Birdlife of Virginia guide.  virginiasweetpea.com

 

I did a bit of research before I painted this piece; I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t an authentic cobbler’s bench that had value.  After doing some Internet scouting and asking a local antiques dealer his opinion, I decided that it wasn’t terribly old.  If I had to guess, I’d say that it was made using plans that were available in the 1960’s to woodworkers.

Antique books displayed with a vintage Schmidt Beer can on a cobbler's bench coffee table made over with paint.  virginiasweetpea.com

What will I do with this?  For now it will be stored in my bulging-with-furniture basement.  It could end up being used as a coffee table at the lake or if my mom and I ever get a booth at a local antique spot, I may try to sell it there.  If you are local and interested in this piece, leave a comment or email me.

A cobbler's bench coffee table  found at Goodwill got a makeover with paint.  virginiasweetpea.com

 

You can see all my projects from past Themed Furniture Makeovers here.

 

Now for the fun part!  Scroll down to see the makeovers that my friends are sharing this month.  I always enjoy seeing how each person interprets the theme.  Rustic should be interesting!


Sharing With:
The Interior FrugalistaDwellings-The Heart of Your HomeBetween Naps on the PorchConcord Cottage,Stone Gable, Sand and Sisal, Yesterday on Tuesday, A Stroll Thru LifeSavvy Southern Style, Just a Girl and Her Blog,  Common Ground, Imparting Grace

23 Comments

    1. Thanks, Christy! I had fun shopping my house to style the table for taking pictures. If my dad were still around he would have laughed at me using one of his beer bottles as a decoration. 🙂 If all goes well, this piece will be in my new booth August 1!!

      Paula

  1. This is so cool! I have never seen a cobblers bench before! How perfect to make it a coffee table! And I LOVE that retro BEER can! PERFECTION!

    1. Isn’t that beer can neat? I actually have bunches of them with different designs. I should group them in a display.

      Paula

  2. What a neat table! I love that you thought to use it as a coffee table. That caddy is perfect for remotes! I always love seeing the things that you pull out of your basement. You have the most wonderful antiques and heirlooms!

  3. This turned out so great! I love the caddy- my mom thrifted a cobblers bench table (also not authentic) when I was a kid. She “antiqued” it back then. I bueve its in need of a makeover. Currently being stored. Oh the furniture that is being stored!!!
    I hope you can use this at the lake house. 😉

    1. Yeah! Someone besides me remembers a coffee table cobbler’s bench. You’ll have to dig your mom’s out of storage and give it a makeover.

      Paula

    1. Thanks, Wendi! We are really excited about the lake house but the progress on it has been so slow. I’m hoping that construction will pick up after the July 4 weekend.

      Paula

  4. Paula,
    You seem to have the best luck finding unique pieces. This one is the icing on the cake!
    Your makeover looks amazing and all the vintage pieces to go along with it, are so much fun to look at. Another great makeover done by you. Thanks for inspiring me 🙂

    1. Thank you, Meegan! I wish my dad were still around so that he could laugh at me using one of his beer bottles as decor.

      Paula

    1. Thanks, Pam! I couldn’t get to the counter fast enough to pay for it when I spotted it at Goodwill.

      Paula

    1. Thank you! I also think that it is interesting and love the tray that is removable. I appreciate your comment!

      Paula

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