Yesterday I wrote about the plan I had to give a makeover to an old 80’s coffee table (that I bought for $30 on UsedRegina) into a beautiful contemporary one - something like this one from Restoration Hardware:

(Brickmaker’s Table from Restoration Hardware) 

RH boasts of the romantic, historical background of its “reclaimed wood” furniture.  And of the bajillions of reclaimed/barn-board/upcycled wood projects out there on the internet these days, I felt this one should serve as a bit of a reality check.  So, no big makeover reveal today - it’s coming.  First, let me tell you the story behind my coffee table’s reclaimed wood…

Coffee Table Copycat - Episode 1:

Sourcing Reclaimed Wood

It sounds so lovely, doesn’t it? “Reclaimed wood”.  Ah… just picture yourself reclaiming some wood with me, please:

You walk through slender waving grass in a buttercup-dotted pasture behind a stately old red barn.  And there you find it - a stack of strong, beautiful old boards that tell stories of decades gone by.  As you pick one up and run your fingers over its wavy grain you see a bird land on a fence post nearby.  The bird smiles at you, as if to say, “Hey.  Thanks for caring about the environment.” You feel good about your choice, and you smile confidently at the trees growing overhead, knowing they get to live because you’re going to reuse.  You carefully load up your bundle of character-laden, beautiful wood and set off to create.  And the sun shines.

Yeah, so it’s not really like that.

To be honest - when I planned my coffee table I didn’t think much about where or how I would get the rustic wooden top.  I live in the prairies - there are weathered old boards all over the place.  I figured my husband could go out the farm and throw a few nice old boards in the back of the Jeep and we’d be peachy.

Ahem.

Until he told me they didn’t have anything.  So I asked my dad for ideas (he is equal parts thrifty/creative/borderline hoarder) and he suggested getting old floorboards from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  Good call, Dad!  But when he went looking they said they don’t carry them anymore because they’re structurally unsound and some had lead paint on them.  Party poopers.  I asked my dad if he could keep an eye out for some old shipping pallets.  This is when Sean realized I had not really communicated what I wanted.  ”Oh, like old ugly pallets are OK?” he asked.  

“Yes!”  

“Oh, we’ve got a bunch of those.”

I knew it.

So we drive out behind the barn, past the grain bins to find a great pile of pallets - silvery grey and weathered.  And they’re lined with a gorgeous array of hoar frost gleaming in the bright January sun.  Perfect.  

My husband pulls out the hammer and the crow bar.  Hmm.  Oh yeah.  I guess we can’t just pile the crates in the back of the Jeep, we’ll have to take the boards apart.  He starts reefing on the boards, and the cranky wrenching sound of old nails being torn from old boards fills the air.  The cattle begin to stare at us.  

As he tries to pull them off, the old weakened boards crackle, split, and splinter.  It is not going well.  And yes, it’s sunny, but jeepers is it cold!  My husband starts to grimace.  I realize very quickly that this experience would have been exponentially more terrible in our first year of marriage:

I would have been an erratic sobbing mess, spewing between “You don’t understand/care/support my creative endeavours!” and guiltily apologizing non-stop for what a terrible task this is.  Meanwhile he would become a silent, but fuming, mess of aggravation/confusion/mystification (at my spectacle) and that male-only emotion called “this girl is crying.  Why is she crying.  I have no idea what to do right now.”

But fast forward.  We are wiley veterans with nearly seven years of marriage under our belts.  And we know better.  I stand back, quiet.  I observe my husband and try to pick up on cues.  Should I hold that board?  Should I get out of the way?  I hold my tongue.  Meanwhile he does not let frustration get the better of him by mercilessly beating the snot out of a pile of wood with a crowbar.  He persists.  And he tries different approaches, all the while knowing that though he doesn’t understand why this is important to me, it is important, so he will do his best.  

Sensing he needs some space, or perhaps a new approach, I take a little walk.  I find a pile of boards mostly buried in several feet of crusty old snow.  I try a few boards to see if they’ll come loose from the frozen, tangled mass.  They do.  And they’re lovely.  Thick, weathered, with tons of character.  Some are rough sawn, others have gorgeous woodgrain patterns, and all have the patina of age.  But most importantly, they require no crowbar.  I call Sean over, and after convincing him that these boards will work (and are in fact better) he tosses the hammer and crowbar and gladly helps me gather a few boards of similar thickness, and appropriate length.

The romance of “reclaimed wood” was further dispelled as we waded through the piles of old barn boards:  

“Hmm, do you think this is lead paint on this one?”  

“Do you think this pattern is from years of pigeon crap?”  

“Hmm… do termites die when it’s this cold or do you think they’re sleeping inside this board?”

“Can you get the crowbar and chip the frozen cow poop off of this one?”

But soon we had what we thought were enough boards jammed in the trunk of the Jeep, and we were done.

So now as you peruse Pinterest BEWARE!  All of those cute “look what I did with an old shipping pallet” projects are not necessarily easy.  And the stories of 100-year-old barn wood, or antique factory floorboards - they sound nice.  You just probably don’t want to be the one chipping off frozen cow poop, or scrubbing off lead paint.

