Mr DIY started building a bed for No. 2 son about 3 years. He didn’t like the way it came out; ahe joints weren’t up to his expectations and he wanted to chuck it and start over. He even attempted to stain it and, well let’s just say, that didn’t help matters any. So it sat and sat in the basement, then the garage. I decided to make lemonaide out of lemons, work some DIY magic and rework the design since perfection is truly overrated and the bed is solid and very sturdy.

I started by removing the Colonial Maple finish. I have worked with a lot of stain hues, but I don’t quite understand Colonial Maple. It could be me, but the orange tint is unattractive. I have tried it on various types of wood and it have never had good results.

Here is what it looked liked before:

and after sanding:

It still had an orange sheen that would not go away. I even tried to bleach it out and had no luck.

Next, I applied a dark stain with the hopes that the orange color would disappear. No luck, the orange hue continued to stand its ground and was visible just enough to annoy me. So I turned to paint. I watered down some chocolate brown latex paint I had lefteover from another project. I brushed it on and the orange hue was gone, with the wood grain was still visible, resulting in a stained appearance. I did add some streaks of watered down black acrylic paint to further enhance the wood grain. This is what it looks like now:

I am almost done applying a satin polyurethane finish. Unfortunately, my PDD caused me to have a little mishap, perhaps you can help me with. Multitasking the other day, I forgot to wash out the brush I was using. Does anyone know if it is posible to remove a water based polyurethane from a brush after it has dried? Turpentine, denatured alcohol or mineral spirits perhaps? I invest in good brushes so that I can reuse them and would love to save this one.

Have you ever used paint to create a faux stained finish?

Between naps on he Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Wednesday

Funky Junk Interiors:Saturday Nite Special

This was a relatively easy makeover. I sanded each piece to give it some tooth before priming them with Zinsser primer. I painted them with the same color, Behr Cinnamon Cake which I have used for all the other white pieces in my home. I do that because it allows me the flexibility to switch pieces around from room to room. I replaced the hardware with glass knobs as well as the panels in the lower doors and added swivel castors to the bottom for easy portability.

Here are some closeups.

And opened up:

I want to embelish the panels in the lower doors and add some color to the back of the unit but I am not sure just what to do. It’s the fine details that always seem to get me.

Regardless of the details, this multi-functional piece, key to small space living, replaced two dressers, I was happy to relocate elsewhere. It houses our clothing, small television, books and binders, among other things and is the perfect solution for keeping everything orderly and neat. Well, almost anyway. In the interest of keeping it real, this is what it usually looks like behind the closed doors.

Isn’t that the purpose of doors anyway? To hide all the untidy places lurking within our homes. How about you? Do you have a multifunctional piece that hides your little messy secrets?

I am in the mood for a great party, so I am linking this post to:

Between Naps on he Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Tools Are for Women Too:Modern Craftswoman

Reinvented: Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Wednesday

The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday

Mustard Seed Creations: Furniture Feature Friday

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special

Once upon a time, about three years ago
A dining room table was thrown away with no legs to go

A DIY princess spotted it from the corner of her eye
Immediately, she thought of the landfill and said “ My; oh my”

Hauling it home, admiring its potential beauty
She knew with her magic she could make it a cutey.

Stripped, sanded and stained returning it to it’s former glory
A beautiful table top I now have, for the rest of this story.

What will I do for the legs?
Perhaps Ebay or Craig’s?

So she searched and she searched with all her might
Until she found some that she thought would be just right

When they arrived, so excited was she
She finished them right away, happy with glee

Ready to assemble, the fairytale turned nightmare
She thought to herself, this is quite rare

After many attempts, the legs just wouldn’t work
She had to contain herself so she wouldn’t go berserk

Sad, disappointed and not ready to give up, it was time to let it be known
By soliciting the help of her woodworker prince to make a design of her own

When these newly designed legs presented more attachment issues
She couldn’t believe it and reached for a tissue.

