Burlap Lamp Shade

I have a new obsession--burlap! I love it!  I've seen a ton of great ideas on what to do with it, and it's super cheap.  Can't beat that.  When I came across this tutorial I had to try it.  I have this lamp shade in my room that is ok, but I wanted a little bit of warmth with all that white.  It was super easy and no sewing--my kind of project! :)

Before

  After

So fun! :)

I also used one of the rosettes on a mason jar and stuck a candle in it--love that too! Amazing what you can do with hot glue! :) 

Barn Dresser

I found this dresser in a barn--tucked in a corner, full of cobwebs, and in need of some TLC.  The lady I bought it from was sweet and so proud of her "treasures" (she's also the one I bought the lamp from).  This dresser had me a little scared until the very end--hated it after the primer, hated it after the paint, was a little more tolerable after distressing and the stain, and it wasn't until I put the hardware on that I actually liked it!

Before

After

The top is my favorite part and it happened by accident (DIY'ers, if it doesn't work the first time, don't be afraid to change the game plan!).  I love the dimension of the color and the worn out feel it has--picture doesn't do it justice.

The little details on the top, the sides of the drawers, and the bottom edge give it some character.

It's good when the old hardware works, but it's fun to buy new, too (sometimes it's a hard choice), but this dresser came with none, so new it was! :)  I actually changed the knobs on this twice--the first set was pretty, but a little too feminine and the color was too close, so they got lost on the color of the dresser.  I like the contrast of these knobs (and the fact that they're not as "girly").  We won't talk about the pulls cuz I think I might still be mad at them. ;)

SOLD

color = knock off of Pebble by Krylon

stain = dark walnut MW

wax = Minwax finishing paste

Painter's Ladder

My dear friend (we have so much fun talking furniture!) said she had this ladder in her basement I could "play" with.  I wanted a pop of color in my new room, so I decided to paint it apple green.  The guy at the paint store (who sees me frequently and doesn't normally question my taste) said, "Really? You want this color?"  lol  O.k., so I can understand his hesitation.... ;)

Before

 Love the ladder--but I was a little scared when I painted the first step--wow!!  The fun thing about this project is I knew I couldn't really mess it up.  If I didn't like it, it would just end up in my garage for another day.

 After

I had to do a LOT of sanding to tone down the color. The more I sanded the more the texture of the other paint showed through--kept that "used" feeling.

The best part! 

I haven't decided if it's staying or not.  Craig doesn't like it, so I need another opinion or two! :)

color = Fusion SW

Antique Dresser

A family member, who loves to give me a hard time, brought this to my house a few weeks ago and said, "I thought you might like this.  You can have it."  Needless to say, I forgave him of all his merciless teasing on the spot! ;)  I LOVE it! It's curvy but a little bulky which gives it a masculine feel.  The top was pretty rough, so I knew it would need to be redone--darn it! ;) 

Before

After

It had all the original knobs (hiding in the drawers).  I liked the contrast between the natural wood and the drawer fronts so I left them as they were. 

Absolutely loved the curved top drawers.

I don't even have to tell you how much I love this, right?

I knew this was a veneer, but sanded the top anyway (which took me forever) just to see what it was.  Well, to my surprise (again!), it was a black walnut veneer, cut in a mirror pattern.  Can't wait to see how beautiful it is when it's got poly on it (I couldn't wait for the stain to dry to get it home, and then since it was home I couldn't wait to take pictures).  O.k., so patience is a virtue but it is not one of MY virtues!

Have been wanting to do a sand-through on a big piece and I thought this would be the perfect one to try it out on. 

Love the knobs attaching the mirror.

One of my favorite parts of this dresser are the feet! <3

primer = white

color = Comfort Gray SW

Side table

Here's the armoire's side kick.  I had a 6 foot long bookshelf next to my bed for the last 10 years.  It served its purpose well, but it was time for it to go!  The massive thing was replaced by this sweet little side table. 

Before

After

I really like how simple and clean this looks. 

I am in love with these glass knobs--love the contrast with the metal back plate.  For some reason they remind me of my grandma. :)

Armoire

I've been looking for an armoire for a while now.  When I saw this one I loved it (made an exchange to get it--thanks Amy! ;)  ).  I am in the process of redoing my room and wanted to lighten this piece up a little for what I wanted. 

Before

After

I love how the white made it feel less bulky and the distressing showed off all the great details.

The old hardward was really heavy looking, so switched out for glass knobs on the top and replaced the lower handles with four white, distressed knobs.

The corners are my favorite part about this armoire!

Am really happy with the way it turned out, and it has a new home--mine! :)

color = Snowbound SW

hardware = Hobby Lobby

Sideboard/buffet

The picture makes this buffet look really washed out.  It was almost a burgundy color with a thick lacquer on it.  Still a gorgeous piece, but a little rough and very dated.  At first I wanted to do it all in black, but it had a little surprise for me (sometimes surprises can be be good!). :)

Before

After

(Did you notice the cute little lamp?) ;)

really love this shot...

So, I was going to do the top black as well, but when I was sanding it I saw a little bit of the natural wood peeking through.  My heart did a little thump when I saw what was under all that lacquer.  It was cherry!  I knew I couldn't paint over it, so I had to strip it (which was a first for me).  It was worth the goop and mess!  I wanted to leave the wood as natural as possible, so decided to use Tung Oil instead of poly. 

 The difference between the unfinished wood and then with the Tung Oil (which has no color and is also a  protectant).  It looks better in person! :)

One thing I love about redoing furniture is how, even after it's repainted, part of it's story is still evident.  You can see dents and dings, and veneer that is cracking.  I don't see these as flaws, but what makes a piece of furniture unique and beautiful.

original hardware spray painted black

rub through

SOLD

Lane Cedar Chest

When I went to pick up this buffet this was hiding in the corner behind it.  The couple said it was just taking up space in their garage and I was welcome to have it.  Lucky me!  It's a nice, sturdy chest in good condition and the inside is almost perfect.  Couldn't see it in anything but black because of the detailing on the front. 

Before

After

Rub through

SOLD