In a happy, magical place there exists a Monica who can buy Restoration Hardware furniture without having to save up for 6 months.

I am not that Monica. Darn it.

I am the Monica who has to scour Goodwill, garage sales and thrift stores to find secondhand furniture with potential. It’s a thing I love to do and hate to do all at the same time. But when I score, I score big.

The goods: 2 Goodwill nightstands I bought for $6.50 each back in 2010.

The task: Make them look kinda like these nightstands. (ie: dentil detail, weathered gray/reclaimed wood look…but kinda glam)

From Restoration Hardware, $1045 each.

From Overstock, $690 each

The supplies:

-Nightstands (mine were laminate + wood)

-2 cans of flat white spray paint (the 98-cent Walmart kind will do)

-Latex paint (I chose a dark gray/brown color: Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams in a satin finish)

-Sand paper

-3” paint brush

-Tack cloth

-Cheesecloth or a lint-free rag

-Optional: replacement hardware

Okay, let’s get started. My nightstand was made of mostly laminate (top/sides) yet the drawers have a wood front. I didn’t treat the wood differently than the laminate. Also, this method is fool proof. Anyone can do this. Even you. Yes, you.

You need to scrub down your furniture to make sure it is clean. Super clean. I usually use Lysol wipes for that step. Also, if there are any holes/pieces that need to be filled/glued do that now. One of the side pieces broke off to one of the nightstands, so we just put that sucker on there with liquid nails. I also needed to drill new holes for the handles, so I filled those holes, too.

Now we’re ready to sand.

It may look a little crazy when you sand, but it’ll all be ok. Generally try to go in the direction of the grain/faux grain.

Wipe off all sawdust with tack cloth. I do this twice to make sure it’s dust free.

Now, we prime. Here’s my most favorite primer- the 98-cent can from Walmart. I used about 1.5 cans for my 2 nightstands. Apply one coat (lightly) to the nightstand + drawers. I do use the spray paint adapter thing (seen below in black) so my finger doesn’t hurt when using cheap spray paint. Best $2 investment ever.

It will look splotchy. Don’t cry. This is normal. :) You do not want a solid white finish.

Let the first coat of primer dry about 20-30 minutes, then do a 2nd coat. It will still look splotchy. This is ok. It will be fine, I swear.

Ok, so once both coats of primer are dry (spray 1st coat, wait 20 minutes, spray 2nd coat, wait 30 minutes), you can paint. Sort of. What you’re going to do is get your brush, dip it into the paint ever so slightly and start brushing it onto the nightstand. This is almost dry brushing (as in, do not saturate your brush with paint).

My gorgeous paint color: Urbane Bronze by Sherwin Williams.

Here’s an example of what it should look like. You can tell I’ve brushed on some paint in the top half of the photo, while the bottom half illustrates how the nightstand looks with just primer.

But what happens if you get too much paint on your brush and onto the nightstand? Just wipe some off (GENTLY!) I used some cheesecloth for this and it worked well. Do one coat of the dry brushing, let it dry for about 30 minutes and then do coat 2. You can basically do as many or as little coats as you’d like. For my nightstands I did 3 light, light coats. I love.

I then brought them inside to make sure they were both about the same color. They won’t be identical, but that’s ok with me for this project.

And now they have their spot in their new home (our master bedroom) and they got some fancy hardware from Hobby Lobby.

That lamp is getting a makeover, too. For now, it stays black.

The smooth, satin finish is lovely. You could also add poly after the paint has dried. I am lazy and haven’t done so yet, but I likely will. Maybe.

 

Love the dentil finish. Makes it look a bit nicer, while the curves on the bottom make it look a little shabby chic.

And there you have it! A fool proof tutorial on how to achieve that coveted Restoration Hardware/Pottery Barn/Ballard Designs weathered gray reclaimed wood kinda thing. Whew. That’s a lot of words. I want to remind you that it works on wood or laminate furniture, and it’s so cheap compared to buying this stuff from a store.

Restoration Hardware price: $1045+ each ($2030+ for a pair)

Monica’s Luxe for Less price: $20 each ($40 for the pair)

That’s almost TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS in savings. Fist pump.

Is this something you’d try out? I can only imagine how great this would look on a buffet or kitchen table. Let me know if you try out my tutorial!

Be back tomorrow with some more painting/staining questions. I think I need y’alls help.

And I leave you all with a cute picture of Pee Wee…look at those eyes. I melt.

Today, I am going to show off a wonderful product that Krylon offers to create your own frosted glass. I’ve had this spray for quite awhile, and I was actually kind of stumped on what to use it on. Yesterday, I was crafting in my dining room/office space, and I happened to glance over at my new curtains (yes, I finally found some!), and it hit me…I need something striped! Stripes are truly all the rage right now in blogland. People are making striped curtains and painting striped walls. Stripes are in. Big time.

See that pretty striped candle holder resting on a simple mirror? I’m going to teach you how to make one. It takes less than 30 minutes, and you probably have most of the supplies on hand.

