From Trash to Treasure

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's blog, Kelly's Korner, to share what I make. I'm also linking up to Funky Junk, My Romantic Home, and The Shabby Nest! :-)

Although fixing up furniture doesn't technically count as "making" something, I feel that I transform the furniture into a brand new piece each time I restore or fix it! I'm still a newcomer in the furniture restoration business, so I'm going to share the projects I have completed so far. I am going to start with the first piece of furniture I ever fixed up! I wanted a new headboard, and after much research I found this beauty for $40. I knew that I wanted it to be white, and this old brass headboard was the perfect candidate!

{BEFORE}

{AFTER}

I painted it outside, and had to use my planters to hold down the tarp..it was really windy that day!

Here the headboard is in the bedroom. I just love the way it fits! And with this picture I will introduce my next "rescue" project! I don't know if I've talked about my love for Craigslist before...but I LOVE CRAIGSLIST! My favorite pieces of furniture have come from Craigslist. I had been looking for nightstands FOREVER, when one day I was on Craigslist in my favorite section, Antiques, and I saw these beauties...$30 for both, such a steal!

{BEFORE}

Here they are before I gave them a little TLC, can't you see the potential there?

{AFTER}

All these night stands needed was a little bit of sanding and some wood rejuvinating oil.

 

This is the kind I use, WATCO rejuvenating oil, if you fix up furniture at all I highly recommend it!

Another one of my little projects that I am proud of is an unfinished bookshelf that I stained and finished! I sadly don't have a true before picture because it slipped my mind! Here it is mid-staining!

{BEFORE}

I stained it with Minwax Red Oak, before the wood was VERY light...completly unfinished. Here it is after the second coat of stain and with the lining on the backs of the shelves!

{AFTER}

To line the back of this bookshelf I simply got scrapbook paper and used Modge Podge to apply and seal it! It wasn't as easy as it sounds, I had to use several pieces of scrapbook paper and match up all of the vertical lines. It was quite the process, but I love the end result! Here it is in my bedroom.

I love how it turned out! It's just the perfect size!

This next project was a random Goodwill find. Future Hubster and I were running errands and I saw this sitting outside and just had to go look. It turns out it was only $9! Which I think is a great deal for an ANTIQUE Sears & Roebuck sewing machine cabinet! It didn't include the actual sewing machine, but I was fine with that...I had other plans for it :-)

{BEFORE}

{AFTER}

Here it is in it's current location...as a vanity table in my bedroom!

It's just so cute in the corner of my room! :-)

One of the projects that I am the most proud of is the transformation of my kitchen table and chairs.

 I've already done a blog about them...that story can be found HERE!

Here are a few of my non-furniture projects that I've worked on. The first is a cute little frame that I made myself!

For this I used a frame I already had and backed it with scrapbook paper and then added a "Keep Calm and Carry On" image I got from The Graphics Fairy. If you haven't visited her blog yet...YOU SHOULD!!! :-)

I love chalkboard paint and haven't had enough places to use it...but I did create a cute little chalkboard from an ugly rooster hanging.

I've already blogged about it and you can view the transformation HERE!

I hope you enjoyed looking at a few of my transformations! I love fixing furniture and my obsession has only grown since I started. I'm currently working on several projects that I can't wait to share. I posted a sneek peek of an antique High Back chair I'm working on...you can read about that HERE. I also have an antique vanity and highboy dresser I will be working on soon! I hope you'll keep up with my progress and share any tips or tricks you've learned! Thanks for stopping by!

"All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." Proverbs 14:23