Hello amazing Friends!! I’m back today sharing a couple of small makeovers, and one BIG purge! Can I tell you that I am just now realizing that it is actually FRIDAY? It wasn’t until one of my sweet readers mentioned that she wondered what happened to me yesterday that I realized it ha ha. Oh well, a day late, but still here. 🙂
Anyway, I spent a couple of days last month cleaning out my garage (again). I decided this time that there were some things that just had to go.
We’re friends, right? So you won’t judge me for what I’m about to share, right?
Here is my garage before the big purge:
Yikes! This was what was left of my “stash”, my “to-do pyramid”. My garage is also where I work on all my makeovers so I am constantly trying to keep it organized, but being creative is SO dang messy! Who knew??
I promise I have worked very hard to narrow my stash down this much. I don’t even call it a pyramid anymore because it is so much better than it once was. However, I got to the point where I kept looking at some of the things left in this pile over and over again, and I just kept coming up blank. So it was time. Time to put many things to rest for good.
As I started digging through this pile, I uncovered several things that I decided I was no longer going to try to rescue:
Most of those drawers came off of a dresser that was damaged beyond repair and I had intended to repurpose them in some way, but they were just too cheaply made to become anything really functional. I decided to keep the hardware though. They were really pretty.
I had started on that cradle, but it was so dinged and scratched and the paint didn’t really do much for it, plus it was super short. I’m not sure what baby doll would be able to fit in it anyway. The table with the blue legs was unusually short for a child’s table, and I never could find chairs short enough for it.
The two chairs at the back were a one of a set of four I purchased for super cheap at a yard sale. I used two of them on this sweet set, but these two were in really rough condition and one of them had a crack in it.
Then I added a couple more things to the pile:
Another chair…I bought this one to go with this antique desk, but when I got it home I realized one of the legs had a big chunk chewed out of it. That cabinet thing on the left was only $4 at the Habitat store, but I swear I just could not come up with an idea for it. I’ve had it at least three years!
My stash was dwindling:
You couldn’t even see those chairs under there before!
I added a few more things to the purge pile:
The bed was part of a bunk bed set that belonged to my oldest. I had planned to make a bench out of it, but never did. I found a couple small drawers that had press board bottoms to add to the mix and a few smaller pieces that were beyond saving.
I also uncovered these things that I thought I could still do something with:
This was also when I uncovered the suitcase I shared the makeover of on Tuesday. ( See it HERE if you missed it.)
And now my stash area looks more like this:
I’m afraid to move the things I kept over to that corner in case they get covered again! So they are in a neat pile at the front of the garage awaiting their makeovers. I’ve included a few affiliate links so you can find the products I use.
Here is another thing I unearthed:
I bought it intending to turn it into one of my lamp memo boards, but decided to keep this one as a lamp instead:
It didn’t have a shade, but I found this one for 99¢ at the thrift store that was the perfect size:
I made a pattern with some paper and cut my fabric about a half inch wider than the shade at the top and bottom…
Then I hot glued it in place. See a more complete how-to for covering a lampshade HERE.
I spray painted the base in black first so that would show through when sanding. Then I painted it with Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement:
The beauty of this paint is that it does not require a sealer. I haven’t tested the sealer quality on furniture yet, but I did use it on this giant ornate mirror and I loved that I did not have to seal it.
I love all those tiny details.
Here’s another piece that I uncovered:
I’d been hanging onto this tray for forever. It was made of metal and I knew it would be nice and sturdy.
I finally gave it a quick spray paint makeover:
In white of course. 🙂
I was able to update several pieces that had been hanging around too long:
I already shared that chalkboard in the center, but the other pieces were just quick paint jobs and nothing exciting to blog about except they look pretty gathered here ready to take to the shop.
The mirror with the quatrefoil pattern was a piece I picked up on deep discount at Steinmart. It was originally black and I knew it would be so much prettier in white.
The mirror at the back was painted in Sunken Pool by Behr (made into chalk paint). It was a $10 thrift store find.
