Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Gearing Up.

Oh heyyyy!!  Remember me???  No?  I figured you might have forgot who I am since I have been non-existent in blogger land for most of the summer.  I wish I had some super cool story to explain my absence...like I was jet-setting around the world and just didn't have time or WiFi to blog, but in reality, I just needed some downtime.  And since I couldn't take a break from my busier-than-ever "9-5", I needed to take a break from all things blogging.

Don't let my lack of posting fool you, I was still brainstorming home ideas, and even setting some plans into motion.  If you follow me on Instagram {retroranchreno}, you know the wheels have been turning lately.

For example, you guys know I loooove me some Craigslist finds.  Heck, more than half of the furniture in our house was probably someone else's at some point in time.  This summer I came across two listings I could not pass up on.

The first was a long dresser (and matching nightstand that is still in our basement because I have no spot for it yet)...


This pretty thing now lives here...


And the former-dresser-turned-console I made over has found a new home...


Nope, not in our hallway, but in our master bedroom.


The armoire I made over that used to be in our bedroom is now in the basement.  Any locals looking for one?!

The second listing I jumped on was a white mid-century bedroom set.  It included a desk, two matching dressers and a nightstand.  You only see the desk and one dresser below, because that is all I'm using for now.




I know most of you are wondering where the heck these will go...welp, meet our new "nightstands" for the master...


We like the larger pieces to balance out our large king-size bed...but holy moly, did they need a makeover.  From far away, they looked great.  Up close was a whole different story....yikes!!







I can't wait to share the transformation of this furniture with you guys!!  I had to deal with some new situations I never faced before.  The white pieces had a super slick, glossy laminate top on them, and the long dresser had plastic trim on the drawers.  I used a new primer and some homemade chalk paint to tackle these issues.  Plus, I have some fancy-shmancy hardware to show off that really makes these pieces complete.

Woohoo for being back in the blogging game!  Boy, did I miss you guys! :)

48 comments:

  1. Welcome back to blogland! So excited to see/hear more detail about your furniture makeovers.
    Sarah

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  2. i don't even feel like youve been gone since we are instagram buddies. But i get you, i've been limiting my posts to once a week all summer. Fall is when i will really get my blogging mojo back!

    I love your new furniture finds!

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    1. I know!! I totally feel like I kept in touch with all of my insta-friends, but anyone not on there, I've been SO out of touch!

      Fall definitely brings it back for me...I'm glad I'm not alone on this. :)

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  3. i think i am with let's just build a house- we keep up on insta! :) and i love what you've been doing!!!!!

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    1. Definitely...I'm totally connected with all of my insta-friends! :)

      Thank you, Cassie! :)

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  4. Thats exactly what I wanted to do with my nightstands.. just cant find anything I like! Love everything you have done!

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    1. Good luck finding something you love! I know the hunt can be tough sometimes!! :)

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  5. Yeah! You are back!!! I hope you enjoyed your break - I totally know how it is to need time off!

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    1. Yes, I definitely enjoyed my break...thanks for welcoming me back! :)

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  6. I was in the exact same boat! The only time I was finding to sit down and actually write a post was super late at night and I would get once sentence down or even just the title and my eyes would start closing from being so busy during the day! So thankful for Instagram, too, because I at least still felt in the loop with others! It's funny because I am finding myself more organized as we are heading into Fall...what is it about Fall that gets us organized? I guess all those years of starting school has us all trained! lol.

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    1. I agree with you about everything!! Instagram definitely kept me in touch with everyone, and I'm definitely gearing up and becoming more productive now that fall is approaching. We are definitely trained to get ourselves together once the "school year" starts. ;)

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  7. I feel yah on the blogging break. I am slowly going to get back into my groove here shortly. Sometimes you just need to unplug a little and enjoy some quality time!

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    1. I definitely needed to unplug for a bit...I'm so glad you ladies understand the need for it! :)

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  8. Can't wait to see the finished product! I love the idea of using a desk as a nightstand!

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    1. I can't wait to share...I want to hit the "publish" button on that post so bad!! Friday can't come soon enough. ;)

      And ps-I've been using the desk as my nightstand for just two days now and I LOVEEE it! :)

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  9. Loooove that first dresser. I hope you keep the wood finish--it's gorgeous. (Although obviously do whatever makes you happy.) :) Welcome back!

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    1. Thanks Erin! I would have loved it too...if the trim wasn't plastic laminate. It just wasn't working in the space, so I'm sorry to report, it's been painted. {Insert gasp here.} I'm sorry friend! ;)

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  10. I'm so glad you are back. All those pieces are amazing! Can't wait to see the transformation.

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    1. I'm so happy to be back too! I cannot wait to share the transformation! I'm so in love!! :)

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  11. Welcome back! You've been a furniture makeover machine! I love what you've done so far and can't wait to see what else you've got up your sleeves!

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    1. Thank you, Ashley! I've been crazy productive lately. It feels good to be inspired again! :)

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  12. You scored big time!!! Those mid century lines are amazing!!!!! I can't wait to see the makeovers!! :)

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    1. Right?!? I was so happy to find this set...it's perfect for what I want! :)

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  13. I missed you too! And I know you've done some serious work to those bad boys. Welcome back! :)

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    1. Thanks friend!! Thank gosh for instagram to stay in touch! ;)

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  14. Welcome Back Gabbi!! Glad you are back in bloglandia!!! Those pieces are so great! Can't wait! xo Kristin

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    1. Thanks so much, Kristin!! Can't wait to share the full monty! ;)

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  15. I hear ya! Can't be plugged in all the time or you might miss the important stuff like life!! :) the pieces look awesome!

    Laura

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    1. Haha...truer words were never spoken! It felt good to unplug for a while, but I'm back and feeling super inspired! :)

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  16. Hi! Yes. This. I basically disappeared from blogging all summer. I needed down time as well. There was a very big loss in our family and I just wanted to spend time with loved ones and recharge for the school year. I follow you on Insta and loooove the way your craigslist find came out. Keep the good stuff comin :)

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    1. I'm so very sorry to hear about your loss, Mindy!! Big, huge internet hug coming your way from me!!! I'm glad you were able to step away and spend the time needed with your family. Xo!!

      Thank youuuu! :)

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  17. Welcome back slacker. :P I feel like blogland has been BORING the past few months. You didn't miss much.

    I like your finds. I'm jealous. Especially of that first piece. I hope Perny approves.

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    1. Thanks buddy! You are so right...I was a complete slacker these past few months. But in my defense, I probably would have just added to the boringness, so I decided to spare the blog world my lack of inspiration. ;)

      Perny definitely approves!! :)

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  18. Welcome back! I love all of those pieces... especially the first one! :)

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  19. I know how amazing the makeover was via IG, but I can't wait to see bigger photos!!

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  20. 1st so happy your back blogging!! But I'm also loving your sneak peaks in Instagram isn't that THE BEST app ever! lol :)Love your finds!

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  21. I've always wondered about refinishing laminate. And great tip for deodorizing used pieces! That always grosses me out the most!!

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    1. I definitely was scared of it, but so far, I'm loving the results! :)

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  22. Replies
    1. Thank you, Lindsay! Me too {obviously haha}. The lines get me EVERY time! :)

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