Coffee table converted into an Ottoman

This project has been on my to do list for a long time.  If you remember this post you'll know that I have a coffee table with two end tables I purchased off of craigslist for only $25!  I remade the tables into something I love But I needed to bring out some beauty in the coffee table too. 

One thing I don't like about our new living room is that there isn't room for 2 to lay on the couch.  No snuggle time lately, not even for Taylor and I.  It's kind of a bummer.  So I decided there's no time like the present to finally convert the junk catcher (aka coffee table). 

First thing I did, just like the tables, was to sand and paint in white. 

The whole thing doesn't need painted because you wont see the top anyways.  I've been looking for fabric for this project for a long time but everything I've found, that I like anyways, is expensive.  Like $60/yd expensive.   Here's what I was originally thinking of-something similar to this:

{Kristine upholstered ottoman $255 cotton fabric}

 BUT while buying fabric on Thursday I walked in and was smacked in the face by something I loved! Figuratively smacked of course.  Bonus, it was on sale for $12/yd.

 

I should probably get to the materials:

-old coffee table

-white Rustolium spray paint

-2 yards beautiful fabric

-4 foot section of 3" foam

-quilters batting

-package of buttons

-thread

-Staple gun

-hammer

-scissors

The first thing you want to do is arrange or measure in my case where your buttons will go.  I marked the spots on my foam with a sharpie.  Then I jabbed a steak knife through in each spot and gave it some twists and turns to create holes.  Next I stacked my foam on top of the table and stuck the sharpie through each hole to mark the spots on the table. 

I drilled through each mark. 

Then I dusted off the table and brought it inside.  I stacked the foam on top and covered it with the quilt batting and then the fabric.

Next I started my tufting.  I used 6 strings of thread for each button.  I could have bought some heavy duty thread but I figured this would work just as well.  Next, I pulled the thread through the fabric, batting, foam and pushed it down through the hole in the table with a paint brush handle.  Innovative, I know.  :)

On the bottom I secured each piece with a staple gun and 3-4 staples.  I had my sister help with this part, she pulled the thread back and forth while I stapled.  There's a name for this technique but it escapes me right now.  Here's how each tuft looks from the underside. 

When I was done with all 8 buttons it looked like this:

Time to secure the sides!  We turned it over and I had Makayla (my lil' sis) help hold the fabric tight while I stapled.  When securing fabric in a project like this you want to staple as follows:

When stapling pull the fabric tight and have someone hold it while you staple at each point.  You'll want to turn it over and check along the way to ensure everything is even and you don't have any spots that are too loose or too tight. 

I usually save the corners for last because they're the hardest.  In this instance I pulled one side tight and stapled it down.  then I wrapped the other side all the way around the corner overlapping the first side and tucked in any extra fabric.  I just pulled the crease straight with my fingers and stapled in place. 

Here's it is in our living room. 

Now I can finally put my feet up!



French Country Side Table on the CHEAP!

I've been on the look out for some new side tables for our bedroom.  I wasn't necessarily looking for matching tables just cute French Country styled.  I came across this baby the other day on craigslist and had to pick it up.  It was close to perfect but when I actually got it I loved it even more!  The post showed the general shape but I had no idea it had such detail.  Check it out:

 

 

I was a little disappointed that the table is actually plastic, not wood, but for my purposes it would serve just as well. 

 

I gave it three coats of Rustolium 2x white spray paint in between other projects and brought it in.   I set her up in our bedroom and she looks great!  Exactly what I had been looking for. 

 

 

I love being able to use my design creativity on the CHEAP!  Here's the break down:

 



My Table:                                                                                Inspiration Table:

-$6 table on craigslist                                                               -$610 via The Well Appointed House

-$3.44 Rustolium spray paint

 

                                             

 

 

 

How's that for getting just as much bang for your buck?  It just goes to show that anyone can have the great look they want without paying an arm and a leg for it.  You just have to take the time to look around a bit!

 

Thanks for reading,

Aleasha







Chevron Closet Makeover

Today I'm sharing my Sunday afternoon project with you all! 

I've been wanting to give our bedroom closet a makeover since we moved into our new house in October.  Here's the deal:  This closet is HUGE compared to what we've had in the past and when I first saw it I thought we would have more space than I knew what to do with.  These pictures were taken after my hubby removed all of the contents so it looks pretty bare.  Rest assured that this long, skinny closet has such a bad layout that it did not function for us. So lets look at the start...



On this end were three wooden shelves which we actually reused in the final product.  They were deep and great for storing folded clothes.  As you can see there is a bracket for a clothes rod in the middle of the wall.  We actually installed this because there was no hanging storage what so ever.  BUT-once we got clothes on there we had about 4 inches between the clothes and the outer wall.  It wasn't very ideal for getting in and out or trying to SEE anything.  Basically upon entering the closet you got a face full of clothes!

 

Ahh yes, the other side.  There are so many problems here it is overwhelming.  To start, this room did have carpet but we pulled it up expecting the same wood floors in the bedroom that I figured I would eventually paint.  See that big piece of plywood?  Well if you lift it up there is actually a gaping 8" hole underneath that looks like it used to encase duct work of some sort.  So the plywood stays until we figure out a solution. 

 

 

On the left hand side is the chimney, it's a problem throughout multiple rooms in the house.  :/  Plus there was severe damage to the plaster which the former owners covered with duct tape?? Yep. 