It feels so good to have some room to move out there now!
There was a dry spell one Winter when I had the hardest time finding furniture to paint, and since then I have continued to accumulate way more than I can work on at a time.
With yard sale season starting up again, it will be fun to be able to shop them this season. I didn’t yard sale pretty much at all last year except for my trip with GMC traveling the World’s Longest Yard Sale. (Total blast..see that trip HERE.) I just have to make sure I move things I bring in out quickly!
Maybe I made you feel better about your own hoarding tendencies ha ha. Maybe some of you need a big purge too! It’s okay to let it go…there will always be more. 🙂
I’ll be back on Tuesday sharing what I did with this cute little house I picked up at the thrift store:
It’s also a lamp! Cute, huh? Well it will be next time you see it. 🙂
UPDATE: See how this little cutie looks now HERE!
Have a great weekend!
XO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
Mary Kaiser says
Woo Hoo, looks like my basement. I would love to have a garage to work in so I could keep my mess out of my home. The old lamp turned out so cute. That metal tray is also amazing. Where do you take the things your purging? I just love every thing you “RESCUE”.
Christy says
Thank you, Mary! And see I would love to have a basement! We are too close to sea level here. It is nice to have a garage space though. We have something called “bulky item pick up” where on trash day, a truck will come pick up your larger items or group of items. I set them on the curb the night before in hopes that someone who thought they could rescue some of these things would take them, and that is what happened. Otherwise I would have donated a few of the items back to thrift store. 🙂
Cheryl says
Love the lamp!! OMG!! I have a hoarding problem too! I now have two bedrooms of things to paint or redo or ??????. So thank you for showing this and keeping it real, it does make me feel better lol! I am at the point of purging also! Have a great weekend!
Christy says
Thank you, Cheryl! Yes it is SO hard to keep the hoarding under control sometimes ha ha. But there will always be more, so don’t be afraid to say goodbye to things! (I need to remember that myself!!) XOXO
Sherry Schillaci says
How clever! And a pretty little piece too, love the fabric you used on the shade. I have used Fusion mineral paint on furniture (in Casement!) on multiple pieces of furniture. It adheres well and doesn’t seem to show brush strokes like the chalk paint I have used. I did learn that in order to distress it’s much easier to use a beeswax block. (Things you probably already have experienced. 🙂 ) Thanks for the inspiration!!
Christy says
Thanks, Sherry! DO you use a topcoat of any kind, and if not, has the finish held up well? I have always added a topcoat, but I know you don’t have to.
Sherry Schillaci says
No top coat so far, but the tables I painted are more for decorative use. If I have a table or other surface that would get heavy use I definitely would use a top coat. (Actually I painted a cheap oak end table in Coal Black for my office without a top coat that gets a fair amount of use, so far no marks) I can’t say enough how much I love using this paint. It is chemically different from chalk paint and seems more durable. I lightly sanded with 220 grit between coats and absolutely NO brush marks and the appearance is a soft “glow”. You might want to try some of their sample pots for small projects…a little goes a long way. 🙂
Christy says
Good to know! Thanks, Sherry. I have painted several pieces with their paint, but always add a wax topcoat since I am selling them and want them to do well for my buyers! XO
Janice says
Good job purging. Love the lamp. Me and my sister and friend that follow you have tried to guess what you would do with the lamp. Love the shade. When we didn’t hear from you yesterday, each of us was calling the other to see if they got your blog. Glad to hear nothing was wrong. We look forward to hearing from you every Tues and Thurs.
Christy says
Janice can I tell you that your comment just made me realize that it is actually FRIDAY?? HAHAHAHAHA! Oh well. Posting today instead was totally unintentional. That is so funny! I’m so thrilled to hear you ladies enjoy what I share!! I will be back on TUESDAY lol! XOXO
Christina in FL says
Cute little lamp makeover! I was so hoping you would paint it all white. 🙂 You did a great job with the shade as well. Gotta love finding just the right things at a thrift store.
