Furniture Find

I recently dragged home this vintage, (possibly antique, because it still has only flat head screws) tea/bar cart. I really didn't need yet another project, and on top of it, the cart is in terrible shape. The pictures do not come close to conveying the extensive damage. The veneer is peeling off everywhere, even on the side of the handle and on the undersides of the shelves. The only way to get it to look good is to remove all the veneer and patch, sand and paint, so a restoration is out of the question, BUT that means I might as well have some fun, and alter it 🙂

I am considering removing the "swirly" moldings and squaring off the top.The interesting wheels should be eye-catching enough.I love the legs. I am considering sanding them and keeping them in a light, raw wood look. 

What do you think?

Newest Thrift Store Find

I came across this antique Jacobean radio cabinet yesterday and almost did not "rescue" it, because I am currently working on way too many projects ( more about all those in another post).

The cabinet was sitting in the corner, and immediately caught my eye. The price was right ($23 after coupon), yet I still hesitated, not wanting to bring yet another piece of furniture, that I definitely do not have room for, into my home.

We'll, guess what? It's in my house, because who could resist a face like that??!!🙂

It definitely needs a lot of work, and it looks like someone has already done some alterations to it. The inside has been fitted with two shelves, where the radio used to be. Those will have to come out, and be replaced with better fitting ones. The back plywood has been replaced, once again, not the quality workmanship I would have liked.

The remainder of the cabinet is in fairly good condition. All veneer is still present, but has a lot of cracks, and definitely needs to be sanded down ( we'll see what happens after that). The wood carvings on the top part of the cabinet need to be glued, and one corner needs to be restored.

As of now, my plans for this cabinet will be to turn it into a bar cabinet, and in all likelihood, paint it, but possibly stripping the legs and leaving them a natural wood color. 

I have not decided on any colors yet, and I am certain that I will change my mind a hundred times, which is what always happens, as the refurbishing process decisions are fluid  (my excuse for not being able to make up my mind). Sometimes I wake up and have a brand new perspective on a project, because I actually dreamed of it and it showed me something I had not thought of. (I'm hoping some of you experience the same, because if not, that would mean I'm crazy?)

So what do you think? Colors? Use? Let me know, I am always open to new ideas.

Stay tuned, this time I will try and document the entire project from beginning to end.

I am back

 It has been almost 6 1/2 years since my last post. A lot has happened since then.

One month after the previous post, I was t-boned by an USPS mail truck, which totaled my Chevy Tahoe, and started the worst, most painful and depressing years of my life. I spent 3 years in agonizing pain, listening to incompetent doctors, until I finally had spine surgery in December 2018, followed by many months of rehab.

Fast forward to today. I am feeling better, the pain was not completely eliminated by the surgery, but I am active and creating again, and it feels great!

I will try and do a weekly update of this blog, and it will include not only my thrifting treasures, but also projects I am taking on around our house and yard.

I am glad to be back :-)