Cutting a (Seagrass) Rug

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhmMt-DK-HzxvWPbpoMlD33uuj7WmjbIoICyt8PfWvYRWczHVLOu7m4Nioi9qw08QOGwIroVs_Wq0AeM2qNy09feYZoyDO6c7gTqmObmp705P8sF2lwNx6bsSpslfPBjQ5UUOVb2p9tY/s1600/IMG_5165_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhmMt-DK-HzxvWPbpoMlD33uuj7WmjbIoICyt8PfWvYRWczHVLOu7m4Nioi9qw08QOGwIroVs_Wq0AeM2qNy09feYZoyDO6c7gTqmObmp705P8sF2lwNx6bsSpslfPBjQ5UUOVb2p9tY/s400/IMG_5165_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sure you've been wondering what I'm going to do about the seagrass rug that goes all the way over the wall where my new bookcases and window seat are going to be built.  This is a rug I bought on ebay from Natural Home Rugs for about $250, including shipping.  They also do custom sizes but when I inquired about something custom in a slightly smaller size, the price was about $800.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd love to be able to get a sweet little Persian number for the room but with two bathrooms and a kitchen ahead of me, it's not in the budget right now.  I don't want to spend anything I don't HAVE to right now so I thought I'd try cutting it down on my own.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's how it went: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclZwGHKpBZrTi84CeO3CHjoP1QQhu0ZW3aqQUuEEtY9Qz2nEzyHarX-RgXMdazicC733cpFrdsWHldoCWS7H69KRSH3gwT2g8kse6mMwMo5b5k6RFSp_fKHkLwn5Op3PrLgwDEZaZAk8/s1600/IMG_5188_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclZwGHKpBZrTi84CeO3CHjoP1QQhu0ZW3aqQUuEEtY9Qz2nEzyHarX-RgXMdazicC733cpFrdsWHldoCWS7H69KRSH3gwT2g8kse6mMwMo5b5k6RFSp_fKHkLwn5Op3PrLgwDEZaZAk8/s400/IMG_5188_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These particular rugs have a rubber backing that prevents the rug from slipping.  That probably doesn't make rugs from this maker the greenest option but it also helps protect the floor.  I remember having a coir rug from Conran's back in the day that really chewed up the hardwood floor in my apartment.  Oops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The largest cabinet depth is going to be 18 inches so I decide I'll take the same amount off the rug.  I measured in 18 inches from the end and used my 4-foot level to connect my marks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM8McAn4NH_7tlXaEri5Hmx7UfnVaM-tqE0uZyI-uhRppD6wgniK59lWmjDe__V1EL4BUBRH919jjCK7Ed9dFjp12TYYPtXqMPTYsQ4K4dG8IRdp1dBIV3XdqDrvTcWkj3vj5eaeGFGs/s1600/IMG_5189_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpM8McAn4NH_7tlXaEri5Hmx7UfnVaM-tqE0uZyI-uhRppD6wgniK59lWmjDe__V1EL4BUBRH919jjCK7Ed9dFjp12TYYPtXqMPTYsQ4K4dG8IRdp1dBIV3XdqDrvTcWkj3vj5eaeGFGs/s400/IMG_5189_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once that was done, I used a box cutter to cut through the rubber backing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ymOERRrZvZlSSPTlXqhlXl2_xZscAt4m1ZrXJ4CBg0s4pmXnG-66R6UBuTEew27tJ520nCo2OCNJSkdfanZzpW6UQAUdB6WoD834SgDijdDhBcc75Jk5rkXW1RmvKjaKNd_1Qys-1Sc/s1600/IMG_5193_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ymOERRrZvZlSSPTlXqhlXl2_xZscAt4m1ZrXJ4CBg0s4pmXnG-66R6UBuTEew27tJ520nCo2OCNJSkdfanZzpW6UQAUdB6WoD834SgDijdDhBcc75Jk5rkXW1RmvKjaKNd_1Qys-1Sc/s400/IMG_5193_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By folding the rug along that cut, I could then cut through the fibers of the rug without cutting through into the rug itself.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xKbEf5xsPtY1i0x9QQLUnMnN7vxK3QRDsuTSdq4HluNW6zC8Wdu6tdciWfossJml5TLmpzPnLK6jHogt4-C8abwkHh82TuqmDCDI8Rm6FbgGsp6uCsHIREToM63rnMlDT8xxk43h5Qo/s1600/IMG_5194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xKbEf5xsPtY1i0x9QQLUnMnN7vxK3QRDsuTSdq4HluNW6zC8Wdu6tdciWfossJml5TLmpzPnLK6jHogt4-C8abwkHh82TuqmDCDI8Rm6FbgGsp6uCsHIREToM63rnMlDT8xxk43h5Qo/s400/IMG_5194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I then put a bead of Gorilla glue along the newly cut edge and smooshed it in to prevent the edge from fraying.