Kid Stuff Catch-All

I purchased this totally trashed & abused roll-top desk because it was dirt cheap and paint magically hides everything. My girls have very creative minds, opening up every kind of "shop" imaginable and they design the most creative signs to go with them. They practically have the whole house labeled whenever we have a party with name tags and place settings for everybody. I love their creative spirit, but it can easily get out of control. I thought that having a designated spot to organize their signs, pencils, markers, tape, scissors, etc. would be a good thing.

Maybe I could even locate a pair of scissors of my own in less than 10 minutes...

The before:
I know it's ugly, but the drawers glide perfectly!

Yes, I was liberal with the TSP.

After a few coats of black paint, some distressing,
top coating, and new knobs, it's a nice piece that will hold a lot of creative kid stuff.

 

It hides everything.Finally, a spot for their signs.

So many cubbies and drawers. They have no excuse, anymore.

It's reduced the creative chaos significantly.

French Black and Cream Dining Table (sold)

I absolutely love how it turned out!

Before:
Light wood & painted fruit...

The table was painted in Antique White milk paint.
Milk paint always goes on so smooth

Then it was aged...

The chairs were painted black
and distressed to show the gorgeous curves.

The worn-out foam was replaced
and covered with some pretty, damask fabric.

And now I must say goodbye as it goes back to Craigslist.

I admit I grew very attached to this one.

I'm linking up to these parties.

A $3 Chalkboard

Same question, different day. So I decided to post it for them to read instead. No more asking, negotiating, etc. Read it. It is what it is :)

This is actually a mirror that I bought at a garage sale for $3. I painted the inside with chalkboard paint and the frame in white then glazed it brown. I just love it.

I found this topper at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 off.
I just love that store.

Thanks for reading!

Yesterday's Writing Desk...Today's Entry Table

I've been looking for a foyer table for months. My requirements: 1) cheap 2) curvy legs 3) a drawer. The kids use the foyer as a stage and leave their CD's laying around. I need a drawer to make the CD's disappear. They need a spot to call their own.

Here is a before of this early 1900's writing desk. I saw the curves of this table and had a vision. I just love old furniture. It looks like wood...but it was ALL paint...that needed to be stripped. I almost didn't take it home with me. (By the way, I'd love to know the history of why they used to PAINT furniture to look like wood, when it was actually wood???) Then I looked at those spindle legs and changed my mind.

I'm a sucker for spindles.

Scratches GALORE. Somebody liked writing letters. 

I stripped the multiple layers and decades of paint.

I saw red, white, & brown. I sanded the scratches as best I could. (Somebody had a very firm grip on their pen when they wrote those letters.) The drawer was disintegrated so I glued it back together.

I tried Ben Moore Metal and Wood Latex Enamel on this piece, and I really like it. It is self-priming and coats better than anything I've used. I distressed it, smoothed it 0000 steel wool and protected it.

It is exactly what I wanted for this spot all along.

I love these anthro-inspired knobs from HL.

I'm a happy girl. 

Linking this project to these parties.

Cedar Chest Makeover

I just made over this cedar chest for a friend as a housewarming gift. It's a family heirloom and she wanted to update the look of it for her daughter's room.

This is how it looked before (I quick, grabbed my camera after I had already started stripping it)...

Now it looks like this:
(Yes, I know the lighting is bad.)

Here is a more accurate picture of the color of the top.

In a nutshell, I stripped off the old paint, stained the top in ebony, top coated it with polyacrylic (which I've since stopped using for wood stains; I've found something I personally like better) & then finishing paste wax; repainted the base cottage white, distressed the edges, and antiqued it with brown glaze. Kevin repaired the broken hinges and now I think this family heirloom is amazing, and will look great in Savannah's room.

Contact Me

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how to duplicate any of my finishes, or have product questions. I am happy to help!

Also, if you have a furniture project (trash to treasure) that you'd like me to feature, feel free to email it to me.

Just click on my profile and send me an email and I'll get back as quick as I can.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of sprayer do you use?

I use a Graco 7.0 Finish Pro, which came highly recommended from a friend who has been doing custom finishes for 50 years. It is very expensive, though, at around $800. It also creates a lot of over spray, so it's important to have a dedicated area to use it (preferably an enclosed booth). If you want to read more about it, click here.

What brand of paint do you recommend?

I am pretty dedicated to Benjamin Moore Aura, although it is more expensive. It is all I will ever use for cabinetry. I also like Sherwin Williams ProClassic (and their sample pots) for furniture. I personally do not care for Behr paint and primer.

How do you balance restoring furniture with working part time and raising a family?

I'm surprised at how often I get this comment. While I do work outside the home 2 days/week, I have 3 days while my kids are at school to do other things. Mondays are dedicated to running errands and getting the house in order. The other two days I work on furniture, and also on weekends while the kids are playing outside. Fortunately I'm a complete home body and it's my ideal life :)

How do you get so much done?

I'm an early to bed, early to rise girl ... out by 9 and up at 4 or 5. Those early hours are my quiet time, when I read my favorite blogs, answer emails, and write. Once the kids are up, it is all about getting them ready for the school day. After I drop them off, I hit the road and run a few miles or go to the gym for a class. Then, it's either Monday errand & chore day, or it's into my paint clothes. I can work for six solid hours and it feels like one. I really like to keep life simple around here and not take on very many activities or busy work outside the home that has me running all over the place for no good reason. The television is never on, and I'm not one to chat on the phone for long. I don't have pretty nails and I buy most of my clothes at Costco :) The only shopping I enjoy is at the local hardware stores. I do cook every night, but I keep everything very simple.
  
Will you ever offer classes locally?

I've thought a lot about this and I don't think so at this point. Right now I have decided to put that time into writing the ebook.

When will the ebook be finished?

I work on it during the wee hours of the morning and whenever I can, but I don't know when exactly it'll be done. My goal is not to have a super-polished, fancy book - I just want to be sure the information is comprehensive.

Pretty Robin Egg Blue Dresser

Romantic French Blue Sideboard

 

Cute desk with Queen Anne feet

 

Fanciful Antique Chest of Drawers

Country French Dining Set

Black Executive Desk

 Chunky Sofa Table

 Laundry Risers

 Rustic Turquoise Table/Desk
 

Black front door

Black and cream dining table

Painting the Laundry Room Cabinets

Silver Writing Desk