I am so inspired when someone shares amazing DIY creativity. Check out these transformations by Bethany at
Glass Lamps
I just realized I have been doing a lot of posts on lighting recently, but I think lighting makes all the difference in a room. It’s crazy how these lamps came together. I found these two glass vase-like things at the Goodwill for $2.99. They definitely caught my eye and the fact that they were a pair was even better! I’m really not sure what they are, but would love to find out. Any ideas? They have a fairly large whole in the bottom and a smaller opening at the top. I started thinking about all the wonderful things I could do with them and decided they would make nice lamps for our master bedroom.
I had to come up with a way to elevate the base so that the cord wouldn’t cause them to sit unevenly. So, I found these two candlesticks at the Goodwill for $1.99 (they were actually at two different Goodwills, believe it or not) I unscrewed the candlestick, leaving only the base. The base had nice feet on the corners leaving an open space on the bottom of it, just what I needed! Then, I primed it (to make sure the paint would adhere) and sprayed it with Valspar Gloss Gray Spray paint.
Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of the next thing I bought because I totally forgot to take one. Instead of purchasing a light kit from Lowe’s for about $10 I chose to take the cheaper route and buy a couple of lamps from the Goodwill for a couple dollars. I plugged them in and asked for a lightbulb to test them out with to make sure everything was in good working order before I bought them. This step saved me over $15! If you want your cords to match you can actually buy just the cord at Lowe’s for about $5. However, I decided to be cheap resourceful and buy two $0.99 extension cords and just cut the “plug in” part (not sure what that’s called) off the end of it. Then all you do is strip the outer plastic layer off so you are left with just the bare wires. Putting the lamp back together is pretty easy, you basically just put it together the same way you took it apart. The lamp shades were another great bargain at $2.99/each! (got those from Ross) So, here is the finished product!
I just love the detail on the glass. I think it’s so unique.
Cabinet Makeover
I found this cabinet at the Goodwill for $29. It still had the sticker on it from Homegoods and it was in like new condition. The finish on it actually wasn’t too bad just not my style. So I gave it a coat of white paint that I had leftover in the garage and found a new home for it in our guest bedroom. These lanterns also needed a little update. They had been on our front porch for a while and the weather had taken a toll on them. So they got a coat of silver metallic spray paint and joined the cabinet in the guest bedroom.
I got these knobs from Hobby Lobby. They have, by far, the best selection of knobs and drawer pulls that I have seen and they are great prices! If you wait it out, they usually go on sale for 50%. I have seen very similar ones at Anthropology for three times as much.
Coffee Table Bench
I made this bench for my mom for a C
hristmas present. I wish I had taken a before picture but unfortunately I forgot so you’ll just have to use your imagination, picture dark brown and kind of beat up. This was actually an old coffee table before. I found it for only $5 at the thrift store! At the time I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it (like most of the things I buy), but it was only $5 and that was too good of a deal to pass up! You could do this to any coffee table to add some extra seating in your living room. All I did was attach some two inch foam, batting, and material to a piece of 5/16 inch OSB board using a staple gun. Then I drilled some holes through the top of the table and screwed the upholstered piece into place. Here it is in my mom’s bedroom.
hristmas present. I wish I had taken a before picture but unfortunately I forgot so you’ll just have to use your imagination, picture dark brown and kind of beat up. This was actually an old coffee table before. I found it for only $5 at the thrift store! At the time I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it (like most of the things I buy), but it was only $5 and that was too good of a deal to pass up! You could do this to any coffee table to add some extra seating in your living room. All I did was attach some two inch foam, batting, and material to a piece of 5/16 inch OSB board using a staple gun. Then I drilled some holes through the top of the table and screwed the upholstered piece into place. Here it is in my mom’s bedroom.
It’s hard to tell from the picture but the legs had really cool detailing on them…
Desk Makeover
Ok, I have finally finished the desk I have been working on. I found this desk for a great deal at the Goodwill. I thought someone had already bought it when I first saw it, but when I asked about it up front she said the lady couldn’t fit it in her car so she didn’t buy it. I was so excited! It was meant to be! I think I am going to sell this as well, seeing as how I have absolutley nowhere to put it.
These knobs are from Hobby Lobby. As I have said before they have the best, most unique knobs at the best prices. The only problem is they have so many great ones, which makes it very hard to decide. I finally settled on these white ceramic roses.
Well one project is just more inspiring than the last. You have a great eye and the talent to produce a fabulous makeover on so many different items! Love them all!
Wow! I love it all! The lamps especially look so pretty! I was going to say that I thought those were globes to some kind of light fixture.
The lamp is absolutely spectacular!!! Your idea to repaint the lanterns reminded me that I've got a couple of lanterns that could use a new coat of paint, and get them out of hiding once and for all!!!
This inspired me sooo much!
The lamps are spectacular!! I can't imagine painting as much as you do! Great projects!!
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Barbara
http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com
They are all adorable!
Love all the ideas. Such inspiration!
This girl has got some serious talent!
I nominated you for the Happy 101 Award! I really love the blog! Details can be found here: http://themistressofoxford.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-101-award.html
Wow, those re-dos are amazing. They look all so well done, it's hard to believe they are remodels.
Thanks for posting this – very inspiring!
I found your little blog via This Young House….I'll be stopping back but just wanted to say "hi."
cheers!
Bethany did do a fantastic job! I can't help but look at the background in her pictures too – what a gorgeous home!
Thanks again for sharing Bethany!
Roeshel
Oh my, so many beautiful and creative designs, I don't know where to start!
It was love at first project! Those lamps are outstanding!! I can't say enough! Oh, and those lanterns. Love the vignette she created with them!
You have really been busy, but what beautiful projects you posted about!! I love them all. Great job! Thanks for sharing. Love & blessings from NC!
I am happy to announce that you make me smile. So, I nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Please head on over to my blog to accept your award. http://www.ourlifefromscratch.blogspot.com
i am amazed at the creativity of people! really great stuff! after finishng my girls room..i am pooped! but when i get over here im so inspired to get up again and do some more! thanks again for such a fun post!
You are so clever! Thanks for sharing your great handy work.
Thank you all! 🙂
That lamp is absolutely amazing. It looks so high end. You are my DIY hero. I would have never thought to put the candlestick in as a base.
Are you kidding?! Those lamps are absolutely gorgeous! Seriously, I want them. I know what I'm looking for the next time I go to Goodwill and it's not a Halloween costume. Fabulous! I am totally inspired.
Wow…I'm immpressed. Great eye!
Cindy at Lakewood
what great talent! I want to live in your house!