Re-Do #2 SHELF

Just wanted to share another easy RE-DO.

We thought this shelf could use an update.
It was a wooden shelf screwed to a black metal frame.

We unscrewed the wood and painted it yellow leaving the metal black.
It took a couple of tries before we were satisfied.
I called the first attempt the Bumble Bee shelf.  
Something about it just didn't feel right. 










  
So we tried it again and this is what we came up with.  We used RUST-OLEUM French Lilac and white spray paint.

                                                                                                                                                  
   BEFORE                                               AFTER
                                                                        

                                        



                                                                                                                  

Anthropologie Inspired Frames

You know how some things just catch your eye?

   Well, these bowls from Anthropologie did just that! 

 

 We loved the colors and designs and were inspired by them.

Soooo....we used these frames we picked up at the thrift store for .50 each,

And did this!

And this!

 

And this!

                                              

                                                         
BEFORE                                                         AFTER

 

                  






 Aren't they SO colorful and beautiful?! 
(My sister is the mega talented artist so I can gloat.)

                                                         

Tutorial: Trash-For-Mation #1 DESK

One of the features I want to add to my blog is a segment where I show how I transform and refurbish what someone else has defined as "TRASH".  These are pieces I usually pick up on the side of the road somewhere. (I have no shame--at least not in this area!)

trash   (trash) ,  n.  1. anything worthless or useless; rubbish.

  
I have a distortion problem.
I do not see what others define as "trash".

This is what they see.... 

This is what I see........

 

The top was a glued-on laminate.  I started to peel it off with the intention of adding a new piece of wood when I saw how beautiful the wood underneath was.

I scraped it off (this took some time).  I then sanded it down to the bare wood, making sure to get all the glue off.

I also lightly sanded the legs.  The drawer had layers of paint so I filled in the holes where the knobs were and sanded the drawer down almost to the wood.  It was more work than I wanted to invest so I changed plans mid-project (which is what creative people can give themselves permission to do) and left some paint still on the drawer.

I then used an "oops" sample of  Glidden sample paint (not a typo) for .50 from Home Depot.  Sorry I don't know what the name of the color is.
I painted the drawer full strength because of the aforementioned problem and with a damp 100% cotton sock I rubbed in the paint on the legs and bottom so some wood would still show through.

I wanted to highlight the wood after the paint dried, so I rubbed stain on and then wiped it off the whole bottom, including the drawer.  (Sorry I don't remember what kind of stain I used.)
I stained the top with a built-in stain/finish so I didn't need to polyurethane it.

I then replaced the 2 wooden knobs with a metal pull handle and then added 2 metal brads for decoration where the old knobs were.
              And there you go!
                   
BEFORE                                                                                                                AFTER 
                                                                                                  

                                                                         

Small Metal Repurposed Table BEFORE/AFTER

Here is what one of my "Repurposing" looks like.
I will take you through the process as I worked it out.

I found this (heavy) lamp base at a salvage store for under 5.00.  (I think 3.00)

  
I bought this tray tagged Ikea when I was visiting my children.  It came from Goodwill for 2.00 .  (I shipped it home in my suitcase!)

I thought the two should meet each other.

I don't remember if I took pictures of the process the first time, but I didn't find them.
I took the metal ring and the glass top off.  (I have an "idea" for those two pieces later.)
Then I cleaned the base and tray well and primed them (or at least the base-I forgot to prime the tray). 
{ I love Kilz spray primer!  It gives a good coat the first time.  It may be more expensive but I found I use less than other primers.   I also use it a lot and if you buy, I think it's 6, you get a better deal at Home Depot.}

I glued them together with Gorilla glue but found later that the base wasn't big enough, and so there wasn't a good connection/bond.  I (easily) broke the tray off. (FAIL)

I then added a wooden cutting board to make it more stable.  That is what you see in the picture. 

   









I then primed the bottom with automotive black primer (because it was closer to gray I guess) and then I spray painted the new parts with Rust-oleum Metallic Matte Nickel spray paint.  (Metals are in this year!)
And here it is finished.  This isn't the best picture but I get excited to take things to the store and forget to take "afters".

 BEFORE                                                                                                                                   AFTER

                      And there you go!

Simple Re-do

                               BEFORE


 This is a simple make-over but with a big impact.

                                AFTER


The top had what appeared to be water damage.  
I sanded that smooth. 
On the other wood parts I gave it a light sanding just to "scuff" it up a bit so the paint would adhere as the wood had a shiny finish.
I wiped off the sawdust with a damp cloth and let it thoroughly dry.


I used a black "oops" paint by Sherwin Williams I bought for 5.00 a gallon.  
It is a semi-gloss, interior/exterior paint.  
The nice thing about this paint is that it has a built-in finish! 
I just rolled it on with one of those mini, touch-up rollers and used a brush to paint the parts the roller couldn't reach. 
It isn't my favorite paint finish for most projects but I figured it worked just fine for this piece as it may end up in  a bathroom (or not).....

Someone liked it as it sold in a couple of days!

We Are Ready!

After many hours and seeking outside assistance on separating this blog from my personal one (theunexpectedlife2010.blogspot.com), I think we are ready to start sharing some of our creative ideas!

I still do not know how to add my own pictures and labels to the heading of this blog.

If anyone knows how, and can give me simple, step-by-step, Kindergarten directions, I would love it!  And greatly appreciate it too!

Well, Ready, Set, GO!

 "The best angle from which to approach any problem is the try-angle."  ~Author Unknown