Make it nice again!

One of my hobbies is giving furniture a face lift, and my Mom's husband gives me pieces every now and then thinking I can use them. This time he gave me an old desk. To say the least, NOT attractive, and I really have no place for it. BUT I saw that a coat of paint and little make-over could give it life again and maybe a new home. :)  So here it is, my ugly little desk turned cute!

Before:

After:

A little paint and some TLC can go along way even with the ugliest of items!

In this case it was VERY easy.

Supplies:

1) Paint(I used 3 colors....the green, white, and beige)

2) Paint brush or roller

3) Painters tape

4) Top coat

How to:

1) In a well ventilated area, pain the base of the desk or item.

2) You may need more than one coat so step 2 is to do more coats until all even.

3) While the base is drying, paint the top all white.

4) Again another coat or two if needed.

5) When all is dry, tape or stencil on your design.

6) Paint the stencil area with enough paint to coat well.

7) Let all dry.

8) Pull off the tape or stencil.

9) Touch up any edges or smudges.

10) Top coat!

You're done!  This took me only a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. I DIDN'T sand and DIDN'T use a primer. I used good old wall paint I had left over from Walmart in semi-gloss. I used 3 coats and it was good to go. It was really no sweat and it turned out dang cute!

Any boring item can be given new life with a coat of paint or some new fabric. I challenge you to try it! And I warn, its addictive to see your items transform!

-Happy Pinning!

DIY ANTHROPOLOGIE CURTAINS!!!

Am I the only one who loves Anthropologie stuff? Especially, DIY knock offs?!  Anthropolgie has some seriously cute items for the home, but lets face it, $150 for one drapery panel? I think not. I see ideas on Pinterest all the time and if you can do it for 1/4 of the cost, then why the heck not? My friend had the one up on me, and had already made these for her bedroom. They were so cute! So I decided to give them a shot. Seemed relatively simple. And so it should have been.... Ha!

I am just not a natural born seamstress. Both my grandmothers were expert level seamstresses and could whip up a project from scratch. It was like a super power! My Mom was a great seamstress as well. My sister and I always had matching outfits and dresses, not to mention all of those fun Halloween costumes over the years. Sadly, the line ended there.  I just do not have the skill. This project is Level: EASY and even I should have breezed through it, but alas, my machine and I had a disagreement and the machine won.- 1 machine, 0 Amanda. :)

So yes, the machine bested me, but while it was being repaired, I continued on by hand with the ruffles. When I got the machine back, the remaining sewing was done in an hour. :) This really is an easy project, I swear!

Also, did I mention that this is made from 2 twin sheets? I ended up using 3 actually, but that's because I did my ruffles by hand and really liked them tight.

This project cost me a total of $15 and in total sewing time was only a few hours. It should only take a day for those with a working machine. :)

Original Pin:

http://diytilwedie.blogspot.com/2012/06/anthropologie-knock-off-curtains-from.html

Visit her blog above to see more of her DIY ideas! Such a cute blog!

Items Needed:

1) 2 twin sheets of your choice in color and pattern.( I used beige from Walmart for $4.98 each)

2) Matching thread

3) Sewing machine

4) Scissors

How To:

1) If the sheets are wrinkled, you may want to iron them out so its easier to measure and cut, etc.

2) You need 3 six inch wide strips for the ruffles on each drape panel, so cut a section of sheet about 18 inches wide lengthwise.

3) Cut the 18 inch section into 3 six inch sections.

4) On the side of the sheet you cut, hem using a straight stitch on your machine.

5) I did not hem the ruffles, but you may choose to at this time if you want a more finished look.

6) Now its time to ruffle! Cut one of the 6 inch pieces in half. When you ruffle you lose length! If you have a machine, adjust your tension and create the ruffles. Or take a bit more time to hand ruffle. If you visit her tutorial above she shows how to use the machine and ruffle. I recommend the machine way! lol

7) So now you should have 2 long ruffles for each panel and the panels themselves.

