A little paint, stain, and vision goes a long way


These furniture pieces may not have looked like much at first, but each one had hidden potential. Look at the before photos, then click through to see the makeovers.

Yep, it's time for our monthly Furniture Fixer Upper projects. We share the best tips for painting, staining, and fixing up old furniture.

My Repurposed Life

Gail Wilson shares step-by-step tutorials, before-and-after pictures, and detailed instructions for various upcycled projects on her site.

Read more from My Repurposed Life
a collection of white wooden frames

Hi there! Do you have an old picture frame tucked away? You know I usually have a few waiting for their next job! This one became an open-front shadow box. There’s no glass to work around, so changing the display is easy. I’ve refreshed the tutorial and added some styling ideas, including a little Christmas inspiration. See How to Make Your Own Shadow Box While you’re there, follow the links to more picture frame projects. You might find an idea for something already in your stash. Happy...

a collection of simple wall shelf ideas

Happy Friday! Sometimes I want to make something without turning it into a big production. A small wall shelf is a great weekend project, especially when you can use pieces you already have. Before heading to the store, take a look through your leftover wood or that old furniture you’ve been saving for parts. You might have the makings of one of these! Scrap Wood Jewelry ShelfEven small leftover pieces can earn their keep. This little shelf gives jewelry a handy place to hang.See the jewelry...

a very vintage footstool

Hi friends! I found the perfect little footstool for my camper, but it needed a bit of a makeover before I brought it inside. I gave it a fresh coat of paint and used a Happy Camper T-shirt that was too small for me. Now it’s just right for propping up my feet while I work on my laptop. Lulu Mae found a use for it, too! 🐾 See the small footstool makeover While you’re there, be sure to check out my other footstool makeovers for more ideas! gail