Here are a couple tips for you, if you’re still planning on using old wood for a project:

-Look boards over carefully for signs of bugs, mold, old paint (may be toxic lead paint), or rotting.  

-Make sure you try to find boards that are fairly straight, and of a similar thickness.

-Bring a measuring tape to make sure you find the right length of boards

-Take a few more boards than you think you need so that you have some options when you get around to laying them out.

-Do not attempt to “reclaim” any barn boards in the first year (or two) of marriage.

Now, tomorrow, I’ll show you what I did with these hard-earned beauties…

(All photos by me.)

**UPDATE: See how I constructed the table here, and see the finished table here!**

Design by Thomas Smythe, photograph by Michael Graydon, via Habitually Chic Blog

Check out my latest UsedEverywhere post about some great art I found…

I was reading this old post from Little Green Notebook and feeling all inspired to surf some Kijiji and Used Regina.  Well, wouldn’t you know it I happened upon this great vintage set on Used Regina!  $100 for the chair and couch together, both constructed out of solid wood.

I instantly sent a link to my husband with the message: “Can we buy this couch and chair?  I’m dead serious.”  (I had to assure him I’m serious because I joke around a lot, and I knew he’d think the set was dead ugly.)  But I am already scheming its reinvention… I kind of like the peacock blue velvet.  Sort of reminds me of this inspiration photo favourite of mine from Emily Henderson:

Emily Henderson

Or her vintage blue velvet sofa:

But I have to see the upholstery in person first to know if it’s salvageable. and even then our walls are Benjamin Moore’s Woodlawn blue - so, too much blue, I think.

(Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue HC-147)

So here’s how I imagine it:

• The wood either painted a creamy white or grey, or stained a dark dark brown
• The rest reupholstered in a neutral cream, beige or grey linen-y style fabric.  I’ve been looking up some stain repellent indoor/outdoor fabrics (because even when 2 kids aren’t in the equation we can be messy people!)  Something like one of these:
• And no tufting.  And maybe even changing it to one long pillow along the back and one along the seat for a more modern look (and less places to vacuum!)

Can you see it now?  Something kinda’ sorta’ like this?

Sarah Richardson Design

Calico Corners

Sofa.com

Sarah Richardson Design

Global Home

Can you see it?  

I’m really wishing there was a way I could catch HGTV USA these days, because Emily Henderson’s new show “Secrets of a Stylist” has begun to air.  I love reading her blog and especially like the posts where she goes out and shops the flea markets for vintage furniture and decor pieces.  She finds some really fabulous stuff.  And some really insane stuff, but she knows how to make it work.  

I also love those episodes of Sarah Richardson’s shows when she and Tommy tackle some cluttered old antique store or farmer’s market and find great old pieces for reinvention.  

(apparently wearing plaid is key to successful furniture shopping)

The thing is, they find things and are so stoked about the price.  And sometimes I’m like, “Seriously?  You’d pay that much for that thing?”.  Maybe it’s my Ukrainian roots always looking for a better deal.  Or maybe it’s because I live in the good ole’ 306 where people just seem to live simpler.  And cheaper.  I can go surfing Used Regina any day of the week and find deals that far exceed their “steals”, and I’ll still move along without buying them.

Of course I couldn’t buy all the deals I find.  I just don’t need them all.  That’s why I need to be a stylist or designer.  I could find these fabulous items and use them in other people’s homes.  Because I just can’t fit everything in my own place.  And other things are not my personal style but are still amazing pieces begging to be a part of good design.  Let’s look at Exhibit “A” found on Used Regina this week:

Check out this tufted leather beau…

I know, I know… the red carpet, wood panelling, old wallpaper.  It’s somebody’s ugly basement sofa from the 70’s that just won’t die.  But that’s a good thing.  Because they’re selling it for $385.  Now, cheap can’t fix ugly.  But let’s re-imagine this piece in a more fitting locale:

Yes, this is what I’m talking about.  Open, airy loft.  White-on-white surroundings.  Large scale rooms. And elegant but masculine accessories.

Or perhaps in a similarly grand, but more earthy and natural scheme…

(both pictures via Emmas Designblogg)

Can you see it now? This sofa has a sort of Ralph Lauren polo-club meets rustic Restoration Hardware vibe.  In fact, lookee’ here:

Are we not looking at pretty much the same thing?  Tufted leather, nailhead detail, low back, and scrolled arms… Except this one is $5,795 USD from Restoration Hardware.  So, anyone in Regina with a sweet loft space want me to do some decorating around this $385 sofa now? ;)

Of course there are pieces that I do want for myself.  So badly.  And I e-mail the link to my husband and talk about them incessantly and he gives me wierd looks and says “Seriously?”  Maybe that’s because he doesn’t envision them the way I do.  Maybe it’s because he really doesn’t want to make the drive and load the pieces into the Jeep to take home.  Probably both.  Sometimes this is OK, and I’m happy in the end I didn’t get them.  But some still niggle in my memory as “the ones that got away.”  One was an entire vintage bedroom set for $600 (it was a while ago so I don’t have the listing picture).  That’s $600 we didn’t have to spend on furniture we couldn’t currently use.  But I imagined each piece repainted and reused in different spaces when we have a few more bedrooms.  My inspiration came from a very similar painted piece used in Sarah’s House season one:

So pretty right?  Paint and new hardware go a long way!

