TV Table Project
Shopping for a TV stand that I like is near impossible. I don’t want a “TV stand”, I want a piece of furniture that my TV happens to sit on. So, I think a good option is to refinish a low, long dresser or console. I’ve been scanning the local flea markets and secondhand furniture stores because I think that’s where the most interesting pieces are.
One contender, found at Furniture Follies in Chapel Hill, looks very promising but it’s HUGE! I’ve got to go back and take some measurements to see if it’ll fit. I wanted something super long so the TV only takes up one side of it and then I can dress up the other end with books, vases…stuff.
Then I’ll need to decide; keep the finish & clean it up or go color-wild on it!
Field Trip: SOUTH in Chapel Hill
A beautiful new store just opened in Meadowmont Village not too far from downtown Chapel Hill. It’s called “South Unlimited” located at 107 Meadowmont Village Circle.
Perfectly Loaded Table!
What a lovely space! Pretty pricey but I really enjoyed wandering around and getting ideas for dinner place settings, bedding and color combinations. Love, love the fabric on that wingback chair.
Navy Blue, Khaki and White Bedding
They also had a selection of super cute dog beds, collars and dog food containers.
Bella needs a new bed!
Living Room Painted (finally)
After living in my townhome for three and a half years I’ve finally chosen a color. Whew! I think I was paralyzed with fear of committing to a color. This is the longest I’ve ever waited to paint a room and those who know me probably know what a challenge this was.
Dining/Living Room Before Painting
Before Painting
Because it’s such an open room including my entryway, dining room and living room I wanted to find something that was neutral but rich enough to encompass the room. I chose “Mega Greige” from Sherwin Williams in a flat finish. I’m really happy with the results although I feel that if I bring anything else into the space it will need to be a bold graphic print or lighter colors…something to contrast with the darker walls.
Mantle After
After Painting, Wallpaper and Dresser Project
After
This all began with my dresser project for my entryway. Once that was finished and in place the walls just looked too dingy…and it was all downhill from there. But in a good way!
Entryway Dresser After
Nothing’s ever truly done (I hope). Since I really enjoyed repainting the dresser I think my next project will be a long, low piece of furniture for my TV to go on.
Entryway Dresser Project
Secondhand dresser Before
My entryway (if you can call it that) is mostly non-existent. You walk directly into the dining area with no direction of where to drop off your stuff. I have a coat closet at least but no easy place to set my keys or store hats & gloves. An entryway console wasn’t enough storage for me so I decided to get a dresser to refinish. It may be a little tall but the benefits of the added storage was worth it, I thought.
The dresser I found at Bob’s Bargain Barn, a secondhand furniture store located near the State Fairgrounds. For all it’s mustiness I really liked the shape and it had some deco detailing at the base which was neat.
With my trusty palm sander I went to work. First, I sanded the old finish with a 220 grit sandpaper and wiped it down with a damp rag. Primed with Kilz and decided on a dark charcoal grey paint from Benjamin Moore. I knew I wanted a high gloss finish so that’s the paint finish I choose…little did I realize my mistake! It wasn’t until paint coat #2 that I started reading different blogs about painting furniture. Dina from Honey & Fitz says that in order to get the proper adhesion you should use a FLAT paint and a glossy top coat. Well crap…
After about 4 thin coats of paint
Just before starting the polycrylic top coat
I trudged onward anyway with 2 more thin coats of my stupid paint **sanding lightly between coats**. I learned that for a top coat not to use an oil-based polyurethene because it tends to turn amber with age. So I chose a water-based polycrylic and rolled on 2 thin coats (again, sanding between). Then, following Dina’s instructions I chose Rustoleum’s Crystal Clear Gloss Spray on top of that. I went for multiple thin coats of this spray paint to reduce drips & glopping. With about 4 thin coats I went through almost 4 cans of this stuff but it definitely gave me the finish I wanted.
Knobs found at Anthropologie $8
I Want This: Marble Footed Bowl
From Williams Sonoma
I was watching one of my new favorited shows “New Girl” and noticed on the kitchen table they have one of these marble footed bowls. I love the look of it, especially in a very casual mix of other things. On a kitchen table that doubles as a workspace. Or more traditional like in a bathroom for soaps or towels.
This one pictured is from Williams Sonoma and is not cheap at about $250. But I’ll bet I could search around the flea markets and find something similar even if it’s made of some other stone. This’ll be a good challenge.
I’ve always loved the look and feel of marble and if I can’t have the expensive carrera countertops in my bathroom I’ll settle for a splash here & there.
