DIY: Kids' Dining Table

Checking out online yard sales is an efficient way to find upcycle projects. Case in point, this adorable kids’ table and chairs. It had everything I look for in a piece to flip. It was made of solid wood; thus, quality bones. There’s a market for it; kids furniture is always in demand. And, most importantly, it was cheap! Purchasing kids’ furniture from department stores can be fairly expensive for the amount of years it will actually be needed. Buying at a low-price means I can sell at an affordable rate--giving someone an awesome deal while also making a profit for myself. Plus, as an added bonus, the hubs and I got to try out a couple of new products, a liquid sander and a paint sprayer.  

The Process…

I was so excited about this piece, I was ready to get it home and start sanding right away. Before I began, my husband Dave fixed the one wobbly leg by tightening all of the hardware.

Then, to prep the wood for painting, we tried a new product (well, new to us). A sander liquid deglosser, or, basically, a liquid sander. Per the directions,  I saturated a lint-free rag with the deglosser and applied it in a circular motion to all surfaces. I was really pleased with the results. The best part is that there are no fumes.

Because I’m a perfectionist, I wanted to give the piece a once-over with sandpaper, making sure I didn’t miss any spots and assuring that the top would have a nice, smooth finish. A final wipe down with paint thinner is always a must for me when working with sanded wood.

My favorite part of any furniture flip is choosing the finishes. When I first saw this piece, I visualized a little tea party. I wanted to paint the table light purple or teal with some sort of accent stripe. While this would have been super cute, Dave suggested it might be a bit too specific. So, I ended up going with a gender neutral coastal blue, which he painted with the new paint sprayer I bought him for our anniversary. Romantic gift, huh? It sure did work well though.

All in all, I’d say it was a good decision because the table sold within two days.

DIY: Spotlight on the Hubs- Yard Games Edition

I am just coming into my own in the world of crafts after a rough start. So, I credit my husband, Dave, for his creativity and ability to make fun, interesting items for all occasions.

Since it’s summer and BBQ season, I thought I’d focus in on his outdoor games, including his most recent creation-- rustic Tic-Tac-Toe. Repurposing a wooden slab into a gameboard and painting rocks with X’s and O’s is all it took to breathe life into a classic game. Our kids are going to love it, and I think it would be super cute for a camp or a fun table game at a cookout.

Speaking of backyard shenanigans, Dave also crafted large scale dice. These can be used for Yahtzee without needing to have everybody sitting around a table to play, making it perfect for  BBQs or tailgating. They can also be used to turn any other activity involving dice into an outdoor party game.

This idea came from a photo my sister-in-law, Kristen, found online. A twist on cornhole, this game has only one board (all participants play from the same side) and four bags. Rules of the game are completely flexible (teams/no teams, number of turns, number of rounds, tossing order--it’s really house rules or just toss ‘em til you can’t take it anymore, lol). My cousin’s son (does that make him my second cousin?), Connor, and I recently tried the game out at a family reunion. We each tossed two bags and then repeated a few times until adequately buzzed. Good times!

Want your own? Vinton Street Upcycling can recreate a customized version of any of the above games. For more information and/or to order, shoot us an email at vintonstupcycling@gmail.com.

Rustic tic-tac-toe (game board and 8 pieces)- $25

5 wooden outdoor dice- $25

Drinking game board and 4 bean bags- $80

• Free pick up available (Manchester).
• Free delivery within 15 miles.