Funky and Frugal Finds #8

Welcome to Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #8

I don't  have much to show because I haven't really been thrifting the last 2 weeks. Between family issues, babysitting my niece, and working on the hubb's bff's mobile home--I haven't had time for anything!

I did acquire this little gem of  artwork. A signed oil painting (maybe a hobby artist since I couldn't find any information)   I love it because the colors perfectly  match the other oil canvas I have. It is also the same theme (i.e, landscapes)

Goodwill for $6

A friend had given me a gift card to Pier 1, which I promptly used for this funky grandmother clock! It is 5 feet tall but only protrudes from the wall 2.5 inches. You actually hang it like artwork. I love it!

Sunday I was on my way to my sister's for Easter and my nieces birthday party when I spied some curbside gems. Since I have a little car I could only grab this over-sized  crock. I really need a truck just for me because there were some awesome things in that garbage pile! The bottom of the crock had come off but was with the crock when I picked it from the curb. it has been well loved. No cracks, chips or fractures. I am pretty sure I can re-attach the bottom since it was a clean cleave. But I won't do anything until I talk to someone since I don't want to ruin the value! It doesn't get better than free!

Star Stoneware, Crooksville, Ohio circa 1892-1945

As I have mentioned a few times, I am re-doing my hubbs bff's mobile home. I had originally envisioned a cool mid-century vibe going on but I had to go where the meager budget took me.  I managed to score this leather couch, art deco inspired dresser, nightstand and armoire (sorry for the color variations in the photos) for $140.00 at a local thrift store. The couch is immaculate (no rips, tears, burns, scratches--just a bit dusty from the truck ride and sitting in my garage until move in day). The furniture needs cleaned up, has a few dings but is solidly built. I like but most importantly my hubbs bff loves it!

What is more dude-ly than a leather couch?

There is talk this may be converted to a liquor cabinet

Not a bad haul! Do you have any good finds to share?

Faux Hammered metal table Tutorial

I wrote about this project in my Look for Less#1 post.

I went from this

to this 

Talk about Cha-cha-Changes!

Here's what you need:

Table

paint

sandpaper

woodputty

super glue

hammer

drill/ screw driver

needle nose pliers

nail head trim/ trim strip

PATIENCE!!

This is about a $5-$7 plant stand that I bought a dollar type store 12 years ago. Maybe longer. It had definitely see better days. I am not going to give step by steps pics on everything because some of it is just common sense type stuff.

1. Flip the table over and use your drill or screwdriver to remove the screws. Mine were pocket screws through the feet. Place the screws in a little container or ziploc baggie until project is complete so you don't lose them. And hopefully--unlike me-you  DON'T misplace the bag. sheesh!

2. Once the screws were removed, the feet were removed from the base plate and base plate removed.

3. The legs were simply unscrewed from the top plate.

4. All the pieces were sanded with 100 grit sandpaper and tacked off. Any major gouges, cracks etc were filled with wood putty allowed to dry, and re-sanded until smooth. Tack off the dust from final sanding.

5. Next comes the paint.

6.I began with silver.

Um No--big fat fail 

7. Well thats's not gonna work. Let's try copper.

Well crap-o-la. I don't like this either.

8. (Picture me squinting and thinking reeaallyy hard) hmmmmmm, what if I mix the paints?

Hey! I kinda like this! (Light bulb moment)

9. For the table base and table top I spayed the entire surface with a nice chocolate/ cappuccino brown first. Because I knew it would need the appearance of dimension.Then I very lightly began spraying the metallic paints, layering them until I had a look that I liked. And I (gasp!) did not wait for them to dry between coats.

Both pieces have the same color but it is not accurately reflected in these pics sorry!

10. Once I achieved the overall look, I let the pieces dry overnight and re-assembled the table.

11. I added the nailhead trim using the nh strip. You hammer a nail in every 5th nailhead. Since the very last piece of the NH trim was not affixed with a nail, I used a drop of superglue to "fix it" in place. It probably wasn't going to move but I wanted to make sure it didn't.

I will tell you achieving the layered/ burnished metal look was not easy. It was hard to set the paint cans down and walk away. To get the striations I basically flicked my wrist and twisted  the table on a make shift lazy-susan as I was spraying the paint. 

