The Big Reveal "The desk"

Howdy! k, so remember the old desk (from my sneak a peek post) that I got a century ago from a friend, that I was supposed to fix up? Well, I'm just about done with it. If you've forgotten how it looked before, here it is. . . .

It had some cosmetic issues including wonderful crayon art compliments of the kiddos. Also, it was pink. . . .and I do NOT have any girls in my house (besides me), so although pink is one of my faves, it had to go!

And did I mention the leg was not attached?

Aaah, here it is.

Well, after doing some work on it, I pretty much finished the desk except I hadn't put any hardware on it yet.

K, don't be angry with me but. . .I didn't take pics of the process but I will tell you that it was basic and simple. I worked on the drawers and the desk at 2 different times but they both got the same basic treatment.

1. Sand

I sanded the desk.

2. Fix

 I re-attached the broken leg. 

3. Paint

I painted the desk covering each area with several thin coats.

4. Wait

 I waited at least overnight for the desk to dry before I used it.

Here's the already sanded desk on it's side waiting for it's leg to be fixed. I used my mouse sander and because it couldn't get everywhere (like all the intricately carved places), I hand sanded it. As you can see, I did not have to sand all the "pink" off  as long as I passed over it once with sandpaper. I used only a 150 grit sandpaper although because I was trying to strip paint, I could've used a more coarse paper. I decided not to distress the desk (although it would've looked awesome!) because the finish of the desk wouldn't have gone with the finishes of the other furniture in the room I wanted to put it in. Plus I was really lazy and I needed to finish it because I had guests coming.

I also had some helpers. . .

My hubby helped fix the broken leg and my baby helped by entertaining himself while we worked.

I love hot glue! I personally believe that hot glue will fix anything! To fix the desk leg, 1.we hot glued it to the desk so it would stay in place and 2. we attached the leg onto the desk with skinny finishing nails. It was important to use the skinny nails instead of thick nails or screws because it could 've damaged the desk further and made it harder to cover the cosmetic damages.

Here's the paint that I used. It's our leftover housepaint. I would rather use paint I already have then buy new paint unless that paint is in the clearance aisle*;) (I also used this same paint to redo my guest bedroom headboard)

I'll be posting this one up. . .someday!

I covered each area of the desk in several thin layers one after the other. For example, I did the top of the desk, then the left front, then the right front, then the left side, and finally, the right side and then I started again. By the time you get to the top of the desk again, it should already be dry and you can start all over. It seems very time consuming but actually, it went really quickly. Several thin layers of paint is better than 1 or 2 thick layers. The thin layers dry faster and cover better.

 Here's the hardware that I wanted to use on the desk. I got it off an old dresser at my mom's when I went back to Hawaii in March. I would've brought the dresser back to AZ with me (cuz my mom was gonna chuck it anyway) but I couldn't fit it in my bag*;(

whaddya think? I may not even use these because it won't go with the decor of the place I'm thinking 'bout putting it. Oh well, we'll see.

Stay tuned to see where I put my desk. . . .here's a sneak peek!

Brandi-Lee

Tin Tags (made with soda pop cans)

My kids used to fight over who gets to sit where at the kitchen table.  

So...we assigned each kid a specific spot to sit at.

Then the chair fights began
(we have mix matched chairs, some with cushions and some without).
Kids were pushing and pulling chairs to their assigned spot at the table.

It was all too much!

I had "had" it with the kids!

I first started out with file folder label stickers with their names as a temporary solution. 

Then I saw this great idea on a blog.

I saw the idea quite a while ago and went back to look for it but couldn't find it
(I wanted to give them props for their idea:)

It is a knock off of those tags that are commonly seen on framed pictures or awards.

I call it Tin Tags

made from a soda pop can

my cost = $1
soda pop cans = FREE...recycled
nails = $1

Supplies:

• soda pop can
• scissors
• something with a straight edge
• ball point pen
• black paint (acrylic)
• small nails

NOTE:  Please use caution and common sense when doing this craft.

It can be dangerous and it is possible to get hurt.