Saddened with grief and wallowing in desperation
She knew a thrift store would be her only salvation.

Off she went, quickly spotting a battered table
With a base that she hoped would be able.

$24.99, oh what a deal!
Her disappointment turned to excitement, she just wanted to squeal.

She carted it home, adjusted and refinished the base
Hoping all along that this will be her ace

The table is now finished, sitting in her dining room a tad too big
But she was glad it was over and did a jig

Sitting pretty, spared from the landfill, she has learned a lot.
When she finds a more suitable one, she will donate it on the spot.

Plan A: Ebay purchased stained a dark walnut shade.

One of many attempts to attach the legs. Okay, time for Plan B:

The legs I designed and my prince made from plywood.

I painted them chocolate brown.

Attachment and leg clearance issues followed. On to Plan C:

Found this table base at a thrift store.

Removed chipped laminate with a heating gun.

I gave it a good sanding.

After I stained it, this is what it looked like. Having worked with Poplar, I should have known better; this type of wood is meant to be painted, not stained.

So I worked some magic with brown paint and glaze to unify the color and then applied walnut stain on top of the paint/glaze layers to achieve the look you see in the photo of the finished table.

Side detail of the table. I like the carved design.

Close-ups of the finish. I used various shades of stain to create a subtle striped design.

And finally, the finished table.

The End

I am linking this post to :

Between Naps on he Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Reinvented: Trash to Treasure

A Soft Place to Land: DIY Day

Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Wednesday

The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday

Mustard Seed Creations: Furniture Feature Friday

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special

First Anniversary Giveaway ends March 29!

As you can see, the laminate surface was in pretty bad shape.

The door had a piece missing, but I knew I could fix that.

I sanded it, base coated it with 3 coats of Zinsser primer, followed by 2 coats of semi gloss paint. Initially, I was going to replace the ratan insets but later decided not to since it was still in pretty good condition. Instead, I decided to do something fun and stencil them instead.

If you’re wondering why there are different patterns on the doors, it’s because I haven’t yet decided which one I like better. I made a smaller version of the larger stencil design using an overhead projector sheet and an X-acto knife to cut it.

And here is the finished piece. Tah dah!

It offers a lot of storage, housing all our board games and many of our DVD’s and CD’s. Unfortunately, the cable box is a little too wide and doesn’t fit. Eventually, I will build a platform that will support the TV with a compartment for the cable box.

I rather like how it turned out. What do you think?

I am heading over to join the parties at:

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday,

A Soft Place to Land:DIY Day

Domestically Speaking:Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday

Mustard Seed Creations: Furniture Feature Friday and

Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Night Special

In the meantime, I have another DIY project to share with you.

This dining room table was rather dated with slanted turned legs and curved apron; however, it was sturdy and constructed of Rock Maple hardwood. I thought, why not transform it into an island.

Almost unrecognizable, wouldn’t you say? Can you guess how I did it? Well here goes. First, I disassembled the table and took the table top and apron sections to a cabinet shop. I asked them to square off and the table and trim the lower edge of the apron so that the lower edge was straight (sorry, the before picture doesn’t show the scalloped apron). Next, I gave it a good sanding, replaced the old legs with straight unfinished legs and added casters, all purchased from Lowes. I stained them to match the table. I bought two extra legs to use as cross bars to add stability and hold the lower shelf. Incidently, I used the table leaves for the lower shelf. They can also be used to extend the island into a buffet. And there you have it, another upcycled transformation! What do you think?

I am linking this post to:

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday,

A Soft Place to Land:DIY Day

Reinvented: Trash to Treasure

Shabby Chic Cottage:Transformation Thursday and

Mustard Seed Creations: Furniture Feature Friday

Before I begin, I just want to thank you for all the wonderful compliments on my headboard makeover. That was my most commented post since I started blogging last May. Whoo Hooo! That extra pat on the back is so affirming and I am motivated and excited to finish many of my other DIY projects, so that I can continue to share them with you.

