Old Folding Chair Repurpose

Fall is coming and everyone is getting ready to take down their summer porch decor and replacing it with pumpkins, scarecrows, and hay! I, myself, have been searching for something cute and new to show off my fall fever other than just the regular school of carved pumpkins hanging out by my door step. 

I bought these metal folding chairs at an estate sale a few weeks ago. They were super rusty and the  cheap (and ugly) upholstery was barley hanging on.. they were rough. The man collecting the money thought I was absolutely crazy for spending any kind of money on them and even tried to talk me out of wasting my time and cash on these chairs! But hey, I love this type of junk so his words were getting him no where lol!

Take a quick look at them before!

This top chair was actually probably in the best condition of the four.

I was going to reupholster them until I found a better idea! Ripping off the fabric and using my handy dandy chalkboard spray paint on the seat!! How cute!!

I also had to take a wire brush to the rust on these babies. I love a little rust, it gives character! But some of these chairs had some very chippy rust that needed to be groomed a little.

Throw some of your old pumpkins by it, write a cute phrase on the chair, & bam! You're done with decorating this season! How cute, cheap, and easy! This literally took me NO time at all. 

What do you think about repurposing your old, unloved folding chairs and what ideas do you have for decorating your home this Fall?

8-22-15 My Best Find Yet!

There is nothing very important about this post other than showing off one of my best finds ever!!!

Today's yard sale scout was very successful, even after having a dry start.

This morning did not start off very promising. The first two (only two) stops I had mapped out, we found nothing at. Literally nothing. If we hadn't had found two more as we left the second stop then we would've came home completely empty handed. We were going to just drive past one of the sales on the way back because the man had everything under this dark car port- and it didn't look very interesting. But those types of places always seem to house my best finds so we ended up stopping. Where I found this beauty:

*Grabs napkin to wipe off drool*

Isn't she gorgeous? I can't believe he wanted to let her go! & for such a reasonable price. Like, do I even paint this piece? No! Probably not. & those legs.. ow owww!! So in love with all of the bones on this piece and the wheels are pretty dang cute if I do say so myself! It is really very lovable. 

Check out how much junk we had in the truck late this morning. I'm not going to reveal every item we found today. I want to save their reveals for when I give them a little love. But I will say that there are some great posts coming your way!!

It was a great day for furniture finds and spending time with family. This week my sister and step dad tagged along. I think they really enjoyed pickin' with me and mom, I know we enjoyed sharing our favorite new hobby with them! 

Thrifty Wooden Chair Makeover

Today, I woke up and wasn't feeling my best. Being in my third trimester of pregnancy, I am starting to meet these types of days more often. I told myself I would lay in bed and be lazy for as long as possible. Well, I ended up on Pinterest (shocker) and decided I would go thrift shopping... that always puts me in a good mood (;

I have been trying to build up the courage to redo my kitchen table and chairs, but right now I am still way too scared that I will mess up the whole set and won't be able to forgive myself. Well, while thrift shopping, I found the cutest little wooden chair, with the cutest little arms and legs that I just HAD to have. I figured this would be the perfect piece to redo to see if I could really handle the dreaded job of redoing my kitchen table set.

I have never actually painted a chair so this was a brand new adventure for me. Who knew how many nooks and corners these suckers actually have. You don't think about it until you actually get down and dirty with one.. But isn't it cute??

On this project, I thought I would be brave and explore new brands of paint. (after buying the Americana Decor brand and being extremely disappointed with it, I was very hesitant about trying a new kind) I ended up buying Martha Stuarts "Vintage Decor Paint" in the color Wedding Cake… Yummy :p

After about two coats of paint, I was pleased with this paint job. I then broke out my handy dandy sand paper and got to rubbing the corners of the chair to give it a more "rustic" look. 

I think I want to keep the chair, find 5 more wooden chairs in different styles, and have a mix match dining set. If not, it's going in my booth!

I always find myself redoing coffee tables or benches, so this being my first chair, I was pretty proud. Super stoked I ended up getting out of bed and finding this piece and looking forward to expanding my experience in the furniture makeover world! Next stop: Reupholstering.

Rolling Table/ Cart Makeover

A few weeks ago while I was out pickin', I came across this cute little cart! Short, laminate, and those cute little wheels!! It seemed like a fun flip, but I wasn't quite sure what I could use it for.

I wasn't sure what it could be used for because it has so many potential uses!! Coffee table, movie cart (to store your fav movies and serve popcorn and drinks), the list goes on! Since I use green chalk paint so often, I figured I should change it up a little bit and go with a different color. So I headed down to Wal-Mart (have I mentioned how awesome their chalk paint selection is?), & picked up these two colors

Elephant is a gorgeous dark grey and Pool is a bright & beautiful blue. After a long debate Pool blue won! 

After the paint job, I did a little distressing with sandpaper.

I decided for picture purposes (I am going to try to resale it in my booth), that it would serve as a bathroom cart! I am super happy with how the blue paint turned out. It is so bright and happy… can't wait to get my hands on something else to use it on!

Cart- Pickers

Pitcher- Thrift store

"All You Need Is LipStick & A Dream" Make up tote- Michaels

Old books- Estate Sale

Wire baskets- Flea market & Yard sale

(Is it that obvious that I'm into pre-loved items?)

Did You Say Yard Sale?

When ya hear the word "Yard Sale" ya might think of old clothes, overused children's toys, and Christmas decorations that have been sitting in some random person's attic for ten plus years. Hey, no judgement… That's what came to my mind as well! For some reason, today Mom and I decided we would take a dip into the yard sale world to see what it was all about. & let me testify that yard sales are so much cooler than that dusty old box of christmas ornaments you are imagining in your head. They are CHEAP, they are OLD, they MIGHT be dusty and dirty, but they are the perfect place to find the perfect treasures. Don't get me wrong, you'll sort through some pre-loved junk that will probably never be re-loved, but you'll also find some gold. Cheap gold.

(Yard sale-ing tip # uno: Most yard sales do not look like the picture above. We got a little dirty digging through this one. But the finds from this spot were worth the dirt. Don't be discouraged by a messy setup.)

We weren't necessarily looking for any particular items, just good deals on items that interested us. This is what we hauled off in the trunk.

From the tables to the bowling pins, we were quite proud of our finds. It was awesome coming home with a full trunk as well as a full wallet.

(YS tip # dos: If you don't like a price- haggle. They want you to actually. I didn't get turned down on any offer I made.)

These metal crates though. I originally bought them thinking I could resale them in my future booth at Pickers (I am now on their waiting list) But I really think I am going to be selfish and keep them all to myself.

(YS tip # tres: Bring a vehicle with a lot of space.. maybe even a strong boy as well. You might end up falling in love with a piece then realize there is no space for it in your vehicle. You could also find yourself pregnant and unable to lift heavy objects, which stinks because the older lady you bought them from really can't help ya haul it off either.)


My mom purchased the oil cans. On a scale from 1 to really freakin cute.. they are really freakin cute!!

Old bottles are also a must if they are the right price and who doesn't love a $2 minnow basket? 

So after our yard sale-ing adventure, I am definitely hooked and looking forward to 6:30 next Saturday morning! Will I be seeing you at one of the sales?

Sewing Machine Makeover

Recently, I've been browsing around for a new bed side table. One on the cheap cheap that was old and redone or one that had potential so I could paint it myself. I visited a few local thrift stores and flea malls and found many possible candidates that would satisfy me, yet decided I would keep looking until I found THE one. Well, today I found the perfect beside table. THE one that I wanted to take home and make mine all mine. But it's not actually a bedside table... It's a sewing machine lol.

This is what it looked like when I first laid my eyes on it

Not bad looking… but nothing to look twice at, that's for sure!

So for $20, (which I strongly debated paying for a solid 20 minutes.. ask my friend Rachel) it was mine. Together, we drove down to Hobby Lobby to find some cosmetic pieces that would dress it up a little!

By cosmetic pieces I of course mean moss green chalk paint (my go-to color) and some new knobs.

When I got to HL, I was a little stuck on these other two colors. But green is just the best color that can't be out done by any other. (This was actually the first time I've bought this brand of chalk paint. I recommend the Wal-Mart brand over this streaky crud. Seriously, It took coat upon coat upon coat. Get the Wal-Mart chalk paint.) 

So we came home, got all prepped up for a new paint job (by prep I mean wiped down), then got to painting. Once I finished painting, I realized I had no decor for the top of it or to hang above it so I just threw some random stuff on it for a cuter pic!

Those arrow pulls though!!!

Let me just take a moment to really appreciate this find. It doubles as a bedside table/ desk for me. I am pretty limited on space in our appartment which is why this chair is also extra amazing… It folds and can be stored to the side of my table when I am not using it to blog, pin, or chat.  

It really is a shame that I can't sew because that would give this table a third use for me!

