We had so much fun seeing everyone’s great finds on August 13th for National Garage Sale Day that we felt inspired to show some more fun ideas. We start off small, with some easy at home DIY’s. However, towards the end they get a little tougher, and we suggest only doing them if you are an experienced DIY-er, or have experience with upholstery, carpentry, or the furniture making process. If that is not you, no need to worry! We have a great local business that we know and love. Riana and Justin at Repinned are absolutely amazing. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Repinned/ or their website www.repinneddesign.com. Now let’s get started!!
This fun clock uses some leftover barn wood and dominos to create a new statement piece. Find what you need at a flea market, a garage sale, or maybe even in your basement. It would be a really sentimental piece if you could find the materials from a place that is meaningful to you, such as a passed loved one’s old home. I would suggest buying a new set of hands and motor though. That way you know if will work once you finish it!
Anyone who has had kids is sure to know the struggle of old toys. I know I personally have a whole tub of them in our basement. They get used every now or then when a little one comes over to visit. However, lets be real. They do not all get used! A great way to keep those child memories alive, but not in the way, is by turning them into a functional piece. Lamps are essential! This lamp would be perfect for either a bedroom or a playroom.
Here is a quick flip that almost anyone could do. Find an old wall clock. Remove the clock portion and give it a fresh new coat of paint. Then have a piece of mirror cut to fit the opening and glue in place. I would not recommend cutting the mirror yourself, unless you have experience with it. I typically buy a cheap mirror from a home goods store and then take it to a local hardware shop to have cut down.
A simple weekend DIY project could be updating the look of you file cabinet. They instantly date a space and give a stuffy office environment. By adding some trim and a fresh coat of paint, the cabinets are more aesthetically pleasing. It takes away that office feeling and replaces it with more of a home like atmosphere, which has more detailing.
Another quick turnaround could be a night stand. You can tell from the image on the left that this one had seen better days. However, it was nothing that a little sanding and paint could not fix! The single drawer was just sanded down and stained to draw more emphasis to it since it is the only one. Final touches were added through hardware in order to complete the look. A clean lined pull and legs that stand at an angle bring the piece into a contemporary style.
This red tufted chair was completed by Repinned. We LOVE how they kept the character of the original chair, while still putting their own touch on the piece. Keeping a smooth surface on the seat and arms allows the buttons on the back and side of the chair to really stand out. Additionally, the red color choice allows the piece to stand on its own. It was perfect for a wedding photoshoot, shown on the bottom right image above. Could also be used in the entry of a home, as a place to sit down and take shoes on and off.
Here is a trending DIY that is all over the web. Many are going out and finding dressers, TV stands, console tables, etc. and giving them new life. Some are smaller projects with just a simples sanding and refinishing, while others can go as far as removing drawers and cross beams to make room for baskets and benches. The one pictured above is somewhere between those two extremes. They sanded down the wood and replaced the door panels with a more modern design. Then a fresh coat of paint and door inserts completed the project.
Another Repinned project, this couch was reupholstered to use in our home stagings. A neutral fabric allows the piece to be incorporated into multiple different design styles, while the studs on the arm give it the character that it was lacking. It is the perfect piece to hold a color palette together. This would be one of those projects though that we recommend finding a local expert. Upholstery is not real forgiving.
Whether a small or large project, DIY’s can be fun and beneficial. They allow you to have the one piece that is completely yours. Make sure to stop by next week to find some great design resources!