I purchased this chair from Build It Green! NYC and it has been sitting in my garage for sometime waiting to be made over. The seat was not in the best shape and the metal had this brown patina that I thought would come off with some steel wool and elbow grease. When it didn’t, I decided to use some Rustoleum spray paint to restore the finish. However, the paint didn’t adhere and rubbed right off. I didn’t think I needed to prime it, but I guess I should have. So I rubbed the paint off with some more steel wool and guess what? The brown patina just about disappeared and the original metal finish was restored. Not sure how that happened, but I was ecstatic. Next, I flipped the seat over, conditioned it and applied some natural stain to it. What do you think?

As for it’s twin….

You do see the resemblance, don’t you? Similar legs with a curly cue design; how about fraternal twins? Purchased from the same place during another visit, this one had no seat and a badly chipped paint finish. I applied some Citrus Stripper to remove the paint. It came off pretty easily but trying to get into all the twist and turns of the metal was somewhat tedious, but I persevered. It looks like galvanized metal, so I will have to paint it. Not sure what color though I was thinking silver to match it’s twin. For those of you who may not know, keep in mind I am a blue/brown fanatic who is in the honeymoon stages with the color turquoise. Also, they might be placed in the same or separate rooms and will probably be used to hold a plant or my reading stash next to my bed. What do you think? What color should I paint it?

I will be linking this post to:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,

The DIY Showoff: Project Parade,

Reinvented:Trash to Treasure,

A Soft Place to Land: DIY Day

The Shabby Chic Cottage:Transformation Thursday and

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors.

This makeover was simple. First, I popped off the finials using a rubber mallet and filled in the holes with wooden dowels and wood fill. Next, I cut away the dated motifs using a jigsaw . Then I sanded, primed and painted it. What a difference?

Next is the fun part – installation and styling. To be continued…..

I will be linking this post to:

Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts
.
Reinvented:Trash to Treasure,

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch,

A Soft Place to Land: DIY Day

The Shabby Chic Cottage:Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday and

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors.

Have any old silk scarves laying around? Or how about asking the man in your life for some of his outdated silk ties? If you still find yourself empty handed, you can always head over to your local thrift store to find a cheap supply. Here is a great way to use them to create these special designer eggs.

For detailed written instructions and more sample pictures, check out Our Best Bites.

If you want to see a video of this process check out Kendra Smoot’s version of this process on Holidash

And these eggs featured on Martha Stewart’s website were dyed using food items like red cabbage, turmeric and coffee.

And here is a cute seedling gift idea as seen on Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda:

I just love the grass centerpiece. What a great way to bring the outdoors in. I have seen this before using wheat grass; however, I was warned it doesn’t last too long. I want to give it a try anyway. What do you think? Do you like these ieas?

Think this is just a TV thing? Guess again! You too can be your own fabric designer at budget friendly prices. Interested? Then check out Spoonflower, Fabric On Demand and Karma Kraft for their digital fabric printing services. Spoon Flower offers a choice of natural fibers, there is no minimum order and allows you to order a swatch or yard prior to placing a complete order. There are no minimums with Fabric on Demand, as well, and they include a color blanket (similar to paint chips) option that allows you to see the colors on the fabric of your choice ensuring your color expectations are met. Karma Kraft processes orders in 5-7 business days, pricing starts at $20 per square yard (as opposed to liner yard) allowing you to order the exact amount you need for your project and offers various methods of color accuracy including the use of the Sherwin Williams Color Guide. Another plus, just in case you don’t sew, they offer sewing services and can produce a finished home or fashion accessory product.

After searching on and offline and not being able to find just the right fabric for my dining room chairs that remained unfinished, I just might give this a try.In the meantime, check out the “on air” creative process of fabric designing during tomorrows episode.

Who is your favorite designer from this season – Mila, Maya, Emilio, Seth Aaron, Jay, Anthony or Jonathan? Who do you think will win?