Before and Afters
- I try to keep this page current, but scroll down the front page for the most recent projects, just in case there’s a project or two that’s not here yet.
- I recently updated my version of WordPress and see that this page got a little wonky for awhile. Should be good now.
- Last, what’s a number anyway? At the first of the year, 51 was an estimate of the count to date of makeovers. This doesn’t count some of the non-makeovers I’ve posted, such as the recipe for Chocolate Basil Ice Cream, which everybody likes. The official count starts at 51 with Multifunctionally Green, and there’s plenty of raw materials out there waiting. As always, if you have a question or before/after to publish, send it!
 73. Bark Table found table dog photo blown up paint and decoupage |  80. Oak Prairie Chest stripped veneer top lots of sanding wax finish |
 24. Floor Lamp found floor lamp shade from Cooper Used Hotel Furntiure covered in Japanese print paper |  2: Butterly Table found by Leahy Park, Evanston decoupaged stickers from Paper Source on top finished with paint and glaze |
 21. Carpeted Flip Flops beach find my favorite before and after lined with found indoor/outdoor carpet painted to glow in the dark |  76: Chinese Red Console Table found by a dumpster custom mix paint finished glaze |
 3: Mosaic Table purchased from Ravenswood church rummage sale. Heavy glass top and wood frame. mosaic tiles bought on Ebay, grout from Home Depot painted the legs |  4: Elizabeth Night Tables found in Evanston alley stripped and painted all over dotted surface, the furniture version of pointilism |
 5: Octagon Table found in west Jarvis alley - the UPS guy behind me should have climbed out of his truck to offer assistance in getting it into my car, but no stripped, bleached and stained ebony |  Retro Chest found at sale near Sunnyside and Hermitage refinished drawers golden oak stain painted case in pumpkin. Everybody likes this one |
 7. Cashmere Sweater Pillow from a bag of clothes in DePaul area pieces sewn from sweater and vintage fabric stuffed with recycled pillow form |  8. Button Mirror bought at apartment sale in Sherman Gardens covered in collected buttons Elmer's glue |
 77. $5 Headboard found panel yard sale fabric staple gun |  78. Girl Scout Coin Purse thrifted patches fabric remnants recycled zipper |
 9. Small Decoupage Table Ravenswood find changed from purple to kiwi paint black paper cutouts |  10. Dog coat thrift store upcycled stadium jacket polar fleece lined and then quilted she's on duty |
 11. Decoupage Desk found by Indian Boundary park decoupage elements from library reference book cream paint |  12. Pair of Painted Chairs replaced cane seat rebuilt cushion seat surface patterns with acrylic paints |
 13. Framed Helvetica Lettraset stencils from studio at Grand and Western |  14. Storybook Night Table found on sidewalk in Evanston replaced finish with white paint decoupaged children's illustrations on top, sides and drawers |
 15. Fun With Paint Chips lack table paint samples from Home Depot. Wear a coat with pockets to collect them. clear coat over surface |  16. Ribbon Upholstered Chair lobby chair found on NU campus upholstered using sewn together ribbon ebony stain |
 17. More Fun With Paint Chips Crate and Barrel schtickle storage piece Ralph Lauren Paint sample chips Elmer's glue |  18. The Desk Set thrift shop silverware Ragstock Japanese obi sewn into pocket roll |
 19. Junk Drawers found at Ridge and Morse original paint stripped painted with four colors of leftover paint |  20. Twitter Chair found on north Paulina jigsawed bird silhouette Marimekko seat cover |
21. Carpeted Flip Flops beach find my favorite before and after lined with found indoor/outdoor carpet painted to glow in the dark |  22. Small Cabinet rescued from alley near the el fresh white finish painted frost mirror |
 23. Houndstooth Chair found dorm chair reupholstered with vintage wool needs more plaid |  78. PIgeon Art for Crumbs thrift store frames photoshopped images |
 25. Patio Table found table in southeast Evanston new pressboard top with shells and grout repainted frame |  26. Three Quick Uses for Chalk Paint 1. on rescued Lack 2. on metal vase 3. for a fancy framed chalkboard |
 27. Miss America's Dog Coat thrift shop jacket custom pattern iron-on letters |  28. Lanyard Office Crafts discarded wastebasket from the north side covered in conference badge lanyards secured with white glue |
