One of the questions I get a lot is, “Where did you get that ___?” – most of the time in reference to various furniture pieces I have around my home.
One of the main ways I score such amazing pieces is by using my gift of gab. I’m not afraid to hint to a friend how much I love a piece of furniture they might have in their house. I’ll also drop a subtle hint that if their tastes change and they don’t have a use for it anymore, please let me take it off their hands. It’s worked in the past, and I’ve been able to add pieces to my collection for a fraction of the price I would pay in a store… sometimes even free!
I was given this beautiful antique dresser as a trade for upcycling a piece of furniture for a friend of mine. I loved the design but had no idea how I would use this in my home. When we moved into our fixer-upper, our kitchen was designed with numerous cabinets but lacked a defined pantry space.
I thought the cabinet would be a fitting addition to make up for the pantry space we lacked. However, it needed a few changes to make it more functional.
We added a shelf to the inside (where typically someone would hang clothes) and painted the cabinet a bright coral for a pop of color. Changing out the knobs for bronze seahorses completed the look and blended perfectly in our nautical-themed kitchen. Now, we have a one-of-a-kind space for canned goods, snacks, dog treats, etc.
My favorite part of the piece? Turning the mirror into a chalkboard that we customize with messages. It’s a great way to welcome family or friends, display weather forecasts, engage the family by asking them to write things their thankful for, or display an inspiring quote.
Using a little imagination and elbow grease allowed me to change this beautiful piece into something purposeful that we use every day.
What do you think? Love what you see? Is there another way you would have upcycled this piece to make it purposeful? Give us a shout! Comment below, or engage with us via social media.
