Road Kill Rescue 3: Coffee Table

I'm back once again with the final installment from my "Road Kill" rescue series. As a reminder I found this group of furniture next to a dumpster outside a storage facility:

I mean, come on; who would through this stuff away right? It's like they say- one person's trash is another person's treasure.I already transformed the first two pieces, the Cafe Chair and Small Dresser. Now it was the Coffee Table's turn.

This thing needed some help. The legs were loose, the plywood top was splitting and pretty much ruined, and it was completely dirty. This guy was the worst off of the bunch and I could actually understand why someone threw it away. 

My initial thought was to remove the top and fashion a new one; build a frame with a mirror inside, make a nice wood top like my coffee tables, ect. But then I got to thinking- maybe this coffee table didn't need to be a coffee table anymore. It's lived out it's coffee table life of wet drink rings and food spills and now it was ready to become something else..... like a bench!

Yep, I decided that instead of going through a ton of work to make a whole new top I would just reupholster the existing one and give this piece of furniture a whole new purpose. After cleaning the table up and securing the loose legs I gave the frame a new coat of Rustoleum Heirloom White spray paint.

Then I cut a piece of upholstery foam to fit, laid it on top and covered with some old old old fabric I had leftover from a old project. 

Then I trimmed the excess and hot glued some trim to cover the staples to finish it off. Once everything was all freshly painted and finished I noticed that there was a crack in the wood. I used some Gorilla Wood Glue to fill it in and prevent it from splitting further.

Then it was finished! I have a new upholstered bench that cost me next to nothing to make. 

This goes to show that just because a piece of furniture is not functioning well as it's original purpose doesn't mean that it can't be reincarnated as something else just as functional and beautiful.

What kind of repurposing projects have you taken on?

Cute Cafe Chair Update

Some people don't have the time, energy, creativity, whatever- to see the beauty in an old piece of furniture. Lucky for me some of these people live near me! Remember last week when I posted about finding some furniture road kill outside a storage facility? Well I've finished the first makeover from that find.


This poor little chair had good bones but was sadly neglected.

I started by unscrewing the seat cushion, removing the old fabric using a flat head screw driver, and cleaning up the frame to prep it for paint. (Terrible Blogger that I am I forgot to take pictures of most of this process!) It was mainly dusty and dirty with some rust that I had to scrub off. I read that some people use CLR to clean t=rust off, but mine chair came clean with sand paper pretty easily.

I couldn't figure out how to take off the seat back, so when spray painting I just covered it with tape and paper. I used Rustoleum Heirloom White to give the frame a new life. Then using some fabric leftover from another project I reupholstered the cushions, adding some batting to the seat for a more comfortable sit. 

Basically measure out your fabric or trace the old fabric as a template. Then staple at the center of each side making sure each side is even and the fabric is taught (tawt?). Then move to the corners and work your way in finishing off each side with staples. Cut off any excess for a clean finish. (For a better tutorial on this process check out this post here!) 

For the back of the chair I reused the same cardboard cutout and wrapped my fabric around it, using a light dusting of spray adhesive to keep in in place. Then nailed it back on with upholstery tacks

Then screw the seat back on and your finished!

I think it turned out totally cute! Don't you love giving new life to old furniture?

Ceiling Fan Update

This weekend here in Texas it has been rainy and cold. Some people would be bummed out by this but I took it as an opportunity to get some stuff finished around the house. 


First on the list is the dated ceiling fans in our bedroom and in Con-Man's room. It's something I've been meaning to get to for a long time but have been putting it off.

I'm thinking late 70's early 80's? Anyway I didn't want to splurge on a new one since this one works well and we use it a lot in the summer time; so I thought I would bust out the spray paint and get to work.

I started by taking off the blades and globes and taped off the bulbs. I then taped around the top of the fan so I wouldn't spray paint the ceiling.

Old Globes. Blah...

Ready to paint!

I had to open all the windows to vent the room from all the spray paint but the end result was worth it. I choose a Krylon paint with Brushed Nickel finish.

I bought new globes at Walmart of all places- they were only $2 each! I also bought a new fan pull as well. I painted the blades white, they were originally faux wood with an odd pattern on them.

I think it turned out great! It only took about and 1.5 hrs for all the prep, painting and clean up. I did it all while the Con-Man took a nap! Not bad, and it cost about $15 for everything. I do want to buy some frost spray paint to cover the patten on the large globe, maybe I'll get to it tomorrow. ;)

I love a quick project that makes a big impact. Anyone else been working on a quick project this week?

**UPDATE! Several people have asked whether or not painting our ceiling fans was a good idea or not; because supposedly the paint can get in the motor and clog it or the weight of the paint on the blades will wear the motor down. In my experience it hasn't been an issue. We painted the fans and used the often for about a year. We have since moved and have been renting the house for 2 years and have not had any issues come up from our tenants. For me, painting the fans was not an issue. I figured they are at least 20 years old and if I can give them a quick update and for some reason the motor does give out al least I didn't have to look at an ugly fan for those years. The other option was spending lots of money on a new one right away. For me it was a win. Anyone else have an experience to share?**

And don't miss my newly repainted master bedroom!

Upcycled Patio Furniture

You might remember me hinting about my next project involving these planters:

I got them from work not to long ago, there were about 8 all together. Our office was going to donate them to Goodwill but asked first if anyone wanted them. At first I declined because A) I don't need new planters and B) the only thing I could think to do with them was make some sort of fish pond. But then someone said- "Hey, wouldn't it be cool if you turned them over and made a table and chairs out of them?" And I thought "Yes!" That is one of the great things about working with creative people, you never know what kind of ideas they will come up with.

So I took 3 of them home and went to work gathering my materials:

Planters: 1 large for table 2 small for stools. I got mine for free but you might be able find some at an used office supply store, Habitat ReStore or thrift store.

Plywood for stool cushions and for base of table (I was lucky enough to have an extra piece lying around)

Jigsaw, staple gun, and sander

Spray Paint

Fabric and batting for stool tops

I began by tracing the large and small planters to make templates for the stool cushions and the base of the table.

Then I cut my templates out with the jigsaw,

Then sanded any rough edges.

Once I had all my template cut I started making the stool cushions. I wrapped batting around the plywood and stapled around one half of it, leaving one half open.

I stuffed pillow stuffing inside the opening to give the cushion a little more softness, then stapled the rest closed.

Next I stapled the fabric. I staped four edges to center it then folded the corners in. I gathered the leftover and stapled that underneath as well, it's basically like wrapping a present.

Finished Cushions!

The large planter came with a base with wheels. I wanted to reuse it since the planter (soon to be table!) is pretty heavy. The wheeled base is smaller than the opening on the top and since I'm flippin the planter over and using the bottom as my table top; I used the third plywood template I cut to make the base fit on to the new bottom of my table. 

I used Gorilla Glue to attach the base to the plywood. I wasn't how well it would work glueing metal to wood, but it worked great!

Finally I spray painted the planters an off white color, the shiny metal wasn't doing it for me. Plus it was blinding in the sunlight.

I didn't permantly attach the cushions or base. I thought I would be able to use the stools as storage and take the cushions inside when it rains.

Oops! Gracie trying to get in on the action. When I'm not using the furntiure I can stack the stools inside the table and store them in the shed when I don't need them.

So for only about $20 (If you have to by planters, plywood, and batting your cost might be closer to $50- still a steal!) I have some modern lounge-y patio furniture!

I can't wait to try it out for Labor Day Weekend!

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