Night Stands into a Play Kitchen

Awhile ago, I really wanted to make a play kitchen for my daughter, but then I found one for only $12 at a thrift store and that was the end of it. Did you know you can make one out old nightstands?! 

Beyond adorable! Robyn from The Farmer's Nest is showing us how to make a play kitchen like this.

 Go here for the tutorial.

Hugs,

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Thrifted Nightstand Makeover {With Chalk Paint}

Here's an end table/nightstand gotten at a garage sale. I've used it the way it is for awhile now, and it does have some character and quality. However, I have been trying to unify all of our furniture (which by the way is ALL from thrift stores and garage sales), so I decided to paint it.

I used ASCP and it was my first time. I was a little nervous to try the paint, as it is really 
expensive and I didn't want to mess up.

Since chalk paint doesn't require sanding, I proceeded painting my first coat in Provence.
 The color was gorgeous and the coverage was amazing.

I wanted to try out a Martha Stewart stencil I bough from Michaels last year and chose a trellis looking one. I have to tell you from the start that me and stenciling just don't get along really well. I have tried to be friends in the past, but it's really hard to build a relationship if there is no trust anymore. But, I digress.

I started the stencil with ASCP in old white and absolutelly hated it. The stencil bled, the color was too bright and in general it looked kinda goofy. I took my brush with the Provence 
color on it without adding anymore paint on it, and brushed it on top of the design.

It kinda started to look better, so I decided I'd finish stenciling even if it didn't look perfect. I figured I was going for a distressed look, so with a lot of blue washing and sanding, it would end up nice.

Here it is with a blue wash waiting to dry so I can sand off any excess and distress.

I do all my paint involving projects on the porch and when I went back to sand, here's what I found.

Perfect, just perfect. Luckily it came right off. I sanded and distressed. The paint just turns into dust and I like that you can do as much sanding you want, and it won't get scratched.

I waxed and then waited 48 hours before buffing. I also liked that I could buff it as much as
 I wanted depending on the amount of sheen I was going for.

This will be on my husband's side of the bed and so I will probably put a 
basket underneath for his magazines and such.

 What do you think? Next up is the nightstand/vanity on my side of the bed.

Again, here's a Before and After

If you are inspired to create something based on this tutorial, and would like to see more, please consider following my blog. Just click on one of the icons below:

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Before and After Feature - slip cover your couch

I have an ugly couch. I admit it. We can't buy a new one at this time. Even though I am the queen of buying used, hence the name of my blog, I have a serious phobia (somebody help!!!) of buying any used upholstered items. Why? Because I am scared of bed bugs. It's that simple. If I can't wash it, I won't buy it (Kara J, I hope it's ok I am quoting you here).

So, for my ugly sofa, I bought a slip cover. Total fail. I spent an entire day messing with it and it just didn't work. I gave up...at least for awhile.

 BUT, today I am featuring a friend of mine, who succeeded at using a slip cover for her couch. 

Check out Ahsley's couch

BEFORE

Source: ashley-and-john.blogspot.com via Iuliana on Pinterest

and here it is

AFTER

Source: ashley-and-john.blogspot.com via Iuliana on Pinterest

Really cute and simple way to create a big impact. You can go to her blog to check out more details.

Now if only I can figure out what to do with my couch. How I want to have cute pillows, but I can't, because they will looks silly with my floral ugly couch. Advice is always welcome!

Hugs,

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