While my aunts been here... I've managed to do a bit of shopping. Well, really window shopping.
This little store we found in Battle Creek, Mi. You wouldn't believe the jems he had sitting around. They were over priced for what I'm used to paying or like to pay, but hey! he's in it for the bottom line. I'm in it to create and feed my addiction to re-purposing.
This dresser was priced above $600. *moving on*
Hutch $1500
Crosby radio sporting missing knobs, missing back, water damaged covered by the junk on top $150
None working Radio with missing backing $350
Broken lunch box with replaced handled $10 the painted one on the back $25
Look at the sea of vintage furniture. Gosh I sure hope this place doesn't catch on fire or flood because although he is over priced... some of his pieces are beautiful.
I picked this up on my first IKEA trip of the summer which really took place this Spring.
Vanvik Queen Bed $400
It is just as beautiful as it appears. It's so crisp and clean... Yummy! and I only paid $150 for it. YAY for me =D
My IKEA plan of attack always begins in the clearance section. Cause really what's the point of walking thru the whole store when what I'm looking for might be right there? So, I went in. Saw it. Claimed it. It's mine.
Clearance $150
Now, putting it together was an entirely different story. That was quite the challenge. The thin metal sticks that are suppose to keep the bed square are just jank. Really!
Those? how can they hold an adult body!
So, I built it, prayed and went to bed. The next morning I was at Loews getting some wood planks to use. Thank god they cut them for us cause really how would I have managed w/ out a cutter? So, it's all good and pretty now PLUS I found two of the HENRIKSDAL chairs originally at $89 for $25 each. I couldn't believe my luck that day! that was $64 savings on each chair =D
HENRIKSDAL $89
This chair rests neatly in a corner in my room. I gotta be honest; it holds my briefcase and junk like that so, I should probably be more diligent on the tidiness of my room. Blah blah blah...
Tan and white Master
Check it out!
I love how it's turned out... It's so serene and soothing!
I really loved THIS coffee table. Back to what I was telling you about that ginormous coffee table... I measured the darn thing and it's 5ft x 2 1/2 ft. HUGE!! I grabbed it for it's simple lines and I thought would be great for adding baskets and for the boys to do homework on, play and draw but it was just too big.
Oh well! I turned it into a profit =D
Listed it on CL for $60 but after she walked thru my house for it she offered me $80 for painting it white and adding glass knobs. Jeez! I felt like I up sold it in 5 mins. Remember I paid $1-2 for it at GW.. Not bad!
I have to say I'm very cautious over the whole CL thing and them coming over to my house so, I always try to be as careful as possible. I know it's not a guarantee but I try and try harder to protect myself. So, I start off w/ emails then phone calls so I can bing.com their address when I get their name off the caller ID. If it's a woman and I've had several conversations w/ her, I'm okay w/ them coming over to "look at it" or "pick it up".
This lady turned out to be a total doll! and her baby was the cutest ever. I lucked out she wasn't a murdered =D
And this is what I did w/ it and sold at $80 (she still thought she was getting a deal and was happy)
Do you sell on CL? Do you tend to up sale? Do they ever email you asking if you have other pieces to sell? What is your total profit on what you sell on CL?
Next time I'll have a couple of painting tips that will save you quite a bit in 2011.
~Rosanna
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Oh boy! am I glad the holidays are over!! I thought it would end... lol
I have resolved to start the year off w/ a different financial plan and that has taken over a lot of my time. Not to mention family and friends over the holidays... now we are back to "normal" or as normal as we can be.
The plan this year is to increase savings and plan a couple of trips for this summer w/ the boys. I've been consumed w/ making this happen so, I've spent a lot of time on CL selling a lot of the extra goodies I've collected over the years thru GW and CL.
Unexpectedly I've even agreed to painting some of the pieces for the buyers... so normally what I did as a hobby or a means to save a piece and money has somehow turned into extra income. Has this happen to any of you?
This is the coffee table that started it all
I'm painting it white and she requested lightly distressed... Sshhhh I'm not an expert distressed. But I told her that I will attempt to do my best. She also wanted the glass knobs that I have so, I charged her an extra $10 for them. In the end I guess this will help w/ this summers family trip.
Well, I best get back to painting.
But I will be sure to share the final results and what she thought of her coffee table.
This area has been a pain on my butt... I just haven't been able to get it together AGH!!
This summer this is how it all started. I picked it up at a Garage Sale . It was in nice cosmetic condition but the darn thing was not strong enough to endure being in a house w/ my 2 boys and I. Let's be honest, you know when a 5 yr. old says "mommy, can I play on Nick Jr.com that means that there will be leaning on the desk, bumping and who knows what else...But I saw it's potential and snagged it up anyways =)
It sat in the garage for a couple of months until I finally was motivated enough to start putting it back together. Something a little E6000 helped with.
After a couple of days of being glued and clamped it together I brought it in the house.