8/8/15 Junkin' Haul Adventure

 My New Junkin' & Antiquing Hotspot: Pioneer Village

Yesterday I drove down to Dothan, AL to sell items at an Indian artifact show with my dad. I, of course, drove myself because I knew I wanted to shop at one of my old favorite shops in downtown Troy. This shop used to have very reasonably priced up cycled furniture and repurposed items. Now, unfortunately, they have bumped there prices up sky high.. and I don't think I will be back for a visit any time soon being the bargain shopper that I am.

So I'm cruising down HW 231 on my way home from the shop I once used to love when I see a cluster of old log cabins and a big iron sign that read "Pioneer Village."I've seen this place many times on my way back from Troy, I have never stopped by because I thought it was some type of educational spot for children's field trips. I assumed. & I was wrong!

This place was so much more! There were several log cabins rooted on a big chunk of land. Several for rent, several closed for the day, and several open and ready for business! The deal is vendors come and go as the please and you just have to hope you will catch them at their shop! Some are there all day, every day, and some just Friday through Sunday! These were the open shops I got the chance to visit : Jam's Antique & Junk (pictured above), a native american shop, a spinning and weaving shop (also hosts lessons), a convenience store shop, a dinner, and last but not least an antique and dress shop. My two personal favorites being Jam's and Mrs. Judy's antique and dress shop.

Y'all! The prices at these shops were SO affordable. The items were old, they were dusty, but they had so much life and character!! I literally would have willingly spent my whole day there!!

Check out what I hauled off in my Hyundai (next time it will be Jud's truck so I can get some bigger buys)

Not pictured: a white antique egg plate outlined in gold. It reminded me of my sweet grandma and all of the holidays we spend at her house eating her yummy home cooked meals! So I of course gave it to her!!

Bottles, frames, shelves, furniture that is actually old, items with real dust, items that need to be cleaned badly are SO much cooler than reproductions. They have more stories to tell, more character, and are just all around better. I promise. I fell so in love with these little jars I got from Mrs. Judy's shop. She was so sweet to me, I could've sat and talked to her for hours. I love meeting people that have common interests with me. I got the jar of old buttons from the convenience store cabin- my mom makes handmade cards and loves to get her hands on anything that will make them more unique or that will give them a cool spunky look! & how stink in cute is that "Grade A" cow sign?? Oh my gosh, it's the perfect kitchen ornament!!!

Everyone who knows me knows that I love coffee cups so I of course had to have these.

Had to have these too.. Don't know why or what I'm going to do with them but they are mine now and that's all that matters. (lol)

This hanger.. The arrows on the ends.. $1.. I'll take that, please ma'am.

I'm going to repurpose the gun rack.. either put some chicken wire behind it, or put peg board behind it and make it into a garden hanger. Not sure if I will actually get to do that though.. Jud says he needs it for his own guns. We shall see who wins this battle.

If you're anywhere near the Troy area it will be well worth your time to stop by these shops and check out what these kind vendors have to offer you. But if what you find is really cute, then leave it for me.. I'll be back!!

New living room decor!!!!

Fun fact: Blank spaces really bore me! I mean, there are worse things in the world, but there is just something about a lifeless, dull, empty area that just makes me want to give it some life. Well, I have been staring at one of those places in my house lately and finally built up enough artsy juices (and cash) to decorate it! Check out what I was working with.

Ignore the tilapia. But do you see that space to the right side of my television? With the picture frame and circular mirror? Yes! That spot right there! 

Check it out now!

I got in trouble for bringing every one of these pieces home!! Jud says it is all junk and a waste of money. I don't see it as a waste of money because I kind of consider it my hobby. I LOVE spending days searching for cheap treasures and finding a way to put them all together to create something that makes me feel good when I look at it. It kinda relaxes me! I found all of these things over about a 2 month period.

Where did I get these items?

Vintage Wire Buggy- Memories Flea Mall $10

Old Coke Crate- Prattville Pickers $5 (These things are usually pretty pricey, but the back side is broken so that's why it was so cheap!)

"Create" Pillow- Michaels $5 on clearence 

Window- See former post

Rustic "M"- Michaels -$2

Mirror- Wetumpka antique & flea mall -$4

Bench- Thrift store- $7

Paddle- Gift (We used this instead of a guest book at our wedding)

I ended up liking the bench more than I thought I would. Moss green is one of my new favorites and I already had some paint left from when I painted Patton's dresser, So I decided to use the rest of it!

Here is the bench pre-paint job

I thought it was a cute find for $7.

Jud ended up changing his mind about my "Junk" and decided that I should go to school for interior design lol. I don't think I am creative enough for all that.. but finding old unloved items and using them to decorate my house will always be a hobby of mine! This is for sure my new favorite space in our home! I hope this inspires someone to create something that they think is beautiful!!