paint projects

80s Bookshelf Redesigned {Love My DIY Home}

1980s Style Bookshelf Redesigned

I’ve been tooting the “flip it don’t toss it” horn for quite a while now – have you heard it? Look around your house. Do you own any furniture that is the same ol’ same ol’ from the 80s? Are you tired of hum drum? Let’s look at a bookshelf re-designed out of the 80s and into the present. This old thing has been sitting in my hallways for a dozen years. It was time for a change and I’m not willing to go out and spend $100, but I will pick up a brush. Since (aff link) The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company provided products for this project, I was able to experiment a bit and come up with an original piece of art. Yep. I said “art.” Art isn’t always a framed picture on a wall. Art can be anything that an artist creates. What makes an artist? They … Read more

It’s About TIME – The Skinny on a Little Side Table

Last week when I tried out the (aff link) HomeRight Finish Max on a rolling storage cabinet, I threw in a little skinny side table. Two for the price of one, so to speak. It was green, then dark brown, and now it’s a light tan, with decorative stenciling. It’s a bore no more. Super easy, 1,2,3,4 1. Spray one coat with Benjamin Moore Advance using a (aff link) HomeRight Finish Max. I only did one coat for easy distressing. 2. Distress, lightly. 3. (aff link) Stencil clocks and some French script. Get some paint in your brush and wipe most of it away on a paper towel or paper plate. I use acrylic paint. This is a dry brushing technique. Tape your stencil in place and do a quick up and down movement with the brush to get the paint onto your surface without it bleeding under. It’s easier … Read more

Rolling Cabinet Makeover with HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer

“Spray it Pretty” #sponsored post This month The Fab Furniture Flippin’ Contest®,  “Spray it Pretty” is sponsored by (aff link) HomeRight. They sent us all a Finish Max sprayer to complete our projects, something I’ve been hearing a lot about from other furniture flippers, so I was glad to give it a try. Along with the sprayer gift, HomeRight is giving prizes to one winner – one being this (aff links) spray shelter. We bought “Ellie” at an estate sale – the same one where we got the Ethan Allen China Cabinet that I turned into a buffet a few months ago.  She was one of the last pieces remaining at the estate sale on the last day. I hadn’t even noticed her the two times I had looked through the sale and only saw her when we were finished loading all of our purchases into our truck. She was … Read more

OFMP Ethan Allen Coffee Table Updated {Love My DIY Home}

Ethan Allen Coffee Table Stars in “The Taming of the Shrew”

#sponsored post It looked like an easy flip… Have you ever had a DIY project that you just wanted to throw out the window, chop it up with an ax and then burn it to make sure it was totally eradicated from your memory?   Beware of the “easy” ones… There’s a little consignment shop about 45 minutes from us that we go to occasionally to look for furniture to flip. The prices are reasonable, usually, so it’s worth the trip. Of course visiting their other little shops and burger joint doesn’t hurt the experience either. We found an Ethan Allen coffee table that looked like an easy flip, so we grabbed it and brought it home. (It’s the “EASY” ones you need to watch out for.)   DH found one similar online at Etsy – ZBrothers Furniture, so I’m guessing the added white was either special order or just … Read more

Wicker File Cabinet Re-purposed to a Paint Cart

Here is a quick example of how you can re-purpose those garage sale finds inexpensively and easily. No muss. No fuss. Just a can of spray paint, black glaze and a sponge paint brush turned this wicker file cabinet into something useful. Wicker isn’t very popular any more and you will find wicker everything out in garage sales for just a dollar or two. I bought this one at a garage sale for $2 this summer. STEP #1 Spray with Rustoleum Painters Touch spray paint. Pick a color, any color. STEP #2 Dab, wipe or brush on glaze – all over, including the metal bars. I used Wise Owl black glaze using a sponge brush. You can use a regular sponge, brush or even a paper towel. Just use what you have on hand. No need to be particular, just have at it! I took about 30 seconds to brush … Read more

FREE Dresser Gets an Upgrade – Wowzers!