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMsKRTpkkBNo_xXUMbCMby8gp8watZfslDXcBNVprttg0YC3ycFK7zlcJtSSud8j5hzzrRC5wN9dII15OK0Z020j1GexX02PR5Jm3MtjSznYmK4RQEcXx6k9nB45aqYXpqWzWUDG806E/s1600/IMG_5195_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMsKRTpkkBNo_xXUMbCMby8gp8watZfslDXcBNVprttg0YC3ycFK7zlcJtSSud8j5hzzrRC5wN9dII15OK0Z020j1GexX02PR5Jm3MtjSznYmK4RQEcXx6k9nB45aqYXpqWzWUDG806E/s400/IMG_5195_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now we have to get the binding off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQiNSvL7N7R4UjaYkiSXXgUo4CJbkL1RGlobifSDbDlkudRSRfyTgekPBQa4rmuzeuc9px1BtdxflQSvVhiT4AONct21Lj-Ioqglj30N3dQoJX19Bd7wK4mCKpCzWSjitsGkVAESLHWs/s1600/IMG_5187_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQiNSvL7N7R4UjaYkiSXXgUo4CJbkL1RGlobifSDbDlkudRSRfyTgekPBQa4rmuzeuc9px1BtdxflQSvVhiT4AONct21Lj-Ioqglj30N3dQoJX19Bd7wK4mCKpCzWSjitsGkVAESLHWs/s400/IMG_5187_2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get out the handy dandy seam ripper and go to work.  There's no way I can sew the binding back on but I think glue will do the trick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYW9ArvjrzbZrrxRjCZ4vFZHpybz29KmaBNwtkcQlSxUcYQV9IIAbfCdwAG3zINDUVeI-5ox7CA_3wC-F9dHPRA1_Bf1pDOoI9upfQmzmsYGijywEICUYqA3kAIcPCgxEIAqonk_O5Dk/s1600/IMG_5196_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYW9ArvjrzbZrrxRjCZ4vFZHpybz29KmaBNwtkcQlSxUcYQV9IIAbfCdwAG3zINDUVeI-5ox7CA_3wC-F9dHPRA1_Bf1pDOoI9upfQmzmsYGijywEICUYqA3kAIcPCgxEIAqonk_O5Dk/s400/IMG_5196_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I replaced the binding over the cut edge and put a good dose of Gorilla glue on the rug as well as the back of the binding.  I'm sure hot glue would work just as well but I usually burn myself when I use it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JoKGYc7YnI147TL2PIMRQr54pap9sGgEeyLF83sND-WjD7WI5SYuBCPu7PngJZnHAlJwk4PFxBnb_cB5KDCnEvhBp042Enfi_zKyUSHqX92uvo2u4WIpq6p2_8oGtM4dPGMAq69cuL0/s1600/IMG_5197_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JoKGYc7YnI147TL2PIMRQr54pap9sGgEeyLF83sND-WjD7WI5SYuBCPu7PngJZnHAlJwk4PFxBnb_cB5KDCnEvhBp042Enfi_zKyUSHqX92uvo2u4WIpq6p2_8oGtM4dPGMAq69cuL0/s400/IMG_5197_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Press the binding down firmly just until the glue is starting to ooze out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWyRzKvufNFzfqdWlPDQBThL9lEbc26EgH_RgYd41OIN6uFQnMv2ucXgfAPoIj3i9U3tHdYO5yM-ocYcrK_PPPA96dAzrT3n5I23Dn9aclaHQk31QtsqO9trC7MZdJRpfOqQmqtU78v0/s1600/IMG_5198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWyRzKvufNFzfqdWlPDQBThL9lEbc26EgH_RgYd41OIN6uFQnMv2ucXgfAPoIj3i9U3tHdYO5yM-ocYcrK_PPPA96dAzrT3n5I23Dn9aclaHQk31QtsqO9trC7MZdJRpfOqQmqtU78v0/s400/IMG_5198.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a board with some paint cans to keep weight on the edge for a few hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmOo3nU6V-FlUzVUYLJGBCZkaAvolM3SDyyER0Dj6Zlf-e223UTx6V65zyA_MLxZFuiSnziaEjBD5NnS636bUlDUuw4tbCP9ioHYRK0AM7kv4Qjk_kidwMmw4cLSFFIk2YuCqBQ4GDP0/s1600/IMG_5221_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmOo3nU6V-FlUzVUYLJGBCZkaAvolM3SDyyER0Dj6Zlf-e223UTx6V65zyA_MLxZFuiSnziaEjBD5NnS636bUlDUuw4tbCP9ioHYRK0AM7kv4Qjk_kidwMmw4cLSFFIk2YuCqBQ4GDP0/s400/IMG_5221_2.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the corner, the binding folds over and gets glued to the back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaEyU8SBpW3pXzOboCpV4pU0Nor2vg3UN1t-g3jerJxW79svc8Kku-JEyiHGqz_6sD-GxMQhddnHKa-hk_i3Txg7oD8n4-sO6kaWWFGoWsTS3LTG-nsutgcbfZ0MKeEhpBUCRxnItq6o/s1600/IMG_5221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaEyU8SBpW3pXzOboCpV4pU0Nor2vg3UN1t-g3jerJxW79svc8Kku-JEyiHGqz_6sD-GxMQhddnHKa-hk_i3Txg7oD8n4-sO6kaWWFGoWsTS3LTG-nsutgcbfZ0MKeEhpBUCRxnItq6o/s400/IMG_5221.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If your rug has a mitered edge, you would have to sew a portion of the binding from the side edge to make it long enough to fold over on to the back.  Once the front is dry, glue the binding to the back of the rug.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEQk5Fh7lnccKmIjYJFgJ0gC_z4CK2ndmJn1bZr7oYpKgx3d-DgZT1tg3olGcBsaAl6mwTtQZZEnwlPcrJd2y7TiifUpoK0NpV_4EKdpiwB7yI6D7sFfy7_XawM49q1VWwXc4oTTJav8/s1600/IMG_5220_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEQk5Fh7lnccKmIjYJFgJ0gC_z4CK2ndmJn1bZr7oYpKgx3d-DgZT1tg3olGcBsaAl6mwTtQZZEnwlPcrJd2y7TiifUpoK0NpV_4EKdpiwB7yI6D7sFfy7_XawM49q1VWwXc4oTTJav8/s400/IMG_5220_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">And here's the new finished edge.  This back edge of the carpet won't get much traffic but even without it being sewn down, I think it's adhered well enough to stand up to traffic.</div></div>

Cutting a (Seagrass) Rug

I'm sure you've been wondering what I'm going to do about the seagrass rug that goes all the way over the wall where my new book...

