1. Filing Cabinet I found this metal filing cabinet on the street and I knew immediately that I could restore its cute appeal by painting it a fresh color. I felt this teal blue from Portola Paints (#083 Paradise), was just the thing to give it that 1950's retro style. What was once used in someones office, is now a storage unit for hair brushes and jewelry in my closet.
2. Antique Crystal Coasters These coasters caught my eye on the shelf at PUNCH last week. I imagined them as cute little displays for my jewelry. I often think giving new purpose to old things in your home is a great way to switch up the energy and to refresh your visual palette.
3. 1964 Stereo Console Credenza When I posted questions about this credenza, the comments were very diverse — many people said I should go for it and paint it, while others just said it was just a waste of junk. I think giving it a coat of white gloss paint and refinishing the hardware was all it needed. Within an hour and by using 1 bottle of primer and 1 bottle of spray paint this console has a completely different look — for the better, in my opinion.
4. Faux Chandelier This faux chandelier is constructed out of two pieces of wood cut in the shape of a classic chandelier. When I bought it at Urban Outfitters for $10, I immediately thought it'd be a nice touch to tie it in with my recent file cabinet makeover. Carrying over the color scheme is a subtle change that affects the look of the whole room.
Images: Bethany Nauert
Apartment Therapy's Sofa Shopping Guide
Nikki’s Sweet and Cheery Print Studio
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Sprout Side Table
5 Things Paris Taught Me About Travel
Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
I love these small changes! The revamped filing cabinet is cute, although I wish that the maker's emblem hadn't been painted. How well does the paint hold up? I've thought about doing this but worry that the paint will just flake off.
What kind of paint do you use? I've started exploring painting options to freshen things up in my home but my first try landed me with a semi sticky paint surface. I thought it wasn't completely dry but it's been 2 months.
Hello, thanks for your nice comments. With the metal file cabinet I washed it first in TSP (by Landmark) hard surface cleaner solution. It can be found at any hardware store but it's very toxic so use gloves... this helps wash the metal and old paint resides as much as possible before priming. Then I got a metal paint primer and removed the handles first. Did two coats of primer and then two coats of paint. As for the base of the paint I have no idea if it was latex based or not... thats a question for Portola Paints.
With the white credenza it was basic wood primer and gloss white spray paint...
before... and after... coasters. before you unstacked them and after you unstacked them? really?
@zapzap
Don't be silly, she added a cat. It is genius!
The credenza is definitely much-improved, now, hurray.
I was skeptical of that (what I assumed was 70's) stereo console, but it turned out great!
lol zapzap & lepidoptery. i'm confused about the coasters too--when i first looked at it i thought they were being re-purposed as cat/pet dishes. anyway, they're pretty. but why on the floor?
I gave these vintage coasters new purpose by switching their expected location. Wed see them in a kitchen or on a coffee table...but I use them in my closet as jewelry displays
Bethany I'm not too sure that simply changing the purpose of something from its intended one counts as "DIY". If you had cleaned up and polished the silver, maybe. But... no.
I really like the idea of painting the chandelier! I have the same one in black...and now I'm thinking...I should paint mine too! Thank you for the inspiration! And the credenza looks fantastic!!
Your DIY's are fab, but I'm with the crowd above: The inclusion of the coasters is confusing. I'd rather see another example of a true DIY along the lines of your other great examples!
the credenza is stunning. well done on that one!
The coasters threw me off. Anyone else flashing back to "which one of these is not like the other" a la Sesame Street?
Ah who cares about the coasters, give the girl a break. It might not be true "DIY" but she is re-purposing an item. Perhaps it will give others a similar idea with something else in their own home.
The chandelier looks tons better in white :-(