April 02, 2021

Furniture Makeover Photos

Normally, I just post photos on Friday night--pictures I took throughout the week but didn't really have a reason to post. When I looked through the photos on my phone today, I realized I hadn't taken any photos this week other than the ones relating to the furniture I was working on refinishing.

We moved the furniture from the garage into the house today, so I figured I'd just post some photos of the makeover.

I found these pieces of furniture on Facebook Marketplace--a TV console and a coffee table from Pottery Barn's Rhys collection. The line has been discontinued now, but after some digging online I found that they had retailed for $1200 (the console) and $700 (the coffee table)! The seller was asking $100 for the set.

I have a Pottery Barn table (I'm not sure what it would be called--it's kind of like a console but smaller). I bought it from Facebook Marketplace when we were remodeling and I was super impressed with the quality. So, when I saw these Rhys pieces for $100, I knew I wanted them. They looked pretty scratched up in the photos, but I planned to paint them anyway--so I decided to buy and refinish them.

First, I removed all of the hardware--the drawer pulls, hinges, and knobs--and I removed the glass from the two console doors. I knew I didn't want to put the glass back in because I don't like being able to see the disorganized mess inside (as you can see from this photo in the living room):


I had some small leftover pieces of 1/4" thick poplar plywood, and thankfully, I was able to cut them to fit the frames for the doors. I also knew I didn't want to put the little label holders back on the drawers (I just didn't like them). I didn't replace the drawer pulls (drawer pulls are expensive!) so I painted them with a matte black spray paint. I wasn't crazy about the pulls at first, but after painting them I really like them.


After removing the hardware, I started cleaning and sanding. I used TSP to clean the pieces well and remove the shine. Then I sanded with an electric palm sander (rather than doing it entirely by hand) hoping to keep my carpal tunnel syndrome from flaring up. The palm sanders still require a lot of work, so it wasn't exactly easy! It took me a long time to get the whole thing sanded. I had to remove quite a bit from the top layer of the coffee table:



After sanding, I wiped it down one more time and then applied a primer--I used Kilz for oil-based paints. It took SO LONG to prime everything (here is a post about some problems I ran into). Once everything was primed, I applied a layer of paint--Sherwin-Williams' oil-based paint in the color "Spare White" (which is the color we used on all of the trim in the house).

I let that dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat. I waited another day and then put a third coat on the top and front face of each piece, just to make sure it was coated well. By this time, my carpal tunnel had really flared up, so I let the paint cure for a few days (oil-based paint takes 3-7 days to cure) while I rested my hands.

I put the hardware back on and I finished up the doors (using wood instead of the glass).


Today, Jerry and Eli carried the console and coffee table into the house (they are very heavy!) while I directed pet traffic. (The pets were way too excited to see what the commotion was about and why we were bringing big fun wooden boxes hideouts into the house ;)

I was really unsure about whether the coffee table was going to look right in our living room--I thought it might be too big. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was the perfect size for the room and the couch. I LOVE IT. Here is the before and after:



I was absolutely thrilled with the TV console, too! It brightened up that wall so much and I think the look of it fits in much better with the home makeover I did a couple of years ago. Here are photos from before and after:



(Evidently, clearing the clutter from the floor helps, too! Haha.) Jerry still has to put his Xbox in the little space above the drawers, which will hide the cords. 

Jerry and I both love the new look, and the best part is that both pieces of furniture cost less than $160 (the purchase price plus the cost of paint). And DIY projects are so much more fun than just buying a new piece of furniture.

I love it so much that I wish I could "flip" more furniture pieces and maybe sell them. Right now, though, I have to rest my hands and talk to a new doctor about my carpal tunnel syndrome.

10 comments:

  1. It looks gorgeous Katie! Bravo, truly!

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  2. Beautiful and really does brighten the space! I would buy some of your flips if we were closer.

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  3. Great work. The difference is stunning.

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  4. They both look beautiful! Great job!!

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  5. Jamie ElizabethApril 03, 2021

    As someone who is currently searching for a new coffee table and tv console, and does not have the DIY skills that you do, I am so impressed and jealous! I can't believe how expensive stuff is. AND we can't find exactly what we're looking for, so going on weeks without a coffee table which is extremely annoying! I would GLADLY pay someone to "flip" something used.

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  6. They really look great and fit right in!

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  7. Is that a fireplace in the old console?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, but just a fake one. We moved it to the man cave in the garage ;)

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