FYI, living on the West coast of Florida, I’m beginning to think my best bet to find interesting things are at garage/church sales. Thrift stores are pricey here!
Create on!!!
Christy says
Thanks, Christina! Yes I love when I can find what I need for much cheaper than retail, and I totally agree…yard sales and church sales are definitely your best bet for bargains! XOXO
Cecilia says
Paint to the rescue one more time! How much better is the lamp now! Yikes. I need to purge my garage stash before my husband throws it all out! Thanks for keeping it real.
Christy says
Ha ha yep…paint is magic! 🙂 My husband doesn’t give me any grief for all the stuff I drag home surprisingly, but he is always happy to see it go! 🙂
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
You and I are twins in more ways than one! I love all your makeovers! High five for the big purge.
Christy says
Ha ha I believe it! Thanks, Larissa and yes…huge high five for getting rid of stuff. If only I could bring a few things home, fix them up and move them out! XOXO
Dianne Lanier says
Love the lamp!
Christy says
Thanks, Dianne! XO
Barb B says
Every summer my garage turns into my hoarding center and my space to do projects. But every fall I will purge almost all that is left over. Nothing like a Pittsburgh winter to give me the incentive to have my car in the garage and not projects! If I do want to keep something in will go to the basement which I will purge in the spring. My junk “circle of life”!
Christy says
Ha ha sounds like you have a good plan in place! XO
Sherry Stuifbergen says
Yes, I missed your “purging” blog yesterday! So glad you remembered! Your purge doesn’t look too bad (regarding the amount.) You are very creative so you will always have a “stash” of something “waiting in the wings.” Life is not dull for you, I can tell. “Prodigal Pieces” missed your curb give away! Not crazy about the lamp, but you can sell it in your booth. Love your blog.
Christy says
I can’t believe I did that…I was totally a day behind this week ha ha! You are so right. I will always have a stash. And yes Larissa would have probably found a use for many of the things I tossed! Thank you, Sherry! XOXO
Mechelle says
Is it crazy that of all the things that are on this posting, I like the old wooden box the best.
So pretty.
Christy says
Thanks, Mechelle! Yes I probably could have broken this down into two posts. 🙂
Peggy says
What you purged, and why, was as helpful as what kept. I need to take a more critical look at what’s in my barn…..
Thanks for making it ok to get rid of UFO’s (un-finished objects) !
Christy says
I’m glad you found this helpful, Peggy! Yes it is ok to chuck those UFO’s ha ha! XO
lori says
you are by far my favorite blogger! everything you do is amazing. i can’t wait to see what you do with the two chairs that need work in the pile you have. my daughter came home from college and said “mom i am beginning to think you are a hoarder” i love that you also refer to yourself as part of the club! and it sounds like others have also joined the “club” haha. the old wooden crate is amazing when you add some industrial wheels and handles …..thats what i did with mine. great for graduation gifts.. i also look so forward to you posts. have to hide in a corner at work to sneak peak when you post!!! take care
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Lori!! I appreciate you risking your job to visit me ha ha!! The chairs are almost done…can’t wait to share them. And yes no shame here…I definitely could be a serious hoarder if it weren’t for the fact that have to work in that space. At least getting rid of all that stuff gives me the go ahead to go find more. 😀 XOXO
Marie|The Interior Frugalista says
I so need to organize and purge. We don’t have a garage so all my finds are literally taking over our basement – every single room but the bathroom has furniture and boxes of decor waiting for makeovers and it’s driving me crazy! I was hoping you were going to paint that lamp white – it was begging for white. So fresh and adorable, especially with that lovely fabric covered shade. I have no doubt all those frames and mirrors are going to sell fast in your booth. I bet you feel so much better having done the big purge, Christy!
Christy says
Thanks, Marie! I always wanted a basement, but I think I would seriously amass way too much stuff if I had all that extra space. It’s probably for the best that I don’t ha ha. XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
I love the things you make over! I watch Flea Market Flip in HGTV and always think you should be on it!
