Keeping It Simple: Transforming Wood Box Into Ottoman

Antique boxes have their own appeal. Rustic with an old world feel! I love them. So when I wanted to create another seating and storage option in our Coastal Sunroom I decided to transform one of mine. (Yes, I have a few!)

To Keep It Simple, here are the steps to transform any wooden box into an ottoman.

Turn box over and add casters to each corner of box.

Place casters where you want them, mark holes (pre-drill as old wood can split) then attach casters using screws and drill. Note the screws that came with the casters did go through the interior of my box. I used a dremel grinder to remove excess. Be careful of sparks a with the old wood!
Four 2 inch casters. Cost $15.

 

Picture left, Box with casters attached. 

I used a sturdy piece of  3/4 inch plywood for the top.
Make sure the wood just covers the  outer wood edge of the box.

To make lip for inside so it doesn't slide off... measure an inch and half inside on all sides. (This is where you will place the wood piece to keep the top from sliding off.)
Cut four pieces to fit. To attach use screws that don't go through to the top, now adhere with drill. (see next picture for layout)

 To cover, add two layers of batting cut just big enough to fold over back side and staple with powered stapler. I use an 18v Ryobi Stapler.

 Then add, fabric. And staple it as batting above. I used an durable awning fabric!

Completed Coastal-look Ottoman! 

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."

Rejuvenate Your Plants: Deadheading Prolongs Flowering

Now that your flowers are off and blooming, you'll want to keep up the show going forever! Of course, while realistically that's nearly possible, you can keep repeat blooms going for much of the summer. 


Many perennials bloom the entire season but only if you deadhead them. What is deadheading? Basically you prune back the dead flower/seed heads after the plant has flowered, to promote additional flowering.


A few repeat blooming perennials that benefit from deadheading
 include:

• Blanket Flower
• Veronica
• Speedwell
• Lavender
• Bellflower
• Yarrow
• Tickseed
• Coneflower
• Pincushion Flower
• Endless Summer Hydrangea
• May Night Salvia
• Rozanne Geranium
• Dianthus

Two well known some-what self- pruning perennials are:
Stella D'Ora Daylillies
Knock-Out Roses
These two plants, while can be deadheaded, will continue to bloom without pruning. I have learned if you have the time, pruning the Knock-Out roses every now and again during the growing season tidys up the bush and encourages growth. To prune, find dead flower, go to next three leaf start - and prune at that point. 


An easy way to clean up or deadhead blooms that can be pruned all at once, is using hedge trimmers. I know it seems a bit overkill, but I love using my Ryobi cordless hedge trimmers to prune back ground covers that have bloomed. They are also great to use with Veronica, dianthus pinks, lavender (once I pick some to dry), or pruning back foliage on mums. (Note: Trimming back the foliage on your garden mums in mid June will promote more plant growth and to assure beautiful fall blooms.) 


Of course, you can also keep your annuals blooming longer by deadheading them, too. For annuals, dead heading or pinching back the plants stems, keeps them from becoming straggly looking over the summer months. 


Now that the full blown flower season is among us... keep pruning, watering, fertilizing and enjoying! 


Happy Blooming!