(click here to read our disclaimer)

1.  Cut the can top and bottom off and cut through the center so it can open up.

 2.  Cut a piece larger than the size that you want (you will be bending the edges).

 3.  Using something with a straight edge

(I used the handle of a butter knife) bend back the edge
(in toward the outside of the can).

DO NOT crease the edges.

If you crease the edges they will break off and create a sharp edge as if you had just cut it.

 4.  Continue to fold each edge. 
You will have to open up the folds as you go along (be careful). 
If you don't folding becomes more difficult.

  5.  Cut off each corner so that the cut line touches the folded corner.

The cut corners help the edges to lay flatter.

 6.  Press all folds down (but do NOT crease).

7.   Using a ball point pen (my favorite is the Bick Crystal!) write using pressure.

Write using multiple strokes if needed to create an indentation.

8.  Using black paint, paint onto the writing and rub it off
(leaving behind a thin layer of paint).

The paint will settle into the indentation.  This helps to bring out the writing.
You may need to repeat the process if you rubbed off too much paint.  I like to do 2 coats.



9.  Nail it!

Here you can see how I nailed it differently.

Using 4 nails helps to hold the corners down (excellent for the kid chairs).

On the adult chairs I used some left over tiny nails I had laying around.

For the kid chairs (I ran out of those little nails I had).  I bought carpet tacks #3 from Home Depot for about $1.00.  They were the closest the the size I wanted.  There are a ton in the box. 

I'll never ever need to buy tiny nails again!

Here are 2 variations on the Tin Tag:

you can slide labels into either one

 

  Plain Pocket

Curved Pocket

Happy labeling!

Mileka:)

Quick & Easy Decorating

Do you have a corner in one of the rooms of your house that needs some TLC to fill the emptiness? Here's an idea that is quick, easy and pretty. The best part? Pretty much everyone has the materials to do this project in their house RIGHT NOW!

Materials: #1  Chair (any old kitchen chair will do)

I scored a few mismatched chairs from a friend that was getting rid of it. Don't you just love the worn look of it? Depending on your decor colors, you might want to paint (with spray paint) and distress (with sandpaper) your chair to go with it.

#2  Throw (or Blanket, curtains, any type of pretty fabric)

Just about any pretty fabric will look good draped over a chair. I got this single drapery panel from Goodwill awhile back for $1 on dollar days. The colors matched my living room and I liked the design and embellishments. I didn't mind at all that it didn't have a mate because I knew that I could do just about anything with the fabric (recovering, framing, making throw pillows, etc). . .especially if the design and colors of the fabric were pretty.

Drape the fabric over the chair and Voila!

You've got a quick and easy way to dress up an empty corner of a room!

Brandi-Lee

How To: Recovering Chairs (with trash bags!)

Trash Bag Chair Cushions

 Here is what you need:

• scissors
• staple gun

• chair cushion
• black trash bag
• plastic table cloth

How To...

Note: you need to remove the cushion from the chair.

There are screws underneath of the chair that need to be removed/loosened.

 1. cut plastic table cloth to size (larger than the cushion with room to wrap)

 2.  Lay the black plastic bag on the clear plastic.

 3.  Put on the cusion upside down.

 4.  Staple the trash back to the bottom of the cushion (there was a wooden bottom) on the 4 straight edges in the center.

 5.  Work your way around the edges.  Sinching and stapling as you go.

 6.  Repeat the steps...this time do the same with the clear plastic.  (Note: you could do the trash bag and the clear plastic at the same time if you want to.  I think that it is easier to do one layer at a time.  I think that you can do a neater job).

 

 7.  Screw the cushion back into the chair from the bottom up.

Chair - FREE

trash bag - FREE

plastic - $4 ($1 per chair)

Happy trash bag wrapping!

Mileka :)

(click here to see the chairs in the kitchen)

Take A Tour: The Kitchen (table & trash bag chairs)

I love my kitchen.  I have a huge island and tons of counter space.

And I love my kitchen table.

