This One's for You, Ma!

I recently found another place for finding fabulous furniture that needs a little love. Up here in Minnesota, garage sale season is short. This year was my first year at hunting for furniture to rehab, and by the end of the summer, I had a stack of thrifty finds that was taller than I am *blush*. The hubby was none too happy. However, since the snow started, I've worked through my stash. No garage sales and empty thrift stores had me searching for online auctions. Such deals to be found!

I found this piece on K-Bid...and I actually won it...for $14.24!

Yes, this is a terrible picture and angle, but at least I have a before! Victory!

Anyway, my mom was looking for something for her entry. I love the way this turned out and hope she does too!




There is SUCH a difference in the last 2 pics. The last picture is how the piece looks in person. I was messing around with flash/no flash. Still trying to take better pictures *sigh*

~Allison

Charity Case Before and After

Recently, a friend on Facebook posted that she was looking for donations for a silent auction benefitting a local Kindergarten center. I offered to finish a piece of furniture for the auction, not knowing if it would get any bids at all.

I thought a desk would be a good idea seeing as it was benefitting a school. I scoured Craigslist but didn't find the perfect thing. On a whim one day, I stopped in at my standby Goodwill. There it was. A sweet little student desk and chair.



But that's not the best part....the set was priced at...WAIT FOR IT...$5.99. FIVE NINETY NINE!! Dovetail drawers and sturdy. I ripped the tag off and ran to the register.

I decided to paint it a pastel green and then tone it down with some Early American stain and some distressing. I thought about doing the chair the same green, but didn't want it too matchy. So I painted it white and distressed it. I recovered the seat with some fun, girly fabric and also used it to line the drawers.

Here she is...ready for the auction!






I hope she brings in a little money....or at least a few bids!

~Allison




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Thank You, Maryann!

I have FINALLY finished the wall in our new mudroom!!

Quick backstory: Last May, we tore down the garage and put on an addition of a mudroom/laundry room on the main floor off the new garage. Additionally, we built a large bedroom for the boys above the garage. I am in LOVE with the mudroom. Prior to this, ALL of the boots, shoes, coats, backpacks etc would be piled on the floor next to the door out to the garage. Now, it's all hung and organized in the mudroom. But, we had this bare wall that I wasn't sure what to do with.

I searched high and low for a console table that was small enough and finally found one for $5 at a yard sale. However, it was hot pink and wood colored. No, I'm not kidding. I gave it a make over pronto...using Rustoleum Colonial Red in a spray can. I so miss spray paint season...

The wall above the table sat bare for a very long time. But, thanks to Maryann at Domestically Speaking, I can finally complete it! I won her latest giveaway for a Burlap Beauty! I had a tough time deciding between her Welcome sign and her Laundry sign, but I am so happy I chose the Welcome sign. I flanked it with a pair of wall hangings from Target (a splurge...but they were perfect for the space), and here you have it! The ottoman underneath the table holds mittens and hats.

Close-up of Maryann's work...sorry it's crooked. I actually hung it straight, but can't seem to take a picture straight. But I'm working on better lighting in pictures...is it any better?

I love how it all came together! Thanks, Maryann!

~Allison

A Pictureless post

Gasp!
I know...it's a blogging sin.
BUT.
BUT, BUT, BUT!
I'm so excited I had to share with my peeps that understand.

I got THE dresser today. The one I've been waiting for. Longing for. I don't have an actual picture of it, but it's VERY similar to this one http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/fuo/2148774572.html

And I got mine for TWENTY FIVE dollars! EEEEK!

I truly feel like Santa came. I'm THAT excited.
AND it will be a big furniture reveal week. I'm finishing up a little girl's desk for a silent auction and a buffet/cabinet thing for my mom. You.will.not.believe the prices I got on both items. I am truly addicted to finding a great deal.

Ok, thanks for letting me get all of that out. My husband is looking at me like "why is she so happy?". All I need is a cheap, solid wood item to make me giddy!
~Allison

New side table

I think I love this one!

Here is the starting point:



Good bones, just not updated. But sooo solid with dove tail drawers! *swoon*
$6.99 @ Goodwill!

I wanted to make it look like a sister to this sideboard. So I sanded it down, painted it a creamy white and distressed it. Then I went over the whole thing with Minwax Dark Walnut stain and wiped off the stain immediately. Love. It. Am I the only one who finds that using stain as a glaze is easier to work with than actual glaze?

I wish I had a spot for this at my house!

~Allison