Without Further Ado ...

it is finished! I am so happy with the final result of this cabinet ... so happy in fact, I have decided to keep it instead of selling it! I bought this cabinet for $30 at Goodwill and a little sanding, a pint of paint, and some Target glass knobs later it looks like something you'd find in a French country house or Pottery Barn. (Ok, ok, a girl can dream!)

At first, I was planning on this to be a TV cabinet with baskets for storage in the middle. However, after moving into my new apartment and desperately needing storage, it has now found a home in my wonderfully large closet. In the middle I've used the black and white flower boxes I mentioned in my last post to store my socks, bras, etc. The top 4 drawers are small and perfect for hair accessories, jewelry, and make up! I learn a few lessons while finishing this cabinet that I'm happy to pass on to you:

1. Use a cleaner before starting (such as Simple Green) to not only clean the furniture but also strip any glossy finish off of the wood.

2. Sanding is officially a work-out. No gym day needed when sanding. Here's hoping I end up with Michele Obama's arms.

3. Cheaper paint is not always the best way to go. Most likely if you buy

cheaper paint, it is fine, but you will have to apply a few more coats of paint.

4. Painting tape is not only crucial but my very best friend. I'm not a professional,
but with some painting tape (and patience), anyone can be!


Finally finished and in full use:

The next projects? Might I emphasize (s)? A kitchen table using mid-century scroll table legs found at Goodwill and shabby chic baby room furniture! After painting the table legs, I'll need to find a table top and chairs. We're painting it black so I want white linen chairs. I'm also so excited to find and re-finish baby room furniture with some friends. I hope to learn as much as I can about safety in paint, etc. for baby furniture and refinishing and pass it on to all you Mommies!

Also, look out for a special guest blogger coming soon!




Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my blog and I hope you stay tuned for more  adventures in designing on a dime.

Finally Finished!

I am super excited to announce my cabinet is finally finished! More pictures and commentary to come but I just had to post a picture!

Simply, Shabby, Black?

My "design on a dime" skills will come to full fruition this spring as I move into my new apartment and venture into my new city life! Follow my blog as I take on this crazy/fun project of building a new home with design, with style, with comfort, without a ton of money!

So what do you get when you mix an ultra modern style and a simple, French country girl? Something beautiful and timeless I'm hoping! Some ideas I’m thinking about are below:

Damask Wallpaper to tie together the modern black furniture and shabby chic white furniture we already have. I’m researching the cheapest way to go here, but am finding that Wall Papers to Go may be the best find. (Tip: Be careful of the size of the rolls you order! Too small and you may spend hours lining up the paper)

Hang a black mirror in the living room to visually enlarge the space. Check out the mirror from Ikea for inspiration.


Printing my photos in black and white to add to the classic theme but ensure the loves of my life, my family, my dog, my friends – are constant reminders of the blessings God has given me. Check out Shutterfly.com or Snapfish.com for free prints when you sign-up!

Organization in a small apartment with a girl who loves consignment stores and good deals is crucial. I found these great covered baskets that I can stack at Ikea. They are inexpensive, feminine, and of course, go with the black & white theme.

My favorite part of my new apartment is, to no ones surprise, my closet! It is big enough to put a piece of furniture in it. I am (Drum roll) finishing my white washed cabinet this week. The freezing rain and snow has slowed me down but I will not be deterred. I am putting down an old sheet down in the apartment and finishing it! I promise to post progress and finished photos. Here’s hoping I don’t drop my camera in the paint  :)