You guys, spring break is seriously kicking my butt. What’s that? It’s not even spring break anymore? That was last week? Well then, I’ve spent this entire week just trying to recover from last week, and it’s kicking my butt in the face.
I blame the baby, a stage-five clinger who has recently upped his clinging game so hard, I think he might legitimately be trying to nuzzle his way back into the womb. It’s cute. For the first ten hours of the day. Basically my baby is what’s kicking my butt. He’s 14 months old now, so not technically a ‘baby,’ but he’s not walking yet so he’s not really a toddler either. He weighs nearly 30 pounds, so my back and I are really ready for toddling to happen. Maybe I’ll get a chance to relax on spring break! What’s that?
Anyway, he’s loosened his grip long enough to take a nap, so maybe I can get something done around here, like straighten up the mountain of clutter currently overtaking my office. (Hilariously, there is a book on top of Mt. Clutter called “The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui“).
Oh yes, and share a makeover or two. Or three.
Today we’re talking stain, the quickest and easiest way to refinish furniture. Ha! Of course it’s not. Staining furniture requires much work and preparation and sandpaper. But it’s all worth it. (Hmm, that’s pretty much the same thing everyone tells you when you’re in the checkout line at Target and your baby is clinging your face off so hard that he pulls out half your eyelashes, which actually happened to me yesterday, but it’s all worth it!)
Anyway. This desk was all worth it, and it’s from Faye at MacGIRLver.
Beck used a little elbow grease to prepare this walnut table for stain, plus an acetone and lacquer thinner mixture, steel wool, a toothbrush, mineral spirits, and sandpaper. It’s all in the prep. But you know what? It’s worth it.
See more at Beckwith’s Treasures.
This highboy also needed a lot of work, but, you guessed it. It was worth it! The gorgeous grain of the wood really shines through now, and is almost out-shined by the polished brass handles. Mmm. I love me some polished brass, yes I do. Beautiful.
From Jan at Chairished Furnishing.
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10 Comments
Michelle L
March 26, 2015 at 1:28 PMIf your butt has a face, I’m sure you could glue on those lost eyelashes…funny lady! I hope the toddling comes quickly into your life. Thanks for some more pretty makeovers (I love ones where they keep the wood visible).
The Office Stylist
March 26, 2015 at 1:37 PMHaha, you are hilarious! I love how the staining turned out. It’s like a whole new piece of furniture now.
Abbie
March 26, 2015 at 4:29 PMI blame March. Mine has been ridiculous. April is where it’s at. Nothing but blue skies, free time, and other happy lies. And I totally get it about babies. My 6 month old is a total mama’s girl, and screams after approx 2 min of another adult holding her, even if that adult is her very present and very acceptable father. My 3 year old would probably go home with those friendly Target strangers, so I am super confused by my polar opposite kids.
I am also confused by restaining. I hate the prep work part of staining (and all projects), which is why the 1 time I tried, I got basically no result for lots of mess. It is not the DIY for me. Although I do love these stained projects. Awesome roundup, as usual!
LeeAnn
March 26, 2015 at 4:37 PMI never had one that was a Stage 5 clinger, actually neither of mine were clingy. When they become teens, the clinging usually stops and they want nothing to do with you. That’s when everyday is Spring Break!!
I do love that desk and the highboy is just gorgeous! The two-tone staining really shows off the wood.
Sacha
March 27, 2015 at 8:06 AMThanks for a good chuckle this morning.Those pieces turned out great.
Jan
March 27, 2015 at 9:03 AMThat walnut table transformation is amazing! I can tell that a lot of patience and time went into it because the results speak for themselves!
Thanks for the compliment on my highboy, LeeAnn! I completely stained another bow front dresser earlier (which I sold to a neighbor who just had to have it) and hated letting it go. I kept my eyes on CL for another bow front dresser and spotted this one for $50. It isn’t near the quality that the previous dresser was (hard to beat Drexel solid mahogany) but I loved the lines and it was the perfect size for our spare room. The veneer was chipped and missing in several places so I had to paint. I am in love with the color of that paint and have used it on several pieces. Midnight Azure from Dutch Boy.
Cathie
March 28, 2015 at 9:07 AMGiiirl, get yourself a carrier. My 18 month old is a clinger. Like, “don’t put me down, landing gear up” clingy. Always has been. We’ve got the mei tei carrier, so I can put her towards the side and still get stuff done around her back.
Lindsey @ Better After
March 28, 2015 at 4:09 PM‘Landing gear up,’ that is EXACTLY it! Hahaha! He would probably LOVE a carrier, but he’s so heavy already!
casey f
March 30, 2015 at 7:47 AMLOVE Beck’s side table!
I also have a 14 month old non-walker who’s loving on his mom lately (despite the fact his dad is a stay-at-home parent!). It’s kind of nice to be loved, but my arms do get tired…
Anni
April 2, 2015 at 5:57 AMLoving these projects! Sometimes old furniture doesn’t need a new paintjob. We found this old bed in my parents attic and fell in love. Even though it didn’t look great in the beginning we gave it a nice wood stain and oiling and it was as good as new!
http://bastelbazooka.blogspot.de/2013/09/from-old-to-vintage-our-bed.html
Old furniture is so much nicer than the new stuff! We barely own anything that was bought new!
Cheers, Anni