Counter Stools Update (before and after)
Found on Overstock.com
I found these great metal stools on Overstock.com. They were way less expensive than others that I’ve seen online. Great simple lines and pretty sturdy to use in place of a step stool too!
My sister liked mine so much she got some of her own but wanted a specific color. I had mentioned that I’d heard of local auto-body shops painting metal furniture and she called around.
Some places responded “we don’t do that”, but she found one place that said yes and charged her $60 per stool. So for a total of approximately $100 she got a great, punchy custom stool for her kitchen. Great idea!
Metal Stool AFTER
Finding New Life for Old Furniture
In my kitchen I’ve got a small bay window with room for a table and chairs. The pedestal table there is my very first dining table I got years ago from Meijer (for those of you from the north). And the chairs were very cheap chairs that I glued back together time and time again.
When I finally threw out the crappy chairs I needed something to sit on and looked to my back porch. My old patio set had been in storage but when I stuck the chairs in my kitchen I loved the way they looked!
Kitchen with patio chairs & my new valances I sewed!
When you’re putting a room together don’t forget to look everywhere else in your house/garage/attic for items to repurpose…
Field Trips: Raleigh & Greensboro
This past weekend I ventured out to a couple places that I enjoyed. On my way home from visiting my folks I had remembered seeing a billboard for “NC’s largest antique mall”. Well….you can’t NOT go see what that’s about.
It’s located about 10 miles west of the new Tanger Outlets in Mebane and it’s called Grandaddy’s Antique Mall. The building itself looked pretty rough, like it used to be an old Kmart or something. But inside I was pleasantly surprised. It was big with lots of vendors and decent prices from what I could tell. Many antique malls that I’ve been to are like, 4 stories high and can at times be very cramped. This was very spacious and on 1 floor. The majority of spaces there were for smaller items but on 1 side there was a large space just for furniture.
White (not ironstone) Soup Tureen
I found a white soup tureen that I’ve been looking for. It’s not the ironstone that I wanted but I liked the way it looked.
It also looks like downtown Greensboro has many antique stores although I didn’t go there…road trip part 2??
Another cute place I found was Seaboard Station in Raleigh (here’s their facebook page). Anchoring the shopping area was the Logan Trading Post which is also a nursery with a gi-normous selection of trees, plants and flowers.
Other stores include the upscale pet store Phydeaux and Studio 123 which has antiques but it’s also a working studio. They actively work in the store refinishing and painting much of the furniture that they sell.
Studio 123, Raleigh NC
Didn’t buy anything here but I sooooooo wanted to!
Automotive Design for Your Home
I’m increasingly loving the look of metal furniture. Especially when mixed with traditional elements in a room. And many times it’s the least expensive of furniture options.
Found at Openstock.com
I recently purchased a pair of industrial-looking metal stools for my kitchen. They came in a grey finish but I’m considering an interesting idea…taking it to my local automotive painting place to change the color. I could also spray paint them myself but I think the finished look from an auto-body place would be super cool in a bright green or aqua blue or punchy yellow.
I actually thought that would be easy but I’m finding that most auto-body places in my area are not willing to do that. But after about a dozen calls I found one. Most everybody else I called were like “Ummmm, no. We don’t do that”. But, really what’s the big deal? You’d thing they’d be grateful for the business. The last company I called were like, “I don’t see why not”. And when I gave them the dimensions of the stool they said they would do it for $150.
I even think if I called around some more I could get a better price…which I would definitely do.
Friend’s Kitchen Renovation Done!
Take a look at the before pics of my friend’s kitchen renovation . This wasn’t a complete remodel meaning they didn’t change the floorplan at all. They merely wanted to open up the space as well as update everything.
Kitchen AFTER
The wall/counter was basically splitting the room in two making it a tight space to work in. Even though the bottom cabinets didn’t move the removal of the upper cabinets improve the space incredibly.
Pottery Barn Pendant Lighting
The final project in here will be the flooring. Instead of replacing the wood floor they’re going to save money by refinishing the floor in a darker stain to match the rest of the wood floors.
They added one open cabinet for display which was a nice touch. Also these cabinets now extend up to the ceiling for added height and storage.
On the other side of the room they’ve gotten rid of the inefficient closet pantry and replaced it with a serving station and pantry cabinet with adjustable shelves…much better!
Much more efficient use of space
This kitchen was always the hub of the home here but now it’s a peaceful and enjoyable space as well.
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