 29. Looks Good In Paper 4 Whole Foods grocery bags tissue paper from a gift box straps out of JCrew shopping bag |  30. Tragically Antique removed old varnish and stain replaced with ceruse finish new cushioned seat |
 31. Quick Change Chair from Threads Etc. fabric from fabricguru.com custom project |  32. The Shoes of Vanna White Frame NU Hippie Christmas frame wrapped in bubble wrap secured with staples |
 33. Perfect Strangers found pair of mismatched rose detailed chairs painted chameleon green new seats covered in vintage wool crewel |  34. Decoupage Chair found Ikea chair painted and decoupaged with cutouts from old book about fonts glued with wheat paste |
 35. Office Space recycled melamine top casters from Ebay unused wood scraps |  36. Sharpie Framed Mirror Rogers Park find attached to the wall with Gorilla tape framed by drawing pattern with a blue Sharpie |
 37. Door Mat made from found roll of indoor outdoor carpeting bound and stitched with jute blanket stitch and chain stitch |  39. Luxe Dog Bed upcycled faux fur coat reused stuffing from old dog bed very cozy |
 39. Magazine Garland magazine pages 4" x 4" squares follow simple how-to instructions |  40. Tossed and Found Sconce upcycled ceiling light cover strung wires on the back then a strand of Christmas lights |
 41. New Life For an Old Steelcase Chair higher education classroom throwaway cleaned up and ready for grad school recovered with Ikea orange and black cotton print |  42. Recessionista Fashion Thrift store dress iron-on Sukie transfers not so successful |
 43. Metallic Blue Chair found on parkway new cushion and pillow aqua paint under, dry brushed metallic on top |  44. Kitschy Chandelier formerly simulated wood grain then a green fixture now sprayed and strung with silver beads |
 45. Screen Shade salvaged screen fabric sewn onto lampshade frame sprayed silver |  46. Long, Long Coffee Table painted maize applique of woodgrain paper clear coat over all |
 47. Tic TOC satellite dish clock parts kits old belt |  48. Chilewich Swatch Frames powder pink rummage sale prints Chilewich textile samples coat of black spray paint |
 49. Guerilla Sweater Upcycling slipcovered potholder backpack tree wrap |  50. Holiday Mini Cabin Ann Sacks tile samples bead pendant light scrap paper tree, chairs, and rug |
 51. Multifunctional Table crappy metal cube with a board nailed on top readers wish I had left it more industrial looking instead of painting it two shades of green |  52. A+ Alley Marketing found box of frames old calendar prints |
 53. Holiday Tree Alternative found metal stool fixed leg string colored lights and merry christmas |  54. Shadey wire lamp shade form string origami strands light up and admire |
 55. Best Couch Ever found on parkway red clearance fabric like new |  56. Thrifted Jacket Dog Coat friendly applique used lining and shell free pattern |
 57. Thrift Store Remake men's shirt deconstructed pleated detail |  58. Give It A Whirl found stool painted legs new fabric cover |
 59. Pair of Ottomans construction dumpster finds new stain and fabric cover iron-on font transfer |  60. Store Bag upcycled flour sack reusable grocery bag |
 61. Cube Table do over of #51 salvaged birch top |  62. Mood Enlightener wall sign paper, scissors, string |
 63. Headboard four drawer fronts sanded, sealed hung over Ikea Malm bed |  64. Jammin strawberries sugar, lemon simple |
 65. Barrel Chair Shelby Williams design cream paint Ikea fabric |  66. Good Dishes thrift shop plates ceramic paints dinner |
 67. Decoupage Tray photoshopped images found restaurant tray glue and water |  68. Skull Toile Chair seminary chair faux silver finish skullduggery cotton print |
 69. Reinventing Paint By Numbers watercolors old art book fun |  70. Shabby Chic Writing Desk simple distressed technique dove grey paint shellac coated inside |
 71. Mini chandelier changeout yard sale item vintage beads white paint |  72. Silver painted night tables alley rescue modern masters silver paint vintage wallpaper lines the drawers |
 Project 1: Rocking Chair straight from the Bates Motel porch, or the Naragansett neighborhood recovered seat with recycled Custo Barcelona top replaced old finish with white paint |  74. Oh Shirt thrift store shirt cut off sleeves hem with trim |
 79. Wire Light Fixture old plant holder light kit from World Market Time Out Chicago project | |
 75. Pebble Mosaic Table found frame collected stones sanded grout |
Page last updated on November 24, 2010 at 10:24 am
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