Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Pre-Owned Table & DIY Upholstered Chairs

Hello there my fellow Do It Yourselfers! 

We have had this table with a glass insert for a couple of years now. 


When we purchased it, it really did catch my eye right away. Our dining room is fairly small and I thought it would be the perfect fit. 


I really liked the lattice design and carved flowers in the center of the table and on the backing of the chairs. 


However, over time I have noticed that the glass top was always so hard to keep looking clean. It always looked dirty, dusty and full of finger prints. And it's just me and Hubby at home! 

Also, when we had unexpected visitors I was always conscious of how the glass looked. Who wants to have yummy food served to them on a dirty looking table right?

So, I told Hubby that I wanted to try and sell it. He was probably tired of hearing me mention the dirty glass and told me to go ahead. However, selling a dining table when you don't already have one to buy is a little nerve racking. I was worried that we were going to be eating all of our meals picnic style on the floor for who only knows how long. I was having second thoughts about it.  Luckily when my hesitance kicked in, Hubby stepped in and gave me the push I needed to try and sell it. 


I love my Husband. We are such a great team. We are both fantastic individuals, but together we are phenomenal! There is nothing we can't accomplish together. When one is weak the other is strong. He is my happiness. 

Okay, back to the task at hand. I went to my nifty Craigslist Ap and posted an ad for the dining table. About five days passed and I finally got a bite. A very nice man came to look at it, negotiated on the price and took it home. Woot! Woot!

Now I'm on the hunt in a hurry for a table for us! On my most recent Swap Meet trip I came across this rustic table and cabinet. 


I just love Mexican Rustic Pine Furniture. We have many rustic pieces in our home. This set was being sold for a total of $125. Which, I thought was a pretty darn good price. 


The only thing I didn't like was the table top. It needed a good sanding, but my main concern was the cracks between the planks. I wasn't sure I was talented enough to fix it.  Though, I did get the sellers # in case he didn't sell it. I actually gave him a call the evening we sold our table, but he told me it had sold. And for $100! Oh well, it wasn't meant to be. 


A week prior to selling our table I had came across this ad on Craigslist. The price was right and I just adored the carved legs on the table and the chair backings. It reminded me of a farm house table and the chairs as chicken coop wire. And at the same time it reminded me of a table fit for a king and queen in medieval  times. I thought it was a very unique looking piece.  


The fabric on the chairs was not so pretty and I knew I would change that. 


I showed Hubby a picture of the table and he said it was nice. I also had sent a picture of it to a couple of friends and one said it was "ok" and the other said it was "nice".  Hearing everyone's lack of enthusiasm made me lose interest in it. Though, I still thought it was great. 


This Pottery Barn Table is what it kind of reminded me of. Ooh how I wish that one had 6 chairs. Though, two that work might not be very hard to find. 

After looking through Craigslist the evening we sold our table, I was really disappointed that there was not one dining set I was interested in. Not one! I didn't even see the Farm House Table Ad on there any longer. However, I had taken quite a few screen shots of the Farm House Table and did have the sellers #. I sent the seller a message and they told me it was still available. I made arrangements to see it the very next day. 

Once I got to the Sellers home, I really was not that impressed with the table. It was on their back patio in not the cleanest of conditions. It was more scratched than I expected and the seat cushions were very dirty. 

I must have looked at this table up and down for a good 15 minutes. Usually I know very quickly on whether I want to buy something or not. Though, in the end  it came home with me. 


Once home, I brought in the chairs and cleaned them up super well. I used Murphy Oil Soap and Pledge Revitalizing Oil. They polished up very nicely. 


When Hubby got home, we brought in the table and I worked on cleaning that as well.  


Even though the wood was cleaning up nicely. The seat cushions were really grossing me out and making me regret my decision on buying it. I knew those seat covers needed to be changed ASAP. 

I started thinking of what color fabric I would use to cover them. Then, I remembered about some silky fabric I had on hand and a couple of cloth shower curtains I had. I brought them all out. None looked good. 


Then I remembered about two curtain panels I am selling and have stored in the garage. We have a winner folks! 


I have never reupholstered chairs before, but have always wanted to try it. I watched a couple of YouTube Videos beforehand that made it look really easy. I was feeling confident! I unscrewed the seats from the chairs and decided to cut the curtains. I placed the seat on the curtain fabric and cut 6 inches wider than the seat on all four sides. 


Then I used a staple gun to secure the fabric to the bottom of the seat. I like that this doesn't have to be perfect. I ended up only using one 82x50 curtain panel to cover all four chairs.  Curtain Panels!  Who knew! 


Ta da!  I'm no professional, but you wouldn't know it! Looks like my first time was a charm! 


Kitty agrees! 


Ooh Baby! Love those legs! 


I now adore our table! It was a great buy.  Even though I didn't think so at first.  I can't believe I purchased this table, cleaned it and reupholstered the chairs all in one day! I am woman! Hear me roar! 

And to top it all off, Hubby only had to have his bowl of Cheerios on the floor for one morning. Though, the kitties enjoyed his company.  ;0)

Till next time! Never be afraid to change something you are unhappy with. If I can do it, you definitely can! 

