Plainfield Magazine September/October 2015 | Page 20

DIY PROJECT Fall in love with your home –again! By Keri Johnson, Keri it Home Furniture Sometimes I feel as though my life mimics the story of the cobbler whose kids have no shoes! I spend so much time working on projects for others, that I often look around my house and think ‘who lives here?’ It’s easy to get so caught up in work or family obligations that you forget to spend a little time doing things that are important to you. Earlier in the summer, I came across these two ‘diamonds-in-the-rough’: The first one was a very '70s end table that previously belonged to the father of a friend. For me, it's painting and decorating. After 16 years, there are many areas of my house that need updates, and I’m determined to add some new style without breaking the bank. Last month, I talked about how your home should be a reflection of your personality. While I strive to follow that rule, it is not always in the budget to replace large ticket items as my tastes change. This is where a little creativity and a little elbow grease go a long way. In my business of refinishing furniture, I’m always on the lookout for pieces that have great lines or unique details. If you keep an open mind, you can see that they may look dated in their current state, but will look great with a little work. Keri’s Quick Tip! If you are looking to purchase second-hand furniture to upcycle, become a member of some of the local garage sale sites on Facebook. Just be sure to check back often, since items sell superfast. Also, check out the ‘OfferUp’ App. This app is great! It’s free to join and allows you to view items for sale in your area, as well as post items of your own for sale. This table was great as-is, but I knew that it could be even better once I gave it a facelift. The second piece was a heavy coffee table that I found on OfferUp. This was a steal, costing just $30.