Bringin' Sexy Back (To The Table).

Okay, so unless you're like me and are über obsessed with chic-ifying your existing furniture using some paint and new hardware, you probably wouldn't use the word "sexy" to describe your newly painted dresser, nightstand or dining room table. But, in my case, sexy is exactly the word that comes to mind when I think of my newly made-over end table. It went from drab to fab in less than a week (I had to squeeze in sanding, priming and three coats of paint between final exams and homework, otherwise it would have just been a few days). Having gone from a sad, washed out shade of walnut brown to a modern, sophisticated and lively shade of chartreuse, the table is now ready for its big reveal.

Feast your eyes on the transformation:

Isn't she a beaut? She makes my heart go pitter-patter every time I look at her. I don't know why I'm referring to the table as "she", but that's irrelevant. See what a little elbow grease and some paint can do for your dated furniture? Who says you can't be thrifty and stylish at the same time? Seriously, who says? I'll track 'em down and whip out these before- and- after shots of my cheap DIY makeover. How cheap? I'm so glad you asked! Here's a little budget breakdown (all items, sans table, were purchased at Lowe's unless otherwise specified):

• 100 grit sandpaper - $3.97
• Valspar Ultra-Premium interior latex paint, semi-gloss (1 qt.)- $13.00
• Bulk pack of paint brushes- $4.00
• Kilz interior oil-based primer (1 qt.), white pigmented- $7.98
• Table-FREE (already owned)

Grand Total= $28.95!


The real icing on the proverbial cake is that these purchased items can be used for many other DIY projects (except paint brushes- when using oil-based primer, you'll want to stock up on those babies if you plan on doing any of your own DIY projects). That means two things: 1) more moolah in the bank (Cha-ching!), and 2) the overall cost actually breaks down to a lot less for this one project, since materials can be used for other DIY stuff! In fact, I've already begun Project Numero Dos! Stay tuned for that makeover!


lotsa love,
elle

Oh, Happy Day!

This afternoon officially marked the beginning of one of my (many) DIY decor projects. I've sanded, dusted, sanded again and primed our old rickety end table in preparation for its fabulous makeover. After it's painted a delicious shade of Granny Smith apple green and I replace the old handle with a new shiny one, it'll look all sleek and spiffered up. Yes, we just bought a house, yes we are both students, and yes, I am the nutcase in the relationship. I realize that I am taking on a lot at once, but I am not a girl who can be idle very long. As the saying goes, "idle hands are the Devil's workshop". Well, I don't know where the Devil's workshop is (maybe downtown next to Home Depot?), but I do know that our tiny one-car garage has become my workshop.

I'm not sure the hubs fully trusts me near our old furniture with a paintbrush in hand yet, but I think I'm wearin' him down because he took me to Lowe's so we could buy the supplies I needed! I understand his hesitation, because I get the crazy-lady gleam in my eye when I talk about home decor and renovating. But, I do have a new nest to beautify after all, while still keeping the whole budget thing in mind (read: new house=NO money left). So, while Brandon is at his 9-5, I have full access and free reign of the house to hunt down an old piece of furniture that we already own then have my way with it. I often refer to this as "Project Elle-ification". Yup, I'm holding my pinky to my lips and doing my best impression of Dr. Evil as we speak-well, to be fair, as I type. Mmwahhahhaa.