TRANSFORMING A SPACE WITH THRIFT

Last week, I refinished and installed the $30 thrifted buffet over at Vero's place. On facebook, I had posted some pictures during the process and joking called it a monster - but it was! But it also was just what this side of the "L" shaped open living space needed. It was one of the first pieces I had in mind I could find while thrift shopping for this space.

When I had first seen the space, the existing wall mounted TV was calling for a piece underneath it, to help anchor it to the space. Vero also wanted seating in the space. The challenge was to connect the length of the space and the distance between the TV and the sofa, but without blocking its view. The challenge resulted in opting to go with a centered conversation arrangement.



The existing plantation styled dining chairs from the space have since been removed and gone to her moms place. The floor lamp in the corner will be painted white, get a new fun shade, and be used in her little girls room. The small Bombay accent table (to the left) has been placed in the dining space, and the Bombay table on the right, after a change in hardware to nickel, is being used in the hall at the top of the stairs in her townhome.

After some heavy sanding of the top and raised front door panels to remove the paint, I primed the inside of the piece. After priming inside, I spray painted the recess of the door panels with a color called Gold Rush. After it dried, I taped it and began to stain the door front raised panels with Minwax Jacobean wood stain. I let it dry, lightly sanded the panel, and gave it a second coat of stain. I applied the wood stain using a cheap chip brush and a sponge on a stick to go back over stain - and remove the excess.

Hello....

While the stain dried, I used another chip brush and a roller to start painting the inside of the buffet with its first coat of semi-gloss black paint. I painted the piece in my garage so if it rained the piece wouldn't get damaged. I used a floor standing fan to help dry the piece, as well as blow away the fumes.

Using the existing handles as inspiration, I used the Jacobean stain dry-brushed over the gold recess. It helped to blend the bleeding that had occurred under the tape. The basically two-toned finish of the piece worked in the space because the black relates to the black accents - and the rug - within the space and the Jacobean stain finish relates to the also thrifted refinished round coffee table, a refinished thrifted side table and the Pier One pedestal dining table.

Although I had originally planned on using antique white on the panels, it felt like it was going to have been too graphic for the space. I did find the right size hardware to replace the handles with, but it would have made the piece look too Arts & Crafts for the space. Utilizing the existing handles worked for scale and style. Also installed in the space were the window hardware and printed window panels (originally on backorder from JCPenney).

The pattern of the chenille panels relates to the diamond pattern of the chenille dining room chairs - found on line at Target.com - as well as the black ogee patterned Martha Stewart are rug - found online at HomeDepot.com. The swirl patterned dec pillows I found as a pair for only $12 at Ross. The neutral palette in the space allows for this fun mix of patterns.

Some photos were taken before staining the top. To add life to the space, two Spathiphyllum will work under each picture on the left & right wall. Vero didn't want the clutter of books on display, or I would have placed bookcases here for height. This is more open and comfortable. If she stays or sells - it works for both.

She had one piece of beach-like wall art, with subtle enough colors, I was able to incorporate into the space on the right. To balance out its scale, I used a quad of four frames I picked up at Ikea. They will be filled with some of my beach shots I've taken from some of Florida's coasts. The mirrored [Beekman] wall sconces are from ZGallerie. I had spotted them while sourcing online, but they were picked up locally. They add just the right amount of sparkle to this side of the space and will look beautiful in the evening in candle light.

Using thrifted pieces to transform this space not only saved money, I was able to get quality pieces (solid wood construction) and a mix to personalize the space... to give it a "collected over time" look. By refinishing the pieces using two colors - the semi-gloss black and Jacobean wood stain - it helped unite & modernize the collected pieces for a clean and comfortable contemporary look.

Be sure to visit the other post from this transformation for my first client:

CLIENT PROJECT: THRIFTED CHIC REVEAL

Happy Thrifty Thursday!

And don't forget to check-out Artie on the Nate Berkus show,

featuring the Thriftiest Decor in America!

LINKING THIS POST TO:

Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday

Miss Mustard Seed's - Furniture Feature Friday

Artie's Vignette Friday's