Tuesday, October 6, 2009

DIY



I love to read blogs. I especially love to look at sites that take old yardsale finds or things you already own, and make them new again. I have been wanting to do something to the furniture I've had since leaving home, for a long time now. After looking at countless decorating blogs and watching a lot of HGTV and DIY (which Mike has told me to QUIT WATCHING, because he is somehow dragged into my projects, or at least his strong muscles are:)) I have FINALLY stopped thinking about it, and started to DO it. Now, of course, that I am painting the furniture cream, the cream walls will eventually need to be changed, but that will have to come later. I have finished my nightstand and love it. Next is the armoire. I have cleared out the drawers and taken most of them out to the garage, but the work on that piece will have to wait till thursday. I work tonight, all night, so will have to sleep tomorrow, but can't wait to get started. If you have an old piece of furniture, here are the steps to take.
* First wipe down and clean your piece (after removing hardware)
* next lightly sand the whole thing, so the paint will adhere.
* roll on a primer, and allow to dry for about an hour
* start to apply spray paint. I did this outside in the grass. I placed the nightstand on a big piece of plywood and went to town. I used Rust-oleum satin Heirloon White. I got this color idea from a few of the blogs in my sidebar, Centsational girl and The Lettered Cottage. They both have such FABULOUS ideas, you should check out!! Anyway, I applied 3 coats, about 20 minutes apart. Then allowed to dry for 24hours before moving.
* I sprayed the brass drawer pulls with some leftover spraypaint from my kitchen redo, and I like the way it turned out.

I forgot to take a before pic of the nightstand, so I posted a pic of the matching armoire "before" and will post the after of it later.
I have to say, it is fun and rewarding to redo a piece of furniture. And with budgets being a little tighter these days, it helps save money, and I still get a "new" look! Have any of you redone something?? What did you use?

5 comments:

Three Against One said...

Looks really good Carol, even better in your room verses out in the yard. Ha! Can't wait to see the Armoire all finished.

Gina @ MoneywiseMoms said...

Wow--what a great transformation! I love how Pottery Barn it looks now.

G'night Gracie said...

Carol - that looks awesome! I'm inspired. I've been wanting to paint my kitchen table for a long time. I think I might try it this weekend!

Paula said...

Looks great, but you have always had a flair for decorating! I on the other hand have none.

KKB said...

Looks fantastic!! Love it! Can't wait to see the armoire. :)

(IN)COURAGE -SO great...check it out!

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