Hi there, I’m Denise and I’m so happy you’ve dropped by!
Salvaged Inspirations was created in 2013 and shares my love of restyling and repurposing vintage furniture and thrift decor.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed finding interesting pieces at flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores. I’m the kind of girl who has more fun curb-shopping than buying retail!
This blog shares my passion for furniture painting. Although I wasn’t sure what direction it was going to take when I wrote my very first post, the SI Blog has turned into an online journal of before & afters, a resource for diy furniture painting techniques and documents my successes and failures along the way.
I hope the 250+ blog posts and tutorials inspire you and other DIY enthusiasts to take another look at that neglected piece and restyle it into something amazing!
So welcome…. grab a cup of coffee and stay a while! 🙂 And I hope you stop by often so we can have some fun sharing our thrift tales while breathing new life into old items one piece at a time.
Some TidBits About Me… In No Particular Order…
LOVE to laugh…NOTHING better than a good laugh to lift the spirits.
Own a dishwasher yet never use it…yup, still wash dishes by hand.
Scorpio Alert: I’m extremely passionate, fun, secretive, focused, loyal, excitable and I let my EMOTIONS RULE.
I like inspiring quotes.
I dream of being a famous artist with an eccentric lifestyle….who doesn’t wash dishes.
Enjoy nature, animals, long walks, travelling, gardening, thrifting, drawing, photography, music, art and a good book.
Can’t stay in the bathroom to brush my teeth if my life depended on it… I walk around the house and only go back to rinse.
I’m a great listener but find it challenging to talk about myself.
Addicted to traveling. I love seeing new places and things.
I have the best sister in the world.
Wherever in the world I travel, I always visit the local library and art museum(s).
Geek Alert: I’m a book worm, love to read and still ‘check-out’ books from my local library.
I hate having wet toes when they’re suppose to be dry.
Have great fun up-cycling furniture & selling pieces I’ve salvaged and lovingly re-furbished.
I LOVE my freedom. Being able to do what I want when I want is HUGE.
LOVE spending time with family, friends and “My-Mystery-Man” aka M-M-M.
Admire positive, fun, creative, inspiring people.
Like and often use the words: “FREE”, “ALMOST FREE”, “THINGY”, ‘CREEPY’, “WEIRD”, “UGLY-CUTE”, “FRIGG’N”, “FRIGGY”, “KINDA”, and “REALLY, SERIOUSLY”?
I’m a night owl. If I’m in bed by midnight – that’s early.
Don’t use an alarm – I wake up organically.
Old lady alert: I cross stitch and think needle art is relaxing.
I do my best to buy and eat organic produce/products.
Not crazy about cooking.
I can be a walking contradiction.
Laundry – can’t be bothered until I’m down to my last pair socks.
Ok…maybe that last one was a little too much information…lol.
P.S.S I’d love for you to visit often and share your thoughts and ideas.
I’m truly grateful for every comment and interaction I receive and want to thank you for dropping by and spending a little time with me!
Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
First time on your website and i want to tell you that you are amazing and gifted. Im trying to learn how to follow all your channels. Also i saw a diy pottety barn knock off piece on pintrest but it will not pull up for me. i am wanting to know where you got the drawer liner for that piece? is it wrapping paper? if so, how can i seal the wrapping paper after its in drawer so it doesnt tear?
thank you and if you could send me all your links i would greatly appriciate that too.
