Ingredients: Vinegar, Oil, 2 cute knobs

Most who know me even if it's with seldom communications, know that I love thrift stores.  I am addicted.  I need my fix at least once a week, even if I don't find anything.  I believe everything can have a rebirth.  Some items need a little more work than others.  Here's my recent birth that only required three ingredients to give it a beautiful new life.

I found this little night stand at a thrift store about six months ago.  I think I paid about $5.00 for it.  Some items I can get right to work on, some I need to live with for a while and let my juices flow and my creativity develop.  This is what it looked like when I brought it home...

It's an older night stand, well made.  See the dovetail drawers?  That's one sign of a better made piece of furniture.  I love the water fall effect on the top.

The wood was dried out and was scratched but not badly damaged and there were white scuff marks.

I saw a post on Facebook of a wood cleaning solution: 3/4 cup ANY type of cooking oil and 1/4 cup ANY type of vinegar.  (No, you are not making a salad dressing.)  I thought this was the perfect piece to try it out on.  I mixed it in an empty water bottle so I could shake it easily as I was using it and than put the cap on and save it for next time.  I used a soft tea towel, wetting a small section with the "dressing" mixture.  I rubbed the night stand with the grain of the wood and the beauty of it's early days came back quickly.    

The rich colors and the grains in the wood popped.  I love it!!

I grab quirky knobs when ever I see them.  It doesn't matter if there's only one, I'll buy it. Only one requirement, it has to be for a good price, like "mark down", or on "clearance"!! I figure some day I'll find the right home for it.  I have a box full and I'm always adding to it.  I think it adds interest and character having a variety of knobs and pulls on a piece of furniture.  I'm sure this night stand had a pull on it originally.  I'm not real good at following rules and directions all the time.  Therefore, I added a "pair" of mismatched knobs.

Who says night stands have to go by a bed or even in a bedroom?  This one found a home next to the sofa in my game room.  You might notice as you see my posts that reveals my home, my decorating style would never make it in House Beautiful or Better Homes and Gardens magazines.  I don't do what's right, I do what I like.  After all, I have to live with it.

SO this project probably cost me between $10 and $15.  I bet I didn't pay more than $3 for each of the two knobs.  Of course, I have oil and vinegar in my kitchen.  Not all pieces have to be stripped and painted.  Sometimes just a little time and energy and it's new to you.

              I'm happy today with my "reborn" end table.  Stop by and see it some day soon.

P.S.  I'm thinking if I find the right piece of material, scrap booking paper, or even gift wrap, I might cover the back of the open shelf or maybe even all of the open bottom shelf area.  Once again, that's something I'm open to and I have to live with it for a while.  Only time will tell.  Stay tuned......