Are you tired of your furniture, or you think it is already outdated and you feel you need a change? Instead of investing in new, all you have to do is upgrade the old. Upgrading is fast, easy and an economical way to refresh your home! Read on to find out how Kate Love of SECOND LOVE, transforms old furniture into new treasures!
“For so long I have heard people refer to my generation and younger as being unappreciated and disposable. I seek to prove that theory wrong. With a little vision, all old things can be “made new” with some love and fresh paint! I like to find possible in what seems impossible and use what we have, and make it better. Check out these thrifty solutions to make the most of what you already have.” ~ Kate
Refresh instead of refinish your furniture
Do you have an antique kitchen table or maybe a well-loved stool that could use a pick-me-up? If the wear and tear on the piece is superficial, or if the finish is just looking a little dry and tired, refreshing your wood piece is an easier solution than refinishing it.
Designer Tip: Lightly sand the piece, oil it with Teak Oil and finish it off with a coat of furniture wax.
Paint old furniture
If the finish is dated or wear and tear has gotten the best of some of your furniture, a simple paint job will do! If you’re all about the farmhouse style, you’ll love an upgraded “lived in and loved” look with chalk paint.
Designer Tip: My favorite form of re-loving furniture is with chalk paint, my power sander and waxes or top coat finishes. When looking for a way to transform a piece with chalk paint colors, look at other elements in the room surrounding the piece. For instance, pull a coordinating color from an oriental rug or a piece of artwork.
Revive a tired old couch
If your couch has seen one too many movie nights and it is sunken and sad, you need to revive and restuff it. Start by checking the legs and expose them from the couch skirt. Remove the old stuffing and replace it with Poly-Fil batting. Trade the floppy cushions for plush pillows that you can easily swap out as styles change.
Designer Tip: Make your pillow covers out of cloth placemats or napkins. There are so many fun, bright colors and patterns to choose from! You can sew them of course but the iron-on hem tape can also be an option.
Reupholster your chairs
Upholstery trends come and go, but a solid chair is forever. When the fabric rips, fades or is simply dated, you can reupholster! Pick a fun fabric and grab a manual staple gun to make a huge difference.
Designer Tip: Look at furniture differently and think what you can turn it into. Turn a thrifted coffee table into a plush ottoman or take a stool and upholster the top with a fuzzy sheepskin making it perfect for a vanity.
Use mirrors
If the finish of your old furniture is making a room feel outdated, cover it with inexpensive acrylic mirror material. Go to the hardware store and have it cut to size.
Designer Tip: Cover an old dresser with mirrors for a high-end, glamorous look or cut a piece of mirror to fit the top of a worn-out coffee table.
SECOND LOVE is Kate Love’s, as she puts it “little one woman show business.” She is so happy to have found something she loves doing. The client reaction received when delivering the transformed piece is worth the love she puts into her projects, priceless. Current projects include upholstery. of which Kate admits to intimidation but quickly found by giving it a try it wasn’t so difficult. Three chairs are now usable and pretty, versus being stowed away in a dusty old barn!
A recent project of Love’s will be on display in the Upcycle Repurpose Contest which is part of the Home & Lifestyle Expo held at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor (7850 Mentor Avenue) on Saturday, March 2nd. Expo hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This free event provides ideas, inspiration and practical advice in remodeling, home improvement, gardening and lifestyle. Hosted by the Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce and Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce. The first 300 attendees will receive a free gift bag, with a $50 gift card in two of the bags!
