Reminder of how Awesome General Finishes Gel Stain truly is

Hello fellow DIY'ers, I was so excited to be contacted by one of you last night about my one of my post popular posts. Do you remember a couple years ago I shared how we not only removed the popcorn from our ceilings, but we used gel stain to cover the painted wood beams that were in our home?

Well, I was excited to get the following four pictures, and this message from one of you last night...

Easy Updating Magic Using Gel Stain

Today I am going to show you how easy it is to update furniture, or other woodwork, (that is no longer the "in" stain,) with only 1 coat of General Finishes Java Gel Stain.

How Gel Stain Makes Painted Wood Beams Rustic (Again)

Let me start off by saying that I already knew that General Finishes gel stain is one amazing product that transforms furniture quickly, easily, and is a lot of fun to work with. However, I didn't know that it worked over paint, let alone could bring back some rustic glory to the painted beams in our new home. We have learned some tips and tricks in the process that I thought I would share with all of you. Whether you want to stain painted wood beams, or want to try staining over a piece of furniture that is painted, these tips and tricks should help you...

Easy and Cheap Wicker Chair Update

I love wicker because it makes me feel like I am at the beach. Well, not really. Living in Colorado a mile higher than the beach definitely has it's own look, but wicker I still love (hubby and I both grew up in CA and love that beachy feel). However, most wicker isn't the color I like and so after buying the pair off of Craigslist (pictured above in the Before picture), I knew it needed to be changed. Plus, looking at those hideous cushions I knew I needed to change those too. Thankfully I had a way to update the color easily (and in less than an hour), and found a way to update the cushions for $10 and with a staple gun!

Mid Century Modern Dresser Makeover

Boy, this project was a doozy! Lots of learning involved, and lots of new products tried and tested. I tried stripping for the first time...that's a tough job... and you sure feel dirty when it is all over (get your mind out of the gutter...I am talking stripping layers of paint people!) I used TSP for cleaning for the first time and I have to say I am a believer. And I tried re-doing a piece of history for the first time and it was fun! Read on to see what this beauty looked like before, as well as what it took to look snazzy.

10 Things to Help You Redo Furniture Like a Pro

Let me start off by saying that I am far from "pro" status. Someday I would love to be at the "pro" level, but for now I have learned a lot in the time that I have been redoing furniture, (from some individuals who I would consider "pros"). Whether it is through trial and error, great lessons taught to me, or through countless hours of research, I have compiled some products/things that make a world of difference in the quality of your finished product. What is even cooler is that all of these products ALSO make your job EASIER! Win win in my book. So let's get started with my top 10 favorite things...

Garbage Day Trunk Makeover

Boy do I love projects that cost me a dime! This trunk/chest/who knows exactly what it is called came to be when a friend called me one morning and told me to save it from the "trash man". I love when friends are on the lookout for me, it makes me happy on so many levels. Anyway, I went to the wrong neighborhood at first, and once I realized my error I raced over to this house and pulled up as the trash truck was too! AHH! Blessing in disguise though.

Antique Style Desk

It's always fun when you find a piece that has good bones about it for $30. When I picked up this heavily lacquered desk from the seller he acted surprised that I really wanted it. Right then and there I thought, "Why am I not talking this guy down from $30?" But then that inner voice said to me,"Give it up, it is a great price already. Pay him his money and get on your way." So I did and told him I would be re-doing it, which somehow seemed to make him feel better. If only he knew what hideous things are on Craigslist (and the outlandish prices the sellers try to charge for them).

What is nice about pieces that are pretty ugly in the first place, is that it isn't hard prepping them for a transformation, or coming to terms that you are going to transform them.

DIY Hidden Lego Play Station

This was one of my most exciting projects to date, and that is saying a lot. I think it was so exciting because it was unique (never saw the idea on Pinterest before) and it would make my four boys happy (much happier than the play kitchen I made). This was a relatively easy project and it cost me only $80...$65 of that being for Lego Baseplates...dang those puppies are expensive!! Wanna know how to do it yourself? This posting starts with a find from Craigslist and an idea...