Sep 22, 2012

You Know What They Say...

"One man's trash is another man's treasure"  In my case, it's usually true!  I'll take someone else's cast offs and make them in something beautiful I can use.

I've been looking for a small side table or cabinet to put beside my stitching chair. I picked this treasure up at a thrift store for $7.99 (well actually $7.98 cuz there was a penny in one of the drawers, lol). It's the same size as a TV tray, believe it or not.

The BF said, "Most people would burn that." Just look at this cabinet!




I am one of those people who can see something not-so-desirable and visualize what it *could* look like.

First some sanding to remove the old finish. 

 
 


A little more paint... Some wood trim... A bit more wood putty... and viola!

 
 
 
Isn't it beautiful?!?



Linked Up To:
My Repurposed Life
The Ivy Cottage
My Romantic Home

79 comments:

Faith... said...

I love it Meari! It turned out gorgeous and that trim really makes it look great! Congrats :)

Anne Sans Tete said...

WOW Meari, that's amazing! I love it!

- Lisa N. in California

Anonymous said...

I am totally amazed at how lovely it looks. You and my sister are like two peas in a pod with stuff you pick up and transform.
Way cool :)
Marcy

Joy said...

Go Meari!! I love the addition of the trim.

Carolyn NC said...

Yes it is!..great job!

Kaisievic said...

You are a marvel! It looks so great.

Ruth said...

You did a fantastic job. You do havemant talents. Ruthie

Shaunterria said...

That looks amazing Meari! What a beautiful piece of furniture it is now, congratulations :)

--shaunterria--ca11i0pe.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Very nice Meari!!

Brenda

Karen said...

Wow! Great job! This is gorgeous!! :)

Anonymous said...

Beautifully done.

Linda M

angie stitchings n things said...

Awesome Meari I love and so did my DH. Great job!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a find! And it looks great! You are so lucky to be able to think of that. I would have just passed it by.

Melissa J.

Deborah said...

I love it! You did a beautiful job.

Terri said...

I love it!! Great job!!

Melody said...

Wow, Meari!! That turned out absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors and the new trim and hardware are perfect. Great job!

Unknown said...

wow you did a awesome job on it, good choice of colors too.

cucki said...

Wow it is so beautiful..I love it xxx

Anonymous said...

Well done it turned out lovely great job
Lorraine

Kate said...

You've done a great job. The trim is a lovely finishing touch. So, how long will it take for you to fill those drawers with wips and stash?

connie said...

WOW!! Meari you did an amazing job on the cabinet..I am impressed..

Mouse said...

ooooo I likesie ... I am like you, I look at things to see how I could change them etc... but don't have the time any more to do any transformations .... even for small stuff at the moment ...
gorgeous job ... fancy a trip over here heheheh :) love mouse xxxx

Daffycat said...

That's amazing, Meari! Great job!

Patty said...

Beautiful!! You made a silk purse out of a sow's ear!! You're very talented!!

Joyce Clark Frank said...

Great job. Yes, a lot of people would not be able to see what it could be.

Sara said...

It's stunning Meari.... Congratulations... :D

Vickie said...

Good for you! Awesome job.

Kay said...

I so love this! Nice work!!

Sandie said...

What a fab find - you're luckily one of those people who can see past the current condition and imagine the finished article. The trim is the finishing touch! Good Job!

Katie said...

There you go being awesome again. That's amazing.

Anonymous said...

Wow Meari! What a transformation! I love DIY but you really have got it
down to a fine art. Well done!

Hugs,
Ally xx

Shelleen said...

I am amazed and in awe. That's what I needs by my stitching chair.

Sue said...

Girrrrrrrrrrrrl, you never cease to amaze me! Wished you lived closer! LOL.....you could teach me a thing or two.

I have picked up your thrift store buying habits....LOL......

It is just gorgeous! You really do need your own tv show!

Hugs,
Sue

Denise SA said...

Dear Meari you are definitely the makeover queen it's beautiful

Anonymous said...

What a great find and a great job giving it a new lease on life. Well done

Deb
Brisbane Australia

Anne said...

Amazing!!! I love your new vision and so does my husband! You're very much like his cousin who does the same thing with things found for cheap at thrift stores or in the back alleys of Vancouver...you'd be amazed at what people throw out! For the wood trim, how did you split it? Do you have a saw table? Electric sander or good ol' elbow grease?

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful work, it looks gorgeous

Tinna

Unknown said...

Well Meari I hope you have your panties outside your slacks as you truly are superwoman!!! It is absolutely gorgeous, well done and congrats xxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Meari - the little dresser looks terrific!

