Vaquero Dorado

A few weeks ago a neighbor told me that their building was having a 'yard sale'. Interesting. What happens after yard sales? People throw out the stuff that didn't sell! Naturally I made a point to walk by their trash area later that day, early enough so that I had the benefit of daylight.
Trash rustling is so much more respectable in the sun... 

You might even come across a dreamboat like this.

Who could resist??? 

Unbroken glass and an intact wooden frame with interesting texture, thank you yard sale.

 The dark red-brown with gold didn't really match my style, but I knew with gold paint it could have a whole new life.

After careful disassembly it was time to get to work. Also I found some matting behind El Vaquero, so the plot thickens, what did this frame hold before?

  I had applied a few coats of Antique Iridescent Gold on the frame when a friend stopped by, and naturally anyone who comes over gets an eyeful of my latest project(s).  She has an upcoming wedding and needed something to hold a WELCOME sign, hmm, gold frame anyone?  Not having any particular plan other than a future of gilded solitude I said, "adieu" to the frame with best wishes for a brighter future.

Hopefully he makes it to the wedding on time!

Happy freestyling.

2-drawer dresser makeover

I found this small scandi-superstore nightstand/ small chest one night while cruising the discard pile.  Often these particleboard-based furniture pieces don't survive the un-gentle process of being discarded, can you see why?

You might not think there was anything salvageable in that sad pile of broken things, but somehow this little buddy had survived intact.

I thought it would be fun to try painting the outside, and if it all went wrong, well, that is sometimes the price of experimentation with paint.

Since there are many many painting tutorials out there, I'll just say that I sanded a tiny bit, and was patient enough to use primer.  Sanding might have been a mistake since this was particleboard. I used this Zinsser Zero because it said they were zero VOCs, and I was pleased that I couldn't detect any bad odors. I did have to stir a lot to get an even consistency of the primer on the brush, in retrospect the application would have been better with a roller.

I did two coats of primer because my brushwork leaves something to be desired.

I knew that this would also be a chance to use this pair of cool matching drawer pulls that I had in my collection. Yes, I collect hardware even if I don't know where it will be used. Sometimes it is the only thing I can rescue because of time/space/transport limitations. Sigh.  These had lost some shine, but I like the shape.  The desire to use these handles miiiiiight have been the impetus for this entire project, who's to say?

I had to drill holes in the drawers for the new handles, this was also an excuse to use a variety of drill bits. I ended up needing the 1/4", which is the largest in my set, and thus a possible message that I might need a wider range of drill bits.

After one coat of Valspar 'Sea Swirl' (applied with a roller) I knew there would need to be a second coat. There were also a few sort of vague bubble-lumps that looked like they had been caused by the top getting wet. Maybe from too much primer?  Not super obvious, but visible in a certain light.  I didn't see anything similar in the drawer fronts or the sides.

After the second coat and the ready to proceed with hardware installation.

Here it is all staged in a corner, not where it will eventually live, but good for the photos.

Love the drawer pulls! They strike me as greek-key inspired.  Perhaps they will get a new shiny metal coating some day.

The total project-specific cost was approx $20, here is the break-down:

Primer, $12 (with plenty left over for future fun)
Paint sample, $5 (approx half a can left)
Drill and bits, already owned
Hardware, $0 ( freecycle salvage)

I had thought about adding some little legs to raise the height, but that would involve adding some wood to make a base. I have scrap wood, so this makeover might just have a sequel. Stay tuned!

Happy freestyling.

Freestyle A Room - 2018 Challenge - Part 2

The room to be furnished as part of this challenge is not exceptionally large, but it is well-proportioned with expansive windows.  Wanting to take advantage of these windows, I've been looking for storage piece (shelving or dresser) that would fit under the windows and not block the tree-filler view.

I had an option of black metal metro-style shelving.  This is such a useful products because it is easy to adjust the shelf height, easy to disassemble and move, and could work with the 'industrial chic' style.  Later I came across some white MDF small shelves, they were small and free so I took them to see if they would work, and they would have been ok too.

However, fortune continues to favor this challenge because I discovered that a neighbor was giving away a 6-drawer dresser in the perfect height.   My first glimpse of it in person was through some chicken wire. Perfect.

As promised by the generous donor it was in good condition, and lightweight enough so that two people could easily move the carcass and drawers separately.  How much more could you ask for? 

So far this challenge has acquired:

- bed frame

- dresser as storage solution

The challenge is still waiting on the perfect finds for:

-desk and chair

-lighting (although I might find some acceptable pieces in my random stockpile of lamps. Seriously, do you need one?)

I haven't even considered artwork as part of this challenge, but if something unique and quirky pops up that would be icing on the caaaaaaake.

Happy freestyling.

Freestyle A Room - 2018 Challenge - Part 1

Years ago, in a different city, in different state, I learned that a friend would be moving to town with no furniture in tow. Thus the 'freestyle a room' self-imposed challenge was born.  It turned out well, the fish picture on canvas still ranks as one of the most awesome freestyle finds to date.

However, my consistency in blogging about the whole 'freestyle challenge' thing was somewhat haphazard, or so it seems across the mists of time.

So when I learned that a new (different) friend would be moving to my city and didn't want to bring much furniture (save for a mattress) with them I thought, "aha! My second chance for freestyling a room!". So here it goes. 

My goal is to find, find and remake, or otherwise acquire (legally!) for free the following items:
-bedframe
-lighting
-storage solutions
-desk and chair

Luckily at the time of writing this I've already found the first item on my list! See how I set myself up for success?

Before I knew about the challenge I found a foldable metal platform bed frame, with attachment pieces included.  These metal platform frames are really convenient because they fold up small enough to fit in the trunk of a regular car, no SUV or truck needed to move them. Also they are lightweight, I can carry each piece with one hand.

When buying new these frames sell for around $100, depending on the size. The only thing this cost me was a cab ride home, some things are a bit too large to fit on a bike.

The bedframe is now in place in it's new home, which in a super-convenient turn of events happens to be a place nearby.  The adventure continues.

Happy freestyling.

Petite Pilea

I found some mugs in a box with some friends recently. Cute little ceramic things with stripes, one was black and white, the other two blue and white.  Soon after I was going through planting supplies and found a perfectly sized inner pot for the mug, seriously, like they were made for each other.  It was a sign, must plant!

Enter the Pilea!

The cutest little plant for the cutest little mug.  Pilea seems like such a happy little plant, I was happy to give this to a friend hosting people for pie and fireworks-viewing on the 4th of July.

Happy freestyling and plant sharing!