Repurposing a Yard Sale Bargain to an Entertaining Hutch
You might remember my post here, where I cried out for help in “sprucing up” my $60 yard sale find. Thank you all, through Facebook and through my blog, on so many awesome, creative ideas that you shared with me. I appreciate you taking the time to share.
What’s an easy way to look at something old, with fresh eyes, and make it something new to you?
My sisters and I were out for my birthday lunch, and after shopping in Jacksonville, we headed home to fix up my entertaining hutch. (Really cool shopping at Farmhouse Treasures, in Jacksonville, OR.) My friend, Steph and I had already bought some decals from Target.
-Change up the look
-Something affordable
-Easy to change to a new look, if you get tired of the old
My sis, Di, jumped in and got the ball rolling! (While my sis, Linda, was ironing. Yes, it was my birthday lunch and my sisters really blessed me with good food, fun, help, laughter on my day.)
When looking for things to fix up, I’ve become very practical. I don’t want to fill my home with “stuff” unless it has a purpose, so here’s my perspective on buying second hand furniture:
1. Look at the wood, shape, design, and functionality and evaluate if it’s something you really need.
2. Think outside of the box, and instead of just filling up shelves, use baskets for a cleaner look.
3. Make it functional and store glasses that you actually use, for easy access.
4. Use the drawer space for more than junk. In my case, I store ironed cloth napkins.
5. Make something your focal point. The Pork Board just sent me a beautiful white platter, perfect for the large open space. (From a project we just finished … stay tuned.)
6. More practically, fill a colored container with tea light candles, easy for quick entertaining access.
7. Think in contrast. Black decals add “zip” to the already old wood, as well as a new kind of “fanciness.”
I love what we did. I really was looking for the best quick change, without buying a quart of paint (and getting out all of those supplies).
So, how did I organize, or what’s in the baskets?
I’ll let you in on a little secret of mine. I love paper napkins, especially for summertime entertaining. My friend, Steph, was visiting us from Portland and she took on the challenge of organizing my baskets. By the end of the process, she said, No more paper napkins! You have enough! LOL – agree!
So Steph helped me out. And we finished our project!
Very practical with glasses, paper and cloth napkins, cookbooks, serving platters, and a big tub of tea lights.
Wah-Lah – Complete!
Are you good at looking at a piece of furniture with a fresh perspective, to change things up a bit?
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P.S. Happy Birthday! When was it if you don’t mind me asking? I just celebrated mine on July 24th. Ivy Jane
No I am not good at looking at a piece of furniture & figuring out how to change it. There I admitted it… ((smile)) I leave that to the pros like Nester & yourself. You all can make something out of nothing & I am amazed at your eye for detail, creativity, & thriftiness. I’ve got the thriftiness part, but the other two I lack at times. I’ve never really been a painter & that is certainly one thing that I do not enjoy doing. I try to find pieces in colors I already like or goes well with my home. I get most of our furniture from yard sales & am amazed at how much I can save buy getting it used. It really is quite amazing. I also love your baskets. We have four 8 foot long shelves going across our laundry room back wall & most of the shelves have yard sale & thrift store baskets on them. I like to have a variety of shapes & colors for texture. It’s so nice to hide stuff in them, especially the manly stuff my husband keeps in there. Those wood bins are also fabulous too! Have a great night~ Ivy Jane
Happy Birthday! I love the texture the decals add to the piece. Great idea
Decals! Who knew so little could dress it up so much?!
Happy Birthday Sandy! What a great gift of time from “your girls”!
Sandy, I have been following your blog for about one year and it is my favorite. Your ideas are so practical and easy to use. I go to Ashland every year with a few friends and we spend a day in Jacksonville each year and The Farmhouse is my absolute favorite store. Thanks for all your ideas.
I need to move my tealights into a easy-to-access spot like that. They are in the back of a closet right now…not cool.
Sandy – I love your outdoor sofa. I’ve been looking for something similar for my porch. What is the name of the sofa and where did you get it?
(If you posted on it before and I missed it, sorry for asking you to repeat the info!)
Sarah
How sweet to spend your birthday having lunch and shopping with your sisters! The hutch looks great!
Oh Sandy I love what you did! I love furniture that has purpose. You did a great job!!