8) Now, you know the top of the sheet that is about a 3 inch hem? Start to pin the ruffles onto the panel  just below that hem. Later that hem will be the rod pocket. The ruffles should be about 13 to 14 inches in from the outer edge on each side. Pin the ruffle all the way down to the bottom hem. Securing it for easy sewing.

9) Time to sew! Carefully and purposefully sew a straight stitch right down the middle of the ruffles and onto your panel. remember to remove those pins as you go!

10) This is where I cheated...I used that fabric stuff that is a glue strip and with heat from a iron seals a hem. I folded over the 3 inch hem and glued the rod pocket together. The other option is to cut a slit in the side of that 3 inch hem and its already a pocket. The tutorial from the Original Pin did hers that way. Take a look to see what you think is easier for you!

11) Hang up your glorious new drapes! Be ready to be wowed at your own savvy! :)

Don't these make a difference in the room? This project is very inexpensive and is very simple. In total, an afternoon could yield you a new accessory to your windows! If there is anything unclear on this How To, please let me know! I would love any feedback!

-Happy Pinning!

DIY Entertainment Console(from a dresser!)

Next to Pinterest and blog stalking, I LOVE Craigslist! I think I have mentioned before that we just moved. I sold several pieces of furniture on there and one of them was our entertainment center. Made a little money off the stuff we didn't need(or want to lift. ha!)! No, really, Cha Ching!

For a while now, I have had a plan to find a dresser and fix it up real cute to go in the living room and hold all our DVD's and Wii games. Moving was the perfect excuse! As soon as we moved, I went on the hunt. I found myself an awesome deal(where else? Craigslist!) and now have another great piece of furniture. Without further ado... my new entertainment console!

The original Pin that was my color scheme inspiration! Love the dark with lighter, high-end look. I also love the argyle detail, but my dresser wasn't really the right shape. Sigh*

http://diycozyhome.com/diy-desk-makeover-instructions/

I think Craigslist is a great place to find all sorts of goods! Kinda like one big awesome garage sale from the comfort of your couch. There's that saying, "one man's garbage is another man's treasure." Its not that its actual garbage, but like this dresser, it is no longer serving its purpose. It was originally used in a little girls room with matching mirror and headboard, but alas she grew. The dresser caught my attention when I saw it. Its got this ridge of detail under the top drawers and I just new that a coat of new paint and some distressing could make it sing a new tune! I almost painted it yellow or mint, but I saw the color of the desk on Pinterest and LOVED it! I almost bought a similar dresser at an antiques store, but it was twice the price, and I thought, "I could do that myself." So I did of course. :)

Here's what to do!

Supplies:
1) Primer! If you want your piece to last and not have to sand, use a primer. I used Bullseye 123 from Walmart. Its approx $8 for a quart. Shouldn't need more than that for two coats on a project this size.
2) Your choice of paint. I used Better Homes and Garden's colors Mink Brown for the top and drawer knobs, and Early Blossom for the body, both in Semi Gloss. I however, used Colorplace paint because its cheaper. I only purchased a quart of each($10ea) and had plenty left over.
3) I used a roller and brush to coat all the pieces.(already had these!)
4) Sandpaper or block if you want to distress.
5) Top coat if you desire extra protection. Minwax Polycrylic is my favorite. It is water based and is the only one I know of that dries crystal clear. About $8-10 a quart.

How to:
1) Take all the knobs and pulls off and take the drawers out.

2) Wipe down all the surfaces and let them dry so the primer will adhere.
3) Coat the entire dresser top, sides, and drawer fronts with the primer. Let dry sufficiently in between coats. I did two.

4) When the primer is dry, paint desired color. Again, I used two different colors, so I did the darker top first and the areas I wanted to distress. It looked a bit messy at this point with dark brown paint smudged all over edges and areas. When that was dry, I painted the lighter body and over those brown areas(they show up later!). I did 3 coats of each. (I forgot to stop and photograph this step!)
5) Paint drawer knobs and allow them to dry. Don't attach til everything is dry! Or you can upgrade to new knobs from your local hardware store for some extra fun!

