504 Main by Holly Lefevre: DIY! Trash to Treasure Fun
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DIY! Trash to Treasure Fun

I rarely find treasures on the corner or by the dumpster (and am so jealous of those who do!), but a few months ago, I headed over to the BIG recycling bin - I may have had some boxes left over from Christmas that just needed a new "home" - and I found this wood frame thingy leaning against a very sad upholstered chair!

I am not exactly sure what to call it - I have seen things like this that are picture frames (although none of the openings were of a normal photo size) or a coat hanger. It looks like there may have been a small shelf at some point as well. Who knows!? I was compelled to bring it home (I left the icky upholstered chair that was there).
I played around with it for awhile. I had one idea but that did not work and then another, but did not love it and now finally this idea, which if I do say so myself I kind of like.
So I normally like to show things others can replicate, and you may or may not be able to replicate this exactly, but consider this as inspiration. I considered this a MacGyver DIY. I just kept pulling stuff out gluing things together and cutting things up until I got what I wanted. Best yet this project cost ZERO DOLLARS (perhaps because I am a craft hoarder)!
Oh, I have thought about this...I do think you could create a similar item with chunky picture frames and a 1" x 4" piece of wood (I am working on one for my sons room). I used all kinds of random pieces I had around the house.

Trash to treasure and some creativity is the key!

SUPPLIES
Missing from this photo are Gorilla Glue, Krylon Dover White, and DecoArt Asphaltum and Staining/Antiquing Medium. Like I said this project evolved. There are photos below of these items
  • Milk Paint, Lamp Black from Rockler
  • Purdy Paint Brush
  • Krylon Looking Glass
  • Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint, Dover White (or accent color of choice)
  • Krylon Super Quick Spray Adhesive
  • Design Divas Vinyl "Home Sweet Home" #1502
  • Gorilla Wood Glue
  • Gorilla Glue
  • Sanding Bug Rockler
  • Dremel Multi-Max
  • DecoArt Staining and Antiquing Medium
  • DecoArt Acrylic Paint, Asphaltum
  • Deft Wood Finishing Spray in Semi-Gloss, Rockler
  • Foam Brush
  • Rags
  • Cork Tiles (from craft store)
  • Glass square (from old picture frame)
  • Knobs, hooks, etc. (I got mine at a craft store on clearance for 99cents each...I did not know what I was going to use them on but 99cents spoke to me!)
  • Wood Putty
  • Protective covering for work surface
DIY IT!
Go visit The DIY Club for the full tutorial!

Glue, putty, and reinforce!

Sand it all down.

Paint it. Stain it. Seal it.

Accessorize it!

At this point I was still figuring out what to do...
Take 1: I tried some photos...eeee...not quite right

Take 2: I tried all cork...eeeee...too blah!

Create a fun focal point
with Krylon's Looking Glass

Add some cork

And some Design Divas Vinyl
Voila!
I like it. I think it turned out pretty good for a trash to treasure. It took some time to get the right look - a look I was pleased with, but finally I just went with it.

Anyone have a good trash to treasure find and makeover?

Signature

16 comments:

  1. that is simply beautiful, awesome job!

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  2. it's great holly! I have that same home sweet home! :)
    I love trash! Sort of like oscar the grouch!

    gail

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  3. Holly, it came out fantastic! I especially love the distressed finish and the glass knobs!

    Jenn

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  4. I think it is perfect, it may have been free, but I think it looks like a million bucks!

    Carol

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  5. VERY nice!!! trash to treasure projects are some of my favorites ~ i love finding junk and turning it into something wonderful :)

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  6. My folks used to share an alley with a Pier One store. One evening they were on their deck and watching the Pier One dudes throw away a bunch of wrought iron furniture that had arrived slightly bent. My dad went dumpster diving that night and now -- I have the most beautiful deck furniture (note to self -- always have a dad whose summer jobs in college involved welding).

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  7. You worked some magic with that piece Holly. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Great job. I love that you pulled this out of the trash and turned it into something beautiful. You go girl!

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  9. It looks great, Holly! I love the mirror in the center. I get super jealous of those that seem to so easily find these roadside treasures, too. I just don't see those things where I live!

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  10. Great job! You gave it a perfect vintagey look.

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  11. Wow Holly! This looks great!! I love those knobs you used - and the vinyl on the mirror is perfect!

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  12. I need to be more crafty!!

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  13. Great find! Or at least it's great now that you've renovated it! I have a clearance Target "rack" that I am going fix up a little to spice it up! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  14. I absolutely love it, Holly. It's fantastic. I love how it turned out.

    Ruth

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  15. That is an amazing idea! I have to agree with you that trash to treasure and some creativity is the key. I'm loving the new look. Amazing job!

    computer desks

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!

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