Cutting Board Art and Built in Help Needed!

This piece of wood came off of a table that had a cutting board installed underneath. I'm not sure it was ever used as a cutting board though because it is in really good condition. I used this bench that I did last year as inspiration. Please be totally honest here....I'm not sure what I think of it. You won't hurt my feelings!

So this "art" was just an excuse so I could post my dilemma. We have this closet in our kitchen that I all but gutted yesterday (read: took all of the crap out of it and found new spots for things) and then my mind started spinning with ideas

 I want to do a DIY built in desk/command center. Here's where I need your help...I need inspiration pictures, instructions...whatever you can send my way. What type of surface do I use? Wood? What kind? Brackets or legs? I have about 42" in length and 13" depth to work with. I can paint a piece of furniture, but cannot create something like this on my own. I know my father-in-law will help execute it once I have a plan. Because I cannot live much longer with this as my kitchen island (shield your eyes from the oak cabinets...thy will be dealt with some day):

Any and all thoughts are appreciated!!

~Allison

Painted Pair of End Tables

I recently picked up a trio of tables off of Craigslist. Two are matching and there is a third, round side table and I'm still deciding on a color for that one. Shayne wanted these for her shop (which is closing at the end of February *cry*), so I went with a pretty french gray DIY chalk paint and waxed them with Fiddes Stripped Pine.

No before photo...I took one, but can't find it on my phone.

After:

These will be for sale at Style Minneapolis this weekend!

~Allison

Re-painted Console Table and More

Ya'll, I've got my love of painting back! I was having so much fun last night in the garage...I've recently started listening to Pandora on my phone...on the LL Cool J station. Yep. I'm that girl. And I'm pretty sure my neighbors can see dancing with a paintbrush me from their second floor through the windows in my garage. And I don't even care.

First up, we have this lovely table that was formerly gray with dark wax on the top. It was nice, but the person who bought this from Shayne wanted it in a cream color. If you live in weather where it's been negative temps, I need to recommend liquid sandpaper. It is FAR better than dragging your piece outside to sand when the windchill is -10. Just sayin.

 Before: Looking at this before picture, I realize it didn't capture the true before because they don't look that different. LOL

And I had to add this little gem too. Shayne brought this to me and just wanted one light coat of dry brush. I can't post the final after pic because I don't do upholstry, but I think this chair is SO cool as is!!

I am seriously drooling over this chair. I need help.

Love how both of these turned out! Hope you are all finishing projects and staying warm!

~Allison

Antique Pair of Chairs

I can't tell you how many times I've passed over chairs at a thrift store that have had caning but the caning is in disrepair. I don't know how to re-cane chairs and I doubt I'll ever learn...it's just not in my wheelhouse.

I was brought these chairs and the caning had been ripped out. I thought I'd ask my Father in Law if he could make seats that would work. Of course he could...he's a superhero when it comes to fixing things.

I then painted them in a DIY chalk paint, heavily distressed them and sealed with Antique Brown wax from Fiddes. They are super sturdy and ready for their new home!

The after would be far more dramatic if I'd had a before picture, but I hope they are fun to look at anyway :)

~Allison

Before and After: The desk I couldn't sell

Happy New Year everyone! I am very happy that 2013 is here. Someone in our family has been sick every day except 2 since December 18th. It was a long holiday break. Anyhooo....

There's a VERY small thrift shop about 1 mile from my house. It's so small, that they need to rent a storage unit next door to store furniture. I recently saw on Craigslist that they were getting rid of the storage unit and I picked this desk up for $30.

I thought that was a steal...but once I got it in the garage, I totally lost inspiration. I tried to sell it on Craigslist several times, but no one was interested. Then I posted on Facebook that I needed ideas...and I got a lot of good ones (thank you readers!). Ultimately I needed those ugly pulls to come off, so I took a hammer to them and they popped right off. I also found this inspiration photo on Pinterest. I can't even give credit because it came from a tumbler account. Edited to add that this desk is by Knack Studios

My desk didn't turn out quite that pretty, but considering what she looked like before, I'm pleased!

This finish was achieved using Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray (I think...it was in the mistint bin) and then using denatured alcohol to distress.

~Allison