What If... Dreaming about this table...

What if I had more time on my hands? Ha! That's a good one. I have always loved the idea of taking old, beat up furniture and making it special again.

Today I am dreaming about taking this $95 dining disaster...


.... and turning into a treasure!

Imagine... painting the table and chairs a crisp white, or maybe a fun blue or brown. You won't have to fret too much about ruining it because pretty much anything would be an improvement.

Next, whip out the super nail gun you got for Christmas and add new fabric for the chairs.

How about one of these...

All fabrics found at Micheal Miller Fabrics

That dining set would be a conversation piece for sure. Do you see it?

And I could save the world, one dilapidated piece of furniture at a time. Oh the things I could do with that spare time....

No Sew: It's Secretary Time

Eddie Ross

And by secretary, I mean furniture.

A few months back I saw this secretary redo and fell in love! It looked so classy and so unique. I am not immersed in the design world and I really have no idea who Eddie Ross is, but apparently he can do amazing secretary makeovers! I was very impressed with the detail and the fun mirrors on the front. You can read about the process more over at Eddie's website HERE.

Check out this before picture!

Eddie Ross

I tucked that fabulous makeover into the back of my over-filled brain and went about my life.

Then one day I was browsing our local classified when I came across this beauty. I practically jumped to phone, called the owner, promised to be down the next morning, and went about dreaming up my own secretary makeover. I think the conversation went like this:

Me: I LOVE that secretary. I want it. I'll be there tomorrow.
Him: It has some problems. One of the feet won't stay on and one of the doors hinges has rotted out.
Me: Well, I'll see you tomorrow.



I took my 4 kids, drove an hour and a half (my dad met me and helped me load it up. I have the BEST parents ever!), and I literally giggled all the way home. $45.00!!! I was thrilled.

I sanded, primed, painted, glued, clamped, and painted some more and Voila! my own little secretary! Of course being the fabric addict that I am, I had to find a way to add some pattern somehow.

The best part... I cut foam board to the size of the 3 backs and covered them with that green fabric you see. So, any time I want, I can buy a new yard of fabric and change the entire look of my secretary. It always amazes me to see what a bit of fabric can do.

Here's the cost breakdown:

Secretary: $45
Paint/Primer: $15
Hardware: $15
Fabric: $8

TOTAL: $83 (and some elbow grease).

Have you ever scored a great find and made it over into a treasure? I'd love to hear about it!!

PS. Linking up to some fun parties!