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Dresser Makeover: Before & After

So, my office has been looking like this for the past couple weeks:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind9-Q4Z5qYmxTVlnLTzBJ6S1R1upcRgps9Wm4iG1E1HzpaViP0lo9IM2KiF2bqmblz5hsbQn6R8IbzbS3fzrZ11HPicq9z4jTYWsvhx0VZQBxMcJsFOhV4Xz21pETyAuD6mERDJUxTbDJ/s1600/IMG_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind9-Q4Z5qYmxTVlnLTzBJ6S1R1upcRgps9Wm4iG1E1HzpaViP0lo9IM2KiF2bqmblz5hsbQn6R8IbzbS3fzrZ11HPicq9z4jTYWsvhx0VZQBxMcJsFOhV4Xz21pETyAuD6mERDJUxTbDJ/s640/IMG_4382.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Not a good look, and I was getting sick of it. I had decided that I needed a dresser, and needed it fast. I thought it would be fun (and cheaper) to refinish my own. So I began scouring craigslist ads for the perfect fit. <br /><br />I hadn't had much luck, largely because I have no truck/means to transport furniture, so needless to say I was getting desperate.<br /><br />Friday evening I finally found it. The perfect little rescue project.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtDmD9jKEI-3jpZKGrKGanUgzwu-PEWseWvbgeTcihnm8JSet1ObMiufl9PwtD4yTOzNDTMUp3joPSOu-pVAYeum5yzeBnt-4bH8_ezeYeCK1o55jhVNjwVjnqgkFIq0yr8WtR7co00Hu/s1600/3k83p53la5Y65P65R5b4173cd13ab0732185c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtDmD9jKEI-3jpZKGrKGanUgzwu-PEWseWvbgeTcihnm8JSet1ObMiufl9PwtD4yTOzNDTMUp3joPSOu-pVAYeum5yzeBnt-4bH8_ezeYeCK1o55jhVNjwVjnqgkFIq0yr8WtR7co00Hu/s1600/3k83p53la5Y65P65R5b4173cd13ab0732185c.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Only $25 (plus $10 to deliver)! I didn't even try to bargain with the guy because I was so excited just to have it.<br /><br />When it arrived that night, it was clear why it was so cheap. This thing was beat up.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS91tsDcNFqCAaYXOwlITk5Vr6wk69gGg-v5DfCAgbobJNEOAIGe8n_ENj3g5f3pCER9lQWCGn07g99een29S_Pe8KgUoTWPd7GFAOskNcN5-xdM6zMALUp5R7TzwUPqBcywsn-7lQ4Pq/s1600/IMG_4395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS91tsDcNFqCAaYXOwlITk5Vr6wk69gGg-v5DfCAgbobJNEOAIGe8n_ENj3g5f3pCER9lQWCGn07g99een29S_Pe8KgUoTWPd7GFAOskNcN5-xdM6zMALUp5R7TzwUPqBcywsn-7lQ4Pq/s640/IMG_4395.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Scratches and gashes everywhere...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55_RYqhrlq8NZ4WzQBi7j4LU79NtJzcMfsPe9F-CY877XQxgCeNhVSi-2-TOM-7WYc6fMAfno-x9EF_Qa3_IgpSW11eXIe5ZN3oCclzvJqSXcqfXLWZbnB63UUHuYaw4hjAmjtoSSIunU/s1600/IMG_4394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55_RYqhrlq8NZ4WzQBi7j4LU79NtJzcMfsPe9F-CY877XQxgCeNhVSi-2-TOM-7WYc6fMAfno-x9EF_Qa3_IgpSW11eXIe5ZN3oCclzvJqSXcqfXLWZbnB63UUHuYaw4hjAmjtoSSIunU/s640/IMG_4394.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Missing dowels...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPkWaGhWxksl-r96k7XTnLB6LjWVVW12zfOvD6SafIUeHsDKeGDRa-7GqzuccTxDAdlKsv8VXY9b38sLUNmkn297tC9oH5J0xLvoPELv8DVWniRPcV25dLvR2OhOsbHE9gmh2kQG3-PAG/s1600/IMG_4400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPkWaGhWxksl-r96k7XTnLB6LjWVVW12zfOvD6SafIUeHsDKeGDRa-7GqzuccTxDAdlKsv8VXY9b38sLUNmkn297tC9oH5J0xLvoPELv8DVWniRPcV25dLvR2OhOsbHE9gmh2kQG3-PAG/s640/IMG_4400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It was rough. But I was determined to make it useful <em>and</em> pretty. So I made a trip to the hardware store the next morning to pick up some supplies.<br /><br />I had been carefully studying all of my paint options over at <a href="http://centsationalgirl.com/">Centsational girl's</a> blog, and decided that spray paint was the way to go. All of her projects turn out flawlessly, and she uses spray paint on many of her furniture pieces. I only had one weekend and it <em>had</em> to get done, so I knew this was the quickest and easiest solution. <br /><br />Here's what I was working with:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A0g-CWh-JTg9ELirDJjM6vFhS-FEL6wcr7K3MzqNW-__00BZTZbpTe5uCGUFD2X6bsJv3mOawhkWXv-5R6rglF6RblBlRNoODldie698UCYIDDktVP9qNDYzTr4ijeN8U3dWJDSRC4tw/s1600/IMG_4399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A0g-CWh-JTg9ELirDJjM6vFhS-FEL6wcr7K3MzqNW-__00BZTZbpTe5uCGUFD2X6bsJv3mOawhkWXv-5R6rglF6RblBlRNoODldie698UCYIDDktVP9qNDYzTr4ijeN8U3dWJDSRC4tw/s640/IMG_4399.