When we first moved into our house I insisted that I had a table that fit all of my family.  An 8 seater isn't easy to come by (when you are on a tight budget).  I really like the square shaped ones, but...my dining area is rectangular.  Thus, I had to settle for a rectangular shaped table. 

I went onto Craig's list and found an 8 seater for a great price.  Better yet...it was right down the road.  Literally 2 roads down.  Easy pick up.  What else could I ask for?  Well...I would have loved to have gotten it for free...duh.

It only came with 4 chairs.  I was able to find 4 more...FREE (of course). 

Problem - nothing matched

Solution - spray paint it black

Problem - too lazy to sand

Solution - don't sand

 Yes, I spray painted the table and chairs...

and I DID NOT SAND!!!

How?

1. remove chair cushions
2. Wash and scrub chairs (and table).

3.  Dry

4.  Spray paint ($1walmart brand)

5. Two coats

Once again, I DID NOT sand to prep it.

Cost me about $19 in spray paint.

 2 coats on everything.

(note: depending on the type of wood finish you may need to sand.  Everything had a very light finish and the paint took to it well...so I was able to get away with no sanding.  This isn't always the case.  It is always a good idea to test it out).

I have a plastic table covering on my table.  It helps to protect the table top (because I didn't sand it).  I also love the clear table covering because we slip items underneath (study sheets that we use for home school).

Plastic table covering $6

My Grand total (about) $25


I'd have to say this is the best part. 
Some chairs have cushions and some don't. 
I recovered the cushioned chairs with
black trash bags and the same plastic table covering. 
(click this link to see how I did it)

Mileka:)

Sneak-a-Peek "The desk"

Here's a peek at an upcoming project of mine! THE DESK!

I got this cute little thang from one of my friends. (Thanks Olivia!)  Olivia is one of the friends that I let know early on that I am looking for any type of furniture, wood, etc.

Because she already knows that I am looking for these things, when she is getting rid of or chucking something, she checks with me to see if I would like it. If you want to know how to "acquire things", go to our shopping list page and learn how we get things for as free as can be!

k, back to the desk. The leg was not attached when I got it but it being the treasure that it was, that did not matter at all.

Here's a picture of the leg.

I cannot wait to refinish this desk. I think it'll look great in my guestroom!

So is this desk trash? (my husband would say so) Anyone else would think so. I say it is TREASURE! If you cannot see past her looks, stay tuned to see how I turn this piece of trash into treasure.

Brandi-Lee

How To: Dresser & Lampshade

Here's how I rescued the old dresser and lampshade from my other post "Take a tour: My Livingroom".

Dresser instructions

1. I removed all the drawer pulls and sanded the entire thing.
2. I filled the old "drawer pull holes" with wood filler and made sure the "drawer pull rings" in the wood were sanded away (if they aren't sanded well enough, it'll show when you paint it).
3. I liked the "antique" look of the drawer pulls so I decided to keep those. I figured out where I wanted the pulls and drilled new holes in the drawers. 
4. I painted. No, I didn't prime and paint and seal with all the expensive stuff. . .I spray painted it! I used about 2-3 cans of black spray paint (about 98 cents each @ Walmart) and gave it about 2 good coats.
5. When it was dry, I replaced the drawer pulls, put the drawers in and brought it inside.

The entire project took about 3 hours (including rests in between). I love the look of the finished dresser and I also love that I have tons of hidden storage!

Lampshade Instructions

If you think about it, no one is going to go and look into your lamp shade and say "Hey, this was broken and you fixed it! how ugly!" That just does not happen. So it did not matter how I fixed it up inside, no one would be able to see it anyway! So this is what I did:

1. I bent one of the white wires up so the two wires intersected.
2. Then I used some craft wire that I had to bind it together.
3. Then I added a "ring" using the craft wire. I sat that ring on the top of the lamp's harp
4. I secured the lampshade ring to the harp using the lamp's finial (round, black thing. The part used to secure the lampshade to the lamp).

BAM! Easy as pie! and just as sweet!

Brandi-Lee