Tuesday, July 1, 2008

CCMomma's first FURNITURE REHAB!

Hi Everyone! I'm so excited to be posting my first Furniture Rehab pictures ever! I know a lot of you read Kimba's blog "A Soft Place to Land". I was inspired by her creativity and her ability to turn something unloved and unattractive into something beautiful. Check out her blog if you haven't already, she's great. Lots of great ideas, cute pictures and inspirational thoughts. Thanks Kimba. 

 A couple days ago, I was driving around with my friend Lynn (The French Teacher) and we spotted some furniture on the curb that was obviously being thrown away. Thank Goodness Lynn was driving because she has a mini-van and the trash, I mean treasure, would fit in her car. We pulled over and I discovered two really cute pieces in need of some love. One is a dresser, that you're about to see and the other is a very unique chair that needs a lot more love than the dresser...he'll be making an appearance soon though. 

Here's what the dresser looked like when I first found it, I almost forgot to take the "before" picture so that's why the knobs are off of the first drawer. (Yes, that's the chair teasing you in the background)

And here it is now! I used red spray paint for the chest and chalkboard paint for the drawers. I've always wanted to experiment with chalkboard paint. It seems like you have to use a wet sponge to really get the chalk off but this isn't the kind of thing that I'm going to do a lot of writing on anyway. I guess if it gets really bad, you can just paint another coat of paint on it, right? I really wanted to do something fun for my first project and I wanted to do something that wouldn't upset me if it didn't come out that great. I am going to use this down in my craft room for lots of the odds and ends that I am accumulating. I was pleased to see that 12x12 paper can fit in the drawers so a lot of my scrapbooking paper will be going in there for sure! 

I don't love the knobs, they're a little "fancy" for my taste but I spray painted them this silvery nickel color which cost $2.29 for a whole can of paint, I might invest in real brushed nickel knobs eventually but for now, I'm happy with the way these came out. 

Here's the chest with some words written on the chalkboard areas. The Son contributed too. That is supposed to be his name on the bottom drawer, if you can figure that one out, you're really good.  I think when I finally get my craft area organized, (I've been working on it)  it's going to look really cute. I hope to do that this weekend and post pictures soon. 
Thank you Kimba for your tutorial and all your inspiration. I hope like my first project! I think you may have created a monster! I'm already planning my trips to good will and thinking of pieces I have in the basement of my City House that can be spray painted next... stay tuned for The Chair, he's going to look SO good, I just know it! 

26 comments:

Mary said...

What a great idea. Functional and fun!

Chris said...

Are you kidding me?! This looks so cool! I love it! Of course, now I can't wait to see the chair!!

Kimba said...

Oh my gosh! It looks fantastic! What a great find. I just love snagging somebody else's trash and turning it into something wonderful.

You did such a great job! And you're right, it is addicting. You start thinking about all the things that you already have and what you can do with them.

So what did you use to put on the chalkboard paint? A roller?

Seriously, I love it and I can't wait to see the chair!

Caren said...

Nope, the chalkboard paint was spray paint too. Really easy. I'm already deciding what else I can do with a chalkboard finish. ha ha! I'm so happy that you like it!

Cathy said...

Really cute!! Good work Sis!
When I get in my new house I am going to have to start trash picking also to take up that hobby with you! Looks and sounds like a lot of fun!

morewineplease said...

OMG!!!!!!! I love it, and it would look great in Drama Queens room! Perfect colors? Send to OK.. please???

Karin @ 6ByHisDesign said...

Linked here from Emily's blog...
LOVE your dresser! What a GREAT idea to use the chalkboard paint on the drawers! I LOVE that stuff - I did a quasi-Jon&Kate+8 recycling tub by spray painting the sides of a plastic storage box with chalkboard paint and labeling it: Recycling (clever name, I know.) Oh, I also wrote: DON'T TAKE MY PLASTIC BOX just so they didn't try to recycle my cool spray painted plastic storage box.

Anywho, LOVE your dresser *smile*

Shakirra said...

Love it Caren. You did a great job! The son's writing is coming along.

Marie said...

Someone threw that away?? What great luck in finding that! It looks great and I'm officially jealous. :o)

Infarrantly Creative said...

caren it is awesome. i love it, i love it, i love it. great job on the first project. i love finding furniture in the trash. Wahooo

Running Jen said...

Great job Caren!

Jenn said...

Looks great, Caren!! Now I've got ideas running through my head for crap around here. LOL

Kimba said...

Hey! I am planning to link to your rehab project from my Saturday post if that's OK with you. Hope you're having a great 4th!

Trixi said...

I cant believe this is your first rehab project. It looks great!!!
Blessings,
Trixi

Darlene said...

I just discovered you from Kimba's blog. I LOVE the dresser!! You did a fantastic job. I have wondered about the chalkboard paint...now I think I should just go for it!!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your home!!!!!!!!

Nicole said...

So cute! You did an amazin job. I love your house, it's beautiful.

Finding Normal said...

Super cute!

Anonymous said...

OMG..I would have never thought of chalkboard paint on the drawers! What a great idea! I'll have to do that to my son's chest...I got his out of the trash and redid it as well....

Unknown said...

Very cool! I have a few pieces of furniture in my house waiting to be made fabulous again!

Kristen said...

Great job! I can't wait to see the chair!

Courtney said...

Love love love this!!! can I link to this from my Nesting Instincts e-zine? (goes out via email to my little newsletter subscription list) I will of course give all credit to you for this fab idea!!

Anonymous said...

WOW! you creative genius you!!
WOW WOW WOW! I LOVE the chalk board idea, that is just crazy insane creativity! Love it!! Thank you so much for sharing!

Ali said...

Ah! That is the cutest idea, I LOVE it! Great job, now I am going to be on the lookout for something I can do that to for my DS lol!

Jane said...

Now that is a clever use for chalkboard paint. I can even see each drawer front used as a calendar for the week.

Marie said...

GREAT idea for chalkboard paint! Adorable make-over.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

Cuuuuuute idea!