SunflowerHugs: May 2014

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Mustard Yellow Hutch

I have only painted this desk in mustard yellow in the past. It is one of my most popular posts, so I wanted to use the color again someday.

I thought it would be perfect for this hutch I got at a flea market for $4! I got it just as it started to rain and the flea market closed down.

I painted it with two coats of mustard yellow milk paint from The Old Fashioned Milk Co. It is their Safe Paint that is actually meant for walls so you do not have to add a bonding agent or worry about chipping.

I sanded the paint to smooth it and distressed it as well. I also changed the door knobs to ceramic ones, but left the drawer pulls.

The top was a little beat up, but I stripped it anyway and stained it with AS dark wax. It looks so soft with the yellow.

This milk paint is wonderful to work with. It already has so much depth in the paint, but when you distress you get even more. It also sticks to metal so I was able to paint right over the hinges.

Featured by:
Elizabeth & Co.

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Sunday, May 11, 2014

Scratched Curbside Table Makeover

This was one of the tables on the side of the road with a few other pieces.

The top looked as if had been spending time with some kind of animal.

I sanded off the old finish as far as I could go. Although you could still see a faint hint of the deepest scratches.

If something like that happens, I have learned that if I stain with Minwax Dark Walnut, the stain settles into those spots and highlights them. So instead I stain with either dark wax or for a lighter color, coconut oil (which is what I did).

You are able to give some color to the wood and it doesn't highlight the imperfections.

I painted the table with two coats of homemade chalk paint in a black color. The black is not pure black and once sanded looks like a dark grey.

I changed the hardware to that French provincial handle. It was the perfect size, but very dirty. I soaked it in ammonia to clean it.

I finished up by distressing the paint with a sanding sponge and sealing it with Minwax Finishing Paste.

Featured by:

DIY Vintage Chic

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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Secondhand Scores #29

When I was a kid my parents went to garage sales all the time. I admit I was totally embarrassed by it. I never really bothered going regularly until after I had my son. I realized I could get clothes and toys and things for him for pennies on the dollar and that is when my love for secondhand was born.

Garage sales are my favorite but I also go to flea markets, thrift stores and auctions. I am always on the hunt for furniture to paint, stuff for myself, my house, my kids and unique items that I could put to future use. I love the thrill of finding something that was once very expensive for as little money as possible.

In this series, I will share my scores to show you how much you could get for your hard earned money. Some days I hit jackpots, some days I get nothing, but I always have fun.

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I got to six sales this weekend. That is a perfect amount that it doesn't take too long to go to them and I got a bunch of stuff I am very happy with.

Four plastic shelf organizer $2.50
Another wood cutting board $1
Pier One butterfly spatula $.75
Large gold frame artwork $3

The frame is actually plastic!

Two bags of small light bulbs $1.00 total
Two ziplock containers $.10
Wood flag $.50
Handprint craft $1

There is usually a free pile at most garage sales, but I couldn't believe the dresser in the photo above was in it! It is a mix between wood and pressboard. It's in good structural condition, just very scratched and old looking.

On the way home I found the coffee table with broken leg and large wood tray (that has a World Market price tag of $49.99 on the back) in someone's garbage.

And last up is another free dresser that my husband found on the side of the road later in the day! That makes two free dressers in one day--cannot even believe it happened!

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