Looking Beyond #3 - Easy Fixes

Are you a Visionary?

You might be. 

If you buy broken things... 
with intentions of fixing them.
OR
If you see things that could be great
if they just lost some extraneous something...

Consider this wood frame sofa:

At first glance, it has really nice wood details, 
and seriously outdated fabric. Not to mention the 
abundance of pillows. Too many pillows. 

(I think someone tried to bring
this vintage sofa into the 1980's.) 

Here's how it looked at the thrift store:

Wouldn't you have just passed it by?
My grand dog doesn't like it, either.
She hates blue AND plaid.

See how much better it looks by just
removing the extra pillows?
You can actually see the carved wood details.

Humor me. Just try to visualize natural linen here...

FYI - I plan on covering it with drop cloth and adding
some lumbar bolster pillows. After the grand dog moves. 
For now, it's her favorite lounging spot. 
(Surprisingly comfy, and GREAT view of the mail box.)

EASY FIXES.

In previous Visionary posts, we have 
looked at two very easy fixes:

Cleaning and Painting 
all those free and thrifty finds.

Click on the links below to see 

Looking Beyond #1 - Are You a Visionary?

Looking Beyond #2: A Simple Coat of Paint

But, really - just thinking about FIXING 
something can be a little daunting - I KNOW.

Before you completely dismiss the idea of FIXING, 

consider that SOME fixes are REALLY EASY.
And they make all the difference in the world!

Note:
 None of the following fixes took more 
than one evening - including drying time. 

None required any skills beyond basic 
jeri-rigging 101 skills, or any expensive tools.

Most fixes were done with materials 

I had around the house - except for 

Looking Glass paint.  (I already 

had the chalkboard paint on hand.)

Easy Fix #1

Recovering a Lamp Shade

Consider the lamp shade below. 
LOVE the shape of it. 
HATE the bow, trim and shine.

 

What to do? First, Rip off the ribbon. 

Next, grab a piece of burlap big enough 

to wrap around the shade. Trim it to fit.

Glue on the burlap and finish the edges 

by gluing on the seam binding tape. 

    

Voila! A cool new lamp in less than an hour.

Cost of lamp and shade: Under $4.

Glue and Burlap: had on hand from another project.

Cost of seam binding tape: Under $3.

1 cute lamp - ugly frou frou + burlap =

Cute lamp and shade for $7.

See the original post HERE.

Easy Fix #2

Nice glass shape and size...but that's all!

The lamp below was deconstructed 

and then it was redone.

When I first saw it, it was filled with what 

appeared to be seashells and sand. 

(It was actually shell-shaped SOAP!)

In an evening, it was transformed.

Recognize it now? 

1 thrift store lamp - interior soap and sand

+ a few coats of Looking glass paint 

+ a new shade = a cool new lamp!

Cost: Under $20. 

Time: Under 2 hours. 

See the original post HERE.

Easy Fix #3

A VERY SIMPLE Take-Away

(maybe this should have been #1!)

 Question: Did you notice the French-style frame above? 

Here's what it looked like when I found 

it for $3 in a thrift store: 

The only thing I did was remove the print.

1 Cool Frame - 1 ugly print = LOVE.

Cost: $3 

Time: 5 minutes tops!

The next time you go thrifting and

find an interesting but flawed piece

ask yourself a few questions:

Q - Is there something I can simply remove that will improve the design of this piece? 

• Ugly molding ?
• Ugly hardware?
• Ugly or unnecessary doors? 
• Unnecessary frou frou? Pillows?

Easy Fix #4

More Take-Aways

Industrial, wire and metal pieces are hotter than ever. 

Imagine my delight when I saw these wire baskets!

When I asked how much they were, 

I thought the price they quoted was for one basket.

The price was for ALL FIVE BASKETS. 

They are the perfect size to hold 

extra TP or hand towels and can be

perched on the back of the porcelain facilities.

I can guess why I got them so cheaply:

rickety bamboo rimming the top edge of each basket

was coming off of some of them. They were "broken." 

Yea!

I didn't want bamboo on my industrial TP baskets!

I used tin snips to cut through the bindings, 

removed the bamboo and they look totally industrial now!

Subtraction could be my favorite subject!

