DIY By Myself

For Justin's 30th birthday, I worked REALLY hard (seriously...so hard) to 'spruce up' the basement for him as a gift.  He wasn't allowed in the basement for over a month while I worked my magic.  I was going for the 'rustic, antique' look and, in the process, became completely addicted to antique stores and DIYing.  I'll NEVER buy new furniture again. 

The vendor selling this primitive bookcase had his entire booth marked down 20%, so this bad boy only cost me $87.  It probably weighs about 100 lbs and I had to pull it out of my car (ever so gently), drag it through the yard, around the house, and into the basement...SOLO.  It resides at the foot of the stairs.  And I love how masculine it looks.

I found this in a booth with a bunch of billiard decor and alcohol signs for $25.  I thought I'd use it to display our shotglass collection.  I'm still trying to decide if this is too juvenile?  Thoughts?  Anyway, for now it's staying because it's covering the huge hole that accesses our water shut off thingy.

Over the years, Justin has found a ton of old glass bottles on job sites.  And, being a hoarder, he keeps them all. I wanted to display them in a creative way and stumbled across this idea during my searches.  I found the four sides to a radio flyer wagon at an antique store in Canton for $30 and thought it would serve as a perfect backing. And secured the bottles in place with dryer vent clamps.

Finally hung our guitar and banjo.  I've had the hardware to do this for about 2 years now.  So lazy.

Got this really cute blue, rusted toolbox just to add some color.  $10.

Hung all of his UGA stuff using pieces of lumber from Home Depot and thick, metal 'L' brackets.  It was a super cheap way to add shelving and fill this HUGE wall.  Total cost, about $25.

I found this Cal Warlick autographed original at the checkout counter and had to have it.  Apparently, he goes to the antique store in Canton sometimes and drops these off to sell.  $18 marked down from $23.

 Our basement ceiling is made of reclaimed tin from an old barn.  You can see a little of it in this picture.  Anyway, Justin found this mirror in the barn and made a frame for it as a Valentine's Day gift a few years back.  We never hung it.  It was an orangish-woodish color and lacquered to death.  So, I sanded it, primed it, painted it red, and distressed it.  I love it and am so proud of myself.  P.S.  I hate sanding.

Standing under the mirror is this BEAUTY.  While the fam was taking an afternoon nap one Saturday, I drove over to the Woodstock Antique Store.  As luck would have it, their semi-annual sidewalk sale was that day.  The first booth I walked up to had this table standing there, screaming my name.  The man says, "$40."  I say, "Load it up."  This thing also weighs a ton and I had to drag it through the yard and into the basement, all by my lonesome.  It's my most favorite thing in my house right now.

That same vendor gave me this lamp for $1.  That's right.  A dollar!

  

This wood crate was storing wood pieces over in the corner, by our fireplace.  I turned it into the coffee table.  FREE!  WINNING!



After finding out how much a custom piece of glass was going to cost for the top of the coffee table, I started brainstorming alternatives and found this little door for $25.  I sanded/peeled the paint off of it and stained it a dark wood color.  I'm pretty certain I released toxic levels of lead throughout my home during this project, but whatever.  We're all still kicking.  Again...I.  Hate.  Sanding.

When it came to the playroom, I decided I was done spending money.  I really want to eventually fill these poster frames with vintage Mickey Mouse prints, but for now this construction paper artwork will do.  FREE!  And I think they turned out pretty cute.

Rather than spend money on an area rug, I laid these foam alphabet puzzles down.  I don't know where I accumulated so many of these, but I'm glad I never got rid of them!  Can you find Davis' name???  I also spelled out Boogs, but you can only see the 'Boo' in the pic.  And filled the walls with Davis' artwork.

I brought my DIY skills upstairs and made this wall hanging coat rack out of 5 pieces of wood (from the basement pile).  I wood-glued it all together and screwed old snuff cans to it.  $16.

 

What's next on my DIY list?  This.  Stay tuned.