Tag: $40-$60

#29 Antique Queen Anne-style dressing table

Transformation expenses – $55.46

This circa 1910 dressing table was put to the curb just yards from my house! Its beautiful, long legs drew my attention immediately. Despite being disguised in paisley fabric I knew it could look amazing just because of its fine lines.

I secretly liked the fabric-covered look but it had been very badly done and was falling off in places. A lot of it just peeled away and the rest came off after a little dampening.

I was delighted to find the top and drawer fronts in pretty good condition, but other parts of the piece were seriously damaged, including a leg that had obviously been broken and shoddily repaired.

After much research and deliberation I realized it would not be worth attempting a full restoration so I decided on a combined restore & refinish approach. I started by restoring the drawer fronts, which have a beautiful tiger maple veneer. Fortunately the fabric adhesive came off with a dilute soap solution and did not require any solvent. Once they were cleaned, I used Howard Restor-A-Finish in walnut followed by Howard Feed-n-Wax oil-based wood conditioner.

The Chippendale-style drawer pulls were so tarnished they were nearly black (top right). I considered leaving them that way but realized they would complement the restored drawer fronts more if they were refreshed. I set about polishing them, only to find they are brass plated, not solid brass. The Bar Keeper’s Friend I was using removed some of the brass plating (top left) but all other gentler approaches I tried were ineffective. I decided to go ahead and polish them all then touch them up with Rust-Oleum’s Metallic in gilded brass (bottom).

When it came to the table top, allowing myself to refinish rather than restore had a couple of advantages: For one thing it would have been impossible to remove the adhesive without damaging the old finish and for another I could now use a more modern, durable ,and practical polyurethane. I got back to the bare wood using stripper and sandpaper. I then applied Rust-Oleum wood stain in American Walnut, followed by 3 coats of Varathane polyurethane in semi-gloss. The color perfectly complements the drawer fronts.

Finally it was time to tackle the frame and legs. The biggest challenge of this piece was the adhesive used to attach the old fabric covering. It behaved differently on every different surface. Some mineral spirits thinned it out in places but would not remove it completely. In the end there was nothing for it but to sand it off. Using 150, then 220, then 400 grit sandpaper I eventually removed all traces of adhesive. I used professional wood filler to repair some dings, cracks, and damaged veneer.

Once all the cavities were masked off ,I applied primer followed by two coats of Rust-Oleum Canyon Black in satin finish. The piece was then ready to reassemble.

#28 Full metal bed

Transformation expenses: $40.14

I’ve always loved seeing metal beds painted in interesting colors. When a neighbor posted that she was getting rid of this one I was equal parts excited by its prospects and intrigued by it’s design; I had never seen a metal bed shaped like this before. Luckily it was just what a friend wanted for her spare room so I gave myself the green light to pick it up knowing it already had a final destination.

My interest was really sparked when I found some of the original, wood effect finish on the side rails of this bed (bottom right pic). A bit of internet research has me believing this is probably a Simmons bed made in the 1920s or 30s. It might have originally looked like the 1930s one in the top right pic. Sadly any original labels/markings were long since painted over.

It wasn’t easy to tell what was rust and what was the original wood effect finish but a thorough cleaning and sanding was needed either way.

A coat of Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer in all the crevices and exposed spots will ensure if there is any residual rust it won’t rear it’s ugly head later.

This project was finished with 5 cans of Krylon Fusion satin spray paint in Lagoon Blue. The color (picked by my client to go with a family heirloom quilt) brings a smile to my face every time I see it. The industrial look of the frame has really been lifted by the cheerfulness of the color.

#9 Bamboo wicker chair with upholstered seat

Transformation cost: $42.64

This piece was being discarded by a friend of mine who was helping her parents move and clean house. Other than missing 3 casters and having a small split in one leg it was in great condition and is a good quality piece. At first I envisaged this piece with a pretty damask fabric and pastel paintwork but the price of the fabric sent me back to the drawing board. In the end the geometric pattern I found at my local craft store (where upholstery fabrics are permanently 30% off!) gave me the inspiration I needed to take a completely different tack!

Cleaning a piece before painting is arguably the most important part of any transformation, and this was no easy piece to clean. However, with my trusty toothbrush, some compressed air and patience the dirt disappeared!

Using the old fabric and foam as a guide I cut and sewed the new cover, carved out a new seat pad and covered it with batting followed by the new fabric cover. The final touches were to hot glue some ribbon trim to the edges of the fabric and re-create the original tufting using four fabric-covered buttons.

Meanwhile I treated the framework of the chair to 3 coats of Krylon ColorMaster paint & primer in gloss black .

And the finishing touch was to reunite frame & seatpad

#3 Upholstered bench/coffee table

Transformation cost: $50.06

“What gorgeous legs!” was my thought when I saw these at the end of a neighbor’s driveway on trash day. The wood grain was so beautiful I knew I couldn’t bear for these to get tossed in a dump truck.

I began by cutting a piece of fiberboard to fit the shape of the base. I attached 8 pieces of 3/8″ square dowel that would keep it snugly in position.

I covered the fiberboard with 2.5″ thick foam followed by batting followed by my chosen upholstery fabric.

I debated with myself whether or not to paint the legs but, in the end, I chose a Minwax stain & polyurethane (PolyShades Honey in a satin finish) so as not to conceal the beautiful grain. I cleaned and lightly sanded to prepare the legs for 2 coats.

The finished color is a beautiful rich brown. All that was left was to secure the upholstered top using 4 L-brackets.

  • Looking fabulous in a neighbor’s living room.