This year’s ReStore and After Event (sponsored by At Home in Arkansas) is just around the corner, September 20th, and I couldn’t be more excited! The event is a silent auction benefiting Pulaski County Habitat for Humanity. What makes this auction so special, and why I’m so pumped, is that the items being sold are furniture donated to Habitat ReStore–one of my favorite spots to shop for home goods– that have been revamped by local ‘artists.’

I put ‘artists’ in quotes only because I was lucky enough to be invited to showcase and auction a piece of furniture, but I am fully aware that I am in NO WAY an artist.

I found my furniture back in early summer at the ReStore on University. It’s an amazing drop-leaf table with matching chairs. It was a bit retro (why yes, that is burgundy velvet you see), but I was ready for the challenge.

First it was time for a little elbow grease. I was sore when I finally finished sanding the table and chairs. I could actually smell the ‘grandma’s house’ smell in the particles coming off the wood.

Thanks to this project, I finally found a use for the ugly, worn towels I’d been hoarding in my garage. I cut them into smaller sections and used them as wipe cloths for staining.

With help from the guys at Spectrum Paint in the Heights, I selected Benjamin Moore Spanish Moss for my finish. After applying a liberal coat, I wiped off the excess.

I think the result was rather pretty, if I do say so myself. Next I chose paint (Benjamin Moore Florida Keys) and new fabric (Ikat print from Fabric.com) for the chairs.

After the staining, painting, and re-upholstering, it was time to reassemble the chairs. Thankfully I had help (and borrowed tools) from my friend Bryan.

 

Tickets for ReStore and After 2012 are still available online or in person at Habitat ReStores in Little Rock and North Little Rock. I really hope we’ll be seeing some of you blog followers on September 20th.