A Little Secret

I usually don't share the original price of furniture when I plan to upcycle it. I feel like it's okay for me to share the price if it is something I bought for myself.   I don't want to devalue my beautiful product by showing it's original price.

Today, and today only, I will share some of the "business" side of my furniture refinishing. I do all of my buying from thrift stores or raigslist. Yards sales are an awesome way to find great furniture, but I struggle to get out the door early Saturday morning. Who doesn't have breakfast, chores, and a dog walk to fit in in those early hours?

My general rule of thumb is to stay around the $50 range for larger items like armoires and dressers. If I can find something decent  for lower, I'm all about that! My cheapest dresser purchase to this day was $20. I will occasionally spend $100 on something if it is huge and going to be amazing. Side tables and smaller items I expect to pay $10-$15.

Here's  a dresser I just finished.  I'll walk you through the cost breakdown and how I determine my
pricing. This is a smaller dresser a purchased at a thrift store for $35. I was drawn to it because of it's vintage hardware with original patina. I'm a sucker for this hardware, I purchase anything with it. Similar vintage hardware costs about $11 a piece so I figured I got my money's worth just out of hardware.

This particular dresser is not real solid wood, except for the drawer fronts. It's also small, right there I know it will need to be priced on the lower end.

I wanted to use this ballet slipper pink "oops" paint I purchased on a whim for $5.00. That means I'm not using my usual chalk paint that requires no priming or sanding. Because this dresser isn't wood, I know I'll need a primer that sticks to any glossy surfaces and doesn't require sanding. Yes, they make that, make sure to read your label. I use the "bulls eye" primer, approx $7- 9, it can be found at Lowes in the paint section.

Since I was working with latex paint I have the advantage of using  my air compressor spray gun. It saves me a lot of time and gives a smooth finish with latex paint. I primed and then, true to it's label, the paint stuck right on my no-wood glossy surface.

I applied painters tape and added stripes with some A.S.C.P Old Ochre that I already had on hand for my own project. I used my dark wax to give it an aged look, I already had dark wax so those count as free.

I lined each drawer with some shabby chic angel self adhesive drawer liner that I purchased at the dollar store. $1.

This adorable dresser will be for sale on my shop page, Etsy, and Las Vegas Craigslist for $150. I like to price reasonable, I don't like to hold on to pieces very long. I also think everyone should be able to afford a unique piece in their home.

Total cost= $50

My profit= $100

Hours to finish dresser: 3-4ish counting paint drying time

As you can see, I'm not going to be a millionaire anytime soon. I enjoy what I do. I love to see the changes I can make in something.

Cottage Chic Nightstands

This week feels like I just can't get anything right. I must be off my game or something after vacation. I have been working on two nightstand for what feel like months since I took a break right in the middle of doing them. These nightstand came from one of the hotel casinos here in Vegas. I'm sure back in their day they were awesome but now they're saying 'tacky Vegas' look. I was fortunate to be asked to give them a new look. The top has been painted black and then silver leafed. If you have questions about silver leafing visit my tutorial here. The body of the nightstands were painted Old White and dark waxed. They were lightly distressed. I applied resin appliques to add a little something to the plain doors. Unfortunately the appliques were a little smaller than needed, so I will be applying larger ones. We'll see what its like to remove an applique, wish me luck.

I have some good news and bad news. I wasn't able to get a cheap enough shipping quote for my last armoire that I custom painted. It took about 3 weeks to get the quote to a price my client needed, and by then it was too late :( The good news is it is for sale!! Yay! Be sure to check out my shop page if you're in need of an already painted and finished armoire. Also, check back on Thursday, I'll be showing off a beautiful pink dresser that I'm painting for a new baby girl.

Linking back to...
kammyskorner.blogspot.com
savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com
romantichome.blogspot.com
missmustardseed.com
www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

Garage Sale Chair Reveal.

Remember the old chair with potential? My sister had her serious doubts about it but I think it turned out great. What do you think? Does it need to be reupholstered? I painted it with Paris grey and then Old white over the top. I dry brushed the Old white over the Paris grey on the floral carving. What can I say, I like "old" lady things.

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