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I decided to use paint stripper to try and remove the glossy varnish coat. I'm still not entirely sure if that was necessary, or if just some sanding would have done the trick, but I loathe sanding so anything to reduce the amount of sanding time sounded like a good idea.<br /><br />Here's the stuff in action:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UZglTwij0ATuMp9Kgh7ciRNpBbs_7bwqAXPpqQ0D7M7QOJ3Cs-18wxCd39PEXij-Uydani2pgmPbdHbjvSs5QCrMXlGL9lvZD_aqchkfJIY5RHNewek6kqDI5s0lhpEZ3eFiY2LSNoMG/s1600/IMG_4408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UZglTwij0ATuMp9Kgh7ciRNpBbs_7bwqAXPpqQ0D7M7QOJ3Cs-18wxCd39PEXij-Uydani2pgmPbdHbjvSs5QCrMXlGL9lvZD_aqchkfJIY5RHNewek6kqDI5s0lhpEZ3eFiY2LSNoMG/s640/IMG_4408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Looks like it's working, right? Well, not entirely. Some areas peeled off like butter, others were really stuck on there. I have a feeling it had to do with the thickness of my coat of stripper, so take my advice and lay it on thick if you're wondering. <br /><br />Here's some of the easier areas coming off:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Vz4dwrrqU0w5VjXFlZuDqAXpPtuU3rYQQwH_1_5_n7O3eIoalIEqwV0Hd5Tx2lA-K-0zZTHZedNW1utjGTCHKdvhNge7bK3dAiKnzUHsmT0bLX1XTNsz0mcd2xjTMgv5vZnGugzcops2/s1600/IMG_4410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Vz4dwrrqU0w5VjXFlZuDqAXpPtuU3rYQQwH_1_5_n7O3eIoalIEqwV0Hd5Tx2lA-K-0zZTHZedNW1utjGTCHKdvhNge7bK3dAiKnzUHsmT0bLX1XTNsz0mcd2xjTMgv5vZnGugzcops2/s640/IMG_4410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Here's some of the ensuing mess:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw8DC7mxSW-SF6iq8Y6WV2T1FTD990deC8V3Sl6FDX2i6v7tAuqldgnT9TezYFmZk4usLK5pxFaQu0ALIbYub4mGBP5AGO6SJn-iAZVgXAWPM6nvP5kkiPJfQiDZKrOn3FVyEyqED_8VE/s1600/IMG_4412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw8DC7mxSW-SF6iq8Y6WV2T1FTD990deC8V3Sl6FDX2i6v7tAuqldgnT9TezYFmZk4usLK5pxFaQu0ALIbYub4mGBP5AGO6SJn-iAZVgXAWPM6nvP5kkiPJfQiDZKrOn3FVyEyqED_8VE/s640/IMG_4412.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After I had scraped as much as I could stand, I began the <strike>annoying</strike> fun process of sanding. Sandpaper was something I forgot to pick up at the hardware store, so I was stuck with my 150 grit. Pretty sure from the scratches I was leaving that was way too rough. Next time I'll remember to pick up some finer stuff (along with a sander perhaps to make my life easier).<br /><br />After sanding, I went ahead and patched up all of the dents/holes/missing chunks I could find using lightweight spackle...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Nm0jpuSHKUZRFJifmmrF0ZvVfDewFNnV5zIRmlqZZFmt-qjW8nOSaCzOUe2gelqDnPUhBz9jlqTkRpg5V0NpBFgW6-VJrfffXWrMH7mzqYIu82cINU5GPo-zI6KMmH1DCPEgx8noW3F/s1600/IMG_4413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0Nm0jpuSHKUZRFJifmmrF0ZvVfDewFNnV5zIRmlqZZFmt-qjW8nOSaCzOUe2gelqDnPUhBz9jlqTkRpg5V0NpBFgW6-VJrfffXWrMH7mzqYIu82cINU5GPo-zI6KMmH1DCPEgx8noW3F/s640/IMG_4413.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Probably not the ideal stuff to use on wood, but I purchased some wood putty only to read the instructions which said "this putty does not dry and can not be sanded"... great, what good is it then? I don't know. But my spackle worked just fine.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZahYhVS4d1neGy-oN38OMFT9D0lPEQmK9Bt6FXWRY6dSQJzLoe4xB_2y-voGIP-YxyG_obpduEF6XQUYorGYwDRBMMxo9fKwtM___sryLl4En0IHVTe-sSxm61UWvwWTphSmR1yNmNZR/s1600/IMG_4416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZahYhVS4d1neGy-oN38OMFT9D0lPEQmK9Bt6FXWRY6dSQJzLoe4xB_2y-voGIP-YxyG_obpduEF6XQUYorGYwDRBMMxo9fKwtM___sryLl4En0IHVTe-sSxm61UWvwWTphSmR1yNmNZR/s640/IMG_4416.