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The truth about DIY.

May 9, 2011 by Michelle Hinckley |

This weekend my Craigslist farmhouse table took a trip to Mesa, Arizona to undergo a little reconstructive surgery. The reason…sometimes DIY projects aren’t as successful as you originally plan for. After two failed attempts at refinishing the thing, the table took up permanent residence in the garage.

Here it is before, then an almost successful finish (twice), and then back in the garage where my boys used it as a place to put on their shoes.

Enter Natalie of Natty by Design.


This girl knows her stuff (and is totally glamorous…definitely not the type I would peg to have a thing for power tools and a paint gun).



She takes blah furniture and turns it in to “I have to have that” furniture.

Check out some of her work:


I always think that I can save money and get the exact look I’m going for by doing it myself. Most of the time that’s how it works out. Some of the time I end up spending much more time and money than I originally budgeted for (like in this case) and it still turns out botched. I’m learning that sometimes you have to know when you are in over your head and let a professional take over.

Take it away Natalie! I should have called you from the get-go. Can’t wait to see the results.

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Comments

  1. LifeBegins@Thirty says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    I totally agree with you about DIY. Sometimes I wish I would just suck it up and have a pro do the work. Can’t wait to see the ‘after’ 🙂

  2. Comeca Jones says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    All of them are such nice pieces!

  3. Angeline says

    May 9, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    Natty is so cool – can’t wait to see what she does with your table!

  4. Kathysue says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    I found this out when I tried to upholster an antique rocker. Oh my did I open a can of worms. It still isn’t done. There are professionals for a reason!!! Upholstery is much harder than it looks, Kathysue

  5. Jessie says

    May 9, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Natty is sure talented. Can’t wait to see the ‘after’!

    Jessie
    http://www.mixandchic.com

  6. L.Duncan says

    May 9, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Love her work!

  7. Janell @ House of Fifty says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    A big fan of Natalie’s work!! Janell

  8. Ashley says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Amen! Looks like you have put your table in competent hands!

  9. Cheeky D says

    May 9, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    I cannot wait to see this thing finished! I love this table it is exactly what I am looking for. So jealous!

  10. Sarah MacMillan says

    May 10, 2011 at 1:44 am

    Your table will be lovely I’m sure. Sorry it hasn’t worked out thus far. Hind-sight comes too late.

  11. The Wizzle says

    May 10, 2011 at 4:29 am

    I’m another satisfied Natty customer! She did a fantastic job on a nightstand for my girls’ room. I can’t wait to see what she does with your table!

  12. meg says

    May 10, 2011 at 4:59 am

    It’s called “Sweat Equity.” Losing your mind is sometimes just not worth it, from a sister DIY.

  13. Cindy says

    May 10, 2011 at 11:10 am

    i actually liked how you finished it before….i can’t wait to see what she does with it….what a great find, i would kill to find a table like that. if i had one it would be a chippy white painted base and a gray weathered top…..

    i can’t wait to see the final result..

    hugs, cindy

  14. DIY Mom says

    May 10, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    There is something about other peoples “failed” DIY projects that make me feel better. Not that I want them to fail but that I am not alone in my own attempts. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see Natty’s results.

  15. raddesigning says

    May 13, 2011 at 4:46 pm

    Excited to see what it looks like afterwards!

  16. Kerrie says

    May 13, 2011 at 7:56 pm

    Be Still my heart, I have a dresser, I live in Phoenix. Natty might have just made my day! Can’t wait to email. Good Luck on your table.

  17. Alicia says

    May 15, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Those are great pictures, I’m sure she’ll do a fantastic job!

  18. I♥naptime w/ Chocolate Sundaes says

    May 15, 2011 at 11:57 pm

    how fun! Where in AZ are you at? I’m in Avondale! Love meeting AZ bloggers! And I LOVE your blog!

  19. marketing says

    January 28, 2012 at 9:03 am

    HI
    nice and useful! i would like to say thank you about this cool post & your Decent a site….
    thank you!

  20. Project Management Class says

    April 20, 2012 at 5:31 am

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

  21. italian porcelain says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    I can’t wait to see what she does with it….What a great find, I would kill to find a table like that.

  22. Carmine Vandygriff says

    January 25, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Great choice of colors!

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Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!

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