Blue Happy Living

I really thought this one would get me. How in the world do you change something that is caught in the 80’s with a one-way ticket to the city dump.  I mean this one had all the feels of ugly and brass on top of that.  Mirrors in the back from top to bottom and glass up the sides and down the front.  My friend Sara text me her neighbor had put this out on the curb for pick up.  She sent me a really bad photo and said you better come and get it.  I was already on my way  before she could finish her text.  I wasn’t sure just how it would work out but what I did know was I had a plan the minute I saw it.

When I got it home the look on Greg’s face was priceless.  He said really you think you can save that slightly orange, 1980’s has been.  Like I said I was afraid this one would get the best of me.  Quickly I told Greg my idea and he came around saying you just might have something.

I started by removing all the glass from the sides and the doors.  It just seemed so closed in and curio cabinets while still being used not to many are looking to buy one these days.  One of the biggest problems were the very large holes left in the top of the piece from the light system.  Once I removed the lights Greg placed a board over the holes.  No more lights or holes and it looked like it was always that way.  Using Chalk Country Paint in Pure White I gave it two good coats to cover that slightly 1980’s orange stain.  I sanded back the edges and gave it two coats of Defender to seal it.

Now the hard work putting in the chicken wire.  Greg and I thought oh lets just put in a little chicken wire to give it that farmhouse look.  How hard could that be?  Well it was like 4 hours of hard measuring, cutting, re-cutting, stapling, pulling, removing, cutting, stapling, pulling and finally it was done.  Well the wire was done on to the shelves we go.

The shelves at one point were glass.  When I went to pick up the piece they weren’t there with it.  That happens often missing shelves, drawers, parts and pieces.  You have to be able to think out of the box on how to repair or replace to make it work.  In this case Greg cut shelves out of old table leafs that we didn’t have the table’s anymore.  Once those were in it really was finished.

So many ways this beauty can be used.  I dressed it for a bathroom storage cabinet but not so quick to judge it.  I could so see this in a bedroom or even in a walk-in closet.  I would love to see it in an entryway to hold decor and maybe baskets to keep personal items in.  Any student could use this in their dorm room to store personal items and clothing.  The best part about this jewel is that it’s on wheels and can be moved just about anywhere with little effort.

Nothing is lost as long as you are willing to give it a chance.  Restoring things to give new life is what I’ve decided to be my journey and passion if you will.  I’ve traveled many roads in my 53 years and restored life is the one I love the most.  Sometimes you can’t restore it in the same form it started.  Sometimes you just have to tear it down and use the pieces to restore other pieces of furniture or life.  Even when you get bad in life you have to use the broken pieces to restore life back to good.