            

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Swap Meet For Dummies

I'm just kidding on the title of this post. I would never say such a thing. I would just think it.  Just kidding again.  ;0)


Look at this cool Cats For Dummies Reference Guide I got for $0.50! Hopefully, I can learn a thing or two about my fur babies. 


How adorable is this Lace Teddy Bear! Cost $0.50! Hubby doesn't like it much though. He says it not having eyes freaks him out. And I thought my kitties were the scaredy cats! 


Isn't this Metal Basket great? It's heavy and the handles move. Cost $1 ! 


Bubble Vase cost $0.50! It was too cute to pass up and the price was right! 


Mr. Snail cost $0.50. I like that his metal head screws off. This is actually an Avon Bottle. 


Basket Desk Organizer cost $1. Being organized brings me joy. I know, I'm weird. 


Partylite Candle Holder cost $1. I think it is so unique. Can't wait to test it out with a mini candle. 


Pink & Brown Decorative Pillow cost $1! What a great buy. It has a bit of sheen to it and was in excellent condition. 

That's going to be it on this haul. Not a whole lot of goods, but I'm happy with my buys. Till next time! 

          

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Swap Meet Hump Day Haul

Get your mind out of the gutter will ya. By Hump Day, I mean Wednesday! ;0)


Vintage Mixer cost $1! I just adore the teal color of it. Talk about mixing up a sweet deal! 


Crystal Lamp cost $1. Works too. It didn't come with a lamp shade, but what do you expect for a buck! 


Metal Decorative Picture Frame cost $1.  It's so romantic looking. It makes me want to insert a photo of Hubby and I gazing into one another's eyes.


Flower Clutch Purse cost $1. It's such a cutie. 


Mini Basket cost $0.50. I'm going to use it to hold chalk for our chalk board in the dining room. It even has a hanging hook on the back of it. 


I know, we really should start eating healthier. Though, I did skip on the cookies went I went shopping today. :0)


Velvet Leopard Make-up Bag cost $0.50. In great condition too.  


Bouquet of Artificial Flowers cost $1. I have the perfect vase for them too. 


See told ya. Perfect. ;0)


Lighthouse Lamp cost $1! What a fantastic buy! This is actually going to be for a friend of mine that is doing her bathroom in a nautical theme. 


Two Iron Curtain Rods cost $3 for both. They might just be my best buy of the day! 

This haul is a bit short and sweet. Till next time sweeties! 

           
        



Sunday, September 1, 2013

My Red, White & Blue Swap Meet Haul



I started off my morning wearing red, white and blue. I was feeling a bit patriotic. And why wouldn't I? I am so proud to be an American! Little did I know this would set the tone of my Swap Meet Haul. :0)


I purchased this Bald Eagle Statue for $0.50!


This Red Bubble Vase cost $0.50! It will be so pretty to use for 4th of July, Christmas, and Valentine's Day. 


Angel Teddy Bear in a Wagon cost $1! Two of the wheels need to be screwed on. I noticed this year that we didn't have many 4th of July decorations. This will be the perfect addition. 


United We Stand T-Shirt cost $1. I got this for my Hubsters. :0)


Lovely Red Necklace cost $0.50! It's red hot! 


Navy Blue Basket cost $1. I purchased this for a friend of mine that is having her bathroom done in a nautical theme. 


Nautical Picture Frame cost $1. I also purchased this for my friend. Maybe she can insert a picture of her and her husband. :0)


Four Cloth Napkins cost $1 for all. Perfect for 4th of July. They still had the tags and don't appear to have ever been used. 


Large Bottle of Bubbles cost $1. It will be great to use with our bubble maker. Oh how I love bubbles! 


This Hugs and Kisses Frame cost $1! I'm going to insert a picture of me and my hubbylicious. :0)


This Mini Basket with Leather Handles cost $0.50! Too cute! 


Chips and Salsa Bowl Set cost $1! What a Fantastic Buy!!!


Beaded Necklace cost $0.50. Such vibrant colors. 


Angel Night Light cost $1. The light bulb even worked! 


This Mat was Free! I'm not sure of what it is to be used for. Though, I'm thinking of using it as my sewing machine cover. I can sew some ties to it. :0)


These Nine West Heels cost $1! I'm sexy and I know it! 


This Purse Necklace cost $2. I adore that it opens as a locket. 


Shell Tissue Holder cost $0.50! It will look great in our bedroom. 


This Iron Rose Base cost $1. I'm going to use it as a coaster for our bedroom night stand. Too bad they weren't selling two of them. 


Silky Fabric cost $0.50. I think the print is so pretty. It's quite a few yards too. 


Iron Jewelry Stand cost $0.50. This will be great to hang earrings on. 


Bread Basket cost $1. I just heart the ceramic sunflower handles. 


Brown Wood Box cost $1. Going to use it to store hubby's mini colognes. 


Craft Scissors cost $0.50. 


This Fan Water Spray Bottle cost $0.50! It's definitely going to help beat this San Diego heat wave!


Belt Hook cost $0.50. This will be used for hubby's belts. 


This Pillow cost $3. I had to have it! It reminded me of my hubby and I. This might just be my favorite buy of the day! I had to save the best for last. 

That's going to be it on this post! Till next time my fellow patriots! Stay proud! :0)