14 August 2012

side-table upcycled DIY makeover

Yesterday I revealed a beach-glam bedroom refresh. 


Because the budget was low, I needed to be creative in coming up with furniture options. A side table with storage was a requirement, so I tracked down a fantastic but cheap old chest at a garage sale. My client couldn't believe I could turn this ugly laminate box into something befitting the glamorous guest room she envisioned. Oh, how I love freaking out rookies. 

Here is what we picked up for $3.50. 


Here is what it looks like now. 


I removed the hardware, used wood filler to fix some dents, and lightly sanded down the laminate wood finish. I then spray painted it with two coats of white enviro-friendly Krylon H2O paint (about $10). As I always do, I put 3 coats of water-based high-gloss urethane on top. Then I added shiny new oversized knobs picked up at IKEA for $10. 



Easy-peesy! And she doubted me. Pfft. :) 

21 comments :

  1. AmeliaTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 07:08:00 GMT-4

    That is just gorgeous! I love that you decided to use the oversized knobs - perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gild and GraceTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 07:45:00 GMT-4

    Looks amazing! What a great find :)

    Abbey x

    ReplyDelete
  3. SHERRY HARTTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 09:51:00 GMT-4

    Shut up.
    Genius.
    So wanting those knobs now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. credTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 10:05:00 GMT-4

    Such a great makeover! I love great transformations from an inexpensive, often ugly, piece.

    What brand of voc-free spray paint do you use?

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 10:44:00 GMT-4

    @cred

    Thanks for bringing my attention to this, because I've realized it wasn't a no-VOC paint. It was Krylon H2O Latex, which is 55% more environmentally friendly. (changed this in the post)

    I usually use this if spraying a piece, but more often than not I don't spray and instead use CIL Dulux Natural with a brush. Love this stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 11:01:00 GMT-4

    @SHERRY HART

    LOL- thanks! And thanks for stopping by and for all of your kind comments.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sheila ZellerTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 11:25:00 GMT-4

    Looks amazing... You'd never guess what it once used to be! Great find, even better transformation :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Carol@TheDesignPagesTuesday, 14 August 2012 at 16:27:00 GMT-4

    That is an amazing transformation. I'm loving those knobs. They just make it so glam.

    ReplyDelete
  9. credWednesday, 15 August 2012 at 09:05:00 GMT-4

    @Kelly AndersonThanks, Kelly.

    I really love how spray paint covers furniture but I'd prefer to use something more eco-friendly and health-friendly.
    Good to know that you've had success with Krylon's H2O paint. I haven't had much luck with it on a couple projects- over sisal or cardboard. I haven't tried it on wood since I thought if it doesn't have good coverage over cardboard, it wouldn't do much on wood. Will have to revisit that.
    I've purchased an LVHP spray (to use with compressor) so that I could try spray with VOC-free latex paint. I have read instructions online explaining how to do it- I just haven't been brave enough to give it a go yet.

    ReplyDelete
  10. credWednesday, 15 August 2012 at 09:05:00 GMT-4

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownWednesday, 15 August 2012 at 11:02:00 GMT-4

    @cred

    I have to say I like no-VOC paint better as well, but this worked ok for this project.

    Let me know how the compressor sprayer and paint works- have been dying to try it! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  12. K&B by the SeaWednesday, 15 August 2012 at 15:30:00 GMT-4

    Hahaha! I love your "freaking out rookies" comment :-) You totally transformed that ugly duckling table into a beautiful swan. Love the drawer pulls, they really dress up the table nicely :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Vanessa@decor happyWednesday, 15 August 2012 at 23:13:00 GMT-4

    Wow - amazing Kelly! So thrifty cool!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Linda {Calling it Home}Wednesday, 15 August 2012 at 23:31:00 GMT-4

    The knobs were the perfect touch. Well done, Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My Scandinavian HomeThursday, 16 August 2012 at 03:47:00 GMT-4

    What a great make-over! Love the handles!

    ReplyDelete
  16. TimThursday, 16 August 2012 at 18:26:00 GMT-4

    The hardware and a coat of paint made a huge difference! Great transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Barbara MatsonFriday, 17 August 2012 at 15:07:00 GMT-4

    Way to freak out the rookie! Looks fab!

    ReplyDelete
  18. arrielle_pWednesday, 29 August 2012 at 03:21:00 GMT-4

    Love, love this design and the transformation. Gorgeous work. I am also loving those lampshade! :)

    manila condominiums

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousSunday, 9 September 2012 at 19:25:00 GMT-4

    It looks fantastic! Amazing what a coat of paint and great hardware will do.

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownMonday, 10 September 2012 at 10:29:00 GMT-4

    @Sarah Gunn

    Thanks! I know, I paint just about everything- ha. I picked up those IKEA knobs as a backup, but they turned out to be perfect for the piece.

    Thanks for reading and have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownThursday, 28 November 2013 at 04:20:00 GMT-5

    I have been looking for new knobs like those! I think they play the main role in making the storage chest either pretty or pretty ugly, don't you think? In your case, shiny metals really do the trick! Actually, I also doubted you at first looking at how dull that chest initially looked. But who knew with your magic hands, it could actually transform into a very grand work of art.

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for making my day!

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )