Quantcast

Bower Power

· 47 Comments

7 Dollars in Heaven

OUR 1st HOUSE

Ready for another redo? 

First, let’s give a big ole hand to True Value.  They are the ones who provided the stuff to make this thing happen.  They were the wind beneath this project’s wings.  They were the gravity behind this ray of sunshine.  And yes, that didn’t make any sense 🙂

It all started with a seven dollar bill and a little place I like to call Heaven.  It was a clear, dry day….full of rainbows and unileprecorns.  In a rare occurance, I uncurled my wings and teleported to my local branch of Goodwill to hunt treasures.  That’s where I found this darling dresser…at least I think it used to be a dresser till the Giants placed it in the giant, hairy palm of their hand and squeezed.  Such an enormous forearm strength can turn any dresser into a small nightstand.  And then they tossed it into the back of their Honda coupe and drove it to this place of planetary motion to sell to the highest bidder.  $7 later I tethered it to my wings and set flight dials for home.     

Most of that story was untrue.  But that is how dream-like shopping at Goodwill is to me…and how unrealistic it is to find a solid wood nightstand in great condition for $7.  Those parts are true.  Once I got it home, I cleaned it up and started the painting process.

For those of you interested, I use Zinnser Lacquer primer (it sticks to EVERYTHING), and dries uber-quick.  Then I used antique white semi-gloss paint (using between-coat sandpaper between each coat of paint to get a gritless finish).  I used about 3 coats on this little guy.  Also, I did NOT put a clear coat over top…sometimes I will…sometimes not….when I do, I use Verathane water-based sealant.   

So where was the destination for this little guy? 

Glad you asked.  It would go in the basement bedroom…

Previously, the only thing next to the side table was a little tv tray that my mom gave me.  It worked for the time it was there…but I really wanted something to provide a sturdy spot for a guest’s drink and give a little extra storage.  This leggy dude wasn’t cuttin it.

I also was able to reuse some of the knobs that I had in storage.  They came off our old cabinetry…from the kitchen…from almost four years ago….yeah, we don’t throw anything away.

Are you ready to see the makeover results? 

Are you sure?

Am I a tease?

If you answered yes to all three questions, then here you go:

Not bad, huh? 

And it provides more storage…and a great place to rest a glass of water…or glasses or whatever.

The only thing I think I would change is the knobs.  I like them, I do, but I think that they look a little sterile somehow.  Is it me or does stainless steel sometimes do that to you too?  Either way…it’s a huge improvement.  I love how it hides the cord to the lamp, don’t you?  Or maybe you just love the fact that this pup was only seven bones and a little elbow grease? 

“I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”

0 Shares

Comments

  1. i love the knobs! I think they look great…but i do know what you mean about a little sterile. i think their nice cute round shape softens them a bit though 🙂

  2. Fab-u-lous! Great job. I am so envious! I went to 6 different thrift stores just today to find a little steal. Nothing. If it was a good price or worked there was a nasty “SOLD” sign on it. Do you find there is a better time or day to hit Goodwill?

  4. This was the dorkiest post yet and you made me laugh, thanks for the unilepricorn reference. 😉 I do love the night table, though. And I like the knobs! What do you have in mind if you’re to change them?

  5. I found a dresser for $3 yesterday at my local thrift store and I can’t wait to fix it up. I love thrift store furniture! This side table is adorable. I see what you mean about the knobs though. World Market has some cute and quirky knobs for pretty cheap that you might want to take a look at.

  8. love it – do you find Zinnser really strong? I swear I lose brain cells when I use that stuff.. but nonetheless, it’s amazing. 😀

  9. Incredible! It had kind of a drunk, lopsided look to it before you made it over and now it looks like a respectable citizen :). I think the knobs look great. Maybe the sterile feeling comes from a white lamp being on a white table? Perhaps a color spray to the lamp base?

  12. Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, OH MY GOSH, Katie!!!!

    I have the EXACT same bedside table and the dresser to match. I inherited it from my great grandmother about ten years ago! I can’t believe it! I have wondered and wondered how to paint the dresser and side table since it is so heavily laquered, but now thanks to this post, I have HOPE that both pieces will one day be painted white to match our guest room decor.

  15. That lamp usually goes in our den…but since our Christmas tree is still up, the basement bedroom adopted it. Or fostered it. whatever. I think that I will have to try the new light in there to see what happens with the sterile feeling…but thanks for the suggestion!
    xo – kb

  18. I know what you mean about the knobs…they suit but just don’t sparkle! I do like how they look like eyes above that friendly open mouth full of interesting reads..is it just me that gives inanimate objects a life? Anyhoo…great job, again!

  20. This is great! We really need a few side tables in our living room and I’ve been trying to find the time to head out to a Goodwill or do some major Craig’s List shopping to find the right one.

  24. Katie Bower has done it again-saved another ugly duckling from Goodwill!:) Really, it does look great. My mom has the same nightstand in her room,although hers is still the natural color. Its in great shape the way it is but I would definitely prefer the white.
    Oh and for knobs, dont forget the Hob Lob knobs(50% off sales) and TJMAXX/HomeGoods also have adorable, cheap knobs($7.99 for a bunch) at their locations.

  27. I like the knobs! I like how you’ve been able to take an off-track drawer and straighten it up. I always keep walking when I see busted drawers, even if they are solid wood.

    I’m thinking of how much we paid for each of our nightstands and I’m shaking my head.

  31. Hi Stephanie,
    Actually it wasn’t broken…just off it’s track. I simply removed it and put it back in all lined up 🙂
    xo – kb

  32. heehee…we always do that with Christmas lights….you know…identify houses that only have two candles in the windows and then a swag over the door as the frowny house 🙂 Glad to know I ain’t the only one who sees things that way!
    xo – kb

  36. Wait I lied… Last time I went to goodwill I found a whole pile of Pottery Barn ‘Great White’ plates, I needed more to add to my set and lost a few in our move so that was an AWESOME find for 20 bucks (TONS of plates, large, medium, small and mugs).

  38. I love the makeover, and I think the knobs are super! You might even keep an eye out for a squarish basket to set in the bottom part. I find baskets are so handy as a second drawer and they nicely holds things like books and magazines.

  41. Looks great Katie! I have a slightly bigger solid wood nighstand with engravings that I picked up for $11 – but unfortunately it was painted. So it needs to be stripped first, or else I’d maybe be done with it!

  43. Ok I’m dumb when it comes to getting to redo furniture. So do I have this right? I can use that primer on a piece of furniture that is faux wood? Like totally prime over the laminate? And I can prime over super shiny varnish? I went to Lowe’s and tried to talk to the worker there about something that would do this and he said there is no way to get around sanding it first. This could mean BIG things here! Also do you have a sander that you prefer?A normal sized one? And a tiny one for details?

  44. Kera,
    This is the number one question I get about furniture…here we go…I sand, I do, when the item needs ‘smoothing’ work. If the item has divots, scratches, holes, etc…I fill them with wood putty then after it dries, I sand it smooth. In a prior life, I sanded the entire piece of furniture to get it to prepped for primer and paint….no more. Now I use Zinnser’s Lacquer primer directly over the smooth (and shiny) parts. One thin coat is what you need…but work fast, because it dries super fast. Then paint. several thin coats. In between the coats, use a high grit sandpaper to smooth out the finish and wipe the dust clean with a damp papertowel or cloth. It’s way easy. I use a regular sanding block if I am using it for the wood putty…and regular sheets of sandpaper for in between coats. Even if the piece is large, you are sanding VERY lightly so it really doesn’t take any time. I have a couple sanders but we generally only use them on unfinished wood…or other projects…not really painting furniture projects.
    Hope this helps!
    xo – kb

  45. katie…long time stalker, I mean reader…I think I live pretty close to wherever you are…Grayson is where I call home…question…Where do you get that Zinnser primer?

  46. I’ve gotten it at pretty much every home improvement store…Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, Home Depot. This particular can I got at True Value 🙂
    xo – kb

  47. OMG! I was going through and reading some of your old posts and then flipped out when I came across this one. That is totally my exact nightstand! I’ve always wanted to do SOMETHING with it and now seeing yours gives me all sorts of ideas. Yay!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the latest via email!