suzette
Hi Suzette and thank you! On the right sidebar of the #siblog are links to all my media/social channels and here is the link to the Pottery Barn Buffet Makeover. Also, I don’t remember where I got the drawer liner – I think HomeGoods or TJ Max ??? and I adhered it with this spray adhesive here. 🙂
I have been searching faux wood finish, wood grain faux finish, gray wash, etc. off & on for the past 5 months, and finally came across your website & blog. It is by far the best out of at least 20=30 other sites I checked out. I have a traditional formal dining room set, 6 chairs & table, coffee, side & sofa tables and an entertainment armoire that were originally what they called white wash. They are now more yellow/blonde wash than white. I’ve been hesitant to attempt other antiquing,/faux finish methods I found. due to being too complicated, or expensive or that the finish was not very attractive. I’d pretty much given up and was considering hiring someone to finish the pieces,, which I know would be costly, but less costly than buying all new not very good quality furniture. I love how clear and easy your instructions and suggestions are, and the variety of different finishes in your videos.. I also enjoy your good humor and positive attitude. You have re-motivated me to give it a go. Thanks for the encouragement!!
A thousand thanks for taking the time to leave this message Mary.. you’ve made my day! I’m so glad you’ve found the #siblog – WELCOME! – and so excited it’s inspired you to give it a go! Have fun with your dining set… I bet it’s going to look amazing! 🙂
I am going to try to refinish my grandmother’s sewing machine. I am 72 years old. I have most of the veneer off, but there is one spot that won’t come off. I am going to try your suggestion. The wood is tough under it. . I hope I can get it smooth. Love your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Denise,
Just want to say your my favorite blogger💙
You are always so helpful with our questions, love your humor and always providing us step-by-step
Instructions on how to duplicate your creations!! Thats NOT typical out there on the individual websites!
Anyway, your projects are amazing..! I really liked the white wooden tray that you added little knob
feet to….I have already bought a tray which will be my next project to work on..
Your the best!!!
Carli, YOU’RE the best! 🙂 I appreciate you dropping in and sharing with me. And best of luck with your wooden tray project. I’d love to hear how it works out for you. 🙂
Hi .. My specialty is the restoration of historical monuments. I’ll be glad to see your works.
Yours sincerely
Morteza
Hi Denise,
So happy I found your blog! I am a fellow painter and I have been known to have gone ‘junkin’ a few times in my life 🙂 I have a question for you: how does milk paint compare with chalk paint? I’ve used chalk paint in the past and have been very pleased with the results, but I’ve always been curious about trying milk paint.
Any tips you have are always welcome!
Thanks,
Anne
Hi Anne…welcome, so happy you’ve found the SI Blog too! 😀 There is a difference in applying milk paint, and a difference in the finish too but both have characteristics that make them equally interesting. I wrote a post on milk paint which you may find helpful. If you’re curious to give it a try – TRY IT! 🙂 Half the fun of being a creative furniture painter is experimenting. 🙂
Just came across your blog and wow! You are certainly talented! Maybe you can answer a question for me that I was trying to research. I bought a large jewelry chest with felt-lined drawers. The fabric is stained and gross and I was wondering if it could be painted. Have you ever done anything like that and if so do you have any tips? Thank you!
I also found a jewelry chest that is perfectly functional for me, it’s a sturdy, but ugly faux oak trimmed piece, some actual wood too. I think it can be easily transformed with chalk paint and distressed. I got it for about $5.00 at a junk shop and if it cleans up, it will be better than the expensive one I have, that is tedious to sort through. As an example you have to remove ear ring bars to get to the one pair you one to wear, not practical. Anyway, I have the same problem with the faux velvet glued on lining of the complete interior. I tried to loosen it for removal, no luck. Though about painting…now wondering if you could cut out new material more suitable and just glue it over the old. I know it would have to be rather thin…maybe even some silk printed scraps, that wouldn’t bunch up. Just wondering Denise.
You sure can! So long as the new fabric has adhered well/nicely, you won’t even know there is old fabric under there. 🙂
I just finished chalk painting a dining table and put wax seal on part of it now wondering if I can poly it instead over wax or would I have to start over.
Hi Thelma! Here is some info on Wax Over Poly or Poly Over Wax.
Hi Denise I’ve just found your website and am so excited I have always wanted to do a bit of screen printing and to cut my own print but have never been able too or had the courage to start ..
I have just seen one of you designs and just love it and would love to finally try cut cut a stencil from it.