Way back in design school, we had

one lesson I'll always remember:

WHAT YOU LEAVE OUT 

IS JUST AS IMPORTANT 

AS WHAT YOU INCLUDE.

Sometimes even more so.

Future Easy Fix:

See these little shutters with 

dated fabric shirred inside them?

They're up for a remake soon. 

I plan to sand or strip them a bit, 

and remove the dated floral fabric.

I'll replace it with something WAY cooler. 

Maybe drop cloth...burlap... 

vintage lace or even hardware wire! 

Q - Is there something missing or broken that could easily be replaced?

• Broken mirror or glass?
• Hardware, knobs or feet?
• A missing drawer or door?

Easy Fix #5

Options for a broken mirror

I THINK this was probably a mirror. 
I like the simple detail on the top edge...

Considering my options...

I could have a new mirror cut for a few dollars, 

Or I could use some CHALKBOARD PAINT!!!

   

If you find a cool old mirror frame, 
there are LOTS of options, 
including cork, book pages, even white board paint!
Check out Pinterest for more ideas.

Easy Fix #6
Chipped wood corner shelf

(This is the first real fix - 
but it was easier than I thought.)

This sweet vintage corner shelf had a broken piece. 
I didn't notice it at the thrift store, and bought it.

 

When I took a closer look at home,
I cringed. At first I was sorry I bought it, 
though it only cost a few dollars. 

But, with nothing to lose, 
I decided to try to cut the unbroken 
side and match it to the broken one. 
It was easy. I did it with a cheap pocket knife. 
Then I sanded and painted it. 

 

If I hadn't told you, you'd never know 
it wasn't designed to look this way!

One note of caution:

NOT EVERYTHING is an EASY FIX. 
Check it out. 
A wobbly chair may not be an easy fix. 
A missing door might be easy.

More Considerations for EASY FIX PROJECTS:

• Don't pay much for anything broken, in case it doesn't work to fix it. 
• Ease into your projects - start small and easy.
• Consider your skill level and the tools you have.
• A successful EASY project is inspiring. A difficult project can leave ANYONE feeling defeated and uninspired to try new things.
• Do you have friends with skills and tools? Offer to barter for lessons.
• Check out Google and YOU TUBE. There are How To's for anything there! (Just proceed cautiously...)

Word for the Day:

Isaiah 61:4
They shall build up the ancient ruins; 

they shall raise up the former devastations; 

they shall repair the ruined cities, 

the devastations of many generations.

Potentially Linking With:
Sunday
http://my1929charmerblog.com/	Sunday’s Best
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/	Creative Bloggers Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com/	Sister Sunday
http://southernhospitalityblog.com	Thrifty Treasures
Monday
http://betweennapsontheporch.net	Metamorphosis Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/	Show Off Your Cottage Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/	The More the Merrier Monday
http://www.serendipityandspice.com	Manic Monday
http://howtonestforless.com/	Just a party with my peeps!
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/	Cowgirl Up!
http://www.newhousenewhomenewlife.blogspot.com/	All Star Block Party
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/	Tuesday’s Treasures
http://www.elizabethandco.blogspot.com/	Be Inspired
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/	Twice Owned Tuesday
Wednesday
http://www.fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/	White Wednesday
http://verymerryvintagestyle.blogspot.com	Share the Love Wednesday
http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/	Primp Your Stuff Wed
http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/	Piece of Work Wednesday
http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/	Restored it Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Penny Pinching Party
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/	All Star Block Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/	Transformation Thursday
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://www.the36thavenue.com/	Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/	Treasure Hunt Thursday
http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com	Home and Garden Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
http://livelaughrowe.blogspot.com	Live Laugh Linky
http://akadesign.ca	Doin’ It Yourself
http://katherinescorner.com/	Thursday Favorite Things
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/	Suzy's House Party
http://www.blueeyedowlboutique.blogspot.com	Thrift Score Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com/	Potpourri Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/	Inspiration Friday
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://sassysites.blogspot.com/	Free For All Friday
http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com	Rustic Restorations Weekend
http://www.freckledlaundry.com	Air Your Laundry
http://www.decoratinginsanity.com/	Furniture Friday
http://www.remodelaholic.com/	Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://www.lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com	Spread the Love
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/	Frugalicious Friday
http://www.delicateconstruction.com/	Delicately Constructed Fri.
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/	Flaunt it Friday
Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/	Saturday Nite Special
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday