According to Nate Berkus everyone should have a random chair....

If you don't know me very well, I am OBSESSED with Nate Berkus. (Nate hope you're reading!!) Nate always says that everyone should have a random chair in a room that doesn't match the others and I have been on the hunt for months for the perfect chair to fit the bill.  Once again, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore came through for me!

Before

So this beauty was $10.  I tested it out and it was the most comfortable wooden chair I have ever sat in.  When buying chairs it is important to sit in it and make sure the frame is structurally sound and stable (because it would be super embarrassing if the chair breaks when you sit in it and no one likes a wobbly chair!).  As you can see in the picture the fabric had giant tears in it which is probably why no one wanted to take it.  Their loss!!

After- Front of Chair

After-Back of Chair

So I used supplies I already had laying down my house so that the only $ spent was on buying the actual chair.  I had leftover white semi-gloss paint and the chair took about 2 coats.  I also had this fabric leftover from the wing-back chair I slip-covered.  Using my trusty staple gun I quickly attached the fabric.  I covered the staples with some ribbon that I attached using my glue gun.  The whole project took about 24hrs, with most of that time spent waiting on paint to dry.  

What I'm working on next:

Next up I am planning on converting an old coffee table into an ottoman.  Stay tuned for the results!  

Every DIYers must have list....

So I have had many friends comment on how much they want to become a DIYer and really it's not difficult.  It honestly just takes a little creativity and a whole lot of patience.  But to start, every DIYer should have the right materials on hand for whenever life throws a good project your way.  My top must have list includes:

Small pieces of scrap fabric: even a single yard can be a part of something fabulous whether it be a front end to a pillow, an addition to the bottom of plane curtains, or the cushion to a beat up chair.  I like to hunt the remnant pile at craft stores and the clearance rack for table clothes with great patterns.  All of these are always on hand for my next big idea.

Oops or leftover paint: whether you painted a bedroom or your parents have cans of paint circa 2000.  Leftover white trim paint is my favorite because you can tint it any color you like with a little inexpensive craft paint.  There are times that I do buy new cans of paint but I always buy a full gallon because A) it's not that much more than a quart and B) you never know what you can do with the left over paint.

The trimmings: you can add a bit of pizazz to anything with a little extra trimming, whether it be leftover ribbon or wrapping paper.  I love lining the backs of bookshelves with a cool wrapping paper or craft paper or adding ribbon to the bottom of a lamp shade

The right tools: for me this includes good scissors for both fabric and paper, a glue gun, a staple gun, and an array of paint brushes in various sizes.  You can also add an advanced sewing kit which always includes a good sewing machine (now I'm not talking top of the line budget killing machines but something that is made well and in your budget....if you think you are going to sew up a storm why not invest a little more?)

Patience: Rule #1 of thrift hunting is that you NEVER find what you're looking for when you're looking for something in particular.  Just keep your eye out at all times for things that inspire you.  Even if you don't know what you will use it for now just start a bin and collect things that you can come back to.  And when you have been slaving away on your project of choice and you start getting tired and frustrated remember patience.....it will all be worth it in the end when you get tons of comments on your fabulous new piece!!

Hope this helps those wanting to start their own DIY journey!

Retro fabulous!

So I have been a busy girl these past 2 days!  I found this "sofa table" at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.....if you don't know about the ReStore please checkout their website to see if there is a store near you!  ( http://www.habitat.org/restores/ )  Basically the store is like the Goodwill of Lowe's!  They get the usual donations of books and furniture and other junk that people held on to for WAY to long but they also have windows, doors, old claw foot tubs, ect. from house renovations or construction sites.  Basically perfect for any DIYer on a budget to find cheap supplies and inspiration in every corner of the store.  So back to said table.  It is extremely retro and I saw endless possibilities!  I knew it had potential beyond a sofa table and would make a great vanity or petite desk. 

The Reveal!!

 

Before

 

After

Close up of the stencil

What I Did
As with any furniture paint project, this one started with sanding and cleaning of decades of grime.  For the paint I purchased paint + primer and after 2 coats it was looking gorgeous.  I wanted to do something different and fun since I chose a gray paint.  Hence the idea to stencil.  (Note: Do not embark upon stenciling if you do not have a plethora of time and patience.)  I used a simple stencil that I traced until the entire top was covered.  I then took a tiny paint brush and began tracing.  Now in my stupidity, I traced the stencil with a black sharpie and therefore it took SEVERAL coats of white to cover the marker.  But when all was said and done I was in love!!  I can't wait to find the perfect chair to redo to match.


What's up next:
 With good intentions I bought a chair to go with this desk but after bringing it home I found out that the chair was too wide to fit :(  so I am on the hunt for a new chair to refurbish.  In the mean time, I will be working on the other chair to sit in a corner somewhere.

Until then.....keep on crafting!

Welcome!!

Hello all! 

Welcome to my blog!  I've wanted to start a blog for several years to share my love of DIY projects.  I am always sharing my projects with friends and family and hopefully inspiring people to start their own fabulous creations!  My goal is to never let life get in the way of the projects that keep me sane!! 

Just to catch you all up, here are the last 2 projects I completed:

The Yard Sale Finds

 These beauties were purchased from a yard sale for $2 each (I know, what a steal!).  I could tell they just needed some love and a good scrub down.  

 With a few coats of exterior paint, outdoor fabric, ribbon and my handy staple gun, they are now the best part of my porch!  Lesson learned: don't be afraid to put a little elbow grease in.  These chairs ended up costing a ton less than it would if I bought brand new chairs.

 The Hand-me-down Chair

This chair had been sitting in my parent's living room for as long as I can remember.  My parent's cats had completely shredded the back and arms and the chair was given to me for free.

After too many hours of cutting and sewing I am IN LOVE with the final product.  This was my first slipcover project and I did not even use a pattern.  By pinning the fabric to the chair and cutting each piece to shape, I just winged it and it turned out amazing.  

So I hope these projects show my design esthetic and love for turning ugly furniture into house treasures!


What am I working on now??
I am currently refurbishing a retro sofa table I found at a Habitat for Humanity store.  Details and photos coming soon!!