French Country Hutch Makeover

I've had this piece for a while now, but thought it would be another good one to show-off :)  I bought this hutch on Craigslist for $50.  I use it as craft storage, although it sits right next to our dining room table so I might find a different use for it (once I can find something else to store my crafts in!).  

Supplies:
Orbital sander
150-220 grit sand paper
Black spray paint, gloss finish
Tools for distressing!  (I used a hard blade putty knife)
Screwdriver
Tack cloth

Step 1: Remove all drawers, doors, and hardware (you will need a screwdriver for this). 

Step 2: Start prepping the surface.  I used my orbital sander with 220 grit sandpaper.  I did quite a bit of sanding on this piece, as I wanted the end result to look really smooth with no grain showing through. 

Step 3: Use the tack cloth to remove the sawdust.

Step 4: Start sprayin'!  I used 4 cans of spray paint since I sprayed the entire inside as well. 

Step 5: I decided not to protect this piece, which I may end up regretting.  I may use a wax here shortly to give it some sort of protection.  Depending on the look you want to achieve or how your piece is going to be used, you may want to put a coat or two of poly on. 

Step 6: Alright, the next step is the fun part.  DISTRESSING!  I used a hard blade putty knife to rough up the edges. 

Step 7: Okay, so I'm a bit spoiled and have a powder coater in the family.  I had Tommy's Dad powdercoat the hardware white (including the hinges since they are exposed).  I think it looks pretty neat! 

 

~Sunny

Wine Cork Coasters

I started collecting wine corks a few years ago, and when my jar filled up I thought it would be fun to do something creative with them.  I found the idea to make these coasters on Pinterest, and they are SUPER easy and fun!  These would make an excellent gift for a wine-o.  Just sayin'... :)

Supplies You Will Need:

• Wine corks (8 per coaster)
• Scissors
• Craft glue (you will want to buy glue that dries clear)
• Decorative ribbon (for the border- I used a thick, red, velvetty ribbon)
• A heavy book 

Step 1: Make sure the corks you use are all about the same height/width.  Start by gluing pairs of two together, length-wise.  Since I made two coasters, I used 16 corks and glued 8 pairs of two.

Step 2: Once these are dry, glue the end of one of the pairs and stick them to the side of another pair.  Repeat this until your coaster is complete.  Easy, huh?

 

Step 3: Take your ribbon and measure how long you will need in order to place a border around the coasters.  Cut, and glue to the side of your coasters.

Step 4: Since the glue may not be completely dry, they will be kind of flimsy until they do.  Set a book or something flat and heavy on top of them until they are dry.  I did this overnight and they were good to go in the morning!

~Sunny

Repurposed Pub Table

Whew!  What a weekend.  I have been working on several projects, but this one I'm really excited about! 

I decided to purchase this pub table and chair set on Craigslist for $50.  The table had a laminate top liquid nailed to the original surface, so what you see in the photo below is the residue from the wood glue.

 

The first thing I did was chip off as much of the glue as I could.  I used a hammer and a hard blade putty knife. 

Next, I used an orbital sander to sand the surface of the table.  Since my plan was to put a new table top over the original surface, I wanted to be sure to get it as flat as possible so the new top would adhere well. 

While the sander was out, I decided to sand and prep the chairs for spray paint, using 220-grit sand paper.  But first, I removed the cushions from the chairs. 

 

Next, I measured the table top.  It measured 22 x 42.  Knowing these measurements, I went to Home Depot and purchased three 10 foot 1"x4" common boards (which are really .75"x3"- learned this the hard way- but I won't go there!).  I had them cut these into seven 44" pieces.  My goal was to have the boards hang off the original surface about an inch on all sides.  While at HD, I also purchased Wood Glue.  You will need this in order to adhere the boards to your table top. 

When I got home, I decided to spray the base of the table and chairs a glossy black before gluing the boards to the table top. 

Next, I glued the boards down.  I also screwed the boards to the table underneath, in order to make sure they were secure. 

 

Now, it was time to stain.  I first used Minwax Sedona Red.  I decided to layer colors, so the next color I used was Walnut.

In order to seal the stain and make the surface durable, I applied 3 coats of polyurethane.

 

 

I will post pictures of the chairs once I reupholster them!

California King Platform Bed Frame

So you may wonder, "How did you get into the furniture thing- anyway?"  Or maybe you don't... but I'm going to tell you anyway!

