Coffee Table- Turning NEW into VINTAGE

Changing my coffee table, making the new look vintage!

As you can see my coffee table didn't match my den.  There weren't any other light wood colors in the room.  This coffee table was a hand-me-down therefore it was FREE (my favorite price). 

I wanted to try something different and funky.  I started with sanding the top of the table with a palm sander, it was quick and easy.  The legs were going to be the hard part...

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with the legs so I left them for the timing being.  Once the table top was completely sanded down I stenciled the top using 4 different paint colors.  I used small sponge brushes and regular craft paint.  

Believe it or not, the stenciling was easy and it went by fast.  

SIDE NOTE: If you try to stencil and don't like it, you can start over by sanding the table down again.  

Next I wanted to stain the table top.  I had no clue how it would turn out but I was thrilled with the outcome!

I used a dark wood stain to match my side tables in the den.  I used a kitchen rag to apply the stain, remember to wear gloves!  I applied 3 coats of stain.  

SIDE NOTE: Depending on the stain color you may choose to do more or less coats.  This is for you to decide how dark or light you choose to make the stain color.  More coats = darker color

 (I just got out of the shower, looking sexy with my wet hair...)

In between coats make sure sand down the DRY stain with a steel wool pad.  

Be patient, this process takes a few days, or 4 days...

Finally I had an idea for the table legs.  I wanted to "antique" the bottom half of the table. 

I had to sand the legs down by hand because they are curved and a palm sander would not get into all the spaces.  This was a lengthy process but lucky for me I didn't have to sand the legs down completely because I was only painting them not staining them.  

SIDE NOTE: Look at the returned paint at the hardware store for discounted paint.  You might find the  color you want.

I found my paint at Lowes in the returned paint section.  I wanted a creamy-white and I found it for $1.50

I found an antiquing gloss cover that I would use... for the first time ever! I always get nervous trying a new product for fear that I will ruin everything.  I followed the directions on the bottle.

After sanding down the legs (enough so that the paint would stick and not peal) I coated the legs with 2 coats of paint.  

Once the legs were dry I had to sand down areas of the legs to begin the "antiquing look".  To apply the gloss I used a kitchen rag. I had a handy wet towel to use for wiping off excess gloss.  The gloss was easy to work with and it was easy to apply. 

(Painted without sanding or gloss) 

(Sanded and glossed)

After I completed the look I wanted I applied 2 coats of polyurethane

(gloss finish for the top of the table and satin finish for the legs)

Finally! Complete and it matches!!

Refurbished Furniture

I really wished I would have taken a before picture, before I started.  

This was my first attempt at refurbishing furniture.  I was very happy with the way it turned out.  I hope  this helps with any refurbishing projects you might have.  

I had this TV stand that was a hand-me-down.  It's made from a type particle board and it was too short for my liking.  I've searched for a new piece but I couldn't find anything I liked for under $400.  I figured I would go ahead and try my best to bring this TV stand to life and give it a makeover.  

Here I go...

This is the stand when I took the doors and legs off.  It's on it's back and ready for sanding.  

Sanding was easy because the furniture was particle board and it sanded quickly!  I used my palm sander for most of the sanded areas.  

Here are the legs that I took off of the TV stand and the new legs I was putting on.  

Big difference in height. 

The original legs were attached with small particle board squares.  These were not strong enough to attach the new legs so I had to cut new wooden blocks.  

I actually had some leftover paint from another project that I used.  

I painted two coats.

 Notice- I didn't sand the inside of the cabinets.  I figured the inside would be stacked with DVDs and the doors would hide the difference.  It saved time and sanding.  

After painting and drying I added a polyurethane clear satin spray.  After that dried I sanded with a light grain steel wool and sprayed another layer of polyurethane.  

I used the original hardware.

Materials and price:

paint (already had- free)

new legs (4 x $11)

polyurethane ($8)

steel wool (already had- free)

Project completed at the total cost of $52

I was very happy with my results! 

Living wreath

Supplies:

Metal wreath ring

durable wire

flower pots of all sizes

soil

small plants

moss

glue gun

Use the wire to attach the pots in all different directions. 

 Once you have all the pots attached and secure, plant the small plants into the pots that are facing up or sideways. 

**For the small pots that are too tiny for a plant, hot glue the fake moss inside.  

Printing on book pages

I took this idea from etsy.com.  There are all kinds of pictures printed onto old maps, newspapers, & book pages.  I figured before I purchased one of my own I'd try and make it myself.

I have an old Florida book that I picked up for free.  I decided I could sacrifice some pages since I doubt that I would ever find the time to sit down and brush up on my Florida history.

I gently took the pages out from a part of the book with no pictures or titles.  

I found the images online just from a google search.  I looked for pictures that I could download for free and didn't have any sort of watermark on them.  Here are the pictures I used and some others that I almost used.

I found some frames on clearance at Target.  So far my project is under $5, can't beat that!

Project complete, and under $5!

Simple Framed Message

Here is a creative gift idea that is simple and inexpensive. 

Materials:

Picture frame

Small momentos (pictures, sports/concert tickets)

Sharpie marker

burlap (or other material)

I found an old frame that I spray painted white.

 I had to clean the glass because it was so dirty!

I cut the burlap out to fit the back of the frame.  

I found some small pictures to add to one side and slightly taped them together.  

Put everything (pictures, burlap, back of frame) together and then wrote my message.  If you mess up (like I did the first time) QUICKLY use a glass cleaner and it comes right off, no problem.  

Here you go!  A nice gift!