You might remember a while ago when I featured the series, “Keeping Up With the Joneses.” Here are a few of the posts about my DD, April’s, house flip: The Kitchen Before – Gunk everywhere, three layers of ugly linoleum, and the walls…indescribable! Kitchen Demolition – Even the kids got involved in ripping the kitchen apart. Who says reno isn’t fun! Preparing the Walls  – Fixing holes and smoothing out the walls…the polkadots and red paint must go! From Polluted to Pleasing  – Ever walked into a room and felt your health was at risk? The Floors Won’t Dry – High humidity? Bad polyeurethane? Did we apply it too soon or do it wrong? Lose Those Ugly Floors – The stains and gouges make you think there is no hope. But then it all comes together. WOW! There is more to do and more on the blog, but for now, … Read more

Baker’s Rack Becomes a French Beauty

Short and Sweet I’m popping in here to show you a little project I just finished – you can find similar “before” pieces around and about as people often sell these at garage sales and second hand shops. Most people think that if you want to upgrade you must get rid of the old and buy new. Not true. Here is a BEFORE picture of her when she was just plain “Rachel”: “Rachelle” began her life as “Rachel,” an average nondescript baker’s rack. But she was renamed the French beauty, Rachelle after her amazing transformation. I am always in awe when I see the after affects of a little paint and some TLC.   Simple Update – Big Change After updating her with Rustoleum Espresso 2X Painter’s Touch spray paint, a satin clear spray topcoat also by Rustoleum on the metal body and French hand stenciling, with Zar oil based … Read more

China Cabinet turned Buffet {Love My DIY Home}

An Old China Cabinet Gets a Split Personality – with Country Chic Paint

We picked up this china cabinet at an estate sale in town. Everyone wondered why I would buy ANOTHER china cabinet. I already have three. I had plans for this one – but not for china. Nor am I keeping it. As I said last week, nobody collects or wants china anymore. But they do want buffets AND book shelves. Yep, a buffet and book shelf out of one china cabinet. One unwanted, outdated china cabinet into two highly desirable pieces. Because the china cabinet was all wood with dovetailed drawers plus a top of the line name brand piece from the 60’s made by ETHAN ALLEN by BAUMRITTER (a VERY big name back in my mom’s day), I knew right away I wanted it and what I would do with it. Ethan Allen by Baumritter People may not have china, but most could use additional storage for kitchen ware … Read more

Using Java Gel on a Table Top

Java Gel for the top of an antique parlor table that we got at an estate auction.. I heard all the hype about General Finishes (aff link) Java Gel. People kept saying it’s the best thing since sliced bread. I had to try it. And now I’m in love. I fell hard and I fell fast. I’m not the type of DIY’er that jumps in with both feet and throws caution to the wind. I walk around a project sometimes for weeks before I attempt it. I need to know exactly how and what – I don’t want to mess my piece up. I won’t proceed until I’m fairly sure how to do it and do it right. So, to help you with your first attempt at using a new product, this new product, I’ll give you a line by line tutorial that will allow you to jump in where … Read more

Side Table Given New Life – Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company

#Sponsored Post Salvaging the Past We found an antique parlor table at an auction in Stevens Point. It was one of those days that turned out to be very profitable. We got good prices and I fed my furniture flipping addiction. Many things didn’t sell that day, and we watched as the auctioneer helpers tossed dozens of unpurchased items in the dumpster. It was sad to watch. We left with a van full of great furniture for our new FB store The Red Shed. My SIL and DH had the privilege of loading the van while my DD and I stood and watched. Supplies (most are affiliate links for your convenience) Krud Kutter Java Gel Old Fashioned Milk Paint Extra Bond Acriglaze This table needed help. Not only was it old and in need of repair, but it was just plain messed up. I could easily see its potential so … Read more

Love My DIY Home