Jul

2017

KonMari meets Hygge! Part 1

Lisa

2017 Resolutions for Baby Boomers, Simplification: Downsizing Lifestyle

27 Jul 2017

Apothecary Chest purchased at an antique auction about 18 years ago.

I love the 20-organizing drawers and the cute button feet.

This chest began to look tired and worn,

so, I decided to Repaint and Re-Stain for a Renovated Look.

What do you think?

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I’ve made no secret about my complete desire to live a frugal, quiet, and minimalistic lifestyle.

This lofty goal is a daily, personal struggle.

Even though I live in a hyper-consumerism culture, I call on my roots and research to

Simplify Everything.

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So if you’re seeking a lifestyle of Simple Joys through organized living….Read on.

This post is just for YOU!

A must-read for all aspiring de-cluttering minimalist!

(My daughter-in-law introduced me to this book. Thank Goodness for this book.)

After adopting the KonMari Method of tidying in 2016, I decided to edit all items in my house that did NOT give me JOY.

And in 2017, I incorporated Hygge – the Danish Secret to Happiness (Please read my recent posts on this topic!).

So instead of replacing my out-of-date and scruffy-looking (but treasured) furnishings,

I decided to Repurpose and Reinvent my sentimental things.

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This apothecary chest has been a unique and utilitarian piece of furniture.

When my boys were little, the apothecary was a compartmentalized toy chest located in our game room.

Today, it organizes my supplies in my home office.

The petite table – which was purchased at the same auction house – is a versatile add to any space…perfect by a comfy reading chair or near a window holding a potted plant.

It is abundantly obvious that both pieces have seen better days.

So how did I ‘upcycle’ these pieces on a nickel & dime?

I found a can of flat paint from Sherwin Williams in the closet which I use for touching up my walls. It took 3 coats of paint over 2 days to adequately cover my chest. (I chose to paint the tiny table only once for a chalky, country chic look.)

Zero Dollars spent!

Now, the table is situated in a ‘reading corner’ with baskets full of books for my future grandkids.

The stain on the 20 drawers – over the years – faded to an unattractive yellowish-brown hue.

So, I bought a very small can of stain to match my office desk from Pottery Barn for about 4 bucks from Walmart.

So all-in-all, I spent about $4 to transform 2 beloved pieces of furniture which provide the very definition of Hygge.

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This side table was purchased years ago for my older son’s bedroom.

I believe, I bought it either at Crate & Barrel or L.L. Bean. I really can’t recall.

Needless to say, it is not a high dollar table.

My mom would call it “an occasional” table….whatever that really means….but I like the way that sounds.

Notice the smooth, mirrored surface?

The original table top was totally marred with scuff marks and gouges from normal wear-and tear.

I had a local glass shop cut a piece of smoked-mirror for a new surface.

No need to spend money for a brand new table in the Guest Bedroom!

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Also, in that same room lives another damaged table. I do believe I bought this one at L.L. Bean Home – perhaps their Cottage Collection(?)

This nightstand was purchased for my younger son’s room almost a decade ago.

Because 2 new tables were not in my July budget…I ordered a smoked-mirror top for this one, too!

Notice the watermarks that made the wood composite surface swell?

And the legs of this piece had wood exposed due to splintering. So I used a couple of standard markers from my office and “colored” in the blond spots which are now completely unnoticeable.

Voila! Better than new table top! And no need for coasters, ever again!

The inside of the drawer was in really rough shape as well.

There were scratches and scrapes. To remedy that issue for my future guests, I used some heavy-weight scrapbook paper I already had on hand.

This gold&silver pinstriped paper was used to make my son’s groomsmen boxes. (See post called: MOG – Mother of the Groom.)

Since the Sharpie markers were already in my desk drawer & the scrapbook paper was leftover from my son’s wedding – these 2 problems were fixed for FREE!

Now, I have transformed my not-so-welcoming guest bedroom with only $130 (cost of 2 custom-cut smoked-mirrors).

This allowed me to save a few hundred dollars for replacement furniture.

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Oh! how I treasure my Piecrust antique side tables!!!

When my family took a trip to the Hill Country about 20 years ago, I found these 2 tables in an antique store.

I bought them from an interior designer for about $75 a piece which included the custom-cut glass inserts (probably costing more than the table!).

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A couple of decades later – both tables developed a few superficial chips and divots on the piecrust edges and on the feet, so I took a furniture pen and just filled in all bald spots! Perfecto!

No money was spent because I had these old furniture pens for years.

Unfortunately, after removing the glass top I found that one of the tables had water damage underneath. Perhaps my water bottle spilled, and I didn’t realize it.