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg6aqS14h7MeiyIolYSYFDJc_gzX-NIlzoyywjiZj-L5bsFXVFOK-ZcHW64JyYjbTkbuj93HOOZMXR1E8eLeHx-6Tlm7XwrdqS1p26KfUo3eGlLNTbNa5WMKMG5L8USrAjMwRQ3KS_oTF/s1600/IMG_4418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg6aqS14h7MeiyIolYSYFDJc_gzX-NIlzoyywjiZj-L5bsFXVFOK-ZcHW64JyYjbTkbuj93HOOZMXR1E8eLeHx-6Tlm7XwrdqS1p26KfUo3eGlLNTbNa5WMKMG5L8USrAjMwRQ3KS_oTF/s640/IMG_4418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After allowing it to dry, I did one more light sanding, then wiped the surface down with paint thinner to clear any dust and debris.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAE_ytySThXnz_SMFEQ7FdV6wxWzODNy0KjvZ7vKFN7T_b67l4K58uDRCqhOT505F99kFW6xmZRX0IBG97pX-ynxFqlEfLP7ykbJkRxpoBrNsgjYyxTghmGpiZMHPxENrJWdB9_74qPU6/s1600/IMG_4420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAE_ytySThXnz_SMFEQ7FdV6wxWzODNy0KjvZ7vKFN7T_b67l4K58uDRCqhOT505F99kFW6xmZRX0IBG97pX-ynxFqlEfLP7ykbJkRxpoBrNsgjYyxTghmGpiZMHPxENrJWdB9_74qPU6/s640/IMG_4420.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Then came the fun part: prime & paint!<br /><br />I used a can of Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultra cover 2x Primer. After the can was empty, I had this...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMrl-nvn984WClNyRh24PWzyuxZ7llRb-KP7E84Or8dcWrYv68ToAFPEdTOzj-loSbYgGyaiHBEf3qOG9d_vjBaQQv5QqGNBE5nKD7tdy4vc7w2OgwjXbUPvz8ToW8VYpdhNHCOAJLPPw/s1600/IMG_4424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMrl-nvn984WClNyRh24PWzyuxZ7llRb-KP7E84Or8dcWrYv68ToAFPEdTOzj-loSbYgGyaiHBEf3qOG9d_vjBaQQv5QqGNBE5nKD7tdy4vc7w2OgwjXbUPvz8ToW8VYpdhNHCOAJLPPw/s640/IMG_4424.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><br />Didn't quite cover all the way. I foolishly believed their claim that "1 can = the coverage of 2". Trust me, they lie. Then I became concerned that the two cans of paint I purchased wouldn't be enough to thoroughly cover the dresser.<br /><br />My suspicions were confirmed, and it was back to the hardware store. This time I played it safe and bought three cans, and I went with a different paint because I wasn't fond of the way the Painter's Touch would randomly spit and splatter the paint out. Not cool Rustoleum.<br /><br />So I instead got this, which I remembered seeing Kate (Censational girl) using often:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://risdpedia.net/images/thumb/5/5b/Rust-Oleum_Gloss_Protective_Enamel_2.jpg/150px-Rust-Oleum_Gloss_Protective_Enamel_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://risdpedia.net/images/thumb/5/5b/Rust-Oleum_Gloss_Protective_Enamel_2.jpg/150px-Rust-Oleum_Gloss_Protective_Enamel_2.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No splattering from this can, whew. I ended up using another 1.5 cans to fully cover. I noticed that this new paint was actually glossy, while the first really wasn't, which left an undesirable spotty effect on the finish. I tried to capture it in the light here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtRuepwaC-CSO7_yjKC5wpKXUFrxh45OyiFu84Iy2dbC0pD-hjV77BvZzLIwxvmnbUTuZyKJSrqwlfMu13OiftKd15MnTz7roDRrAkgNMHz-sBcFjFoR2hBu5H0r7Hc0PTrqBQASj7hFa/s1600/IMG_4427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtRuepwaC-CSO7_yjKC5wpKXUFrxh45OyiFu84Iy2dbC0pD-hjV77BvZzLIwxvmnbUTuZyKJSrqwlfMu13OiftKd15MnTz7roDRrAkgNMHz-sBcFjFoR2hBu5H0r7Hc0PTrqBQASj7hFa/s640/IMG_4427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See the spotty area where it looks like part of it's still wet and part is dry in the right corner? Yeah, no bueno. So I gave it one last coat of paint and hoped for the best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While it was drying, I gave the hardware a coat of my favorite stuff in a bottle <em>(aside from three olives bubble gum vodka),</em> Krylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL1kDo2Jx0UEo6ZuAn29pRsnKN9UT52tTS3TRx64GgGndW0wJy-Id84jM7KuYnK6vuXiB9cx85ZEEXFWGYO3MTY0ILxgPvplav5Ti4cZWvMsXB8a85cENeDoPPS18f1tc8Iu2fOG1b5yb/s1600/IMG_4425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL1kDo2Jx0UEo6ZuAn29pRsnKN9UT52tTS3TRx64GgGndW0wJy-Id84jM7KuYnK6vuXiB9cx85ZEEXFWGYO3MTY0ILxgPvplav5Ti4cZWvMsXB8a85cENeDoPPS18f1tc8Iu2fOG1b5yb/s640/IMG_4425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't help but notice how much smoother and effortlessly this paint went on compared to the Rustoleum. This is the only experience I have with the two brands, but seriously, this Krylon is miles above both of the Rustoleum brands I used. Just my observations.