Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Small Makeovers Count Too!



Thank you everyone for the kind words about my fireplace makeover! That was what I call a big makeover. It took several days and several coats of paint. But changing small things can also have an impact. I've gotten a few things at the thriftstore over the past couple of weeks that I've made some small changes to.

But first I wanted to show you a table runner I got at TJMaxx for 70 cents! I think it may have been marked wrong because the placemats were marked down to .70 but most of the runners were $2. But maybe not since it's a Christmas runner. Anyway, It reminded me of the pillow I made out of an old sweater that's on my couch.



Of course, the center snowflake will be covered up with a tray most of the time, but there are snowflakes on the ends as well.



Here are 3 of my thriftstore finds that I made over.



First, a round piece of wood and a very strange tassel/ornament. I got a lot of funny looks when I was standing in line! I know people were thinking "Why is she buying that weird thing!" Well I bought it because I saw beyond the funny face that was painted on it!



The 52 cent piece of wood painted black became the base for a cloche. I took the hat etc off the tassel and painted it black. Then I added two other bits of trim from my stash and now I have a nice big tassel for under $2!






I'm collecting lanterns for this summer. I think it'll be really nice to sit in our screened porch at night with a whole bunch of lanterns flickering!

Before



After




Some white paint on the outside and it looks tons better. That's a lantern from IKEA next to it.



I've gotten a few other thngs from the thriftstore that didn't need any changing and I'll show you those next week. Now seems like a good time to go thrifting. People are clearing out, organizing and donating since it's too cold to have a garage sale. So go check out your local thrift store and think about how something would look painted a different color or altered in some other way!


Not every makeover has to be dramatic to make a difference!


32 comments:

Terri Steffes said...

Adorable! I love the cloche. I never know what to put into mine.

Please go and visit my friend Barb who is joining the blogging world. She is from Florida and is so sweet. I introduced her from my blog today!

Gabrielle Mader said...

I have a cloche I need a bottom for..great idea. I haven't been thrifting in awhile but I DID get a great steal at Target you will love.....

Anonymous said...

Your transformations look great! I have got to get to the thrift store!

Vee said...

I hope that I can learn how to think beyond... You've been a very good teacher so I have no excuse!

Unknown said...

I love seeing found objects transformed and given new life. I think it's fun being resourceful in decorating and ending up with a high-end look!

Unknown said...

Love all your make-overs.

Anonymous said...

That tassel turned out magnificent...... I love it that you saw the beauty beyond the funny face...
HUgs
Linda

Shilo said...

I had to park 1/2 mile away to get to my thrift store yesterday! So many people there, it was crazy! Guess the economy is bringing out the thrift in lots of folks, which is definitely a good thing! :)

Missy Wertz said...

Beautiful makeovers M.! Love the mantel makeover as well. You have been busy!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Everything looks so great! I love the re-do of the tassel!

Jenni said...

Wow! Those are some amazing makeovers! It's truly fabulous what you did with the tassel, and I love how you painted the lantern. :) Clever how you used the wood piece for the bottom of your cloche, too! Love it all, including the deal you got on the table runner! :) I LOVE your blog! :) I am adding it to my favorites right now!

Lady Katherine said...

Love the cloche! Save me a few lanterns! lol Tassel is great! Wonderful makeovers! I just love the small makeover! So fun and not as time consuming. I was tickled pink, when you came over to see my painted kitchen floor!

Anonymous said...

Your ideas are so inspiring. I love the tassel, but I am sure that I would have just walked right past it in the thrift store not seeing its potential. Thanks for helping me to retrain my eyes to see things for what they can be and not just for what they are.

philben5 said...

Love it!! Thanks for sharing your small makeovers. To me they are sometimes the most fun!
Blessings
Roxanne

GlorV1 said...

I like what you did with the wood and tassel. Your transfornmations are always great. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You have some great makeovers! Your cloche base turned out to be the perfect size and looks great. Really like your tassel makeover.
Glenda

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Love the table runner and the matching pillows!
I thought the little top hat guy was cute.
The lanterns are so fun! I can't wait to see them all lit up.

Anonymous said...

Great Finds! and love the transformations. Can't wait to see the other goodies you got. Madeline

dixymiss said...

Some eXcellent project ideas here, Manuela. I share your penchant for "trash to treasure" thrifting ~ my favorite sport! ;-) ThanX for the inspiration.

Susie Q said...

Love all your new treaures and ho you take something that most would walk past and create magic!
Your new firepleace look is fabulous!

Love,
Sue

Susie Q said...

Love all your new treaures and ho you take something that most would walk past and create magic!
Your new firepleace look is fabulous!

Love,
Sue

Anonymous said...

I love all the little touches you add to your home! I truly admire your ability to see life in little things that others would turn their nose at.

Hope you are having a great week,
Jen

Sue said...

your cleverness amazes me...do you stay up late at night thinking how to do all this good stuff?

Angie said...

You have definitely gotten me in the mood to go thrifting tomorrow! I hope I can find some good stuff and be creative like you are!

Mimi Sue said...

I love what you did to that tassle not everyone would have seen the potential. Mimi

Unknown said...

I always love looking at any pictures of your home. It's so warm and inviting! And, of course, I love red. My thrift store hasn't had much lately and it's frustrating! I see people dropping off stuff all the time, but I don't know where it's going.

Sheryl

Linda said...

I thought the tassel looked like Mary Poppins.. that was before I saw the second picture with the mustache! *lol*

Greetings from the netherlands!

Mary said...

You found some neat things - love how you changed the tassel into something elegant - great idea.

Good luck hunting down lanterns - I have several and find them more practical than open candles burning on the porch. Saw some beauties in Provence in Oct., tall ones to stand on the floor - couldn't get them to fit in my suitcase unfortunately!!

Like the fireplace makeover Manuela - as you say, how our tastes and decorating ideas change!

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

Very creative makeovers...I would have passed up that tassel, but now I know what to do if I see one! I need to go to the Thrift Store...see ya!

Unknown said...

You are talented.! mishelle

Unknown said...

Great post, Manuela! I love me some thrift store finds! Great transformations.

Betty said...

That tassel turned out so pretty. I would never have thought to just paint it. I haven't been to the thrift store in weeks. I'll have to make a trip there soon.