"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." -Winnie the Pooh


Saturday, May 21, 2011

$3.99 Shelf/Hanger

A few weeks ago, I had my first experience visiting a Goodwill store in Memphis.  I originally went to look for blue glass to use in our URSR or Unfinished Refinished Spare Room if you haven't been following lately.  Instead, I found a shelf/hanger for the wall in the URSR.  Because we have limited closet space in our home, David uses the closet in the spare bedroom for his clothes.  {Plus I use the others for my things--clothes and crafts!}  So I was on the hunt for something like this for guests to be able to hang clothes on when they visit.  That way, David doesn't have to clean his closet out.

Below is what I found for $3.99 at Goodwill.  Not bad.


I do not know why Google Blogs insists on rotating my pictures.  I have no clue how to fix this.  Obviously the left side of the photo is the bottom.  Now, other than this NASTY pink color that I'm pretty sure was the color of my room from age 5 to 10, I really wasn't too keen on the 4 wooden peg hooks.  If this was going to serve it's purpose for clothes, I needed something more durable--just in case anyone needs to move in with us for a month! :)

So I started by removing these four pegs.  I mean, who would hang clothes in those top two pegs anyway?


Then I had my first experience with wood filler.  Some of the coolest stuff ever!  You just squeeze it in where you need to, use a putty knife to even it out some, let it dry for a few hours, and sand it to be level with the surface.  No more holes!


Next, I took it outside to spray paint it.  Now, of course I forgot to take photos, but I'll give you a quick synopsis.  #1. I usually prime my pieces.  However, if it's wood, I just buy the el cheapo, $0.97 a can white spray paint (black if I'm going darker, but in this case I was going for cream).  This serves as a great base coat, and I never feel bad for using the whole can! #2. Let dry.  #3. I used Rustoleum Heirloom White to cover.  This way you only have to lightly spray it!  And voila...spray painting success.

Next, I took blue fabric that I had leftover from recovering a chair in the room to attach to the back.  I wanted something that would give this little piece a pop. Plus I wanted to use this fabric somewhere else in the room.  I actually purchased my own staple gun!  After having to go to Collierville a few times to borrow my Mother-in-law's staple gun, I decided to use Birthday money to get it.  It was only $9.95 for a light duty one, and it was just what I needed.


After stretching the fabric as much as possible, and stapling, here are the results. The back:


And the Google Blogspot rotated front:


Now it was time to call in the reinforcements and recruit my handsome hubby to help!  I had purchased CUTE knobs at Target awhile back.  Problem, they were for drawer pulls and not shelves.  So we took them to my Father-in-laws house and followed his directions for sawing off the extra.  No photos because I forgot my camera, but it really wasn't that interesting and was actually much easier than we both thought it would be.

Next we began drilling holes for the new knobs.  I decided to use three.  Luckily, my handsome hubby got a drill from his wonderful wife for Christmas.  I'd say 90% of the time he uses it on projects for me! :)  However, he did ASK for it for Christmas!


He drilled the necessary hardware to hang it. If you've never seen these, they are our new favorite discovery.  They are called French Cleats, and they make it so easy!  One part mounts to the wall and one to whatever you're hanging.


We drilled the holes in the front, slipped the knobs through, and then drilled sink holes in the back so that the nut could sit flush with the back.  We used needlenose pliers to hold onto the nuts while the other one screwed the knob in.  Backwards, I know, but trust me. It was WAY more efficient! Note: white spot is the wood filler on the backside.


And here is the finished product (complete with David's shirt hanging on it):


Closer:


Knobs:


Better photo of knobs:


Side view (love the heart detail):


And look how well it matches the chair! :)


Before and after:


I love it! What about y'all?

3 comments:

  1. Too cute, Sara! Wow, you may be too smart for your own good ;) It turned out great! Very pretty :)

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  2. I love it! It looks so cute! I love blue and white accents! You are really so creative!

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  3. Thanks guys! Definitely couldn't have done this one without the help of my hubby! He deserves some of the credit for sure!

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