Fabulous Frugal Find — Megg’s Refurbished Bedside Table

by Katy on November 7, 2011 · 15 comments

Today’s Fabulous Frugal Find comes from Megg, who blogs over at Librarian Housewife, telling her tales of “The life of a not so desperate housewife.”

Megg kindly sent in the story and photos of a bedside table that used to belong to her husband’s grandfather. And with a fair amount of elbow grease, she was able to bring it from dingy to delightful.

Here’s the before:

Bedside table, before.

And here’s the after:

Bedside table, after.

 

Thank you very much to Megg for sending in her Fabulous Frugal Find. Because yes, taking in family furniture and then refinishing it is frugal indeed!

Click HERE to read Megg’s blog post (with additional photos) about the transformative process of her bedside table.

And please enjoy these previous Fabulous Frugal Find posts:

If you have a Fabulous Frugal Find to submit, please send it to me at nonconsumer@comcast.net. Please include your story, as well as a good photo, preferably with you in it!

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

 

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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

Michelle November 7, 2011 at 6:30 am

Wow! That bedside table looks awesome now! I love the crystal knobs, too!

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Barb @ 1SentenceDiary November 7, 2011 at 7:54 am

Megg, that is simply beautiful. Amazing transformation.

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Green Bean November 7, 2011 at 8:22 am

Gorgeous! And probably much better quality than what they sell now a days at Pottery Barn and elsewhere.

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Dogs or Dollars November 7, 2011 at 8:25 am

Beautiful! I love it!

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Kristen@TheFrugalGirl November 7, 2011 at 9:24 am

Ooh, that is fabulous! I love furniture makeovers.

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Katy November 7, 2011 at 9:51 am

I like how the legs look like they’re about to take a jaunty walk around the room.

Katy

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Ellie November 7, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Just FYI (and if you already know this, others might not!), that style of leg is called a “cabriole” leg. The definition of a cabriole leg is the two curves – upper part curves out (convex), with lower part curved in (concave). Cabriole legs have been around for centuries. They were very popular in the 19th century, but never went completely out of style. Those legs – coupled with that very dark stain – were a popular combination in the 1920s-30s-40s.

The only reason I know this is because I “Google researched” the furniture I inherited, and a lot of it is very similar in style to that nightstand. My house is full of that kind of dark wood, “jaunty-legged” furniture – and come to think of it, it does kind of look ready to walk around! In fact, the origin of the word “cabriole” is from the French “cabrioler” – to jump like a goat!

I’m not super “into” furniture design per se, but I do think it’s kind of fun to look up the stuff I have and find out its proper names and descriptions and maybe some fun historical trivia- not to mention the cool words one sometimes finds! (Legs that are ready to jump like a goat! I love it!)

Just thought I’d share 🙂

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Megg November 7, 2011 at 4:13 pm

That’s interesting! Thanks for sharing!
I kinda thought it looked a little bow-legged, but I like that they have more character than just straight legs. It’s cool to know the history, too!

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Jennifer G. November 7, 2011 at 10:34 am

Looks great!!!

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Jenni November 7, 2011 at 11:58 am

Beautiful restoration. I think when we restore pieces ourselves, we are much more thoughtful and kind to the items in the future.

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Megyn @Minimalist Mommi November 7, 2011 at 12:41 pm

Just gorgeous!!! You did an amazing job!

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Laura's Last Ditch--Adventures in Thrift Land November 7, 2011 at 5:11 pm

Nice! So much nicer than what you would go buy from the store!

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Linda November 7, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Beautiful job Megg!!!!
I’ve refinished a few pieces and I appreciate what work went into that little bed side table.
I totally agree with Jenni’s comment. After putting in so much blood sweat & tears my I treasure and protect my things better than if I just went out & bought them.

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JustAddCloth November 8, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Love it! Nearly all of my furniture is handmedowns or garage sale finds I redid.

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Paula in the UP November 11, 2011 at 3:41 pm

That night stand is gorgeous!! I’m looking for a dresser with a similar look to it. I want to refinish it, but I will be painting it white to use in my former youngest daughter’s bedroom now guest room!!

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