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Anyway, I finally had everything dry and ready for the next step: lining the drawers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiTPEWHMzbZfl6Y6lFHDI0xoz_wfnvxnQyQIcHWhq_CGnc7LjiCotgx-O1oVfZHnfjarLeihZOLX1wQDDQxJMMfyGvNgNX4hmuKJWcZbT2PeBjVXEjFUzlY5qJGziijV5YdPo4q_EjpwQ/s1600/IMG_4426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiTPEWHMzbZfl6Y6lFHDI0xoz_wfnvxnQyQIcHWhq_CGnc7LjiCotgx-O1oVfZHnfjarLeihZOLX1wQDDQxJMMfyGvNgNX4hmuKJWcZbT2PeBjVXEjFUzlY5qJGziijV5YdPo4q_EjpwQ/s640/IMG_4426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was originally looking for some wrapping paper to modge podge, but after no luck finding any that I liked at Michaels, CVS and Walmart, I found some contact paper for a few bucks at Walmart in fun lime green stripes that I thought would make a nice alternative:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJHjqtCq2VrxOUkKWNsNNkQZjQueJeiHYp9jVqRqVuyJr4Ql0Ywa8QnupEai-Bj7m9xXNsm_1jlIa4jAmmmgYbUuurBP5tSHcPmOpvTlsNbPdkPOflBO6XZNaXexmAkz_fWmgrOE1UByt/s1600/IMG_4428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJHjqtCq2VrxOUkKWNsNNkQZjQueJeiHYp9jVqRqVuyJr4Ql0Ywa8QnupEai-Bj7m9xXNsm_1jlIa4jAmmmgYbUuurBP5tSHcPmOpvTlsNbPdkPOflBO6XZNaXexmAkz_fWmgrOE1UByt/s640/IMG_4428.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I measured the drawers, then cut using an Xacto knife (this stuff slices like butter)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaRR90RQTx9fKdC9v-kpkR9E-DGQE3CloK90VftGehvAB3yN2zHQzSJSVqWRRqCU-HcI-bPE81Gj5PskZBK44OOb6yLGojK7Gz8SOjKrnNTi-vYXYFR5GJ0h4t8lHgArmu2Hv4U2kIcGA/s1600/IMG_4429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaRR90RQTx9fKdC9v-kpkR9E-DGQE3CloK90VftGehvAB3yN2zHQzSJSVqWRRqCU-HcI-bPE81Gj5PskZBK44OOb6yLGojK7Gz8SOjKrnNTi-vYXYFR5GJ0h4t8lHgArmu2Hv4U2kIcGA/s640/IMG_4429.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br />Once cut to size, I removed the entire backing off and positioned it until it lined up perfectly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hqUM98maIGyAopVg5_0tXa9qa909IrSaGxAInzVBhYZewwdlBjT22-7sIgQ14XQso8On0AcPBSlKJNnaQn5b7IY0yApkSVS1tNs0ZKLqEkIPHamE9jcgBGfJCyRUzOknf9hpT1ohJzTW/s1600/IMG_4432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hqUM98maIGyAopVg5_0tXa9qa909IrSaGxAInzVBhYZewwdlBjT22-7sIgQ14XQso8On0AcPBSlKJNnaQn5b7IY0yApkSVS1tNs0ZKLqEkIPHamE9jcgBGfJCyRUzOknf9hpT1ohJzTW/s640/IMG_4432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />What's great about this paper is that the backside is only slightly tacky, so you can move it around as much as you'd like without risking any wrinkles or rips. And it's not as thin and paper-like as wrapping paper, so it's harder to crease. <br /><br />Once in place, I lifted the corners of just the areas that needed it and applied modge podge.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjpL-ia0NGUo5k0epLsbj8S2QP3hoWoM73oXPiKQ-YdwOynAzY4OVbiYSwQ1Zk5ht4xT6p7dUPnFl-8bdZN4hj-C7rDRGlCux0oQEbcjwsi241tHCYPIeTyg4cidJNPwsSDU_53RLPu2n/s1600/IMG_4430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjpL-ia0NGUo5k0epLsbj8S2QP3hoWoM73oXPiKQ-YdwOynAzY4OVbiYSwQ1Zk5ht4xT6p7dUPnFl-8bdZN4hj-C7rDRGlCux0oQEbcjwsi241tHCYPIeTyg4cidJNPwsSDU_53RLPu2n/s640/IMG_4430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />That was all it needed and it was in place. Very pleased at how it turned out and I'm so glad I found it instead of using the wrapping paper. And I can easily remove it and switch it out later on if I wanted to change it. <br /><br />Behold, a finished drawer:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifklfPZLfLEGmhv81UD_vSDoIFpuWfCGOsxOnV70VLVmWiT96q_WJxjMLyeJQLSS1syXev8BIWt2-_7sjk8HbCukGELjiE78MI9gTN02ajIeiPmjcD_nuFA5K4Qmi0yWmj_qu_etLJlD8f/s1600/IMG_4442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifklfPZLfLEGmhv81UD_vSDoIFpuWfCGOsxOnV70VLVmWiT96q_WJxjMLyeJQLSS1syXev8BIWt2-_7sjk8HbCukGELjiE78MI9gTN02ajIeiPmjcD_nuFA5K4Qmi0yWmj_qu_etLJlD8f/s640/IMG_4442.jpg" width="542" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Finally, it was time