Simple Staging Decor Transformations: Change Your Furniture Style With Paint!

Are you thinking of moving and need to make what you have work for now?
Or maybe your downsized and the cost for new smaller items, just seem too high?

Enter decorating on a budget!

The nice thing about the word “budget,” (or at least in 2014 decorating terms) is you can look at it as repurposing!

This way it’s fun! It’s a challenge! And not as something that limits you. 

My next few blogs will feature key pieces that I have refinished to fit my space, as I transformed my livingroom from shabby chic cottage-style (2009) to contemporary classic (2014).

End Table Transformation

My first project was old two end tables. I think I bought them both for like $20. at an estate sale. They were a deal. Solid wood and in good condition. But the light woods finish was wearing off. 

First, I used paint remover and steel wool to get the flaking finish off.Then to sand it smooth, I used my 18v Ryobi palm sander. That little sander is sweet by the way!

A little white paint and stain for the top and I had a shabby chic cottage-style finish:

 To transform the tables yet again, I used three coats of Rustoleum High Gloss latex paint. This paint cost around 8. for a quart and did three coats on all the pieces in this blog. I also repurposed knobs by spray painting some old copper ones, satin Nickel. 

Here is the result:

  

The TV Hutch

My TV hutch, and yes, it really is an old hutch, also got a new paint job and knobs. This solid wood piece originally came from a garage sale for $15. unfinished and in disrepair. 

But with my eye for design and my husband’s construction expertise, we transformed it to fit our space and our TV. By adding castors, I can move it easily and without help. Which if your like me and like to rearrange often this is a huge help! Then to house the DVD player, we added cut outs for access in the drawer. The drawer also provides additional storage. 

Here is the hutch done in shabby chic cottage-style:

 Now as a contemporary classic piece:

So next time your scoping out items at a garage or estate sale that aren't quite the color or style you are after - think outside the box! 

Estate Sale find for $4. Patio table unfinished,
is now a cute side table with a bit of high gloss paint!

An old wooden picture frame, gets a quick update with high gloss black. Lean the frame on a mantle with a few candles for a simple focal point. 

And if you are like me, just look around your house and see what you can transform with a little paint and creativeness.

For Simple Staging services: 

By using furniture and other pieces that you have available, I can help you transform your home into a neutral decor that will reach the maximum amount of buyers attention.

Simple transformations, done on a budget, will get the job done! 

Objective: We want your home's new owner to be drawn into loving your home and looking forward to navigating it and make it their own! 

Just as you will when you find that perfect "New Home."

Simple Staging: Retaining a "Sense of Home" - Kitchen Makeovers

Anyone can buy furniture, pick up a table, throw in a few pillows, add a lamp or two - and call a room "decorated."

But does it really "work?" Does is give a house a "Sense of Home"?
The answer is: Maybe.

My vision of Simple Staging involves using basic items to "Keep It Simple," 

while retaining the "Sense of Home," - BUT leaving out the personal component.  

So thats the tricky part for most of us who love to create that "Sense of Home," in our spaces. Depersonalizing while retaining the warmth. 

I mean, no one likes to walk into a "cold" environment, so that feeling needs to be obtained by taking another direction. Being impartial to your personal style, I can help you create a space that is inviting to new home lookers - without holding on to your personalization. 

In my next few blogs: I hope to give you a sense of my home decor background, eye for design and budget friendly makeovers. I will share a few of the before and after projects at the
No Fences Farm Farmhouse. (Our homesteads name is another story in itself! Hint: It's named after a famous country singer's album. Guess who?)

Todays blog feature: 

Kitchen Updates. 

Throw back to first mini remodel in 1996 (left).

Basic paint and wallpaper border provided an inexpensive update. And with a many other projects going on in the farmhouse
- it worked!




Then on to 2003.

It was time to change out the ugly 70's avocado green vinyl  floor, with new Congoleum flooring! I was sooo ready for that! It's not the hardwood or tile of this age, but it is tuff stuff and survived two growing boys and a large dog! 


All in all, for less than a $1000., we changed out the cabinet hardware, flooring, and painted the cabinets. 