 

 

The wall paper was pealing and there's random cable cords running around.  Plus there were tin can lids covering other holes in the floor.  I never knew this used to be the standard way to fix them.  Kinda cool :)

 

 

 

So I stripped the wallpaper...both layers. 

 

(insert more duct tape patch jobs) 

 

 

 

and gave the room a clean coat of white paint.

Evan hung our new closet rods on what used to be the shelf end.

 

 

Then hung the shelves on the other end.  He had to cut out a corner so they'd fit in around the awkward chimney. 

 

 

Then I taped for my beautiful Chevron Stripes!

 

 

 

After that I headed out to the garage where my love had cut an 8 foot section of crown moulding into four 2 foot sections.  I had purchased some spray paint earlier in the week in a sweet bright green.

 

 

 

I sprayed up my 4 sections with two solid coats and they were looking fantastic. 

 

 

 

While these dried outside I went to work painting my Chevron.  I had eyeballed the green color when I bought paint and it is literally the exact same.  Turns out I have a pretty accurate eye! :)

 

 

 

 

I bet you're wondering what I have planned for that crown aren't you?  Let's just say shoe storage has been a problem for a long time in my closet.  In the past I have used this thing which is adjustable but it sits on the floor which isn't ideal.  I always stub my toe on it.

 

 

 

After seeing a picture on Pinterest I decided to go ahead with the crown idea.  It works wonderfully.  :)

 

 

 

If you're wondering what the brown stuff is, its a thick denim like fabric I had on hand from our apartment.  It used to hand in the basement on the unfinished ceiling (to cut down on the cobwebs and make it look more finished).  The wall its on now in the closet wasn't finished and drywall wasn't really in our budget or timeline for this project.  I just used some upholstery tacks and pinned it up.  I think it gives the room a sort of soft feel, It's pretty neat looking in person I promise.

 

Look how great these shelves work out for my ever growing shoe collection!  Plus, there's room on the other side for more as it continues...muah ha ha!

 

 

 

Isn't it neat how they hang right on there by the heels? 

 

 

 

Of course this room isn't quite done yet.  I still need to do something about the trim, it's right where it started in 100 year old crusty tan.  The floor needs some help too but I haven't made a final decision on where to go with it.  I'm contemplating super high gloss white.  Yes? 

 

I have to say I'm really happy with the progress I made on what should have been a lazy Sunday afternoon.  A place for everything and everything in its place.  That's what we've been trying to implement around here. 

 

 

 

 

This is a good start.  :)

Mirrored Mosaic Tables

Back to business today...my fun new DIY project!

        A while back, I purchased this great set of tables. Two end tables with a matching coffee table.  They are dark wood, chunky (like I like) and very sturdy.  The entire set was....wait for it....$25 on craigslist!  Can you believe that?  I was pumped.  Craigslist is full of "wish I could afford that's" and "that's ridiculously priced" items but these were the REAL deal, a REAL steal. Let's be honest, I was expecting more from the photos, even though the ad claimed damage from plants, ect.  I got them and we've used them as-is for about 6 months now.  Here's the before:

Definite damage as you can see.  There are actually significant round water marks when the previous owner had plants sitting. 

Lets talk materials.



You will need:

-A plastic bag

-A hammer

-Gorilla Glue (or some other permanent adhesive)

-White grout

-Mirrors (I picked mine up a while back on sale at Walmart.  6-12" squares for $5)

-A sponge and old towel

I started by painting the tables.  In preparation for painting I gave both tables a light sanding with 220 grit sand paper.  It is important to rough up the surface so your paint has something to stick to.  It also helps even out any dings or imperfections in the wood.  Next you wipe everything clean with soap and water and clean up any extra dust with a dry cloth. 

I gave everything 3 coats of white paint.  I used Rustolium Semi-Gloss white.  Spray paint is SO much easier to use than the ol' brush and bucket and it doesn't leave brush marks or drips (if you're careful)  The finish is smooth and fabulous! 

THEN came the fun part.  By fun I mean extremely tedious and time-consuming.  I placed my mirrored panels in the plastic back and gave them a good whack. 

I began placing the broken pieces on the top to get the placement worked out.  This is like a puzzle with no right answer.  Which is awesome if you like puzzles and don't mind having to try and re-try combinations a lot.  I ended up just gluing as I fit pieces in.  It helps not to over think it. 

This was my Saturday night, a beer and broken glass, I'm not sure I can think of anything more fun :)

I finally completed gluing down all the glass pieces!  One thing to remember is that Gorilla Glue does expand.  You only need a minimal amount of glue and try not to let it seep out the sides or it will expand in the cracks which will cause problems during the next step.

Time to grout!  I bought white grout.  Standard stuff you use for tile floors, it was about $6 for the tub and it is more than enough to do both tables.  I didn't take photos of this part, my bad.  I used a spatula-like tool to spread the grout in all of the cracks.  I wiped off any excess and let it dry.  My product said 15-30 minutes.  I waited about 20 and wiped it down with warm water and a sponge.  I let it dry over night and repeated the grout process.  After it was all dry there was still a film of grout over my mirrors so i cleaned it with a wet rag and then dried everything with a towel. 

I think they turned out great!  Ok, honestly the second one isn't quite done.  I just could not wait any longer to show them!

 Added bonus: the mirrors put a really cool reflection on the wall and ceiling at night!

 I hope you all like it!  There are all sorts of things you could do this with, I encourage you to try your own mosaic project!