for the handles to be reattached:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSyrHF8T4dlikgKXKoID9ovF33EZT5Lj7zWcliE_u3lV4_Cv2RdBmQlm6__6p2woD3LEfR58LNNS5ZPC0B8KlQQrCPUQTPfWCv_FyBve_v5IV3oQHYYoukFtKGxwaUy57AZ0-slbdEHsK/s1600/IMG_4443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSyrHF8T4dlikgKXKoID9ovF33EZT5Lj7zWcliE_u3lV4_Cv2RdBmQlm6__6p2woD3LEfR58LNNS5ZPC0B8KlQQrCPUQTPfWCv_FyBve_v5IV3oQHYYoukFtKGxwaUy57AZ0-slbdEHsK/s640/IMG_4443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And here it is, in its new home:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzYw-IcKH0WO0naGI3e7dxIIh5dZX5C_OAnQMeDdGKgWC7nPX2-TvhwIH5P-8LyaO8WZtOzXrwVWqdeYu8OPnzllH7-57cwkO77d_g9mNxxfWVW42cy8PJAB3LBXtl5Tcbeo0onbGx-kZ/s1600/IMG_4451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIzYw-IcKH0WO0naGI3e7dxIIh5dZX5C_OAnQMeDdGKgWC7nPX2-TvhwIH5P-8LyaO8WZtOzXrwVWqdeYu8OPnzllH7-57cwkO77d_g9mNxxfWVW42cy8PJAB3LBXtl5Tcbeo0onbGx-kZ/s640/IMG_4451.jpg" width="528" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR-PDqEVnaIEP1kmSsEEhq3qIAaMinKp5-gHMI17e0Ae3Txq4icfDs3HM_S5C7xptktVYuPoBLNgHwDYKit3lShrERn8q02wpIsTrVB3PNhCnd9k3pnwn4gkIbnbMVLWIqkJRtv5Vw1GI/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwR-PDqEVnaIEP1kmSsEEhq3qIAaMinKp5-gHMI17e0Ae3Txq4icfDs3HM_S5C7xptktVYuPoBLNgHwDYKit3lShrERn8q02wpIsTrVB3PNhCnd9k3pnwn4gkIbnbMVLWIqkJRtv5Vw1GI/s640/IMG_4455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The top area will be a cutting & weighing station, and the inside is filled with all my packing materials.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNNv6KwdDj8ICbBX1XZxMJFQ4QF56l0rARRibSADO3nVNdPyMsW_vD6EYywK4_YUvmIvjIPvojw9sl5SrDMbn72r2K4wKvifBvosxqW55BTwpaN9wNKxDbjVbyrTR83aRaXFSkiogr-ID/s1600/IMG_4452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNNv6KwdDj8ICbBX1XZxMJFQ4QF56l0rARRibSADO3nVNdPyMsW_vD6EYywK4_YUvmIvjIPvojw9sl5SrDMbn72r2K4wKvifBvosxqW55BTwpaN9wNKxDbjVbyrTR83aRaXFSkiogr-ID/s640/IMG_4452.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZuISfzl5XrFnqMZSDJ0coa6u9Lvs3mspiN6cd7o5Cn1QXex3-pJoNmg5stvhSNmFtXrZYyIW_sowo9s-_E34Eq42Yd0jO-G6IBI9ubU6kyY2BTfsT_gNKOZAyYDEYfPAyM1xV6qVp0UK/s1600/IMG_4453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZuISfzl5XrFnqMZSDJ0coa6u9Lvs3mspiN6cd7o5Cn1QXex3-pJoNmg5stvhSNmFtXrZYyIW_sowo9s-_E34Eq42Yd0jO-G6IBI9ubU6kyY2BTfsT_gNKOZAyYDEYfPAyM1xV6qVp0UK/s640/IMG_4453.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><br />All in all, I am pleased with the results, and that I accomplished it all on my own in a weekend with a limited budget (and a miserable head cold). I'm glad I finally got my feet wet with this whole refinishing thing, but for my next project, I'll definitely be using regular oil based paint out of a can. And making sure to take the time to do a proper sanding and priming. The craigslist hunt begins again for the perfect pedastal dining table to makeover :)<br /><br />Oh, and I hate to say it but I wasn't able to fit all of my packing supplies into the dresser... so I will also be doing away with the existing wire shelves and making some nice built in wood shelves. Brad has opted out of helping me on this one {insert sad face here}, so we'll see how I manage. <br /><br />Hopefully back next week in the middle of some more good projects!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsA7Uy52lAyLiSzByPbboaJ-OF0UIOI9qdd_R7WkkTMiWyCxeezXgd40bLPh8Wh_MBiYMnpH8eaa2NrLYDhBBh21T72NHrq3-b2DoeFZCsmD97vRDypFUtqgRojE9pHHZxQQSQzwVRBSO/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsA7Uy52lAyLiSzByPbboaJ-OF0UIOI9qdd_R7WkkTMiWyCxeezXgd40bLPh8Wh_MBiYMnpH8eaa2NrLYDhBBh21T72NHrq3-b2DoeFZCsmD97vRDypFUtqgRojE9pHHZxQQSQzwVRBSO/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>psst... this post has been linked to <a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/">the DIY Showoff! </a> </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ydn4kd0aaEY/SvO1EQ53tuI/AAAAAAAABt0/h5tFf_uXQiY/S990-R/DIY+Blog+button.jpg" width="168" /></div>

Dresser Makeover: Before & After

So, my office has been looking like this for the past couple weeks: Not a good look, and I was getting sick of it. I had decided that I need...