It almost has a "marbling" effect

I spent maybe an hour a day over a period of 4 days working on this.  Unfortunately none of my dogs or cats can work my camera so there are no pics for me to demonstrate this technique. The nail head trim was kind of a PITA (pain-in-the-ass). I can't imagine how bad it had been if I actually had to hammer individual ones in. I managed to kill 4 of the nails AND MY THUMB TWICE! Which is why the needle nose pliers are a GREAT tool to use to hold the nails in place while you hammer! Um duh--wish I had thought of it sooner.... . I had a little difficulty keeping the trim centered on a rounded edge. On a scale of 1to 10 with 1 being easy-peasy and 10 being WTH???? I would give this a difficulty of 5 to 6.

Cost

table=free

paint=$6.47 for the cappucino. The hammered metallics were from my paint hoard

Nail head trim $19.99 for 5 yards for BUT I only used 18 inches=$2.52

All other tools/ supplies were free because we already had them on hand.

Other than that I luurrvvee it! It is very cool and unexpected. Whatcha think?

 

 

Look for Less #1

Welcome to my very first Look for Less. I am going to recreate a look found in some of the popular catalogs, magazines and websites but on a budget. As for now I plan this to be a monthly feature.

Here are the inspirations. SO MANY CHOICES!!

Chrome 

http://www.laylagrayce.com $526

Hammered Nickle

www.thedesignerinsider.com $399

Brushed Aluminum

https://www.brocadehome.com $299

Polished Aluminum

http://www.zgallerie.com, $100

Hammered Copper

http://www.finecraftsimports.com $499 

Antique Mahogany, Bronze and Marble

http://newel.com, $18,500

Hammered metal Cocktail table

http://www.valuecitynj.com/Item.aspx?ItemID=1439566418&ItemNum=45205, no price specified

BEFORE

And here is my sad little table. Looking more than a tad worn. 

So which way did I decide to go on my sad little table.  Chrome? Hammered Nickle? Brushed aluminum? Polished Aluminum? Hammered Copper? Antiquey Wood and Bronze?

X The chrome table won't work because the shape is completely different, not to mention the finish will be difficult for me to recreate since it is mirror like.
? The hammered nickle  table is a contender. The circular shape and overall height  works . The base is different but the finish could be re-created
X The brushed aluminum table won't work even though they are both circular tables the overall profile is to dissimilar. However, I think the finish could be re-created.
X The polished aluminum is also eliminated. The lines are comparable but the finish is to mirror like for me to recreate.
? The hammered copper  table is a contender. The circular shape and overall height  works . The profile is dissimilar but the finish could be re-created
? The antiquey  table is a very strong contender. The circular shape and overall height  works. The lines are very similar.. The marble look can be created  with faux paint, the bronze finish can be replicated and the detailing can be mimicked with decorative trim work.
? The hammered metal cocktail table is a contender. The circular shape works. The height, profile and base are  dissimilar but the finish could be re-created

You would think the antiquey table wins but it looks a little to heavy and staid. So pick again. Here's a clue...

AFTER
Yep I went for a hammered metal finish with a twist. Soooooo (drum roll please)....

I think the nailhead trim gives it some oomph!

You can really see the texture here.

Wanna see how I did this? Check my blog on Tuesday (Feb 28th)  and I will give you the details including cost.  CLICK HERE

How did it turn out? Is it a hit or miss?


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Vintage Headboard

Technically it is a vintage (1930's-1940's) bed-frame (headboard, foot-board, side rails) including  a dresser and mirror. I am saving the foot-board and rails for another project. The dresser is currently employed as a work surface and storage in my kitchen. 

Here is the the very Plain Jane headboard which has been sitting in my garage for about a decade. I know it is shameful.

It's kinda dusty

And mirror which has some lovely detailing.

The mirror is just beginning to show some lovely patina on the glass

Close up of mirror detail

The nightstands I am using in the spare bedroom are white.  I could paint it white and call it a day. But feel like it needs...something. Some decorative applique? Stencil? Decoupage? Upholster?

Here are some inspirations

thevisualvamp.blogspot.com

flickr.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91376111

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/22425624

shabbynest.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80133441

edhenhome.blogspot.com/2010/07/cricut-love.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50411739


I kinda like them all! Suggestions? 


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