all in a day's work

i have been wanting a table for a LOOOOOONG time.

the problem: limited space in my humble abode.

i found a sturdy little wood one that came with two chairs for $50. there was water damage and scratches along with black marks on the surface so it needed some refinishing, and i was up for the task!!

i used doug's board sander at first, until it decided to break on me.

then i had to use some good 'ole elbow grease.

nicely sanded down:

the final product -- varnished and good as new!

this table refinishing project was all me -

and i'm stoked to know i can totally do this kind of stuff!!!

and remember this entertainment center i've been trying to get rid of (that's been taking up space in my tiny living room where my table now resides)?

well, it's oak and i couldn't bear to just break it into pieces and throw it out as my husband suggested.

so me and my mom-in-law painted it with leftover white paint from our walls and now it's sitting pretty in the kids' room.

i need to get new knobs, but i'm happy i found a spot for it.

i used to be one of those people who thought it was a crime to paint over (nice) wood.

but in this case, a change was definitely in order.