Yaaay, I’m cheering you on from this end so I hope you do give it a try. And a warm WELCOME Mary. I hope you drop by again soon. 🙂
Hi Denise, I have a lovely, curvy shaped, wooden frame headboard with cane panels. It had been painted in a white matte finish paint—including the cane. with distressing on the frame. I would like to strip the frame and repaint it a buttery colour (which would match my other pieces better).
I would prefer the cane sections to be in a more natural finish–like a light tan stain perhaps.. Do you think that it’s possible to safely strip the white paint from the cane sections without damaging them at all? Please tell me what products to use on the cane in order to get this effect.
Thanks to a fellow Burlingtonian!
Hello Collette in Burlington! 🙂 Stripping cane (I’m guessing it has some sort of weaving) is not an easy task. It can be done, but I’ve never had great luck doing it. I just don’t have the patience for it to be honest. You could try using Citristrip, Heirloom or any reputable brander, but it’s a tricky job to get all the paint out of the nooks and crannies to get a flawless ‘natural’ look.
Hey Denise! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us fellow refinishers. I’m Picker Dave and I have a ton of refinishing projects waiting to be realized. One of which I wanted to ask you about. I was turned on to this technique by a friend and it involves using an image transfer medium that will affix images to painted or wooden surfaces. The makers of this medium also make Mod Podge. Have you ever used it? Any suggestions? We’re going to make a Chicago Cubs bar out of a really cool 50’s stereo console. Should be interesting for sure.
Hi Denise can you please add me to your group board on furniture sramirez1967
Hi Sherri! I tried sending an invite via Pinterest to sramirez1967 but it is not going through. If you could kindly leave your pinterest handle I’ll try again. 🙂
Please add me to group….love your stuff
I have a question about where you sand/paint/stain and refinish your furniture. Is it in a garage or other enclosed area away from your home.. or do you do it in a basement? I have no other area to refinish but in our basement, and prefer not to sand or spray in an area which we live in. It’s curious to see how and where others work. Also, do you sell your items via social media.. website.. or do you have a store in which you can display and sell? Thanks for all the very wonderful advice and tips!!
Hi Elaine! My studio is my entire basement. I have a specific sealed room for sanding, another for storage and supplies, and an old 70’s kitchen that has been transformed into my painting room. Having said this, when using chemicals, it can smell up the entire house! I don’t really use a lot of chemical/smelly products, but the smell does filter upstairs for sure. I do sell pieces via social and online ads like Craigslist and Kijiji. But I’m lucky in the sense that I get enough traffic to my website and social media outlets that they often get ‘sold’ before I post them for sale. Good luck in your business Elaine. x
Hello Denise,
I have always wanted a chest of drawers, similar to a card catalogue used in the libraries when I was a kid. While on vacation I came across an 18 drawer paper chest from 1891! It is a beauty! I have sanded down the exterior but my question is about the inside of the drawers. They are raw wood and most drawers have open spaces between the joints. The inside of the drawers really show the age of the piece. I’m worried if I paint the inside of the drawers it will just look like a poorly constructed new piece of furniture instead of the antique gem that it it.
What are your thoughts?
Line drawers with beautiful appropriate wall paper sheets
from a sample book..Or use luxuriant wrapping paper…First I would gently sand the insides and maybe whitewash them
Hi Denise,
I was wondering if I could please be added to your group board on furniture. My pinterest username is @RenovatedFaith. Thank you for your consideration!
Karin Peters
Hi Karin! Yes thanks for your interest in being a contributor to the Painted Furniture – IDEAS & DIY Pinterest Board! Painted furniture pins only please :)… just sent you an invite. 🙂
Could you add me to your list?
I sure can! You will get a confirmation email. Thanks Betty! 🙂
Great Articles and Lots of LOVE from a fellow junk- a – holic !