It all started a few years ago, when I called it quits with my ex-fiance (6 weeks before our wedding!) and moved out of his house.  I literally had nothing except for my clothes and a few things that I purchased while living with him... so that's when my obsession with Craigslist and second-hand furniture began. 

I'm still a newbie when it comes to refinishing furniture.  It's really an addicting feeling, repurposing something that was considered someone's garbage, that in the end looks like a million bucks.  I have yet to repurpose something and sell it, but once we furnish our home, that will be my next goal. 

So, recently, I discovered that my husband is a great woodworker.  He's really a jack-of-all-trades if you ask me.  I put him to the task of building a california-king platform bed with storage underneath.  Platform beds are seriously expensive... and to find one that is good quality and has storage?  Good luck.  We found one online for about $2,000.  No thanks.  So far, we have spent less than $300 in making our own. 

Well- we nailed it (no pun intended).  I'm so excited to share the progress of this project.  It took us about 8 months to finish it, but it's done! 

 

 

{DIY} French Provincial Dresser Makeover - Black and White Paint!

The drawer knobs and pulls are now powdercoated white
(my husband's Dad is a powdercoater- lucky me!)


So I decided to go back in time to the first piece of furniture that I ever refinished.  It's fun to look back and laugh now, but it literally took me 6 months to finish. 

One- because I was renting a house and my Landlord's car was a permanent fixture in the one-car garage.. since I live in Washington, and it rains.. A LOT... I had to wait to work on this in between rain showers.  Okay, okay... so I might have worked on it next to her car at times, too.  I'm not so sure the Landlord would have approved of that.  Muwahahaha :)

Two- because I decided to strip the existing paint off of the dresser.  This takes TIME. 

Okay, so here it was before I did anything to it.  I bought it on Craigslist originally for $100. 

Step 1: I stripped the paint off of the dresser using Citristrip (Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel).  This took a lot of time, but it was great working with the dresser "in the buff."  I'm not sure I'd ever strip paint off of furniture again, unless it's something I want to stain. 

My paint stripping attempt

 

Step 2: Once I got most of the paint off using the stripping gel, I used an orbital sander to get the remaining paint off. 

Before sanding

After sanding

 

Step 3: After sanding, I cleaned off each piece of the furniture with a wet cloth and let dry. I then applied one coat of white paint with a foam brush. 

 



One coat of white paint

 

Step 4: Now that I had the layer of white on that I wanted to show through the next coat, I used a very minimal amount of black paint and brushed it across the drawers and dresser only a couple of times.  I made sure that my strokes were all horizontal. 

 



Step 5: I then applied 2 coats of polyurethane (you can use polyacrylic as well) to the entire piece. 

Step 6: Once the poly set, I put the drawer knobs and pulls back on the dresser.  At first, I spray painted them all white.  After discovering that the new boy I was dating (now the hubs :)) had a powdercoater in the family, I decided to give it a shot.  They turned out REALLY nice in bright white. 


{DIY} Armoire Makeover - Spray Paint and Glaze!

I've had this piece for a while now.  I actually got it for free from my old roommates friend.  I told her I liked it and she said I could have it- if only it always worked like that!

So, when I got the armoire, it was green with a bunch of intricate designs all over it.  Since I had (well.. sort of still do) an obsession with black, that's what I painted it.  I did a horrible job, as I am impatient at times and just wanted it to be done.  (Yes, my bathroom was purple, for about a week- awful).   

Armoire before makeover



So, I guess my new obsession is red.  It seems to be a good color for our new house (red, black, and tan hues).  I decided to spray paint it since it isn't a piece that will get much wear and tear. 

List of Supplies:

• Rustoleum Painters Touch 2x Ultra Cover Paint+Primer in Colonial Red (I used 2.5 cans)
• Black paint (I just bought a sample size in black)
• Behr Faux Glaze (next time I will use clear glaze, this one was sort of milky)
• Paper towels
• Plastic gloves
• Plywood
• Sandpaper or sand block
• Plastic cup (red solo cup!)
• Chopstick (for stirring :))

Step 1: Take your piece into a well-ventilated area and set on top of a piece of plywood.  I just moved mine into the driveway.  Make sure it is clean.

Step 2: Start spraying!  I ended up using two and a half cans of spray paint.  Let it dry for a couple of hours, and then move into a covered area, like a garage. 

