Armchair Designer... HGTV

My boys and I and a few of their close friends, did an extreme makeover this past week on my home. We recycled and redesigned till our hands bled. Well not really, but we did get some cuts here and there from nailing things. That is due to my passion for reusing, rescued items.

Here is the after picture. I have to say I am pleased with how it turned out. We upholstered, sawed, screwed, cleaned and painted.

Overall, it was a real blessing to have some help with this project as it was under a deadline. We pulled it off in six days.

It may have been less, but when you re-purpose vs. buying new items, time spent is much different. HGTV makes it look so easy. IT'S NOT!.... The major work in the house from beginning to end was in one day...at 10am,the room was a total mess. We finished the work and video by 11:17 pm that same day! How do they make it look so easy in those 30 minute shows?

Now for a few details on the room...



If you notice the metal looking corner shelves they are a great addition to this once bare, seemingly far wall. They hold my flat panel tv and the other holds a small stereo. They are made from scrap MDF, trimmed in flashing, and finished with upholstery finishing nails. Total for the shelves $3.23 from finishing nails. The wood I had from another project

As much as I would like to take credit for all of it, the corner shelf project was from one of the teens helping out. I wanted it in the corner, he just made it happen. The flashing was my idea though. I like "SHINY"!




It is hard to pick a favorite thing in this photo, but every time I see the art, I smile.



It is made up of two discarded canvas posters ...I picked up curbside, painted with the wall paint, then had my sons and helpers express themselves on.






They really make the room pop! Total makeover = $0. Free color from leftover wall paint and other paints from old projects around our house.







Another item in the room, I am proud of, because it reflects originality and hard work,(from a furniture set people give away for free on Craigslist all the time)is the couch. Here is what it looked like before



I removed the two back side wings,(I call them) for a modern straight lined look. Ditched the old cushions, for newer more modern ones I have a deal with a local furniture company. They said I can have any old furniture they bring back to the shop ANYTIME! What a blessing. The cushions in this makeover still looked really good. I am guessing they just replaced a couch because they got tired of the old one. The cushions were in great shape! I went out bought fabric for $60 and covered the couch. The back was completed using a huge piece or foam leftover from another project. We sanded, painted it, then upholstered. Couch makeover $88

An overall favorite in this room is the window treatment. They are panels I bought from a neighborhood closeout store for $.50 each. They were cut down to size, I then glued fabric, with beautiful floral patterns the color of the walls, and then placed them inside some baseboard rails, which were $1.50 each. I had been eyeballin' those puppies for over a year now, at the Habitat for Humanity Reuse Store. The panels slide open and shut for complete privacy at night. ****The bonus is that they keep the heat and cold out when closed. A big issue for me since I got this house....this window was not well insulated....so now I can save money too! *** Total cost for fabric (4 @$1 yd) and panels $14



Next are the armchairs, here is the story behind these. I glazed them with a finishing glaze that is actually the last step in a two part paint process, I just bought the pearl glaze for $4. I covered the cushions with fabric I bought for $4 a yard I used 2 yards in this project. Total for this makeover $12

Behind the chairs is the wall panel.

I found the bones for it at a hardware store that was going out of business. The owner gave me all access to anything he was throwing out. I could not pass on this awesome panel. I knew it had to be good for something. I just nailed some thin plywood to the other side to form the divider wall. One- the room was a really odd shape and the panel squared it out. Two- I like privacy, and having the door open too. I wanted to have the door open without the whole house being open, so it creates the perfect divider wall.



Lastly, I have always wanted a foyer area. I just like those for some reason. This allows me the room for a quick makeup check, seating to remove our shoes, and indirect living room lighting. I painted it with leftover wall paint. Total cost $1.50 for panels on back. If you look closely (reflection in the mirror) I did not finish the other side of it inside the cubbies...I am thinking of a way to make it into a bookcase of some sort. The frame was only two by fours...I will show the finished project, after I have come up with something clever.

I had most of the accessories, but the ones I bought were $64

Total decocycled room makeover cost $181.23 and a bit of time... Sitting here looking around as I blog about it confirms that it was time well spent. Hope you enjoyed it!