From : Tami with 4th time around in Douglasville, GA
Hi Tami! Nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by! x 🙂
Hi Denise,
I found your Painted Furniture – IDEAS & DIY Pinterest Group Board and I absolutely love it! The focus on high quality content in one of my favorite niches is really fabulous!
I’ve followed you and the group board.
I blog at ThreeBirdsLife.com where I write about crafts, homemaking, gardening, DIY, recipes, and my share of painted furniture!
I would love to be added to your group board and will contribute only high quality pins.
Thanks in advance!
Carolyn
Hi Carolyn! Thanks for your interested on pinning to Painted Furniture – IDEAS & DIY Group Board. I’d be happy to send you an invite. Look forward to seeing your Painted Furniture Pins! 🙂
Hi Denise….love your website. I have recently began refurbishing furniture and notice in your About bio that you do the same. My question is how do you market your pieces? For me, no two pieces will ever be alike so I am assuming I will have to have quite an inventory before I can start advertising. Did you start out online or word of mouth? Thanks also for sharing your personal story about your precious Dad in an earlier post. Blessings to you and your family.
Sylvia
Please add me to your email list. I absolutely love your posts
I’m glad you’re liking the posts – thank you! 🙂 No problem. I’ll add you. You will receive a confirmation opt-in.
Hi there
I’m wondering if I can chalk paint over pressure treated wood. The furniture piece will not be outdoors, it will be inside, but I’m wondering if the paint will stick to the wood because it wood meant fir outdoor?
Hi Tara! I’ve never painted pressure treated wood because it’s a bit of a process testing its 100% dry, cleaning etc – but yes you can. Bob Villa has a really informative article you might be interested in taking a peek at here.
Hello
Just started chalk painting. I think its cool. I used Folk Art Chalk Paint this time, because I like the colours, especially the Tuscan colours. But I am finding more colours in every brand I look for. I also mixed an awesome purple myself out of blue and red.
Don’t know how to send a picture. Cheers.
You are a woman after my own heart.Love “Thrift Shopping” for really good recyclables.
Love to be put on your mailing list. I live in Mill Creek, Utah. A friend tells me I have excellent taste in the “finds” from our treasure hunts. Having a bit of artistic talent helps???
Hi Vesta! I’ve included you in the subscription. When it arrives in your email, there is a link to confirm and then you’ll receive updates. Thanks for being an SI Reader and I look forward to ‘chatting’ in the future. Happy Thrifting!!! 🙂
Hi Denise,
Found your site and copied the “Main St” and “Hot Bathes” printables. Thanks very much.
I’m just trying to get into the basic sign making. One question I have, on the “Hot Baths” do you rub the chalk on the printed side of the paper or on the back? As I said I’m really green at this. Thanks!
Hi Ron! So glad the free printables came in handy! For this technique, I rubbed the chalk on the back side of the printed paper – the blank side. This is the side that gets put against the board(s) so the chalk transfers. The printed side (the side that you trace) faces up. Hope this helps. 🙂
Simply needed to state Now i’m delighted that i happened upon your web page!.
Hi Denise! I stumbled upon your blog via Pinterest (while at work) shhhhh 🙂 And I have just spent the past hour on and off, going through it! I love your work and how you explain things! I am a milk paint virgin, but have recently purchased all that I need to work on a project. I have a collection of pieces stored in my basement that were either given to me, or purchased at auction.. to the point where my daughter says.. “Mom! Stop it!” lol.. Thanks so much for the tips, I will refer back here before my first project! 🙂 Merci beaucoup!
Shhhh…your secret is safe with me Linda. 😉 Hope you drop in again soon and good luck with your upcoming projects!
Hi Denise
Im trying to repurpose a master bath. Its walls are partially sea glass. Any paint product you can think of that adheres to sea glass that is in a bathroom so it will be moist environment with showering etc.
