p.s. since I never get to brag

Since I rarely get to brag about fab finds.... I GOT ONE!

I have a little table from IKEA (one of those simple side tables) in my little bud's room. I've wanted some sort of organizing system for toys/ colored pencils or whatever on the table....

LOOOOOOOOOOOOK! $5.00 at a garage sale.

Inside it looks lilke there used to be drawers so I need to buy some of those things like when you're putting together a target bookcase that shelves rest on and then some wood to make shelves, but I am pretty darn excited. I don't even think I have to paint it.

OOOh. Idea. What if! I painted the inside a funky color????!

What color would you choose?

Makeover Monday

So. It's been a while. I do apologize!
But I believe that I have a really exciting project/ concept for you today.
If any of you have furniture you hate or are bored with, but can't or don't want to have to buy something else, seriously consider giving it a face lift. This can be very simple and as basic as just painting it a different color. And can be as complex as re-upholstering, stripping, re-staining, accessorizing, etc.

For me I painted and then added embellishments I got from the hardware store.
The embellishments came because I was unhappy with the color the paint dried to, but didn't want to repaint and also because I looked at the mission/contemporary vibe the table was giving off and wanted something softer, fancier, and more 'French Provincial'.

I bought eight squares that one normally uses for window trim and about 13 feet of Trim. For the look I was going for I bought the 'egg and dart' style trim.

I cut my moulding to size and sanded any excess so they fit somewhat snugly.

I painted all of my trim pieces white. (I had a picture of my table in the blue I painted it but is lost so if you are curious to see the table before any trim check the previous post!)

Using a foam brush I painted 'provincial' stain by Minwax all over my pieces being particularly diligent about getting it into the grooves which is the main place you want to 'dirty it up' when trying to age something. One could do this with glaze but stain was far less expensive.

I wiped the excess off with a rag (wear gloves!) but found I needed to repeat this process a number of times to make sure I got it just how I wanted it. I also found I had to let it dry for about two days. Be wary of this. You might destroy your project on the next step if the stain isn't dry.

(see how great and antique it looks?)

Using liquid nals and clamps I glued my pieces into place and let sit. The liquid nails take about 30 minutes to dry and 24 hours to cure. Make sure you keep your clamps in place for 30 minutes at least.

I need to decide what to do with the chairs, but for now... I am loving my table. Eventually I will have a chandelier (made y me, of course!) hanging over the center of the table. Or perhaps I may just ave something decorative hanging. Only time will tell.

I hope that tis inspires you to take that piece of furniture that you hate, or that you wish really made a statement and do something with it! The weather is perfect for outdoor projects like stripping, sanding, painting, etc.  So get on it!

Thanks for reading!

-B

SUPER easy toy chest.

I have to admit I almost threw this box out, but decided (luckily) to save it a little longer. My hubby made this wooden box in scouts when he was younger. I was upholstered in BLUE VINYL, but I fixed that. ;)

So. I saw this cute saying on a vinyl cutting web-site and decided I love it but didn't want to pay the fee to have someone cut me some vinyl lettering, plus that would take WAY too long and I had to make this right away.

I picked a font I liked and studied the letters (you must be able to envision it to draw/paint something specific) and then drew light lines in pencil (measuring for height nd width of course) to block in the letters. I then drew (LIGHTLY!!!!!!!!!!!) the letters and then filled them in with paint. It looked a little plain when I was done so I used the end of my paintbrush, dipped it in paint, and then made dots.

A quick tutorial on VERY simple upholstering:

Detach whatever bit of the furniture you are going to re-upholster (mine was the top of the chest) remove any hardware, upholstery nails, staples, fabric etc. Get a piece of foam and cut it to size (I just used what was already on there since it was still in decent condition) glue it down to keep it in place (I would, but you don't have to I suppose). Pick and then cut fabric to cover. Make sure you have a couple of inches extra (you'll need it to go over the sides and wrap 'round part of the bottom). Lay your bit of furniture upside down and using a staple gun staple ONE side of the fabric just to get something to pull against. You must pull your fabric as tightly and smoothly as possible. I would start with the opposite side of the first side you stapled.  Stretching and smoothing staple one side at a time to the underside of your bit of furniture. I made a loop of ribbon and stapled it in the center of the front so there would be a little handle to lift the lid. If you are upholstering a seat cover you are probably done and can re-attach what you've upholstered. If, like me, you've done something where your staples are visible, you'll have another few steps. Find a carboard box or bit of wood. Cut to the size of your newly-upholstered furniture piece. Using hot glue cover much like you did the last piece with fabric. there should be one side completely smooth and covered and one side that has fabric pulled over the edges. Hot glue (or use your choice of gluing-medium) the thin, covered bit in place making sure all your staples and edges are covered. Voila! You have now re-upholstered something!

GOod luck. I make NO promises, but it worked for me! Leave your questions!