I found this dresser just recently at a GoodWill store for $13.50 !
I loved the dresser~
just as it was!
No cutting up or reinventing this one. Just some paint and waxing this time around! (how unusual pour moi!)
.
The bed, I found at one of those St. Vinnie’s ½ price day sales $10 $5 (oh–about 3 yrs ago. I know, I know~ h-OAR-der).
It needed a lot of repair, and one of the foot board posts was so”iffy,” I just cut them both off and modified the ends to reattach the finials.
Last year I saw this brass branch with birds-thingy for $7.97 in a thrift store. I had an INstant flashback to an old ad for Patina Furniture. They were featuring this beaUtiful bed with birds atop each of the four posters. ~And it was an inCREDibly expensive bed.
So I bought the tacky brass-bird-thingy with the intentions of making my oWn version of the bed!
.
-Getting to work now-
I painted the dresser a Revere Pewter and Alabaster White combo and LUV’d it!
–and since the paint wAs already out– I just kept painting. ; D
Yes, from the hall tree, to the dresser, to the bed!
And then I waxed EVERYthing to the smOOthest finish! While I was at it–I even waxed the inside drawer rails because the drawers were just horrible to open and close. Now they just gLIDe!
Yes~my work space is cRAZy out of control at the moment, just don’t look at the background!
Out of all the mayhem came these beautiful pieces!
Now- my bed makeover!
Like I said, I cut off the foot board posts (again, because one was sO bad), cleaned scoured the whole bed–it was really gross! Then I painted away, sanded, painted, sanded–waxed. Wow did my arms ache after that time off.
I unscrewed 2 of the birds from their branch and quickly figured out a way to attach them to the top of the posts. Double threaded screws. So off I went to the big-box-store. But guess what—they don’t have anything so small.
The guy said, “I guess you’ll have to scrap your idea, huh?” Silly man. Never under estimate the power of a determined girl!
Okay, plan A—out. Plan B. Why don’t I enlarge the hole, and re-thread it to the smallest double threaded screw you have? The guy actually looked surprised, but agreed, THAt could work— .
So we grabbed the double threaded screws, headed over to the isle with the drill bit/re-threading parts -aNd thEN- he said I would need to buy this $9 hand tool to do the job. “WHY?” I asked. After he explained why, and we “discussed it,” I said I really thought I could do it without the pricey (probably, 1 time use) tool, but I wOUld buy it just for back up.
Maybe WOmen are just better at this stuff—I never had an ounce of trouble using my drill–very s l ow l y, and finished the task in less than 5 minutes. And I retURNed the unopened tool for a refund the next day.
I think my birds look sO cool perched up there!
And here’s the whole bed—
I wanted to float the bed in my small space, so I needed some supports to hold it upright. Bed stores actually sell short little bed rails for display purposes, but they’re expensive. And, honestly, I wasn’t sure someone wouldn’t assume they go with the bed at sale and take them too!
So I grabbed some scraps and made an improvised “collar.” While I was at it, I made a little platform so I could display some pillows in the void.
Here are my 2 concoctions—
Hope you like my projects and problem/solution ideas~
Btw—here’s my newly RE-LOADed space. Without an inch to spare in my 5ft deep x 11ft wide space, huh?
Catherine
PS~ I’m saving the other two birds for a project that will be for ME!
I’m sharing my projects in these linky parties!
Drooling as ever! Love your style and your stuff!
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Really creative!
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You are amaz-za-zing! Way to persevere in all the daily battles and come up with breathtaking treasures!
La Verne
hopeandsalvage.com
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You should have a show on DIY TV. You are so unbelievable. So happy you are over your health challenges. Nothing can stop you!
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DIY show~ omg, I have terrible stage fright! You notice there is seldom a photo of mE on my blog~
Thank you for the compliments–you ladies are always SO generous and kind!
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Love all your projects! …and I think women are great problem-solvers; maybe a more artistic nature??!
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I love the birds…so whimsical..and sort reminds me of a touch of fairy tale…which is where I live i!n my heart
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This is amazing! I love it when we are right and the guy (usually) at the tool place totally underestimates us!
These pieces are beautiful and I wish I could do such beautiful work.
Glad you are up to snuff again!
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You are a very talented creative woman. Love everything you touch your hand to. I only wish I could find pieces like this dresser at our Goodwills!!! Seem to never have furniture, just clothes, knickknacks and glassware 😦 Hurrah for Estate and yard sales….
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I think it was a real fluke—I don’t usually find things there either! It’s the oTHer thrift stores I have good luck in.
–And thank you for the compliments~
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Catherine, I have followed your page for a few months now, and while I am not yet brave enough to be Dr. Frankenstein by taking pieces apart and reassembling them in an ingenious way I do find inspiration from those that do. I am sorry I never commented before to tell you so. And today’s post was fantastic. The birdie bed is fab, and what a deal and transformation on the dresser.
I’m happy you are feeling better and able to show more of your great work.
Take care,
Cindy
West Lafayette, IN
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Thank you sO much Cindy!
I wish I was independently wealthy so I could just travel around to all of you, and show you some things with these fab power tools. And how they really are nOt hard to use–and how they will change your projects forever! You just have to be mindful of safety at all times.
I love to see women (some men I know too) empower themselves with tools!
Whatever the case~I’m so happy to know I inspire you!
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These were both so amazing! You really rocked these. And you’re right, good deals at Goodwill are hard to find. I have the best luck at garage sales!
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I love your bed “collar”, when there’s a will there’s a way!
Will be needing some power tools soon… Love the fact that they make projects go so much more quicker, so we can get more done!
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OMG! That bed with the birds is to die for! Great ideas.
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Love your makeovers! Love so much what you did with the birds! Would love it if you would link this up to Give Me The Goods Monday: 1 Party, 5 Blogs! http://www.rainonatinroof.com/2013/05/give-me-goods-link-party-7.html
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
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Okay, this is my favorite post of the night. Love the transformations, love your writing style, and love your decorating flair. I always keep my booth packed too – you are paying rent by the square foot so use it or lose it! Clever concoction to hold the bed boards.
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Love what you did with the bed, especially the birds!
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I love the dresser, what a great price!
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You are one very creative lady!! Thinking to dismantle the birds from their branch and add one to each post.. genius! My jaw is still dropped at what you paid for each piece of furniture… Jealous!! Have yet to find such fabulous deals. But each one filled your booth beautifully and I know they will sell quickly! Good for you!
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You are so creative! I am new from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and follow me back! Have a great day,Nicole
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What great finds! I would love for you to share this at my linky party. http://hickorytrailblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/efforts-and-assets-linky-party-1.html
Angela
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$13.50?? Amazing steal! Love your finds. Thanks for linking up to Give Me The Goods Monday! Hope to see you again this Monday 😉
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
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I love the transformations! The double threaded screw idea and the bracket and shelf for the bed were brilliant. Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Deborah
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You scored on those pieces & they are gorgeous all cream’ified! I’m featuring them in the PoPP Spotlight this week.
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[…] #3 ~ Freddy and Petunia shared lots of creamy white furniture […]
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loving the birds on the bed! 🙂
catching you!
gail
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[…] pretty furniture makeovers […]
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I love that little birdie perched up there!!! So cool! I love the dresser too. That was a heck of a deal. Your spot looks awesome. Great idea to stage the bed that way!
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Really gorgeous pieces! Love the subtle colours 🙂
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Oh Catherine……sigh!
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[…] at a thrift store? It is drop-dead beautiful with a fresh coat of paint – shared by Freddy and Petunia. Audrey @ Timeless Treasures is thrilled to have a new Silhouette and her first project she […]
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