mid century Archives - Prodigal Pieces

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Giveaways, Home Decor, Project Gallery, Thrifted

Vintage Side Table Made New

It’s pretty good feeling when someone brings you a haul of furniture, simply because they believe you can give it new life. My dad presents me with projects because he has faith in my abilities – both my parents do. In his current line of work, many project pieces cross his path and he texts me with potential. Lately, I have turned down items left and right. For some reason, this time I took in a few of them because…well…who could resist? See that vintage side table among the loot?

That, my friends, is today’s project piece. It is begging me (really!) to relieve it from the nightmare it’s stuck in. Oh, and just so you know, I did Read more

Larissa

106 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Home Decor, Project Gallery, Thrifted

Mid Century Modern Bar Cart & DIY Macrame Art

Do you ever find that it take a bit before you realize you crush on a certain object? Like it doesn’t show up until you see a pattern that you notice that’s tell-tale. Well, I apparently have a thing for carts. ahem. Like any and all. I’ve worked on tea carts, built my own carts, and even buy carts for my workshop. So, when I spied this vintage Mid Century modern bar cart at the thrift store, it may have jumped in my cart before anyone else could grab it. tee hee!

I know without a doubt that the casters are what draw me in every time. Having mobility with style is so fun, isn’t it? This little gem was missing a few things, but Read more

Larissa

2 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Home Decor, Project Gallery, Repurposed, Thrifted, Woodworking

Mid Century Nightstand from Curbside Luggage

It’s that time again! The second Tuesday of each month some of my blogger friends and I get together to present to you our latest Trash to Treasure makeovers. It’s certainly one of my favorite times and hope it is for you too! Today’s project is this handmade luggage I found during our spring city cleanup. I’ve been aching to turn it into the vision I had of a Mid Century nightstand. I can’t wait!!

First, I have to ask if you would have grabbed it? It is so super cool. Check out the LBJ bumper sticker, and the…ummm…fantastic carpet lining. And get this…the back has Read more

Larissa

25 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Giveaway, Home Decor, Homeschool, Project Gallery, Thrifted

Broyhill Saga Dresser ~ Mid Century Modern Update

Happy dance! Today is another fun Furniture Fixer Upper day, where my blogger friends and I get together to share some DIY fun with you. I’m taking the back-burner and letting my oldest son, Mr. I take the helm as he shares with you how he updated with vintage Broyhill Saga dresser. Isn’t it cool?

I actually had an exact match to this set in a tallboy chest which was a custom request by a client. You can see how it was updated HERE. Not only has this style has always caught my eye for the lines, but also those carved and etched star designs on the front and mirror.

And, when I presented this to my son as a project piece, he was Read more

Larissa

202 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Home Decor, Project Gallery, Thrifted

Updated Mid Century Modern Dresser

One of the hottest trends in interior design right now is modern farmhouse. We’re not talking about your grandmas farmhouse with beautiful quilts and handmade goodies (a style that has my entire heart), but rather a twist on that style. It offers a rustic charm, but allows for a modern interpretation with clean lines. Today, I’m showing how to take this worn piece to an updated Mid Century Modern dresser.

When I come across pieces like this I seriously get heart palpitations. I have always loved the lines of Mid Century Modern though I lean towards a rustic farmhouse style in my own home. These pieces were Read more

Larissa

16 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Home Decor, Project Gallery

Update Furniture with these Simple Steps

It’s been a while since I’ve worked on a larger piece of furniture, so it feels good to get back in the saddle again. Often when my husband is making a delivery to cities that are an hour or so away, I always jump on Craigslist to see if there is something in the same area that would be a candidate for a makeover. While delivering the settee I just finished, I had him pick up this Mid Century dresser. I thought this piece would be a perfect candidate to show you how to update furniture in a few easy steps.

*affiliate links are included in the post so you can find the product I love to use too! (see full disclosure)

This dresser is as solid as they come with a stout design, sturdy dove-tailed drawers, and ornate details. I like the design of this one because it appears to have nine drawers, but actually only has six. Plenty of storage and space in there. The only thing wrong with it was that the finish had been worn (that 1960’s speckled veneer-type finish), and an update would do this brown beast justice. Read more

Larissa

20 Comments

In Furniture, Home Decor, Kids, Project Gallery

Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Table

It’s a wonderful thing to have people think of you when they have some sort of item they’d like to part with. Often, in my case, those unwanted pieces are furniture related. My typical protocol is to check it over for quality and resale prowess before taking it on, then I hand it off to one of my six kids. Just like this Mid-Century modern table we were given.

My desire is to show my children how they can take something unwanted and make it new, but also how to make it in this world by earning a living and staying out of debt. You can see more of their work in this post dedicated to their work. This time around, the recipient was my second oldest daughter , Miss S.

This table is really awesome and had to have been a statement piece in its day. I found the label and looked up the company. Seems they had some pretty cool stuff!

Funky design AND the top swivels – how cool is that? The legs had been damaged and would need repaired, but other than that this is a solid piece that would shine once again.

To say my daughter was stoked, was an understatement. Read more

Larissa

24 Comments

In DIY / Tutorials, Furniture, Home Decor, Project Gallery

Mid Century Modern Furniture Color Fun

Last week, I showed you this Mid Century Modern chest of drawers I found on Craigslist. It just needed a little TLC and a pop of color to bring it up-to-date.

Much better, right? The makeover stays true to the era while adding a bit of fun.

I also mentioned that it wasn’t until after we got the chest home that I saw the owner had just listed the matching credenza. Umm…duh. (sorry. I hate when my kids use that word, but this situation perfectly fits it)Why he didn’t tell us he would be selling it too, I’ll never know, but we went back on the road again to pick up this classic Mid Century Bassett piece.

This top was the worst part…damage where the mirror had sat, chemical stains that I hoped could be hidden, and oodles of dents and dings. Someone had even made screw holes in the top ends! Read more

Larissa

14 Comments

In Furniture, Project Gallery

Modern Style to a Mid Century Piece

Recently, I have finally achieved my goal of getting rid of every piece of furniture in my stash except the one I would be working on. Wahoo!! It’s been a long journey to get them done, especially when good friend find you pieces curbside or bring them to you with wonderful intentions. Stay tuned to see my renovated shop. eep! I couldn’t wait until I could get back onto the search for a new project, and here is the first one that spoke to me. Time to give it some modern style.

A classic Mid Century Modern chest of drawers. The clean lines of this style draw me in every time. Check out those inlaid star pieces on the top drawer. Cool…This particular piece wasn’t in bad shape at all.

It just has some wear with deep gouges to the top surface, and missing veneer on the cabinet. Read more

Larissa

24 Comments