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Wingback Chairs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPOY0fvrEzhk-744mEMHq4IZUPv-R9jTssVzqM0i85jpr70kkdt7UZsbsMyMjIQYo9-b_fxDqS8QzTe2yfPn5iRGhm34GbjHxTTM9N2rEvRy1gjxhysvDD3W2QIXbSLTOEcSP6jTFucs/s1600/IMG_5042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPOY0fvrEzhk-744mEMHq4IZUPv-R9jTssVzqM0i85jpr70kkdt7UZsbsMyMjIQYo9-b_fxDqS8QzTe2yfPn5iRGhm34GbjHxTTM9N2rEvRy1gjxhysvDD3W2QIXbSLTOEcSP6jTFucs/s400/IMG_5042.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember the wingback chairs I bought on ebay?  Since they're a smaller scale wingback, I thought they'd be perfect to use in the new dining room/study. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1McVYvHI77uLiPbL1rqfedepqzLDHdzT1z6YHP1ccgogpz2lpdleVqcT959oUYL9Fq3RTLadpsQI7xduHevcktmj9ojrtZ1ar9U6ofmzESEQC2p61vktD5KAvlDJ-0aPw856llll68wc/s1600/402050536_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1McVYvHI77uLiPbL1rqfedepqzLDHdzT1z6YHP1ccgogpz2lpdleVqcT959oUYL9Fq3RTLadpsQI7xduHevcktmj9ojrtZ1ar9U6ofmzESEQC2p61vktD5KAvlDJ-0aPw856llll68wc/s400/402050536_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is their mugshot from the ebay listing.  <a href="http://heresmygarden.blogspot.com/">Rosemary</a> thought they looked like big-hipped, opinionated women that would walk around and peer into my drawers and cupboards when I'm not at home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They went off to be recovered a few weeks ago and they've just come back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7soZ0T01nWNymMNhklAKQfhd0sY716BXpg3ZlV7r_ka9fBh60iHbH16kkUOkZa_IKkG7iK2Cl81cVJbUT2mdb-tvac9i2yUgU_bpzlNiJz1ZM-TYhGgsmCCB0V5SAp6PZixvsenBgW8I/s1600/IMG_5167_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7soZ0T01nWNymMNhklAKQfhd0sY716BXpg3ZlV7r_ka9fBh60iHbH16kkUOkZa_IKkG7iK2Cl81cVJbUT2mdb-tvac9i2yUgU_bpzlNiJz1ZM-TYhGgsmCCB0V5SAp6PZixvsenBgW8I/s400/IMG_5167_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here they are now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygH8f2qNQMayNL7k6cPcI1_J4nRJdf7xXMBR4j2wfvuWWWNWfWtOhZ7hf1QmJEwtWXCwWAIJP2kzJsHgpNUUt0keh5mAEh5ZM6CqNIZWrKdot-xwIaOQifL78S64g80sqRemmpJi7Rsg/s1600/IMG_5170_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygH8f2qNQMayNL7k6cPcI1_J4nRJdf7xXMBR4j2wfvuWWWNWfWtOhZ7hf1QmJEwtWXCwWAIJP2kzJsHgpNUUt0keh5mAEh5ZM6CqNIZWrKdot-xwIaOQifL78S64g80sqRemmpJi7Rsg/s400/IMG_5170_3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They look more pale in the photos but the fabric is another ebay purchase.  It's Kravet oatmeal linen that was $25 a yard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sFq6FHtRnw982VPSxfR8uO-auhulj2PJ6hNyEt_viSLQxqQwhdHiJHWiREpdjDK9JpqAKdYH8sBF4wQM1PbEu1uDujYhua4aF07d_QAv1tIJQoaks7ceKYB7Pta_eDX1JzoYz1nMA5Q/s1600/IMG_5171_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sFq6FHtRnw982VPSxfR8uO-auhulj2PJ6hNyEt_viSLQxqQwhdHiJHWiREpdjDK9JpqAKdYH8sBF4wQM1PbEu1uDujYhua4aF07d_QAv1tIJQoaks7ceKYB7Pta_eDX1JzoYz1nMA5Q/s400/IMG_5171_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved the lines of the chairs so I highlighted them by using a dark brown faux leather welting.  The welting material is called Mustang.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP_gvs85SZ8bO-tWlpP7hm3_55_Q2P73iO-eu3-1SAcCNljwqMVVWv1yBvkqfv1ibcYbe8XiBrVjx4W3TzQocye4XFZldaUr9XU2XGj8Zp54Di7m3soIu1qrifPK2iCULs26wuU3X-aA/s1600/IMG_5172_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP_gvs85SZ8bO-tWlpP7hm3_55_Q2P73iO-eu3-1SAcCNljwqMVVWv1yBvkqfv1ibcYbe8XiBrVjx4W3TzQocye4XFZldaUr9XU2XGj8Zp54Di7m3soIu1qrifPK2iCULs26wuU3X-aA/s400/IMG_5172_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also chose bronze upholstery tacks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8f4wKqwAwOEIoTwTEdSLRHhI42TbKCKnGygOLzFziE503N5-uiW4odROWWerK3V4kMQ5qskSH8bPL8GV0dBraJlJVGk8zd7rAV6BtoRVBapBbpDz_gdX-T5ZatLm-6YB4iB7t8TLs4Q/s1600/IMG_5174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8f4wKqwAwOEIoTwTEdSLRHhI42TbKCKnGygOLzFziE503N5-uiW4odROWWerK3V4kMQ5qskSH8bPL8GV0dBraJlJVGk8zd7rAV6BtoRVBapBbpDz_gdX-T5ZatLm-6YB4iB7t8TLs4Q/s400/IMG_5174.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The chairs have a higher seat so they're the perfect double-duty solution for study or dining room.  They look at home in the room now.  I love how the legs of the chair and the table really complement each other.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuOwHtERsPG8CPaHfdbA8PxFLuXMu2koQS6J58HJd2pwRAmywstgNyQcvAPde-d1kgX7PgUJACZUVViFLLSBdyMNYwZh-Zp__eNdODkcmIS7bvJvb9CP3Zc4XQsp7p06kljwZPq518yc/s1600/IMG_5177_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuOwHtERsPG8CPaHfdbA8PxFLuXMu2koQS6J58HJd2pwRAmywstgNyQcvAPde-d1kgX7PgUJACZUVViFLLSBdyMNYwZh-Zp__eNdODkcmIS7bvJvb9CP3Zc4XQsp7p06kljwZPq518yc/s400/IMG_5177_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just need to finish clearing out the room so the project can get underway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*No animals were harmed in the recovering of these chairs!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

Wingback Chairs

Remember the wingback chairs I bought on ebay?  Since they're a smaller scale wingback, I thought they'd be perfect to use in the ne...

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