31 July 2012

My 50p chest of drawers

Hello lovelies

 Sorry it's been so quiet around here recently. I've been busy working on several home-décor projects that are taking longer than anticipated, and I don't like showing you anything that's half-finished. Except for half-finished pieces of cake, because - let's be honest - I can never restrain myself long enough to take a photo when cake is put in front of me; taking a bite definitely comes first!

 However, last Saturday morning I started and completed a project that's been on my to-do list for nearly two years. I'm really, really happy with the result, and the people I've shown it to already have all been very impressed- mostly with the fact that it cost me less than £1! 

 When we moved into our house we found this chest of drawers squirrelled away in the loft:
Apologies for shoddy photography here- my camera was having a tantrum
For a free chest of drawers, it's certainly not to be sniffed at, but it couldn't have been further from my personal taste if it tried (sorry, 'drawers!). I love old, knocked about, quirky things- a few scuffs here and there makes furniture all the more loved-looking in my opinion- and I thought the plasticky-mdf-ness of these drawers was just... eurgh. But, that said, they're a very handy storage option for our spare room- we keep the bedding for our guest bed in them, plus all our spare blankets (I am a bit of a blanket-buying fiend, and just can't resist a knitted/crocheted charity shop bargain!)

 I recently found some vintage maps of Italy from our local flea market for my favourite price of all - FREE! :) Which made me a very happy girl indeed, but even more so when I realised what I could use them for... Introducing, my 50p chest of drawers(!)* 





I particularly like how it looks with the poster I picked up in an antique shop last week - The A-Z of Carnivorous Dinosaurs; our guest room is nothing if not educational :)

 *50p was for the PVA glue I used to stick it all together...

 P.S. I've entered my post in Faith, Hope and Charity Shopping's cartography-tastic "Ta Da Tuesday"
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25 comments:

  1. Fran31 July 2012 at 20:05

    I ruddy love this!!

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  2. Unknown31 July 2012 at 20:19

    This is amazing! Ive been meaning to do map covered items (next up, cake?!) for ages and it's hilarious that not on the highstreet charge so much for such a cheap DIY! xxx

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her31 July 2012 at 21:48

      I love not on the high street- but purely to find things I then try and re-create myself; I'm too cheap to pay hundreds of pounds for something I can make a rough copy of in a few hours.
      Mmm... map cake- educational and delicious! :p

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  3. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]31 July 2012 at 20:28

    This is so fab, this would cost you about £600 from Graham and Greene. I'd love to do something similar but am realistic enough to know that the minute it took me to do my Z is more my level! Great score with the free maps. Is it pretty sturdy now it's covered or is it look but don't touch too often?

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her31 July 2012 at 21:44

      I know- it's ridiculous how much they charge for their easily-diy-able stuff (although it is all very pretty!).

      It took me about three hours to do this in total- because I waited until it was completely dry, then put another coat of PVA over the top as a varnish- that seems to have toughened it up a little, so I'm not too worried about it tearing.

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  4. Liz Burton31 July 2012 at 20:44

    Wow, a few nights as a guest at yours and I reckon even I could re-sit my A=Level geography!

    It looks totally amazing. I have to admit, when I saw the 'before' shot I wasn't optimistic!!

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her31 July 2012 at 21:46

      I was a little worried too that it would end up as a mess! But I think even the horrible plastic handles look better than they did before :)
      Just out of shot we've got an old school desk as a bedside table- perfect for re-sitting exams :p

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  5. Hannah31 July 2012 at 22:47

    Ooh, I really like this! Practical and pretty! I wonder if this is the answer to my horrible wardrobe problem (see blog for scale of horribleness!)...or maybe it would be a bit much after a few drinks having a whole wall of it? Or maybe not...I do really rather like maps...unless I'm having to read one in a fell race in the rain and mist and can't work out where I am!

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  6. mommy Orkid Belle1 August 2012 at 03:05

    Awe! I love this. Love that you used a map for your decoupage. So lovely! Great one!

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  7. skye1 August 2012 at 18:44

    this is amazing :) i love it!! must be such a good feeling knowing how bargainous it is too! xx

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her1 August 2012 at 22:16

      I definitely get a buzz from being able to say "oh, I did that" about things I've crafted- and even more so when they were created for pennies! :) xx

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  8. Linda3 August 2012 at 09:42

    OH WOW!! I LOVE IT ! Looks so cool!

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  9. Lauren3 August 2012 at 10:19

    Okay, this is seriously amazing! The draws really needed this little makeover, and now they look like something you would buy at an overpriced furniture store!

    Lauren
    http://tasteslikelove.blogspot.com

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her3 August 2012 at 19:26

      Thank you - I'm really pleased with how they've turned out. Now eyeing up everything else in the house to see what else I can cover :p

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  10. mollbird3 August 2012 at 18:24

    I think that might be one of the best things ever. And I say that despite my wariness of geography generally. You're some kind of visionary innit!

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her3 August 2012 at 19:27

      Thank you - I'm not sure visionary is quite right; copycat cheapskate perhaps?
      xx
      P.s. Think "Copycat Cheapskate" may have to be my new blog tagline...

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  11. Cheapchick6 August 2012 at 18:16

    It looks fabulous! I hate MDF too but since the chest was free this is a great way to save the piece of furniture.

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her6 August 2012 at 18:58

      Thank you :) That was my thinking- and I spotted an almost identical piece in an antique shop at the weekend for £200! Just cheap mdf too- cheeky things.

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  12. San10 August 2012 at 23:51

    Absolutely love this! Can't wait to get my own place so I can try my own hand atthis kind of DIY :)

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her11 August 2012 at 10:55

      Thank you Samantha :) The good thing with decoupage (aka glueing stuff on stuff) is you could do it on anything- big or small- so you could practice on a jewellery box, or a suitcase, or anything really! I'm off to have a proper look at your blog; it looks awesome! x

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  13. Anonymous2 April 2013 at 20:41

    This is fantastic! quite similar to what I'm doing at the moment - putting old, vintage suitcases into a chest of drawers I found outside that had the drawers missing. I traced my own 'maps' and will use it to line the frame, while the suitcases will do nicely for the drawers as they are. Thanks for the idea (I'm working on an explorer/traveller room)!
    Nothing like making something tired and free go a long way :)

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    1. Hook, Line and Sink Her2 April 2013 at 21:03

      That sounds like an utterly brilliant idea! Please do send me a photo of it when it's done- I love seeing before/after furniture makeovers and have a rather severe addiction to old suitcases too! xx

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