Saturday, January 21, 2012

No Pain - No Gain

End tables are extremely versatile.  They can be used by the bed, by the sofa, next to a recliner in an office, or even in the kitchen when trying to reach something in the top cabinet.  My sister and her friend were shopping in a "REAL" furniture store looking for deals. My initial reaction was, "Seriously, Laura... Do you think Dumped and Discovered can afford "REAL" furniture?" Get ready... I'm about to eat my words. 


On the very top shelf, hidden away from a non-thrifter's eye, were these beauties.  My sister is a little vertically challenged, so she persuaded her friend to climb up and grab these.  Apparently, when she pulled them off the shelf, one of the drawers attacked her nose.  Sorry, Adrienne... Dumped and Discovered hasn't quite gotten to the point of providing Worker's Comp!  Needless to say, loads of scratches, holes, and dents from Adrienne's nose didn't prevent them from buying these...


Mr. Dump was at work so I had all the freedom in the world to paint these whatever my little heart desired.  I started with a baby blue on the drawer fronts. 


Then I painted the rest a beautiful antique white.  Unfortunately (and later fortunately) the wood was in such bad shape that you could see brown stain coming through the white.  I could have used Kilz to hide the imperfections (that stuff covers everything), and try again.  Instead, I decided to save some time, and I changed colors completely.


I used a soft gray that would cover up the imperfections in the wood.  I then distressed them pretty heavily to preserve the beautiful accents.  Over the phone, Mr. Dump did not fully understand my vision.  Once he got home, he wanted to keep them for himself.


Here's another shot at my attempt to stage them before they found their way into the Sleepy Poet!



My advice for the day: (thanks Jane Fonda and Adrienne!)  "No Pain - No Gain."  

Mr. Dump's advice:  "Although furniture can sometimes punch you in the face, you have to get right back up and keep painting."

Happy Junkin'!
Sarah



69 comments:

  1. Hi Sarah, Follower here

    When you said you went to a "real" furniture store and found these, what do you mean "real"? You mean like "new"? If so, what were these handsome (yet unloved) pieces doing there?

    Love how they turned out! Sorry about buddy's nose! :(

    Smiles, Suzanne in NW Illinois

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    1. Suzanne - Thanks for helping me clarify! The furniture in the store was new! I have no idea why these were there! (But thank goodness they were!) You never know what you can find!

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  2. What a good find. And your renewing is right on. Good job.

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  3. Oh those are so stinkin cute!!! I love them!

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  4. Great finds! I love the shape and lines. Your color choice is spot on!

    If you're interested, we're hosting our first ever link up party. Please stop by and link up! http://www.waywardgirlscrafts.com/2012/01/wayward-weekend-week-1.html

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    1. Thanks, Jaime! We have linked up and are enjoying your blog!

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  5. Those turned out so lovely! I'd want to keep them too!
    ~Joanna

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    1. Mr. Dump had a hard time letting them go!!! :)

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  6. Beautiful makeover - love that you painted the doors a different color! Please stop by to enter my digital scrapbook giveaway!

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  7. Ha ha ha ha ha...... Mr. Dump is a funny man. Mr. Dump's name is funny. My Brawn of the operation should of had a funny name like that. Still laughing at Mr. Dumps quote.

    ~Bliss~

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    1. Thanks, Bliss! I try to lighten the mood when I can! Thanks for following!!!

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  8. Oh, these are gorgeous! Great job! I'd be so pumped if you'd come and link this (and any other projects you'd like to show off) to the Head to Head Showdown, going on right now at www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com ~Jen

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  9. These are such goreous pieces. The details are so lovely and the colors your chose are simply beautiful <3

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  10. Well you were pretty lucky to have two friend put themselves in harms way to find great finds for you. You were so lucky you found these in a new furniture store, it truly means they were meant for you. You did a great job transforming them. Love the color and great job. It was a lucky day for you. My fingers are crossed that you will share you lucky find transformation at Sunday's Best party tonight, sharing is a good thing!

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  11. Hi Sarah~

    Thank you so much for dropping by & sharing your creativity at my {k.i.s.s.} blog bash! I really appreciate your kind comment and I am happy to be a new follower. I just scanned over your posts and can already tell I will be spending lots of time visiting you often. :)

    Christina

    Drop By & Visit {The Tattered Tag}

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  12. Wonderful transformation of those two end tables. Really like the colors you used.
    Your newest follower, Mary Alice

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  13. I absolutely love these! Great job. I have a million ideas for a living room refashion, but I haven't been brave enough to try any of them. Can't wait to be following you for more ideas!
    sewingourlifetogether.blogspot.com

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  14. Ha! Great re-do and funny post! Hope your sister's nose has recovered!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  15. great post about how to repurpose and reuse - these are two things i am always on the hunt for - glad i stumbled upon your blog on the hop - please follow back - http://biguniversesmallworld.blogspot.com.