Hi Denise, I found your blog when looking for the best DIY chalk paint recipe – yours seems like it will be the best and I can hardly wait to try it! In regards to using Plaster of Paris: Having been a potter for 14 years I used it often for making molds. The best way to mix it is to add it to the water slowly and let it “slake” – do not stir until the powder has disappeared below the water. You’ll find it much easier to manage. Hope this was some information you can use and possibly pass on in your blog. I look forward to visiting often for inspiration and information (I’m just starting down this road and look forward to the journey).
I’ve just painted my first piece of furniture using Rustoleum Painter’s Touch 2x Paint n Primer in Gloss White. I followed the instructions, waiting less than an hour between the two coats per the instructions That was Sunday afternoon. It looks great, but I can see spots that are glossier than others.
Is it advisable to wait until it’s fully cured before spraying again? Or is it safe to move forward with the final coat this evening? All that I’m reading says it’s oil-based.
Thanks for your input.
I’m guessing that the glossier spots may be from an uneven spray application Pia. If you give your surface a light sanding and then apply another even coat (once its 100% dry – you don’t have to wait for it to be cured), you should get a nice finish. 🙂
Hello Denise, I’m a nervous beginner!!! We have classic Queen Anne Ethan Allen bedroom furniture in the original dark factory finish. We hate to ditch this quality furniture but are tired of this look. If the decorative pieces are removed from the lower edge, pulls replaced and a new paint color we think it could be used.
What do I do ?? So afraid to ruin this beautiful furniture. We need it for Arixona and do not want it so deep dark.
Hi Nelinda! Furniture painting (like any new skill) can feel intimidating and overwhelming when you’re a beginner. Your Ethan Allen bedroom furniture can definitely get a new look/lease on life with a new painted finish… and look amazing! However, I’m just wondering if you’d feel more comfortable painting a smaller piece that doesn’t have so much value to you – and then tackle your set? I just know for myself, before I painted my childhood french provincial set my mother bought for me (this set had a lot of sentimental value), I practiced on a few pieces I had curb shopped. It gave me the confidence/experience I needed and the set turned out beautiful. 🙂
Hi Denise, I found you blog today when looking for home-made chalk paint recipes. Came across this whole concept by going to an Annie Sloan workshop in France, where I live. Got bitten by the repurposing-upcycling bug but curious about what was in the AS paint to make it different from regular latex. Seems it’s not as big a secret as they would have us believe. I had already discovered that you can easily tint the paints and wax with acrylic paints and now it seems I can make my own chalk paint – can’t wait! And here’s a tip I discovered somewhere – if you want to change the colour of a large piece quickly, dilute the coloured wax with white spirit (odorless is good) and just slap it on with a big brush. The effect is very good. Looking forward to reading more of your blogs, thanks for putting it all up there for us to share. Happy painting!
Hi Diane and welcome! Thank YOU for taking the time to say hi and leaving this great tip! 🙂
Hi Denise, I stumbled on your blog and website while “googling” how to fix chipped veneer. Awesome blog posts – thanks! I’m a newbie to upcycling furniture and the bug has bitten. It really excites me seeing how a tattered piece of furniture can be transformed into a beautiful piece. I’m an avid Annie Sloan fan and have painted a number of pieces with great results. Right now I’m looking at deco/vintage/antique pieces with the view to restoring them to their former glory. I’m working on a sideboard that has a veneer finish on the top and after sanding it down I’m now left with the raw veneer that I’m not sure what to do with. I was thinking of painting the frame in white and having the doors and top in natural wood but I suspect the solid doors are a different wood to the veneer. Any pearls of wisdom? Also, how is it best to treat the veneer top if I decide to keep it ‘a la natural’. It is very light but has some silky lines through it. The veneer is super thin after my sanding now – ouch! – so I can’t really re-sand again if I make s mistake. Thoughts? (PS – have now also subscribed to your blog :-))
Welcome and thanks for subscribing Tammy! Your sideboard project sounds great. In my experience, the same type of veneer is usually used on the entire old piece (unless their is visibly more than one type of wood used on different areas of the dresser ie light top dark bottom etc.) So, I’m guessing the sideboard’s wood doors may also have the same veneer on them if you were interested in matching them up. If you decide you like the natural looking top, I would seal with a poly or wax and call it a day. If you don’t, paint over it. Experimenting is half the fun! 🙂
We’ve never met but I think you may be my long-lost twin!