I was still not happy w/ anything about this area at all. It just spells CLUTTER. So, I tried to make it better
I think I might of slightly successed. I lub clocks. The tick tock is zen to my ears =) candles, vase to complete the area? I still didn't think so and had to make another final change (at least till after the holidays).
I painted the desk black to match the vintage dresser re-do and added the same glass knobs to keep it all cohesive and to save on unnecesary costs of buying more knobs... 'Tis the season for Christmas gifts not new dresser knobs, I keep telling myself =)
So, what do you think? any suggestions or tips?
~Rosanna
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Show me some love and follow me, I'd love to have you along for the journey =)
Despite the Michigan cold I've only worked 3 days on and off on this dresser and I wanted to give you a sneak peek *smirk*
I washed it w/ TSP, sanded it, applied wood filler in some areas, but not all because I wanted a bit of that dinged up look (not distressed). I sanded it some more and skipped the priming. When I use Rustoleum I've found that I can skip the priming process or perhaps I'm just far to eager to get it done =)
It's a little large and I'm not sure if she'll stay where I've place her, but for now I'm absolutely in lub w/ this dresser turned buffet turned storage for all the "stuff" around my house =)
The clock is another GW find for .30 cents. It fits along w/ my clock craze. The lamp is the one I had in the dining room that I removed and moved on the dresser dresser turned buffet turned storage for all the "stuff" LOL
What do you think of the knobs? I'm leaning towards the round glass knobs that I used in the living room, see it HERE. They are Belwith Glass knobs, they feel so great on your fingertips and it's perfect for those teeny hands too.
It's simple, modern and sophisticated all at the same time and this is what it looks like on the piece... or I could go w/ a more traditional glass knob. It's a bit small for such a big piece don't you think?
So, what do you think so far? Ready for the reveal in a couple of days? I can't wait to hear what suggestions you'll have for me. You blogg-ettes have given me so much support in updating my space on a shoe string budget.
PS: don't you worry! I've already sanded out the drips =)
~Rosanna
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Show me some love and follow me, I'd love to have you along for the journey =)
I wanted a faint splash of color to the living room since I think it was rather "clean". What an oxymoron, eh? But here is the thing... I'm tired of buying and replacing things so, I thought I would do some rearranging.
I brought in the rug from the dinning room and planted it in the living room. Think it works? Tan rug, black pillows and zero window cover. Sorry for the grainy pics.
Now in the living room! thoughts? =)
I went a bit cray cray and spent $2.00 on 1.25 yards of this sea foam BLUE fabric that I scored at Fields Fabrics and made some pillows. I wanted them to be plain no dangling things, feather, shimmer or anything too pretty. Just Plain so that it bounces off the lamp and Pier 1 rug.
Oh, wait did I show off my GW find this weekend? I got it for $1.00 YAY!! A'int she a fabush little thing? =)
She seems BLUE-r then she really is. She is in fact a greenish BLUE I call it a SEA FOAM BLUE (whatever that means).
But I wasn't quiet satisfied. My window is a bit high, but if you're out side you might still catch the tops of our heads as we walk in an out of the living room or as my guests sit on the couch so, I added a little somethin' somethin'
Some temporary shades I got at The Home Depot for $1.90 each. So, I put them all in the living room since I read some wheres that they can energy saving during the summer and winter. Hey, at this point it's cheaper then buying cellular blinds.
How do you think they look? I like them a bit since I want to keep it light and I think the white keeps in that theme.
In the end, I put the tan rug under the table in the dining room and I truly like the way it looks there. Since that space is so teeny, it opens it up, I think.(See the wreath? I have Christmas on the brain lol)
Keep your fingers crossed for me so I can score some flooring on BLACK Friday because we really need a change in there the kitchen. I hear Lowe's will have some incredible sales so, hear I come Lowe's! =)
~Rosanna
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Show me some love and follow me, I'd love to have you along for the journey =)
I couldn't wait 'til to share this w/ everyone... and I'm hoping that you'll be up to handing me a little help figuring this one out.
Here goes!
I found this BEAUTIFUL piece at the local GW and I melted. I had this feeling mid last week that I was going to score and find a great wonderful piece that I could work on and concentrate on and would you believe that as soon as I walked in the store I saw this and grabbed it. But it required a bit of fight since there was another man that wanted her. But I WIN!! LMBO
Here's the history. This is an Estey Standard Furniture Co. from Owosso, MI dresser. The mirror is missing and it's pretty dinged up but OH man, she is a beaute!
Take a look, what do you think? what shall I do w/ her? I need help from my blog-ettes =)
BTW, I paid $3 for her!
Thank you for visiting!! =)
and don't forget to follow me I'd love to have you along for the journey
I did like my mustard walls, but as you all know I've been craving and wanting a more calm, clean and open environment and my head is swimming w/ idears which makes it hard to concentrate on one style, color, furniture placement and such... and on those days I say "God, please bless me with a bigger house in the next few years." LOL But then I will love my little house. It's so full of love, strength, memories and stories. I can see my self there when I'm old and my grand kids come over to visit. =)
My living room was mustard which I believe made it appear smaller and frankly a bit to busy. OVERSTIMULATING during the day but dark and cozy at night. There lay my dilemma.