Where to save big:
Check out Ebay or Amazon for bulk hardware. 

Where to spend your $$:
The best primer and paint you can afford for the cupboards. It paid off!
The paint held up well for ten plus years. I like Kiltz 2 low order primer and Behr satin gloss finish. 

Fast forward to 2014: (left)

 It was time for another Kitchen  update!
 This time with a more contemporary/classic feel.

Again I did a paint refresh. A classic white for the top, and Behr Bittersweet Chocolate for the bottom. Updating the hardware to a classic brushed silver and the walls to a soft greyish with pink undertones. (Sorry, I don't have the name, as I had it mixed between two colors I liked!)

As projects go in a 1900's farmhouse's, this one became huge.
Needless to say, I can relate to the problems they run into on the HGTV show, Love it or List it! Two words: Ceiling Issues!

In our kitchen, the ceilings drywall had been added in 1970s.
As it turns out, it was a very bad era for adding drywall over plaster ceilings. They used a glue that had a history of releasing after many years. And ours was coming loose. 

The three choices we were faced with:
* Replacing the drywall with new. Too costly. 
* Re-screwing it and filling the holes. We tried and didn't work. 
* Adding architectural beams. The latter is what we did. (below)
   And I love   them!

Decor: Adding Inexpensively 

Not everything has to new. Think about how you can repurpose items. This, Eat, Pray, Love sign, (left) had actually been the rooster sign (right). 

Tin lantern: (above)
This piece was brought to life with a bright green glass lantern placed inside. Using rubber bands to add a bit of whimsey, I spray painted a clear glass lantern glass lime green.


Framed Word Art: (right) 
The saying was taken from  Pinterest, printed to 8 x10, and then placed in an inexpensive frame.

Bar stool update:

Go from plain wood (right) to gloss black (left)
for about $15. for all four stools.

Just apply a coat of Rustoleum spray primer and 
two coats of black spray paint. 

Keep in mind, these photos have that feel of "home."

IE: They are personalized to my taste and the age and style of our home, a 1900's farmhouse.

For more farmhouse kitchen ideas, visit Hometalk at via my blog post. Then create boards of your own, with tried and true ideas from other bloggers.  

Create your own design board on Hometalk. 

For Simple Staging services: 

My plans will bring the "Sense of Home" to your house. Matching the style you would like to convey to buyers - but leaving out the personalized touches. Objective: We want your home's new owner to feel welcome, but look forward to navigating it and make it their own! 
Just as you will when you find that perfect "New Home."

Introducing: Staging Services "Keeping it Simple!"

Hi all,

Switching gears here on the blog again! With winter still hanging in there up here in Michigan, I have been keeping busy with a new project! Adding Interior and Exterior Staging to my business!

The health/weight loss blogs have been fun! They have really helped to keep me on track, and most of all,  I hope sharing my "Making a Lifestyle Change" journey helped you to reach for your best health!

But I think you all got it now, right? And if your not sure, please free to review my blogs anytime! Or send or leave me a message and I would be more than happy to offer anything I can to keep you, On the Right Path!

So what's new?

The Exterior/Landscaping Staging services: To some extent, that is much of what I have been doing with designing landscapes on a budget. This will just be focussed more towards those looking to add Curb Appeal to their home this wish to sell, to draw buyers in to see what is so great inside!

Interior Staging: For those who know me, know I have a passion for Home Decor and decluttering and design. So this just seemed like a natural direction to take. This service will be focussed small scale. Using pieces or modifying pieces customers already have in their home. And help with organizing areas to show their top potential to prospective buyers.

What's the objective?

Keeping it Simple! 

Are you looking to sell your home, or just need to declutter? Need some help simplifying your space? If so look for upcoming blogs regarding small changes you can do around your home that make big changes in your space!

And if you live locally, please consider giving me a call if you need my Staging, Landscape Design or Gardening services.


Finally, thanks to all who encouraged me to keep writing about my "Making a Lifestyle Change" journey, and to slip into this new venture. I appreciate you all!