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and seriously outdated fabric.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.)
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and seriously outdated fabric.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:
looked at two very easy fixes:
Cleaning and Painting
all those free and thrifty finds.
all those free and thrifty finds.
Click on the links below to see
But, really - just thinking about FIXING
something can be a little daunting - I KNOW.
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!
And they make all the difference in the world!
Note:
None of the following fixes took more
than one evening - including drying time.
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.
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:
- 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!
- 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...
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 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:
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Sunday
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Sunday’s Best
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Creative
Bloggers Party
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Thrifty Sunday
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Sister
Sunday
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Thrifty
Treasures
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Monday
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Metamorphosis
Monday
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Mod
Mix Monday
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Show Off Your Cottage
Monday
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Revival Monday
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Masterpiece Monday
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The More the Merrier
Monday
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Manic Monday
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Just a party with my
peeps!
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Make it Pretty Monday
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Tuesday
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Vintage Inspiration
Tuesday
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Nifty
Thrifty Tuesday
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Cowgirl Up!
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All Star Block Party
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Tuesday’s Treasures
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Be Inspired
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Twice Owned Tuesday
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Wednesday
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White Wednesday
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Share the Love Wednesday
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Primp
Your Stuff Wed
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Piece
of Work Wednesday
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Restored
it Wednesday
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Wow
Us Wednesday
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Penny
Pinching Party
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What’s it Wednesday
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Thursday
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Under
$100 Link Party
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All
Star Block Party
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Transformation
Thursday
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Thursday
Open House Party
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Share
Awesomeness Thursday
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Time Travel Thursday
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Treasure
Hunt Thursday
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Home
and Garden Thursday
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Share
Your Cup Thursday
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Live
Laugh Linky
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Doin’
It Yourself
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Thursday
Favorite Things
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Suzy's
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Friday
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Feathered
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Potpourri
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Furniture
Feature Friday
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Friday
Redoux Link Party
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Frugal
Friday
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Inspiration
Friday
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Vintage
Inspiration Friday
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Free
For All Friday
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Rustic
Restorations Weekend
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Air
Your Laundry
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Furniture
Friday
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Fridays
on Remodelaholic
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Spread
the Love
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Frugalicious
Friday
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Delicately
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Flaunt it Friday
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Saturday
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Saturday
Nite Special
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Show and Tell Saturday
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