I’m a Scorpio and EVERY single thing you used to describe yourself, your likes and dislikes are the exact same! And I mean everything. I sooooo totally get the wet toes thing. It just feels wrong!
Was a very strange feeling to “find” myself here!
I came across your site looking for a chalk paint recipe to use on an armor I’m redoing… again.
Love the blog!
Kindred spirits…someone gets the wet toes thing…LOL! Welcome Randi and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
i love your work, but I have a question. If you paint your furniture and you want to have it professionally cleaned would that ruin the material? Same as pillows, if you have a stain on it how easy would it be to clean?
Thanks
Hi Lisa and welcome! Unfortunately, I have not yet tried painting fabric so I’m not sure. My guess is that a wipe down would work, but I would be cautious of a full professional cleaning.
Hi Denise, found your site when looking to replace broken lead light glass doors with chicken wire on an old cabinet. Your tips were very helpful. These doors are
curved so have been a challenge….but fun. Love your site. I live in New Zealand and enjoy giving the old pieces of furniture a new life.
Thanks for dropping by Lyndsay! I always LOVE hearing from people in different parts of the world! 🙂
I love your website! I just visited for the first time and learned how to fix a hole in my hardwood floor using DAP plastic wood. Thank you very much. Your pictures and discussion are sooo helpful. I just chalk painted my first dresser top, but I over sealed it with wax-now it’s super shiny in those spots. Can I rub that out to matte it or?
Thanks so much, I am now a great fan! Thanks for inspiring me.
Welcome Steven … and I’m so glad you’re finding the tutorials helpful! With wax, the more you buff the more shiny it gets. You could try bringing down the shine by using a very fine grit sandpaper and ultra light hand sand. 🙂
Where are you located
I’m located in the Greater Toronto Area in Burlington.
i love love love the green dresser. Do you have similar dressers in white or black? Thanks!
Hi Jessica! I do have a similar style pine dresser in my inventory right now that could be custom painted/restyled in white or black. Feel free to email me at [email protected] 🙂
Great website full of super tips and ideas! Thank you. I live in London, love recycling and vintage. Am going to try the calcium carbonate paint on an old school cupboard I bought in a charity shop! Thanks again
Thanks for dropping by Helene! And have fun with your old school cupboard project. 🙂
Wow! Love your page! Just started painting so you are/will be a huge inspiration for me! Plus, I share a lot of the same idiosyncrasies! 🙂 you crack me up!
Idiosyncrasies?…what idiosyncrasies?…lol 😉 Looking forward to having you drop by again Laureen.:)
Denise! Thank you for the tips regarding Milk Paint. I just purchased two small brown doors for $10 and want to paint and distress and place on wall. I have tried in the past to repaint furniture with acrylic paints and usually have unsatisfed results. Now with your great tips my projects will have amazing results!
I will pass your website on to all my friends!
From one ‘Dee’ to another… Thank you! And best of luck with your door project. For $10, that was a steal of a deal! 🙂
This is the best furniture painting blog that I’ve seen so far and I’ve been researching/teaching myself how to paint furniture for a few years now. General Finishes guided me to your blog. I don’t sell my pieces but because I post them on instagram (before and afters), friends are asking me to paint their furniture, LOL.I’m not sure that I want to. It’s a lot of work! My purpose for learning this skill to begin with is to furnish our Florida beach house that we are building (as a vacation home). I’ve gotten so much pleasure out of re-doing beautiful old pieces of furniture that I bought for a bargain or some pieces that I inherited that I don’t like and were in storage. It’s so much more fun (and a lot cheaper) than buying a bunch of trite and generic furniture/decor. Anyway, thanks for this great blog. You are very talented. Beth
Hi Beth! I’m so happy you’ve found Salvaged Inspirations via General Finishes. Welcome! Your Florida Beach house sounds dreamy and no doubt will have a warm, unique character with the pieces you are lovingly re-styling. Hope to chat again soon. ~Denise
Hi Denise,
I really enjoy your website and all the information you provide. I am so inspired by you to start doing re-purposing on small items to sell locally. I teach elementary art and I could use something unique and exciting to add to my monthly income (I’m on a NC teacher’s budget). Could you please tell me the basic materials needed to get started? I know I could never do what you do, but I really want to try. Thank you in advance for your help, Denise!!!
Hi Carmen! First off, I’m a huge fan of the arts and my hat’s off to you and all your colleagues who do such important work with our youth! The very ‘basics’ you will need to paint a small piece of furniture will be rags (you can clean your piece with a simple vinegar and water mixture), a screwdriver for removing any hardware, sandpaper for prep sanding and finishing, paint/primer, a paint brush and either a wax or poly for sealing/protecting. If you’re just starting out, I don’t suggest spending a lot of money on your supplies. Minus the paint, many of my first supplies were purchased at a Dollar Store! It’s always wise to accumulate your tools and supplies as you grow and expand so you can get more of a feel for what will benefit you. I’m cheering you on from my end Carmen. Best wishes for your exciting new venture! x
Denise,
Thank you so very much!!! You are awesome!!! This was just the information I needed to get started, and thanks for supporting the Arts. I can’t wait to get started with the wonderful tips you gave me, and I look forward to following your website for growth. Again, thank you, I will never forget your kindness!!!!
I love your site. I have scoured every page and am thrilled you posted how to make homemade chalk paint. Will be using it. I would also like to know how to get your site directly to my email, so that I can keep up with your blogs. I love this. It is right up my alley. Love to take old and bring new again. Redid an old trunk, with my Sister, for my Granddaughter. Painted and put leather on it with new hardware. It turned out great and she loves it. LOL I have a dishwasher too, and never use it. Kindrid spirits. Have raised a garden for years, all organic, and canned it all. Love the outdoors and we have passed on all the skills to our children and grandchildren. It is so much fun to do things with them and to see their skills growing daily. Thanks for sharing your ideas and those of others as well. Inspiration comes from so many talented people and sources.
It sounds like we have SO much in common Joyce! I love ALL those things too! The old trunk you painted with your sister; with leather and new hardware will be a cherished piece to your Granddaughter for years to come. If you’d like to keep in touch with new updates, on the right sidebar (about half way down) there is a subscribe button. I should probably place that at the top of my page so it’s nice and easy to find…lol. Nice to meet you Joyce and look forward to you visiting again! x
Denise, I just found your site and I’m excited and inspired by your work! I have painted some pieces in the past but I’m kinda sloppy. I’m curious about how you spray paint your furniture. What equipment do you use and how did you learn to use it?
