Craig-ers can’t be choosers.

Susan was excited when she was alerted to this free dresser. Then she visited it in person and had major second thoughts. However, as the laws of Craigslist demand, once you visit an item in person, you are obligated to take it. (This is of course, not true. But I know I can’t be the only person who feels that way.)

She knew there were hours and hours ahead of her to repair it and make it usable again, but, like that bad boy that your mom didn’t want you to date in high school, it had such rugged beauty and charm that she couldn’t resist.

 

She tamed it with milk paint and stain and a shiny new set of cup pulls, and it’s gorgeous! She says the paint gave it a look of ‘washed denim,’ which looks like a perfect description to me. See it on Susan’s blog Saw Nail and Paint.

 

What’s that you say? You want another rugged makeover featuring that lovely juxtaposition of blue paint and with dark stain and this time you’d like it to include chicken wire and coffee sacks? Wow, you’re rather picky, but ok!

Better After reader Krista recently shared this project, another Craigslist find that needed some love.

She says “Once I sanded it down, I discovered the cool side panels with the diamond design that I couldn’t bear to cover up with paint.  I also ran into a huge problem with the doors on the bottom.  The veneer was severely damaged and not worth repairing in my opinion.  I wanted to do something different and took a chance on creating tufted panels using an old coffee bean sack as new covers for the doors.  I think it gives the cabinet a fun and funky look!”

 

 

I LOVE how she uncovered that design on the side panels! And how fun are the coffee-sack upholstered doors? I think that’s a Better After first! Thanks for sharing Krista!

 

 

Psst! The Ugly Lamp Contest is coming!

Submit your ugly lamp pictures and join in the fun!

Send your original picture to betterafter(at)live.com, subject line UGLY LAMP before August 21st.

More details here!