Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Just A Bit Of Trash Talking...

I am a sap when it comes to things being thrown away that still have life left in them.  I remember I was shopping once with my mom around Easter.  I was 9 years old.  There was a bin of stuffed Easter bunnies for sale.  I looked through them and found a blue one that was missing it's ear.  I showed my mom and begged her to buy it for me.  "If we don't buy it, nobody else will.  Nobody wants a bunny with one ear.  We have to buy it.  He needs a home."  I couldn't leave that store knowing he would probably end up in the trash.  She relented. 

I know a lot of you who read this blog are also suckers for things being thrown away.  I've featured many of you and your rescues.  Here's one more.  Meet Deb Wright.  When I got Deb's email I knew she was one of us.  Tell me if this doesn't sound like somebody you know.  Deb wrote, "It kinda makes me a little crazy when I see things put out for the trash that I KNOW could be made useful and attractive.  And of course, I'm a big thrift store shopper, so I see things all the time that just "need a little work, honey!".  Honey applies the 'good sense' brakes."  (Gotta love those handsome handy husbands who try to keep us in check!) 
 
Deb found this record cabinet for $7.00 at a thrift store.  She knew when she saw it that it would make a perfect nightstand.  Plus, who could pass up that price tag? 
 






It needed a bit of work to serve its new purpose.  They took out the upright dividers and installed a new shelf.   


Then Deb painted the inside a sunny yellow and added a fun red basket.  

Deb said her love of refurbishing old items likely started when they got married and started a family.  She writes, "We were very young and never had a dollar to spare. So when someone would give us a bag of clothes (that wouldn't fit any of us) the ugly adult plaid seersucker pants became a cute shorts outfit for my toddler.  The plush sweatshirt became a stuffed toy and a puppet. When we got a rocking chair super cheap because of it's ugly fabric (it was the 70's!) we painted it and figured out how to make new cushions and tack on a new skirt. By the time we could actually afford to buy new furniture, I had a different outlook, didn't like everything matching, and still didn't want to pay a fortune unnecessarily."   Does THAT sound familiar readers?  

Hey, I (Stephanie) made an apron out of a pair of blue jeans and it only took me 15 minutes!   Hehehehe...I was really bored that day.  And a lamp out of a pickle jar.  And pillows out of old t-shirts.  (I think I have a real problem.  Have you seen my paper clip bracelet?)
Deb decided to go with a beachy look to this makeover.  She painted the outside aqua and glazed it with white.  

Check out the end result of her hard work...AWESOME!!


Great job Deb!

Now, dear readers.  Deb does these flips for herself so there are no links for me to have you visit.  But, that doesn't stop you from giving Deb some virtual high-fives here on the blog via the comment section!  While you are at it, let us know what YOU'VE repurposed.  

Thanks so much Deb for sharing your fantastic furniture flip!  Keep 'em coming!

Three down and two more flips to go for this week.  Maybe you're next?  I don't know.  I haven't picked one yet.  I do know that if you haven't submitted one then the chances of it being you tomorrow are pretty slim.  That being said, my email is furnitureflippin@yahoo.com .  Before/after pictures and details please.  

See you tomorrow!
~ Stephanie 

9 comments:

  1. Cute cute cute!! I have a maple record cabinet that I bought off my dad...he charged me $20! Lol This gal is making it a hard decision for me to replace the upright dividers with a shelf. I love it.

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  2. Great job! Putting the shelf in was a great idea...I'm going to think twice when I come across these now.

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  3. Love the colors you chose Debi,it turned out beautiful! I just recently started rehabbing thrift store furniture and furniture that "crazy" people put out with the trash. I already have a cute wood kids desk and chair ( I don't even have kids but I loved the curves of the desk so I had to take it), 2 old wood chairs, that need some serious work and various other things like wood, wood sawhorses (that also need serious work) and a full bucket of twine that I have no idea what I will do with, I just couldn't see a full new bucket of perfectly good twine go in the trash. My fiance thinks I am nuts, I keep trying to convince him I am just saving us money. I find myself looking on the side of the road all of the time now for treasures people throw away. It's good to know I am not alone. =)

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  4. Fantastic makeover! Love the color. I am searching for a piece similar to this for personal use in my home as well. Keep up the good work.

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  5. love the Mt Olive Pickle Lamp....My Daddy drove their truck for 35 years!...My Moma also worked thewre and I did for two green seasons......reminds me of home!

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    1. Thanks so much Vivian! How awesome that you and your family worked there! I love the Mt. Olive label! I emailed the company a picture of the lamp but I think it went into their spam folder. lol :-)

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