Supplies:
-Vase or candle holder (cylindrical shaped containers work best and it should be glass.)

-Painters tape or masking tape as wide as you want your stripes to be (I used 1” painters tape).

-Krylon’s frosted glass spray (I used the pearl gray finish for this project) {Alternatively, you could cut contact paper strips and use that instead of the spray for a temporary look. }

I took my garage sale vase (which was actually free since my pal Mandi just gave it to me- score!) and I thoroughly cleaned/dried it. Then I used a ruler to help measure my 1” sections for my stripes:

The bottom of my container is curved, so I made sure to really smoosh the tape on there so it’d be completely covered. Before spraying the glass, make sure your tape is super smooth and that no air/bubbles/gaps are present that could ruin your finish. I then took the glass outside and did 1 coat of the frosted glass spray, waited 15 minutes and did another light coat. I let it dry for an hour, and then I brought it back inside.

I started removing the tape from the bottom, and if all worked well, you’ll see a very distinct difference between the glass/frosted glass:

Peel off all the tape and you’ll have your striped glass candle holder/vase:

I absolutely adore candles in my house, so I decided to use this as a vessel for a floating candle.

Pair it with some simple home accessories, and you have yourself a lovely display perfect for décor year round.

(the other candle holder is actually a Bath & Body Works candle + 1 of their new sleeves)

I absolutely love the way the stripes look- very simple, yet beautiful.

And the stripes work well with the curtains from World Market (I finally caved and bought the darn things):

Sigh. I love me some simple striped décor. Swoon.

This is such an easy DIY project with many uses: weddings, soirees, showers or home décor. Put a flower under the floating candle, and you have yourself a simple, stunning addition to any tablescape. I plan on gathering up some other glass containers and making some more in a variety of heights/widths to create a monochromatic display for my mantle. The spray from Krylon provides a ton of coverage using very little product, so don’t be too heavy handed with it. I would guess that I could probably make 6-8 vases with 1 bottle before running out.

Tomorrow I’ll be back with how to make DIY mercury glass. Actually, it’ll be 2 ways- a super easy, but kinda pricey way and a cheap way that delivers a pretty realistic look for 1/4 of the price. As usual, I’ll be using Krylon products. Speaking of which, will you take 5 seconds to vote for me in the Krylon Duel? Click here, click vote and you’re done!

On Wednesday, join me in planning my Halloween Harry Potter cocktail party. The post will be full of great finds from one of my fave stores- you have to come back to check it out to see all my creative (and corny) ideas.

Or you can always subscribe over there on my sidebar via Google or e-mail:

Would you make something like this? Where would you use it?

Disclosure: I was provided with the Krylon product used in this review for free. My ideas, tutorials, photos are all my own as are my opinions on this product.

Hi all! Thanks Monica for letting me share your virtual space through this guest post. You can find me at www.laceywilson15.blogspot.com. I'm a full-time public relations professional and I enjoy all things crafty, thrifty and pink.

xoxo,

Lacey Wilson

@laceywilson15

I love to change things up when it comes to home décor. I have to admit it’s a bit addictive. The only problem is, if you change your décor as often as you change your shoes, the price to decorate your space can equal the cost of a few Manolos.

Being a bit budget-conscious, I found a new hobby in thrift-store shopping for most of my home décor needs. Ok, I’m not going to lie, it took me awhile to get the hang of it…and I still reach for my hand sanitizer whenever I leave, but I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can find something at a discounted price, then refurbish/repaint/reuse it.

The key to incorporating thrift store finds into your DIY projects can be challenging but here are a few tips for those who are willing to give it a shot:

• Have a list of purposes, not items (ex: mail organizer rather than basket). This will help you keep an open mind when browsing.
• Keep an eye out of items that are sturdy…which leads me to my next point: 
• Overlook color and in some instances, fabric. You will be amazed at what spray paint and a little stroll down the upholstery aisle will do. 

And if you’re still not sure what to look for, try these for starters:

• Remnant fabric to cover an old bulletin cork board 
• Magazines – look for retro or fashion magazine covers to frame 
• Small plates for candle holders 
• Bookcases + curtain rods to create a gift-wrapping station 
• Picture frames – you can easily repaint them and you’ll spend just pennies compared to buying new ones. (See this one below, embellished with some wallpaper.)

For a little inspiration, here are some of my favorite before and after projects:

So whether you're shopping for first-hand items or perusing the local thrift stores, always remember, your home can be fabulous no matter the budget.

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Thanks so much Lacey! Doesn’t she have a lovely sense of style? I love her damask bench and chandelier makeover- stunning! Also, I can totally relate to having the heebie-jeebies when you go thrifting, but once you find some good stuff, you will be addicted! I know this first hand since I started actively thrifting in mid-2009 and have scored some lovely treasures. Carry a tape measure, hand sanitizer and an open imagination and you shall be golden! Want your own little treasure? Leave Lacey some love in the comments section to be entered for a free pair of floral earrings.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here! And by all, I mean probably a handful of you, but I’d like to think everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting for my before and after post. I debated on posting the how-to before I did the BIG reveal, but I think it’s best to do it after. So, stay tuned to my blog within the next few days if you’d like to know HOW I painted the wood paneling in my living room and brought it to current modern times with a lot of hardwork + some helpful hints I learned along the way. Are we set?

