There I was minding my own business and up pops this folding screen into my view. While my norm is to keep on scrolling because I have enough on my plate, I just couldn’t do it…this time.
Why on earth would I be interested in this folding screen, you ask? Well, me and my crazy self has always loved the drama they add to a room, plus they are super functional. You can use them simply for accent, to create a divide, or as intended, like a changing room screen. So many possibilities!
Many times I get asked how do I find ways to decorate my home on a budget. Well, the answer is pretty simple…I do it myself. I know not everyone is able to do the same, but if you are able, you should – it’s fun! Take for instance this little pile of goodies. I grabbed a couple of empty pickle jars from my recycling bin, and a few wood scraps from my stash. My goal is to turn them into upcycled jar hangers.
One of the things that happens around my house is how I will find scraps tossed in our burn box from JC working on projects that I would NEVER throw out. Big surprise, eh? haha. He recently did an amazing job building our custom kitchen range hood using some hand-carved woodwork I found from an 1800’s home. Those wood scraps above were remnants from his build that caused me to literally eeeked out loud when
You would think that after all these years that I have been doing trashure hunting and fleatiquing I would be used to finding a diamond in the rough, right? Maybe I should be sorta numb by now to coming upon a rare treat. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen and I still get a jolt when I see things like this set of thrifted candelabras while on an errand.
Here’s the story as it played out. My kids and I walked into the store and I instantly saw this pair displayed on a table. They were in the middle of the store and I had to wait until some people moved out of the way to be able to get close to them. My brain is saying, “Please don’t see them, I saw them first!”
What sane person doesn’t want extra storage in their house, right? I mean, the kind that looks good AND serves a purpose. I know I’m not the only one here tired of plastic bins and tubs scattered about. Check out this thrifted find. I spied it from a mile away because I LOVE BASKETS. This one is about to become a DIY rolling laundry cart. Stay with me now.
At first glance, this is pretty and really nothing wrong with it except for the busted/missing leather hinge straps and general wear.
*post contains affiliate links so you can find the products I love to use too. (see full disclosure)
It did come with a liner that I had removed and was in the process of cleaning. The shiny, orangey wicker didn’t do it for me and my love of farmhouse style. So…I decided to take it up a notch. As in…
When you head the thrift store and get a good haul, it can leave you feeling pretty pumped. That is until you look at all that you brought home and the realization hits you that you brought home a whole lotta potential and now there’s work to be done. For real, right? Today, I’m showing you a few of the items I acquired and how their thrifted makeovers can help make your house your home on a budget.
Let’s take a look at what I thought was worthy purchases. First, an unfinished stool, a wooden chest, and a corner cabinet. All are solid wood, all are handmade, but all are most definitely
It’s been a while since I’ve done my own furniture makeover since I just recently helped my son and both of my daughters with their furniture makeovers. It’s not like I haven’t been busy or anything. tsk. One piece that I have finished for a custom order is this Art Deco chest of drawers that has gotten a shabby chic detailing. Yup, it’s not a BEEP, but very similar to my Dumpster Diva.
This lovely piece came from a client, Ruby, who allowed me to share the story of her chest of drawers. Back in 1954, Ruby’s parents bought the entire set for her. It had weathered a small flood, and this is the remaining piece left. She used it in her parent’s house until she married, and then her mother continued to use it until her death in 1991. So, in reality, it has been hers for 61 years. Ruby has decided to give it new life to suit her shabby chic love. How fun is that?!
The chest is in great shape, but has a few cosmetic problems, as well as some structural issues – all totally repairable with
I’m taking a walk down memory lane today. Won’t you join me? I have always wanted to do a round-up of all the different vanity makeovers that I have worked on over the last three years (time flies when you’re having fun!). Now I can share them with you all in one place.
So let’s step back in time to see all the different sets that have come through my possession and into my shop to new owners.
My very first project EVER, was this little Art Deco waterfall vanity I found at Goodwill for $5. This was before they’ve started to jack up their prices ridiculously for damaged goods. tsk.
Not having really started furniture for sale yet, it sat for a few months before I could tackle it because I was already painting the exterior and interior of our home all by myself. But boy, what a job this little thing was! The veneer was in horrible shape and the entire piece needed sanded down and repaired. It had no mirror, but I found one through Etsy. It arrived busted and FedEx replaced it with a new one. Whew!
This was when I fell in love with my favorite seconds paint aqua color I have used again, and again.
The rest of these won’t be in chronological order, but pretty close, and I’ve tried to find all the various ones I’ve worked on. Crazy to see how my photography and staging have changed.
This next Art Deco beauty I named, My Painted Lady. What a glamorous piece that convinced me paint can do amazing things.
Scored this for $50 and learned so much in repair and detailing.
If you follow me on social media, you know I occasionally share pictures of my kids working on their own pieces (yes, I’m one proud mama). Today, I want to take a minute to showcase their work for you because I believe that learning a trade is just as important as book learning. I am so absolutely blessed to have my kids with me at home, they are my sidekicks, my apprentices, and my biggest fans. I’m getting see them bloom under my teaching.
Of all of my 6 kids, the oldest four are the ones that have worked on items to sell in my shop. All the purchasing of worn out projects is their responsibility, and almost all of the labor involved in recreating that find is theirs too. It’s hard to not jump in and “take over” at times, but they won’t learn if I do!
Take a look at the fruits of their labor. My oldest has done the most makeovers up to this point, with one of his latest being this grain sack coffee table.
We were all so excited for him when it sold in less than an hour of listing it in my shop. It’s fun to work alongside and teach them the skills of earning a living. My hope is that they are learning to appreciate the value of a dollar and that hard work pays off, among other things.
My oldest three have worked alongside each other most of the time. They are Mr. I, Miss C, and Miss S. When I receive a piece of furniture for free, I take turns giving it to them so they can work on it. Here is a table I found on Craigslist free section and gave to my daughter:
It was in great shape with wear to the top, and just needing a color change. My son found this Broyhill nightstand at a thrift store and purchased it himself to be his project piece.
They have fun working together, and my yet-to-be-remodeled living room is the catch-all for all our projects.
Do you love the look of grain sack like I do? Seriously, I could put it on anything and never tire of it. In a minute I am going to share how to make a grain sack table. But first, in times past, I’ve created my own faux grain sack fabric for this antique rocking chair see below.
this sweet little ottoman…
…and my own pillows, decor…you get the idea. I love it!
For this post, I’m going to introduce you to my oldest son, Mr. I, so he can show you how easy this method is – that even a teenager can do it. He is one of my six budding apprentices, and has been working alongside me for quite some time. Mr. I enjoys creating his own masterpieces, and selling them in my shop and locally to create a nice savings for himself.
It’s fun to help him find pieces that are deemed worthy of a makeover, and assist here and there, but for the most part, he does all the work. Here’s his latest vintage garage sale find…a solid wood Queen Anne coffee table.
American made and quality cherry wood, but has some water damage and wear to the surface that makes it a good candidate for his project. I do believe this is his largest project so far.
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