Hi Karen…love your candid comment! I think many of us are OR were sloppy when we started painting furniture…lol! Just as with ANY skill, it takes time and practice to get your technique down. With all the furniture I’ve painted, there are still days when I look at a piece and say “WOW”, and then there are days when I look at a piece and I critique myself saying “I can do better”! As for my spray paint equipment, my compressor is 11-gallon(41.6L) MasterCraft CFM 6.2 @ 40 PSI and 5.2 @ 90 PSI. The Paint Gun I use is the HVLP Husky Spray Gun which sprays at 40 PSI. How did I learn? I’m lucky enough to have M-M-M who works with professional painter’s who answer my questions and provide me with tips. However, someone can “tell” you how to ride a bike but until you actually do it…lol…I REALLY learned to use it through trial and error. 🙂
I found your site while doing a search to see if its possible to tint miniwax with paint. You just made my day with the instructions on how to do exactly that. I really enjoyed reading your about me section. I definitely bookmarked your site so I can come back and browse around some more! 🙂
Hi Denise. I have painted furniture in the past and might i add, by the “seat of my pants”! I can honestly say I love transforming things and recycling things,so I too, want to do something with this. I just got into chalk paint and really have been exploring the internet on how to’s since I am a self taught type. Now I feel a little overwhelmed and a bit confused and scared but have gotten such a kick and inspiration out the women I’ve come across in the interim. I have found from your site that I can experiment and still fly by the seat of my pants! You gave me that courage back. You stand out as one of my favorite”s and I look forward to visiting your site often. You share yourself and your knowledge and I truly appreciate it! Thank you much! kuddo’s
Oh Marian, you’ve touched my heart! Thank YOU for taking the time to leave your comment; it inspires ME and gives me incentive to keep blogging! It’s also comforting to know I’m not the only self-taught-fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants furniture re-stylist out there! 😉 Look forward to chatting again soon. x
Hi Denise, I found your site when I was looking for home made chalk paint recipes. Yours was the best and most informative. Thank you for being so generous in sharing all this great information. Then I saw “making your own dark wax”….ok wow, this is genius!!! I cannot wait to get started. I laughed so much reading “about me”…so funny. I’m
Love your site and all of the information that you generously share (both professional and personal)! I’ve always loved seeking out jewels at yard sales and second hand stores, but haven’t always had the space for it all or done much to change them. Due to economic reasons, I recently emptied out 3 of 4 large storage units and have now run out of space in my garage. This is the down fall of wanting to save all those jewels in the rough! Having said that, I LOVED seeing your “Furniture Waiting Room” and would love to have my own FWR!!! I admire that you’re doing something you really love — it is inspirational. Your HM recipes may be just the motivation for me to try my hand at re-doing some of the pieces I have and who knows, possibly starting a business re-selling (if I can part with them!). Take care, and I wish you continued success and happiness in 2014! -Janet
Your comment has put a BIG smile on my face Janet. I hope you do up-cycle and re-do some of your “jewels in the rough”… it’s so much fun and very rewarding! I’m cheering you on from this end and here to help if you have any questions. And believe me, if I can do it, YOU can do it!!! All the Best & Happy New Year 🙂
I love your furniture makeovers and great website. Awesome to see the thrift stuff take their new ‘avatars’. greatly enjoyed reading your posts. thanks for sharing your passion. i am ready to work on my furnitures now. 🙂
I love your site and your carefree approach to projects and life. I love what you are doing and it has always been a secret desire of mine,repurposing old stuff because I love good furniture. You should teach classes, just sayin…..enjoy
That’s sweet Lynda… thanks! If you have the desire ~ Give-It-A-Go!!! And if you have any questions along the way, feel free to email me any time. 🙂
I loved reading all about you. You have such a bubbly personality and I’m super excited to watch your inspiration for salvaged items.
I’m lovin this site!!!
~ Audrey
I’m so happy you dropped by Audrey. Thank you!!
Wow! I had a great time going from page to page. Keep up the great work. Visit us again. Soon!
Thanks again,
Wendy & Maggie
Thanks Wendy! I appreciate the compliment and encouragement. Looking forward to dropping by again.
If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll get to see the refinished baroque dresser!
I need to know when making chalk paint, do you mix enough plaster of paris with the paint to make it thick like real chalk paint. or just leave it thin like regular paint? Help me please…..
Hi there Becky! For the plaster of paris HMCP recipe, it’s 3 parts paint to 1 part (dry) plaster of paris. Use the same measuring tool for both but mix the plaster of paris with just enough water to make a nice smooth paste before adding it into your paint. Your paint should NOT be thick. It may slightly thicken (and if so you can add a little more water while working) but the paint should be like regular paint in that it is easy to apply.
Thank you so much for all your recipes!!!