I know that is a lot of work, because I used to help my mom refinish furniture years ago.

Tara

Anonymous said...

I am sooo impressed with your handiwork! You did a great job. Enjoy it!

Tobie in So. Cal.

Mary said...

Meari,

What a transformation! It is so beautiful. I had a great aunt that was talented like you. She would find things on the side of the road or at the thrift store and totally change it. I just love it.

Anonymous said...

Meari.

Your cabinet turned out quite nice. Wish I had the ability to do things like that.

Diana-Indiana

Anonymous said...

It's fantastic Meari. What a job you've done. I'm so impressed especially as the banister on my stairs is still half done after a year cos I hate sanding it down! Mmmm...any chance you fancy moving to Yorkshire??? LOL!

Hugs Jo x

Julie M said...

You done good Meari! You've got mad skills there girlfriend! When I first saw the piece I was a bit skeptical but I've got to say you pulled it off brilliantly!

Anonymous said...

Meari,

It's beautiful!! Great job!

Berly

SoCal Debbie said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Well Done!!!!

Karen

Anonymous said...

That turned out beautifully, Meari - what a great eye you have for the
potential of an "ugly" item. Brilliant.

Graceann

Sandra said...

Love your trash-to-treasure makeover. You ended up with a neat piece of furniture Meari ;)

Anonymous said...

Meari

You did a beautiful job!!! I have a couple dressers that could use a little work on them. lol

Annette

Unknown said...

That is absolutely fantastic! What a transformation! Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

Morning Meari,

WOW, you've done a lot of work on your side table and it looks beautiful. Congratulations on your winnings ...in the draw. It must have felt like winning the LOTO ...LOL.

XXXX-love,
Lynette(Aus)

Anonymous said...

Turned out lovely!

=)Pam

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful!!! You did a wonderful job refurbishing.
Betty in AZ (ILCS)

Anonymous said...

I think you did a great job on the table.

Marl

Akila said...

Absolutely brilliant Meari, you are so talented!! Love the trim.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome.

Debbie

Unknown said...

You are amazing... Love it.

Anonymous said...

TERRIFIC! I did a similar thing to an old beatup chest of drawers. I wanted to change the pulls, but couldn't find anything that would fit the screw holes on the drawers. It took several days of filling with woof filler and sanding till the holes disappeared and I could fit new pulls. Love what you did to that chest, I also love your blog - it's fun to read - you're a woman of many talents!

Way to go!!!!!

Evonne

Anonymous said...

Super, Meari,
I had a piece almost exactly like that that I used for years--painted it and wallpapered the drawer fronts. Finally it just plain fell apart and I gave it away but for a long time it was one of the most useful pieces of furniture I ever had.

Judith Truly in OH

Anonymous said...

Wow Meari! You sure have a giant talent. Love it.

Alicia S

Unknown said...

Looks terrific Meari, you are one talented lady!

Anonymous said...

A week well spent, well done you've done a beautiful job, I love the colours you've chosen.

Sandra N

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work, Meari!! You are amazing!

Karin in CA

Anonymous said...

Wow! nice job! Never would I have matched up the before and the after pictures as being the same piece of furniture! I love the rope detail!

Lynn

Christina G said...

Super fabulous DIY project! You ROCK!!

Anonymous said...

It turned out beautiful Meari!!! Congrats on the new finish and the extra storage for stitching stuff.

Debi

Anonymous said...

Meari that is amazingly beautiful! Great job!

*Tina B

Pam in IL said...

Your make over looks spectacular. It turned out really well. The trim you added makes such a big impact.

I really like the color scheme you chose too.

Anonymous said...

That turned out really nice - great job.

Carein

Anonymous said...

Wow you did a fantastic job on that. Great Find & Great Finish

Dottie K

Anonymous said...

I agree...fantastic!

Sally

Rachel S-H said...

That looks fantastic! Very nice!

Rachel S-H said...

That looks fantastic! Very nice!

glenda said...

Nice work! I am definitely impressed :)

Anonymous said...

Your cabinet looks wonderful, Meari! I'm always impressed by what you're able to do with found treasures.

Sandy in NM

rosey175 said...

Oooh, I love what you did! I tend to like the stained look myself but sometimes pieces just can't be fixed up that easy! Are those new handles or did you paint the existing ones?

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the gorgeous new "table", Meari! You did a great job on it!

Betty W

Pradeep said...

great job, i love how u made it into an example for others from your pleasure of work. this is my first comment on a blog! i'm new to blogging