6) When all the pieces have dried, sand desired area for a distressed look. This is where I lightly sanded away the whiter color to reveal the darker color I had painted underneath in areas on the drawers, edges, and that detail below the top drawers. (Hopefully I explained this well!)

7)  Wipe clean any paint dust.
8)  Top coat if desired!
9)  Re-attach all the hardware.

Total cost of this project: $35 for the dresser, $20 for the paint, and $8 for the primer= just under $70! Can't beat that even at Walmart. Ha!

There is something about a furniture make-over that is so fun to do!  Don't be afraid... Do it!

Happy Pinning!

How to Refinish a Table, No Sanding!

Alright, I have had a few requests about our table after I did the fun cabinet, so here it is....How to refinish a table with NO sanding! This is the very first project I ever did and it has a special place in my heart. :) It kicked off several other projects and helped me realize that old pieces of furniture can be made new again. And not just new, but fabulous too!

I found this table at a garage sale for $30. Can you believe that?! It's solid maple and in great condition.  Its only flaw was a few scratches and that its color was faded and outdated. It was just what I had been looking for. So we hauled it home and then I contemplated all the things I could do...I decided to do distressed white with a grey/brown chalk board top. Pretty ambitious for a first timer! And I was about to learn a few lessons. Ha!

Lesson #1: Spray evenly and allow each coat to dry. I used a spray primer/paint in one. It was the Rustoleum Brand Universal paint and primer from Lowe's.(pictured below). It makes a big project like this SO much easier and faster! Like days faster. But you need to evenly coat and then let it dry or it drips and cakes. If this happens, you're "no sanding" project all of a sudden has sanding. Ha!

Lesson #2: Don't skimp and go for the cheaper spray paints! I did this on another project and spent twice as much because you  get what you pay for! Nightmares just thinking about it! lol. Trust me on this one!

Lesson #3: Don't panic if it doesn't go perfectly at first. I distressed mine for a shabby look and used a little square of sand paper to take off paint in areas. If I got too much off, I would lightly spray a little over again. There, all better!

Lesson #4: Top coat! Top coat!  Top coat! Cannot stress this enough for furniture that is going to take a beating. Dining room tables or coffee/end tables are going to get hit, kicked, spilled on, etc. Top coat! Make sure you use several coats and let them dry. Top coats harden to ensure your paint stays safe underneath!

Lesson #5: Not all top coats are the same! Most oil based top coats dry with a yellow tint. Not good for a white project! and they are super sticky!!! I started with one and in five seconds realized it was a problem and tried to take it off with a damp rag.  The good news was I got it off in time. The bad news was it coated my hands for 2 days, even after a long soak in acetone! Use a water based polycrylic like MinWax. Its not sticky and dries crystal clear.

I did this project back in July and it is now January.  I have had no problems with chipping, flaking, or anything like that. I did use chalk board paint on top so I am careful to use pot holders and place mats so that it doesn't bubble from the heat. It's the only part that is not top coated, but it has been quite sturdy. It has held up to my son who bangs on it, rolls cars on it, and wipes his food on it. Ha!

Original Pin:

www.younghouselove.com

So here's my how to:

Supplies:

1) Rust-Oleum Universal Paint and Primer all in one-White.($6 each at Lowe's)

2) A fine-grain sand paper block if distressing.($2)

3) Medium size angled paint brush($2)

4) Small paint roller.($3)

5) MinWax Polycrylic Clear Top Coat.($15)--This dries crystal clear!

6) Chalk board paint. --I used Martha Stewart brand from Michael's ($5.99)
7) Damp rag

Instructions:

1) Find that piece of furniture that inspires you! This is BEFORE.

2) With a damp rag, wipe down all the pieces to make sure they are clean and free of dirt, food, dust, etc.

3) In a well ventilated area(I suggest outdoors!), use your Rust-Oleum Universal paint and primer in one. Use as directed!! Spray at enough distance that the paint does not drip, but that it is coating evenly(12 inches or so). 

4) Let each coat dry completely. Repeat. Make sure all areas are covered, even those nooks and crannies! You can see it would have been cute just solid white too!

5) If distressing, use a sand paper block of fine grain in areas that you want to make shabby.

6) Wipe down again to get all the paint dust off and make clean for top coat.

7) Using a brush, apply top coat. Let each coat dry completely. Use at least 3 to 4 coats on furniture that will be used frequently.

8) If doing the chalk board top: Using a small roller brush, paint the top with the chalk board paint. Let each coat dry. Use several coats for best results. To condition, rub chalk all over the top and then wipe off with damp cloth. Its ready to go!

Ta da!  This table took me a total of 3 days. I did about 2 coats of the spray primer/paint, about 4 coats of the top coat, and about 3 coats of the chalk paint. Follow paint instructions for drying times!

Our table is used everyday and we love it. Especially my daughter who loves to draw. Its a fun item in our house!

Hope this helps alleviate your fears of a big project! Happy Pinning!

If you liked this, you may also like How to Refinish Laminate furniture, No Sanding!
Here:
http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-refinish-laminate-furniture-no.html

How to Refinish Laminate Furniture. No sanding!

Over the summer I found this cabinet at Goodwill for $19 and saw its potential. It was an old 70's style TV stand (when TV's were square. Ha!), and thought with a fun make-over it could become best friends with my recently revamped dining table. I am one of those people who love a good "Before and After." I find it kind of addicting. There is something in the result that is so satisfying! Even more gratifying, no sanding! I have refinished several pieces of furniture, and anything that takes out a step(especially one of the hardest) is always a welcome treat!

With an additional $20 in paint and primer, I happily transformed the old retro cabinet into a fun colorful piece of furniture. I confess I am a chevron nut! Hence the design I chose for the backing. But it turned out to be quite a simple project. Because it was made of fiberboard and laminate coating, I did have a small fear it would drive me to swearing, muttering to myself, and eventual insanity. Ha! But to my pleasant surprise, Pinterest offered me a solution. I think its safe to say it was a success! My results below:

The original Pin(over 500 pins!) and my inspiration:

http://thepeartreecottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/painting-particle-board-laminate.html?m=1

Here's how I did it:

Step 1:

Remove all hardware, shelves, doors, and hinges.

Step 2:

Wipe down all the pieces you intend to paint so they are nice and clean. (I had to fill in the cable hole as well.)

Step 3:

Prime every area you intend to paint. This step doesn't have to be perfect or pretty. It just needs a good coating or two of the primer. I painted several coats on the backing as I intended part of the white to be seen in the design. Then let it all dry completely.

Step 4:

Paint! I only had to use 2 coats.

Step 5:

When it was completely dry, I taped my design onto the back using Blue Painters tape and a measuring tape. I spaced the stripes out 1 and 1/2 inches apart and used a leveler to make sure I was keeping them at the right angle. Was really easy! Then I used some left over paint from my dining table project and filled in the taped lines.

After a few hours I pulled the tape off and Ta Da! Chevron stripes and a completed project!

Products I used:

1) Zinsser brand 123 Primer for All Surfaces in White from Walmart.(This is water based with no odor and went on so smooth.)

2) Colorplace Interior Semi-Gloss paint in Pistachio Ice Cream from Walmart. This also rolled on smooth.

3) Minwax Brand Polycrylic clear top coat. I love this top coat because it is water-based and doesn't smell and when it dries is a great protection. It also dries crystal clear unlike some of the others that have a yellowish tint. I have used this on several projects and already had this on hand. It is sold at Lowes.

4) Ultra smooth mini roller

5) Blue Painter's Tape

6) Measuring tape

7) Leveler

Hope this helps someone out with their next project! I found this easy, and if I dare say it, enjoyable!

If you liked this, you may also like How to Refinish a Dining Table, No Sanding! Here:
http://pinterestandthepauper.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-to-refinish-table-no-sanding.html