And the latest escape was this pair of chairs for $50 a piece (OBO):

Sure they’re a strange pinky colour now, but can you not see them recovered and the frame painted?  Maybe like these dark frames with some fresh new fabric:

Or a pale grey frame with a linen-ish upholstery…

I hounded Sean about these chairs.  I was ready to delve into a 10-point essay on why these chairs are awesome (1. appear well-kept, 2. the rounded back means you can use them anywhere, 3. comfortable yet compact, 4. less expensive to upholster than other arm chairs, 5. they’re a pair which greatly increases their desirability, 6. the shape is classic and versatile, 7. They could be totally reinvented again and again with colour and fabric…  you get the idea) but before I got that far he caved.  And I e-mailed the seller.  They’d sold the week before, she just hadn’t taken the listing down.  Frussumgruffumgrrrr.

I’ve found a couple similar chairs lately.  Like this one for $25:

But it’s not a pair.  And by the looks of it, it’s not in great shape.

Or there’s this pair for $50 (OBO):

I really like the legs, and I’m pretty sure those are removable covers on the arms.  But I’m not sure about the shape and height of the back, and it’d have to be reupholstered without the strange diamond pattern on the back.  I’d have to check ‘em out in person.  And maybe I still will…  I can see them looking sort of like this:

or this:

And here are a few other pieces that have inspired me (all available in the last week):

How about this great little chandy for $30?  I love the look of chandeliers painted bright white or poppy colours like aqua blue or lime green, but this one looks like it has a cool bronzy patina that I’d probably keep as is.  It’s a bit petite to go in a dining room, but I think it would work fabulously in a bathroom (I love chandeliers in bathrooms) or even a pretty little dressing room (if you’re fancy like that.)

And this weathered sideboard piece?  They say it’s antique, and want $175 for it.  Not sure I’d pay that much, depending on how sturdy/clean it is.  But that worn turquoise finish is kind of gorgeous, don’t you think?  

I’m imagining it reinvented with a carrera marble top as either a bathroom vanity a la Sarah’s Farmhouse:

or on casters as a portable island in a country kitchen with this sort of vibe:

And who doesn’t love a little Frenchy chair?  This one’s $50:

I kind of think the tapestry upholstery is sweet, but I would never keep it.  Nope.  This baby’d be painted white and recovered in a graphic fabric lickety-split.

Or maybe in a pale fabric, depending on my imaginary client. ;)

And finally, how about this dining set?  $500 for the solid cherry table and 6 chairs.

Unfortunately the seller recently recovered the seats (in a fabric I wouldn’t keep).  I’m always bummed when they’ve recently refinished the furniture, because that usually drives up their price and I want to redo it my way.  But it’s a delightfully curvy little set. The chairs would be painted white or pale grey (or maybe a bright colour… hmmm…) and recovered.  The table could be painted or refinished in a darker stain or even used somewhere else to mix up the set.

So if anyone has a warehouse for me to store all this stuff.  And a list of clients.  And a way to give me more time.  Let me know, and my career as a thrifty stylist will commence! ;)

I’ve been a bit addicted lately - both selling and buying on our local Used Everywhere site… (I’ve used Kijiji too, but have had waaay more success on Used Regina).  It’s so nice to clear out the clutter from our apartment and make a couple bucks doing it.  And I love to discover little treasures out of other people’s trash!  As I scour the pages I find all sorts of deals on things that could have new life with a little love and elbow grease.  Like this headboard:

Paint it glossy black and it would look fabulous!  Straight out of Martha Stewart Living.  Or how about this chair:

I love the lines of this chair, and that cane detail is really in right now.  Get it reupholstered in a fun, modern print and paint the wood and cane detail a bright white and voila!  Plus it came with a matching partner, which is bonus.  And how about this vanity?  

It could be painted a bright candy lacquer colour and look tres chic and modern.  Or paint it a creamy white or pale grey and it would look lovely in a serene country bedroom.  Or paint it glossy black and it would look upber sophisticated!  And this old granny sofa?

I’ve seen them in tons of design pictures lately… if you can get the sofa cheap enough, and save some pennies, wouldn’t it look great reupholstered?  Maybe in something modern and colourful, or maybe in a charcoal grey velvet, or a pale linen?

I recently purchased an old china cabinet (which I’ll show soon) which I’ve repainted, and I got a wingback chair for $10 (!!) which I’ll hopefully slipcover over the Christmas holidays!

You just have to look past the dated wood tones, or ugly old basements in the pictures and imagine the potential!  So today I’m posting some pictures of rooms that could inspire you to to some of your own DIY with a cool old piece of furniture and add some new fabric or a lick of paint, maybe some gold leaf or some new hardware…