I curbed this little thing almost two years ago. It had drawers but I used them for this modular shelving unit.
So the poor little thing has been treated like dirt the whole time she’s been hanging out in the garage. She’s been used as a shelf, table and a work bench.
She did not get abused by my hands! Oh no, this is exactly what she looked like when I snatched rescued her from the curb.
After all she IS older than ME!
She had good bones!
Her top and sides are actually made up of old tongue and groove boards.
I thought she could use some bling! Oops, this doesn’t fit.
Or does it?! After a little chopping on the compound miter saw, it’s a perfect fit.
I fell in love with this chair the moment I saw it in Joey’s booth (a LONG time ago). I used the chair back to make a doggie bed. But, I kept the seat and the legs, because . . . oh my gosh! Look how cute they are!
I trimmed them down with the compound miter saw.
This is a “dry fit” to make sure the piece is going to sit right.
I know, there are two giant holes in the front. (from where the dowels/rungs fit before) I tried turning the legs around, and they just looked goofy! You’ll have to take my word for it, because I didn’t take a picture.
The back legs are also part of the chair seat. (the skirt)
I pre-drilled some pilot holes and used drywall screws to attach all four legs.
To fill the holes, left from where the dowels once were, I cut the end pieces off each of the dowels that used to be there. I put the little pieces in the holes, and filled the edges in with spackling.
The inside back was bumpy pressed board. I had a long narrow piece of bead board in my stash that I cut and used two pieces of it to cover the back.
So, I made sure when I ripped them on the table saw that they matched up. I used wood glue and some paint cans to adhere the bead board.
Then, I sanded the blue paint off. You can see I added a screw to steady up the bottom cross piece. It was a little shaky.
The bead board was not “sticking” to suit me. I removed it and used liquid nails (in a caulk tube).
Weighted it down with MORE paint cans.
I painted the picture frame trim white. Dry fitted it again, mostly to see if I was going to like the way it looks.
Here she is with a couple coats of primer. Did you notice I took out the bottom cross piece? (above where the bottom drawer used to be)
I had to use several coats because some of her ugliness was showing through.
After several coats of free Glidden paint. Last fall when they offered free quarts, I got paint from a lot of friends and family. This is Heather Grey. (Thanks Jamie)
Here’s my recent find from Joey’s booth at the Peddler’s Mall.
When I tried to attach the picture frame molding with my 18 gauge nail gun, the nails kept ricocheting out! It was scary!
After a couple of failed attempts, I put the nail gun down, and went for the trusty, never fail, gorilla glue!
Here she is! Isn’t she gorgeous? She’s perfect for a bathroom, or a guest room. I removed the handle from the basket spray painted it white. This picture is with the flash. The spot I put this is so dark, no natural light at all.
See how dark it is without the flash? 🙁
Look! There are my pretty peonies!
You like? Isn’t it a huge improvement? I wonder why I walked around her and put it off for so long!
Not sure what I’ll work on next. The weather has not been cooperating, too much rain! Hopefully I will be able to get something done today.
gail
Related Content: Picture Frame Ideas For Home Decor and More
Ashlee @ I'm Topsy Turvy says
June 14, 2010 at 1:41 amWhat a great project! I love how well it turned out, even though you had a few set backs! It worked out great!
Stephanie Lynn says
June 12, 2010 at 6:47 pmWhat a wonderful transformation! Love the added frame – so clever! Thanks so much for linking to The DIY Club’s Competition. We greatly apprecicate it! Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Clean Mama says
June 6, 2010 at 12:57 amWOW! What a transformation – I love the frame!
The Southern Door says
June 4, 2010 at 7:41 pmThis is just plain AMAZINGLYGORGEOUSLYBEAUTIFUL!
Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says
June 4, 2010 at 1:35 pmAMAZING!!!! You took all those seperate pieces and made them into an awesome piece of furniture! You rock girl!!
Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! says
May 28, 2010 at 3:53 amThanks for linking and helping to make this the most successful Modern Craftswoman Monday so far! Rory
Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! says
May 25, 2010 at 12:48 amNice project. I would love it if you would link this up in Modern Craftswoman Monday. Very well done. Rory
Creative Ambitions says
May 23, 2010 at 2:38 pmGail… I love this! Loved your process in creating this… the nail gun thing was scary though!!Great job!
Ali@Honey and Maple Syrup says
May 23, 2010 at 3:54 amWhat a great piece! You sure have much more patience than I do!
LisasCreativeHome says
May 22, 2010 at 8:17 pmIt looks like it was a bit of work but well worth it. Looks great!