Christy says
Aww thank you, Rose! I love that show and think it would be so much fun to do! XO
Julie Briones says
Fun stuff, Christy. Quick paint jobs mean quick money, too! 😉 Have a blessed weekend (I wondered where you were, too!… I went back to look at your post dates, and I was like… ‘Hmmmm…”) (I use WAY too many ‘…’s.) 😀
Christy says
Thanks, Julie! Yeah, Girl…tried to get a few thing turned around quickly! I still can’t believe I was day behind ha ha…oh well. I will be back for sure on TUESDAY lol. Have a great weekend! XO
Christine says
Hi Christy – still love your makeovers whenever you post them! question tho, in your picture with all the chalk boards and frames, there is a metal “basket” next to them. I bought one similar to it at an estate sale but not sure what its used for. Other than magazines, what would you use it for?
Christy says
Aww thanks, Christine! That “basket” was in my mom’s bathroom holding magazines, but she snagged one I redid that she liked better. I gave it a quick paint job to freshen it up, but I don’t know what else you could use it for…maybe for extra TP in the bathroom? Is it long enough to hold file folders? XO
Edie says
When I saw that lamp I thought “no way”! I can’t believe what a little beauty that you were able to make of it! Thanks for the inspiration!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Edie! It was a little countrified before, but fresh white paint and that fabric shade fixed it right up! 🙂
Trine Feuerborn says
I just love to see your made-over pieces. If I had seen that lamp I would have never though to turn it into this beauty. Way to go, it looks awesome.
Christy says
Thank you so much, Trine! Sometimes I can visualize a great new look for something, then I cross my fingers that it will turn out like I hoped. (Not all things do!) Glad this one did! XOOX
Annie (Canada) says
Christy you crack me up 🙂 I like how you clean up your horde only to say now you can go garage sale-ing again! lol Well you did manage to clear out a lot of space, happy hunting 🙂
Christy says
Ha ha…yes! I don’t want to miss out on yard sale season again this year! 😀
Jeri says
Christy, on the metal tray that you said you gave a quick spray, did you spray chalk paint on it or store bought spray paint and if it was store bought what kind? I don’t like paint small wire like things with a brush and it looks great sprayed???
Christy says
Hey Jeri! Yes, I used Rustoleum spray primer first, then their spray paint. This one is my favorite: http://amzn.to/2p2MHkr I didn’t link to it because they want $11 for it, but you can find it at the Home Depot for under $6. It has beautiful coverage! XO
PrettyPotato says
Oh wow, is it bad that I’m actually very jealous of your stash? Also I love love love the quatrefoil mirror! It would go perfectly in my bedroom <3
Christy says
Ha ha! All of the items I purged had issues that just weren’t worth dealing with, but now I room for more lol! I love that mirror too…it is hard to let things go sometimes! XO
DiB says
I m glad someone e;se found the need to purge also. I just did the same….I feel like I have a better grip on my inventory…..not to mention more room to move around in my paint room.
I have ;earned from this purge to be more mindful of purchasing quality over quantity to build up my furniture from here forward.
Christy says
Oh yes, it was definitely a long time coming for me. I had looked at those pieces so many times and just kept coming up empty, so time to say good bye! I will be more mindful of the quality and possibilities from here on out as well! XO
Susan says
Doesn’t everything look better with a coat of white and some burlap LOL. That was a great idea and love the tray 😉
Christy says
Yeah, Girl! That’ll fix just about anything ha ha. Thanks, Susan! Have a great weekend! XOXO
At Rivercrest Cottage says
man, if you can get that pile down to nothing, there is hope for me!
Christy says
Ha ha! I do have a smaller pile at the front of my garage with some things I was afraid to put back in that spot, but there is hardly anything left! And I just finished the chairs yesterday, will be sharing on Thursday woohoo! I’m excited for yard sale season now! 😀