My sister needed a coffee table and I’ve been promising to re-do this $10 find for her for…a long time. Finally, after extreme procrastination, we set out to up-cycle this bad boy. It didn’t even take that long–why do I put things off so much??

We sanded it, filled in the gouges, primed it, and painted it an antique white. Your basic furniture painting job.

Better already.

But, my sister had a great idea! She loves all things coffee and decided to, literally, make this a coffee table by adding rings to the top (as if they were left there by coffee cups).

She dipped a mug in vanilla (a natural way to stain) and stamped out the rings.

Then, she sprayed the top with a glossy sealant to hold everything in place.

I think this is genius. I love that it personalized a piece of furniture and I think it’s going to be a fabulous conversation piece!

Enjoying the Good Life,

Kendra

Sandee Green bought 2 chairs from Goodwill, sanded them down, and repainted them–and they look great! I’m so glad she shared these with me. I love to see projects that my readers are working on. I’ll let her tell you about it in her own words.

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Chair #1 was originally white, but had several “worn” places on it. Paid $5 for it at Columbia Goodwill. Since it’s painted the same color, not much difference between before and after.

Before:

After:

These pics begin with the “sanded” stage. I wish I had taken true before pics of chair #2. It looked as if someone has used it for a painting “ladder.” It required two full coats with a third touch up. I paid $4 for it at Goodwill in Columbia.

Progress:

After:

Thank you for sharing!

Enjoying the Good Life,

Kendra

In my last Goodwill Hunting post, I talked about looking beyond the initial condition of an item and seeing what you could create. Let’s do it again, my friends. Goodwill shopping and up-cycling is a great way to spend an afternoon and, if you let yourself be inspired, the possibilities seem endless.

I bought these on a recent shopping trip. They are definitely vintage and, because of that, I wouldn’t change anything about them. Surprised? I know. Usually, I am all about paint, but these feel perfect as they are. Can’t you see them in a kitchen? Yum…

Initially, this table makes me want to say “woof”. But, if you painted the bottom a fun color and the top black or gray, it just might pop. You could take a pretty ugly piece of furniture and create a statement piece for your bedroom or living room.

Candlesticks–always a good find. I bought these and I have plans to spruce them up. Pictures to come!

Maybe I’m weird, but I love this. If it were mine, I would paint it a bright color (or maybe a plumby purple) and slap it on my wall.

This mirror was about $10.00, which is a great price. You could prime and paint it and it would be a great addition to your home. This is the type of thing I like to look for at Goodwill. With a large mirror, $10.00 goes a long way. I would put it above a fireplace, dresser, in an entryway, etc.

This made it to the “half off” week. Don’t ask me how. How did no one else love it as much as me? I’m glad they didn’t because I bought it. I have a photo booth film strip of me and my husband that I recently decided to frame. I think I’ll put some scrapbook paper behind the film strip to punch it up a bit and to take up the extra space–2 for 1. Perfect-o!

This can go on the list of “IwishIwouldhaveboughtit”. $6.00. A steal.

There you have it! I hope it gets your wheels turning. Minus the pictures of fruit, I found all of these in one afternoon. I would love to see what you are finding on your shopping trips! Last time I was in Goodwill, a girl with a tray in hand told me that she was painting the inside of the tray with chalkboard paint and hanging it on her wall. Creative! If you have pictures to share, send them my way! I adore shared inspiration.

Enjoying the Good Life,
Kendra

I was browsing through Goodwill the other day and this side table caught my eye. Doesn’t it remind you of the coffee table in my first post?

People were walking all around it and no one seemed to pay it any attention. Am I the only one who thinks this table is fabulous? Obviously, since the above picture is in my backyard, I gladly paid the ten dollars for it (hip hip hooray) and brought it home to live with it’s cousin, the coffee table.

I gave it a little wipe down and then sprayed a coat of primer. Sometimes, I get really excited about a project and forget to wipe it down, which is almost always regrettable. Word to the wise= take the time to dampen a paper towel and dust off your furniture prior to painting.

I decided to paint it white, so I gave it a little spritz with a spray can. You guys know this drill by now. It’s like “lather, wash, repeat.” Speaking of…does anyone really do that? Wash your hair twice? I know that’s a rabbit trail, but you know, my mind does that.

This is the coffee table I had before.

Nothing wrong with it–I actually really like it. But, I think the new one better suits my den.

What do you think? Do you like the new table better? P.S.–don’t judge the stacks of magazines. I have something in mind for them that I plan to show you next week. : )

Enjoying the Good Life,
Kendra

Do you ever see a piece of furniture that just makes your breath catch in your chest? The sight of this coffee table left me as giddy as a 12 year old girl with a crush. I have a weakness for furniture in need of a face lift and this table really only required minimal work. And, at $7.99, who could resist? Hello, beautiful…

I also found this wooden tray with metal corners ($4.99). Trays are the perfect way to organize loose items (keys, glasses, channel changers, etc.) in a chic and simplistic style. More…