C'est Magnifique says
May 22, 2010 at 2:05 pmHow sweet, I love it!!! I’m going garage saling this morning and surfing the web looking for inspiration! I’ve found it with this post! Thanks!
Tania
Funky Junk Interiors says
May 22, 2010 at 7:04 amAmazing. I LOVE how you walked us through the process, especially when something didn’t work out. That’s incredibly helpful! Your finished result is really lovely. 🙂
Thanks for linking up to SNS!
FJ Donna
Candace says
May 21, 2010 at 12:50 amGreat job Gail! I love the comment…”her ugliness was showing through” very funny! I will have to remember to save legs off of old pieces to reuse. I got a kick out of your clamping system with the paint cans. I use about every heavy can or pan in my kitchen!
One Life Many Journeys says
May 20, 2010 at 11:08 amOh how kind of that chair to give it’s life to enable others to live. I might add to live beautifully! It is just adorable. Love the picture frame trim. You are so clever.
Corn in my Coffee-Pot says
May 20, 2010 at 4:20 amHmmm… go figure!
I read your whole post through w/o any pictures showing up for me…(pc acting up again) Then I refreshed and came back to read after browsing elsewhere… and…Wow~ your pictures said it all!
spectacular use of ‘stuff’!!!!
canngil says
May 20, 2010 at 3:21 amyou are so clever! it looks great!!
Lisa says
May 20, 2010 at 3:09 amWow that certainly was a lot of work, but well worth it. It really does look great and very purposeful!
Thanks for dropping by today.
Lisa
~ Regan says
May 20, 2010 at 2:02 amI think it looks great! Love the shelves!
Granny J says
May 20, 2010 at 1:53 amThat turned out great. I especially like the trim you put on it. I need something like that in my sewing room.
Pam says
May 20, 2010 at 12:12 amI have just the spot for this baby! lol….great job
Sandy says
May 19, 2010 at 9:06 pmWho would have thought to do this? YOU!
I really was inspired. I see so many pieces on the streets like this..no drawers, broken etc! I only bring home things that are all there..
Might just bring one home, and see what I can do! Thank goodness I don’t have a garage to store such things.. my hubby would not take too kindly to broken…lol He says I bring home enough junk!
great transformation!
Sandy
Debilou~Mississippi Mama says
May 19, 2010 at 5:53 pmthat is just too dang creative. and very pretty. I need something like this in one of my bathrooms.. it would work great. Hope the rain stops so you can get back to working on something. Have a good one!
miss corner cape says
May 19, 2010 at 3:57 pmit’s important to know one’s on weaknesses, i think, and so i know i will never accomplish quite a task as this. in the same token, one must pay respect to someone who can. great job, and like always, my hats off to you!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
May 19, 2010 at 3:11 pmThat looks FABULOUS!!!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
May 19, 2010 at 2:05 pmok, could you get any more creatively amazing? pure genius! love it, gail, as always!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
May 19, 2010 at 2:05 pmok, could you get any more creatively amazing? pure genius! love it, gail, as always!
Beth says
May 19, 2010 at 1:39 pmI like! I like a lot! You’re pretty amazing with some power tools! I have to learn!
Amanda says
May 19, 2010 at 1:38 pmThis is ingenious! Wonderful job!
Suzanne says
May 19, 2010 at 1:12 pmYou are a wonder. You can see things that others (namely me) would never imagine. I love this. So pretty and practical. Just beautiful!
Mardell says
May 19, 2010 at 1:12 pmA.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! ♥
Always Nesting says
May 19, 2010 at 1:04 pmYou never cease to amaze me!! Adorable cabinet. Love it.
I’ve added one more to the list…play ultimate frisbee. If you’ve never watched a game, it’s an amazing sport.
mle says
May 19, 2010 at 12:41 pmwhat a clever idea, Gail! you took it from frumpy to fancy : )
Proper Prim says
May 19, 2010 at 12:18 pmGail, you totally out did yourself on this piece… thanks for the step by step instructions… I would have never thought to do that, you totally amaze me with your talents. Great job and it looks so fresh now. I am sure she is much happier with her new look.
Hugs, Deb
Coleen's Corner says
May 19, 2010 at 11:16 amI like it! I really like how you used the picture frame, adds a nice charm to the finished project! Your projects have inspired me to revamp an old chest of drawers… my very first attempt. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
A Pretty Pastime says
May 19, 2010 at 10:51 amYOU are so talented! She turned out beautiful. Amazing what a little make up can do for a girl 😉
Katy
Tonia of Chic Modern Vintage says
May 19, 2010 at 9:06 amYou never ever cease to amaze me, I don’t know if I would have gone through all of that, but the finish product is beautiful.
JT says
May 19, 2010 at 7:20 amLove it!