Storage Crates

As a part of the guest room update, I needed some storage in the closet. I found some unfinished wood crates on sale at Menards and decided they would be perfect.

To finish them, I used a gray stain to make them look weathered.

Here's how one of them looks in its new home:

I think it's a great solution for the guest room closet. The stain gives just a hint of color while still showing the wood grain. I think I need to use this stain more often! I will be revealing the entire guest room tomorrow.

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

Pinspiration: Key and Sunglasses Drop Space

Hey y’all! I’m back!! I started a new full time job in December, and things have been crazy! I now have a daily commute, so time for projects has been limited. But, I do have a few new things to share and I’m hoping to post them all in a semi-timely manner!

I decided to start things off in this renewal of posting by starting with another Pinspiration for you. I saw this pin (a project by Gina over at Shabby Creek Cottage).

I thought it was a great idea since my hubby is forever looking for his keys. The instructions are pretty straight forward. I used a board from the Menards odds and ends bin ($1.79!) I bought the pipe straps and coat hooks there as well. I opted for 1 inch straps instead of the ½ inch Gina suggested, mostly because I like big sunglasses and I have many pairs. I liked the copper straps, but none of the coat hooks Menards had matched. Instead, I bought the cheapest nickel plated ones and spray painted them with metallic copper paint I had on hand. I think they match pretty well.

I ended up painting my board off white and then dry brushing it with gold chalk paint. I think it turned out pretty good. It's got just a hint of a metallic sheen. Here’s the final project all loaded up:
 

And here it is in the entryway next to another former Pinspiration project:

What do you think? I think it was a fast, easy and satisfying project. Don’t settle for dull, live a refinished life!

p.s. Sorry the pictures are a little dark and off-colored, I tried multiple ways to get these to turn out, but I've never been able to get decent pictures in my entryway! 

Pinspiration #3: Mail Organizing Station

I was inspired by this lovely project from Beyond the Picket Fence:  

I needed a solution for my mail piling up all over the house. Here's my version:

I decided to put it right by the front door as otherwise the mail would just get left on the T.V. stand near there anyway.

FYI- my dad painted that painting for me and made the frame from old barn wood. Love it!

I already had all the supplies on hand for this project. I was digging around in the garage for a board when I found the piece of bead board already cut to the perfect width. Score! Did I mention it was already painted white? Double score! All I had to do to the backing was sand it a bit and antique it with a little stain.

I also had the books on hand from a previous auction buy. I just removed the covers, glued in fabric sides and screwed the cover right into the bead board.

Don't worry about the book insides, they will be put to good use! I thought the covers needed some extra hardware, so I glued some scrap-booking label parts I had lying around to the fronts.

Because I can't resist, here's an "action shot"

I love this thing! Hopefully, I can convince my husband to put the mail in here instead of laying it elsewhere.

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!

*Planning to share at: Metamorphosis Monday;  Made by You Monday; Time To Sparkle Tuesday Linky Party;  Whatever Goes Wednesday; Wildly Original Linky Party; Clever Chicks Blog Hop; Serenity Now Weekend Blog Hop; 

What Should I Do With It Wednesday? #4

I found this beauty attached to a truly horrific plastic flower arrangement in a free box:

On second thought, I wish I'd taken a picture of the flower arrangement before I ripped it off just to show you. It was fluorescent pink and very plastic.

Here you can see where the arrangement was attached:

Another closeup:

The wood is very nice. Of course I could leave it as is and use it as a nice decoration. But where's the fun in that? I was thinking I should attach it to a shelf or something. What do you think?

Don't settle for dull, live a refinished life!