Armoire after two coats of spray paint

Step 3: Sand edges.  I didn't sand every edge, only because I didn't want it to look perfect.  The whole armoire is full of imperfections so this worked out nicely.

Step 4: Mix 1 tbsp. black paint with 3 tbsps. glaze in a plastic cup.  Stir with the chopstick or something else you don't mind having to throw away.

Step 5: Put on your gloves and wipe the glaze all over with a paper towel.  It will look messy.  Do it in sections. 

Step 6: Now wipe off the glaze using a damp paper towel.  The glaze will stick in the crevices and sanded edges, giving it a somewhat distressed or antique look. 

Sanded edges with black glaze applied

Step 7: Wait for the glaze to dry! 

{DIY} Dresser Makeover - Gel Stain!

 

Okay, so we had this dresser sitting in our garage for two months.  Tommy's Grandpa made it, so we couldn't just give it away.  It didn't fit in with the rest of our house, so we decided to give it a makeover! 

I've been drooling over this tutorial, Monica Want's It, on how to use gel stain. 

You really don't need much in order to complete this project.  Here is a List of Supplies that I used:

• 150-grit sandpaper
• Something sturdy that won't penetrate stain to set your project on top of (I used scrap pieces plywood)
• General Finishes Java Stain (purchased on Amazon.com)
• Sock (you will need more than one if doing several coats)
• Plastic gloves
• Paper towels / water
• Polyurethane or Polyacrylic top coat (you can purchase this at Home Depot or Lowe's in the painting section)

Step 1: Take drawers out and set them on a separate piece of plywood

Step 2: Sand down each piece, lightly, with the 150-grit sand paper.  Clean off dust with paper towels and water. 

 Sanded down with 150-grit sand paper

Step 3: Okay, so this is where the sock comes into play.  I HIGHLY recommend this method for applying gel stain.  On one hand, put on a plastic glove.  Now put the sock over the glove.

 

Step 4: With this hand, dip your hand into the gel stain.  You really don't need much.  It is pudding-like, so don't freak out if you open your can and think something is wrong.  It is much easier to work with than normal stain. 

 

Step 5: Wipe on in the direction of the grain.  Once you have applied the stain, allow to dry for 8-10 hours before you do the next coat.  Coat 1 looks a bit streaky, just as an FYI.  See below.

 

Coat 1

 

Step 6: Repeat Step 5 until you reach your desired color results.  I was happy with just 2 coats of stain. 

Coat 2

Step 7: Once the stain has dried completely, apply 2 or 3 coats of polyurethane or polyacrylic.  Since I used a fast-drying polyurethane, I was able to get by with waiting 8 hours between coats.  I applied poly using the glove/sock method as well.  This will give your piece a durable surface, which will make it harder to scratch.  You can also add knobs to give it some character, and wah-lah!

{ME} A Little About My Life...

I thought I'd start my first post by telling you a little about me.  I grew up in Carnation, WA, about 30 minutes (with no traffic, anyway) east of Seattle.  My husband Tommy and I recently bought a house in North Bend, where we reside with our two cats, Trucker and Romeo, and three chickens, Helga, Svetlana, and Oprah.

Our home!

I guess you could say I'm a small town kinda girl.  Most would label me as shy or quiet, but those who really know me would likely say the opposite.  I'm tall (yep.. 6 foot!).  I have a Type A personality (perfectionist.. check.. impatient.. check.. competitive.. check..).  I love to clean- yes, clean.  I love to cook and drink wine.  I love animals.  I love the outdoors (hiking, fishing, gardening, snowmobiling, camping, long drives).  I work to play- but I do love my job!  One thing I should mention is that I LOVE to paint/stain furniture.  My goal with this blog is to put together various DIY "How-To's" on my projects, and hopefully learn and grow as each project is completed.

 

 

Enough about me!  Last year, I married the man of my dreams.  I know that sounds cliché, but it's true.  A little history there... I met Tommy through my old roommate.  I was single at the time, and she introduced us at a couple of social outings (he was good friends with her ex-boyfriend).  Tommy was in a relationship, so I really thought nothing of it.  I just knew he was fun to be around.  Almost 6 months later, him and his girlfriend broke up.  Him and I started talking, and wa-lah!  We have now been married for almost 10 months.  Most would label Tommy as outgoing and magnetic.  I don't think I have met one person that doesn't enjoy being around him.  We bring out the best in each other and I think that is what is most important. 

~Sunny