Here's the before:
See Jacob watching... you know what, Harry Potter for the gazziliouns time!
Putting the shelves up... that day was fun. I have the level and drill out ready for action... YAY!
Shelvs all done! *I am woman, hear me roar... * LOL
Getting all the jank out and getting it prepped for paint... Cheri standing by giving all the boys instructions on how to behave while moms are at work.
I had banana bread in Jacobs bowl and left it in the same spot for about 1 hr.
I used my celly fone for this picture, but I promise I will put new pictures up tonight when I get home from work.
1. sanded, painted trim and baseboards
2. sanded the walls
I decided to go w/ Behr Creamy Mushroom which looks delish on the walls. And it even changes shades depending on how the light reflects.
I also, decided to PURGE of all the stuff in the there that is unnecessary. Like 20 magazines on the extra side table that is not needed. You'll notice the two side tables that I was using as a coffee is not no longer in the center. I've decided to only pull them out when I have guests over for cocktails and food. Then we will need it to set our things on.
Okay, I lourve my entertainment center... do you remember that I got it at the GW for $20. I couldn't even bring myself to haggle at that price so, I just paid it and collected it the next day.
I wish you could see the new knobs on the entertainment center(I'm hooked on these and want them in every piece of furniture I have in my house) they are fabush!! The boys and I absolutely lub them.
Here's a closer look...
Here's the other side of ze room
My favorite spot... it is like butter on me butt LOL
The entry door. It's in desperate need of some color
This buffet has cause me a many dilemmas. To paint or not to paint. To stain or not to stain. To sell or not to sell.
They stain is way too yellow for the direction I'm going, but the buffet is all bejewled! She's so precious w/ her bling on! ;)
That brown wall needs art... the stenceling kind of art... *my visions are going cray cray* and that buffet def. needs a paint job but I'm afraid of covering that purty maple wood *oh and it's a heavy piece to move from living room to garage* But it must be done... preferably before the holidays.
Blin-tasticlly delicious
How can knobs be so purty and excite me so? what are you're favorite knobs. Which by the way I bought for under .50cents each.
My GW finds ... loving clocks even though many say it's a feng shui no no. I heart them...
I wanted to add a pic of my mom & dad
Back to the purty glass knobs... ;)
They are so pretty and not feminine at all. They are big! and so masculine in a way...
I know this room seems boring, but trust me it it boringly clean, ample and open. I can comfortably fit the entire family in here for movie night. I just have to bring on the bean bags...
Roomba! my new friend. Every mommy should own one, really!
I'm trying to find a clear of crystal lamp to put in there, one that would perfectly match the knobs on the furniture.
I still have a few more idears floating around in my head and on paper. Once I make a few more adjustments I will share them to only you. My fellow bloggies.
Thanks for visiting!! Now, stick around and keep peeking thru...
I can't believe how many small changes have been done and how many more there are to go. The kitchen and bath were RED. Today they are bit more demure and warm in NEUTRAL.
Biggest Before & After; the basement. This took 4 months to complete and I'm still working on it... AGH =) My plan is to have it all done up by New Years *yeah right* Lol
I love our 1/2 bath. It makes it so much easier to hangout in the basement and the boys having their friends over for the night, not to mention family & friends not having to fight over the powder room when it's a full house.
Fireplace; I choose to have the top of the brick fireplace covered w/ drywall (no screws in it) we just had a couple of 2x6's added long ways and the drywall floating over it. The 2x6's add support for a t.v, mirror or art, all w/ out ruining the brick.
Here it is today...
Still have to add molding and go thru my tickle list and get all those odds and ends completed. Oh, how I wish I had extra time and a few pair of hands to help me. But I'll get it done!
Little things here and there that I'm not thrilled about.
For instance, I think the living space is too crowded. I will be moving stuff around in the next week since I'm in the look out for a couch that will be NEUTRAL and open.
But don't you love what it transformed too after 4500 dollars I think it was way worth it since the first bid was of 9K the second was 7K and the final cost was 4K but if you include the 1/2 bath plumbing another 500.
I have been using furniture we had, hand me down's or GW finds. So, I have not spend much on furnishing. That will come later. I have a plan! =)
Half bath. I had a pocket door added to keep the space open. Yes, it does cost more and it takes pre-planning but it was a fantastic solution. I'm loving our pocket door, too bad I couldn't add it else where.
This bathroom is big, NEW and always clean. I hope to add a shower in the next 2 yrs.
See the curtain? that is where the shower will go in a couple of yrs. but for now the curtain hides the electrical box and it's become useful for storage. I have a shelf in there where I try to organize things onto and keep things on hand.
I like how it looked w/ the white canvas better. I might have to incorporate that in for Xmas *wink*
This is what it looked like a month ago, but I wanted to change it around. Now like I said I feel the way it looks today is awfully crowed and boxed in. So, tonight while I watch Desperate Housewives I will make some changes.