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  16. Great makeover! Love the way the tables turned out!

    Sharon

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  17. p.s.

    I'm a new follower.

    Sharon

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    1. These little night stands are fabulous! You did a great job.
      ~Liz

      P.S. I'm following your blog. I hope you will come by and say hi. I can't wait to see your next make over. :)

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  18. WOW! This is exactly what I'm looking for. I love what you did to these little gems!

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  19. Hi! Visiting from Inspire Me Monday Blog Hop! Love your blog and the side tables you redid are adorable! Very eye catching!

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  20. Thank you everyone for your comments! We're trying to link up with each you!!!

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  21. Sarah! First, these are great! Secondly, you are hilarious! PLEASE come post these at my place on Wednesday (okay, Tuesday night) for Wild Wednesday!
    Melody
    ChattyChics.com
    PS You could enter a $5 Starbucks card just for entering!

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  22. How much are these? I LOVE them!

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  23. How much are these? I LOVE them!

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  24. These look great! Such a great find :)

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  25. Great tables. Love the new finish. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  26. Lola (Laura in disguise)January 24, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    I think Adrienne's nose has recovered, and the pain was definitely worth the gain (well, it wasn't my nose, so I can say that)! These are gorgeous, as is EVERYTHING you do, and we will continue to find furniture in strange places for you!

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  27. what an adorable set of tables! i love the color combo you eventually chose, no matter how you got there! :)

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  28. I love the blue fronts with the white. They are great. It's amazing what you can find and where it can be found!

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  29. Love this redo. Amazing job!
    Sarah
    www.budgetfriendlydecorating.com

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  30. Beautiful I love the colors thanks for sharing. I'm visiting from Restore Interiors.

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  31. Nice restyle such a great color combination.

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  32. They turned out so cute!! Love the gray and blue together. Kudos! Visiting from It's Overflowing. :)

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  33. Love that you and Mr. Dump do this together! What a good find in a hubby. If you happen to find a spare one send him my way. ;o)

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  34. Oh they are so cute! Love the drawers & their pulls. Very pretty :)

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  35. Absolutely love them! I really like the way you did the front in a different color ... they look amazing.

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  36. These are so unique! I love them, wish I could find something like that! Thanks for sharing, visiting via Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop

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  37. Those are gorgeous!! I love the color combo and distressing!

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  38. Cute story of how these lovely side tables
    began.... you did a wonderful job, they
    turned out Beautiful~
    Cheryl~ZM

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  39. I love these--simply gorgeous makeover--thanks for sharing!

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  40. Great makeover on the tales! Thank you for sharing your wonderful project at Potpourri Friday!

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  41. These are so cute! Well now, they are so cute. Great job!

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  42. Wow...what a great find! I love the shape and they look even better with your paint job. Nice work!

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  43. They are so cute! Love the two tone finish.

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  44. I love the colors you picked! They turned out beautifully :)
    -Jazmine @ keepitkrafty.blogspot.com

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  45. i LOVE how you redid those. i really love the two tables side by side too... i would not have thought of that.
    thanks so much for sharing!
    {love} lauryn @ lovenotesbylauryn.blogspot.com
    stop by if you are interested!

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  46. So, so cute! I would love to have these for my new house! If you ever decide to sell, let me know:). Visiting from Kelly's...come see me, too! www.dreamcustomartwork.blogspot.com

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  47. I love the transformation of them! I have always loved the idea of the drawers being a different colour from the main body.

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  48. Oh my goodness...these are so adorable!! Wish they were in my bedroom:-)) Just became a new follower!!

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  49. Wonderful transformation. Thanks for sharing!

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  50. Very cute makeover. I love mixing colors, even though I have not done so yet. Thanks so much for sharing at Restyled Sundays!

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  51. So adorable!! Thanks for linking up! I'm your newest follower!! Have you registered for my giveaway?

    Ramsign Giveaway: Porcelain Enamel Sign {up to $99 value}

    XO, Aimee

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  52. What a great find, they turned out so pretty! Such a neat idea to put the next to eachother instead of on either side of something I love it.

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  53. Love the transformation and the two tones-some of my favorite colors--and I don't buy/can't afford "real" furniture and have had fun transforming junk-I"m your newest follower :)

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  54. Just....so lovely. You did great work!
    I gave these babies a feature today!

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