Oh, and FYI this is going to be a LONG, picture intensive post. Grab some coffee. Order a pizza. I’ll wait. In fact, I am totally drinking red wine right now while I type this up. Look, it’s almost noon. Don’t judge.

My inspiration for this project came from Young House Love and you all. There were times I thought I was absolutely insane for listening to a bunch of strangers on the internet telling me to just paint my wood paneling. I was so upset at times during this project, that I almost wished I hadn’t even started it. Then, last night as I was thoroughly relishing in my living room, I was very thankful that enough people care about my woes and decorating problems to give me advice, encouragement and well wishes through the whole painting ordeal. From the bottom of my formerly wood-paneled heart, I thank you.

Aww, I just got teary eyed. That is how much I love my living room. I know I said I wasn’t going to post a how-to, but I did want to explain the timeline of my project. I started Monday, November 22nd. We were done painting the wood paneling about November 25th. We took a break over the weekend, and on Tuesday,  November 30th, we began painting the trim (which was also dark wood…oh the joy). Finally, last weekend, December 4-5th, we finished the door trim and bookshelves (they are built INTO the wood paneling- seriously). This past week, we’ve been doing touch-ups and decorating for the holidays. I would safely say, we probably spent about 80-100 hours on this project. But we had a lot of painting to do, and painting grooved wood paneling is insanely time consuming. If it takes you less time, please don’t tell me. I will cry.

Ready? Well, let’s go!

This is what it looked like (before obviously) when you stepped into our foyer area:

And here’s what it looks like now:

I think that about covers the before & afters, so now let’s get down to the details!

The bookshelves are built-into the wood paneling like I mentioned before. However, I wanted them to look as if they stand on their own, so I painted the wood paneling white as opposed to the gray I used on the walls. The shelves are what held up this whole post because I am awful at designing vignettes/shelves, so eventually I just tried my best and moved on.

I added LED battery lights to the top shelf to highlight the top areas. $14 for the pair at Home Depot.

And yes, 2 of the frames are empty. I don’t know what to put in there, so for now, they stay as is. I just bought those at Kohls from the Elle Décor collection. They were 70% off.

Since it’s the holiday season, my mantle is decorated as such. The mirrored/sparkly garland is from Hobby Lobby, and all the other stuff I had from last year or acquired it at estate/garage sales.

I don’t do the matchy-matchy stocking thing because we each picked one to match our personalities. Well, except mine since I can’t find my damask stocking. Curses.

I know I mentioned we were going to buy a new coffee table, but instead we decided to use the white one we had already revamped last year. Teal baskets were $4 each at World Market. It works for now. The trellis tray is from Target last year.

I love these beige/blue damask chenille pillows at snagged at JCPenney for $4.00 each a week or so ago.

Mercury glass votives from Target that were 99-cents each. Score! Lurve me some mercury glass. Big vase is from Target and was a wedding gift (we actually got 2!).

Our wedding guestbook is on the coffee table. I love reading the comments and such people wrote in our photo guestbook. Makes me cry and laugh, usually. Also makes for good conversations if people flip through it.

I usually despise faux florals, but these are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Snagged them for 25-cents last Saturday at a garage sale.

The lamp base + shade was about $35 total at Wal-Mart. I really wanted a crystal ball lamp. And I also really wanted a mirrored end table, and we found this one for $65.00 at a furniture store in town that is going out of business. Here’s another empty Elle Décor frame that was 70% off. Candle is from Pottery Barn. 

And there ya have it! Sorry my pictures aren’t all magazine worthy- I am still learning as I go with my Nikon D5000. I’d like to thank Young House Love again for their tutorial, and I’d also like to give a shout out to Décor Chick! Her office paint color was the first paint color my husband was ever all excited about. The paint color on the walls is Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams. The trim paint is bright white in high gloss by Kilz (available only at Wal-Mart). On all the painted surfaces, we painted with Kilz oil-based primer since we were covering up dark wood. And a huge thanks to all the lovely peeps on Twitter who helped me along the way! We couldn’t have done this without you all. Most of the accessories I already had on hand and are usually from Goodwill or garage sales. I am cheap like that.

Our walls are also bare right now because I didn’t want to rush putting up mirrors/frames/artwork until I figured out the look or motif we want in our living room walls. And hey, that just gives me more blogging material later, right?

Would I ever paint wood paneling again? NO. It was so much work, but for us, it turned out to be the best thing we could have done for our home right now. More on that in the upcoming how-to post.

Well, I’d love to hear your comments, thoughts and suggestions on my big, fabulous living room makeover!

And that’s a wrap.

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