Workstation turned Buffet

After watching so many talented and creative bloggers out there in blogland, I finally got up my nerve to tackle a "painted furniture" project.

I had a need for more storage and looked everywhere for an old buffet. I search thrift stores, eBay, Craigslist...but I wasn't having any luck. Being on a very tight budget, I knew that whatever I found would probably need a lot of work.

It seems I was just hitting one brick wall after another.

Then one afternoon,

I thought about a cabinet I've had in my garage{for over 15 years.}

It belonged to my grandfather as his workstation. He was a minister and tinkered with clocks and watches as a hobby.

When he moved, we took it to our home and my husband used it for his workstation.

{As you can tell, he has a few projects himself!}

It was sturdy, in fairly good shape and had tons of storage. So I grabbed my tape measure and found a spot in my den. Kinda an unconventional place to put it but I had a wall grouping that wasn't working.

So I thought, why not?

After a few more measurements, I moved it out and clear it off.

It was definitely going to need some work.

I loved the label plates but not the formica top.

This was the look I was going for:

Love this island...the colors, the stained top.

Ok, I was ready.

First step...

...taking off the aluminum trim.

Then priming and sanding,

painting and sanding.

While things were drying, I started making labels for each drawer. Searching on Windows Word, I found a font that I liked and printed the numbers I needed. Because the paper was thin, I ModPodged the papers to an old folder to add weight and thickness. Applying several coats on top would also protect the numbers as the drawers were being used.

From the inspiration piece, I knew I wanted a stained top. We purchased a piece of birch plywood, stain grade. It was the the most expensive part of the project, about $42.

My husband cut the top, mitered the edges, and sanded everything down with steel wool. Next, he applied several coats of stain, with a light sanding of 220 grit sandpaper between each coat. I knew that I would be decorating the top or actually using it for a buffet, so 3 coats of Poly were applied as the final step.

After bringing the new project into the house and attaching the top, I lined the drawers...

...and put the label plates back on their original spot. I added the numbers and everything was set.

I love this piece, not only for the storage, but because it has a story...a family story.

Thanks so very much for visiting...enjoy your day!

I'm linking with Susan for her Metamorphosis Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Be sure to drop by for loads of amazing transformations!

Where do you stash your stuff?

As you accumulate treasures, either given or purchased, where do you put it all?

One theory is to space things out...another is to put all "like" things together. I go back and forth on these options, but at this point, I like similar things groups together.

Case in point...my Mother has had the "redecorating bug" and has moved some of her things around. Here is her "new" little corner:

She's placed all her souvenir spoons together as well as her silver pieces. There are little lights inside the cabinet to help bring out all the shine. This cabinet is in her kitchen. It's now easy for her to pick out which pieces she needs for meals or gatherings.

In her dining room, she's placed a lot of her crystal together in her china hutch.

She placed mirrors on the back of hutch and put twinkle lights on each shelf.

She's the original do.it.yourselfer in our family.

Man~O~man, do her things sparkle!

Her next project was to take this Salvation Army find from this...

to this!

And, guess what she's going to use it for?

More storage! See that little house inside? She's going to put part of her Dept. 56 houses inside. I think it will be quite a display!

Do you group similar things or spread your collections around? Just curious.

Tropical Seashell Table

I'm linking to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. Be sure to drop by for amazing tables and a lot of inspiration!

The table for today is all about shells...they are one of nature's wonders. With all their shapes, sizes, and colors they're fun to collect.

Let's get started!

I couldn't decide which glasses I perferred, so I took shots of both.

Here the vintage peach glasses were used. {They were a gift from my mother.}

I wanted to pick up the color of the coral behind the capiz plate...

This time, the clear glasses were used. They were thrift store finds.

The seashell bottles and starfish tassel are homemade. You can find the tutorials here and here. The little pitcher was my grandmothers.

The dishes were purchased from Bed Bath and Beyond, the pattern is Westerly Basket. With their coupon, this set was a great buy!

The napkin rings were found at an antique shoppe and the champagne ice bucket was a thrift store find. The candle sticks were also homemade, you can find the tutorial here.

The flatware is a mixture...pieces picked up here and there.

I love the worn patina on them...wonder what stories they could tell?

The sugar and creamer are vintage. They are a little chippy but that just adds to their character.

I love them!

Thanks so much for visiting...enjoy your day!

One more set...

I don't need any more dishes.

But...

 I was at my favorite consignment shoppe

and...

in the "back"...

 in the "final markdown" section...

I found a pretty little set.

AND...

everything in this section was...

 50% off!

I couldn't resist!

They were $20...so... that was about $1 per piece.

There were only 4 place settings,

but I'm ok with that...

They are Imperial China by W. Dalton, pattern Seville.

It was the scrolly rim that caught my attention.

The blues and browns are just the softest shades.

I didn't really need these, but I sure do love them!

I'm linking to the following parties:

Linda over at Coastal Charm for her Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

Martha and Terri over at Martha's Favorites for her Tea Cup Tuesday.

Thanks for visiting, enjoy your day!

I Finally Tried It!

For months now,

I have been watching all you talented bloggers as you refinish project after project.

At first I thought, "...there is no way I could do that."

Then after seeing more and more amazing transformations

and

all the tutorials,

my confidence was building.

So, my story begins.

I was out thrifting and ran across this guy.

I thought it had great possibilities and would be a good "starter" project.

I took off the little wooden knobs and couldn't wait to start painting that grillwork!

And those pears...cute, but not in my new plan.

I sanded, primed, sanded again,

had to prime again,

sanded again and finally painted.

I loved the fresh new change

but

wanted to try glazing.

It wasn't too difficult

and

I liked the finished product.

I added a wooden piece on the top section {to replace those pears!}

This wasn't so bad!

So...

I think...

I'm going to tackle a "real" project.

My grandfather's workshop, turned husband's storage...

soon to be...

 my storage buffet!

Can't wait!

Thanks to all you wonderful blogging friends out there in blogland for all the inspiration and tutorials.

You are the best!

Stay tuned for part 2!

I'm linking to Susan's Metamorphosis Monday over at her blog, Between Naps on the Porch.

Be sure to stop by for loads of inspiration!

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

image: http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/