The Apple Street Cottage

This post may contain affiliate links. I'm back to share the other dresser that cost $15.  If you missed the background story, click HERE . When I saw the bird's eye maple and curvy drawers online, I knew I had to have this piece of furniture. Once I got my hands on it, despite the damaged drawer, it was in pretty good shape.  There was a little damage to the top, but most of it was repairable. Here's a closer look: There were a few cigarette burns and some general damage/wear on the top. Using my orbital sander and 220 grit sandpaper , I managed to remove the damage without going through the birdseye maple veneer. There was still a 'hint' of this one burn mark, but not enough to warrant painting over the wood.  I gave the top 3 coats of tung oil and was pleased with the result. The top drawer was another story.  It had significant damage. The only way to deal with that much damage was bondo and paint.  Since it was fall and gettin...

We have been so fortunate to have some perfect summer weather - low to average humidity with temperatures in the low 80's...just perfect for a little DIY on something that was trash! Let me show you the little stepladder I found in a trash heap.  That's right, I have no shame...and I'm so glad, because I love how it came out! Here's how I found it: Dirty and rickety are the best words to describe it.  Someone tried to stabilize it with nails.  Needless to say, it didn't work! It had cuts, dings, and paint drips all over it, and it was FREE!   Time to make it pretty.  The first step was to wash it with good ol' soap and water. After its bath, the only thing I did to prep it was to hammer those nails back in so they weren't a 'catching' hazard.  Since it will never be used as a ladder, I wasn't worried about stabilizing it, and I wanted to be able to fold it up again when it gets put away f or the winter. I grabbed some le...

Today is all about a little 'find' I made at the Cottage.  Tucked in the back of a cabinet were these little glass cups: I knew exactly what they were because I saw them under my grandparent's furniture legs when I was a little girl.  They are called 'furniture coasters' or, sometimes they are called 'casters'. They were used to protect floors and were very popular at one time.   Hazel Atlas was a popular brand of coasters and I'm guessing these were made by them.  You can see the 'H' etched in the base: These coasters were certainly used - notice the scratches - but, were not abused - no chips or cracks.   They needed a new life, so they became tealight holders!  A tealight fits perfectly inside. Did I mention the glow of the flame shows off the beautiful green glass? So, the next time you're in a thrift store and see these, grab a few.  You'll have some new tealight holders!   What have you repurposed lately?...