Flea Market Make-Overs

The fabulous website Skona Hem is full of inspiring ideas and articles - I seriously could spend all day on this site (thanks in part to Google Translate). This cute little DIY project series shows that just about any piece of "junk" salvaged from a flea market or thrift shop can be transformed into a mini-masterpiece! The sky's the limit...all you need are a few tools and lots of imagination. Here's what they did for their flea market make-overs:

Inspired by a rococo bureau, they painted the original wood finish with water-based enamel paint in white. The black details were painted by hand using a fine brush; they said painting free-hand can seem a bit scary, but adds an extra charm. The pink straps are fitted with wire inside so that you can shape them any way you want. (I wish they had a "before" picture!).

Before the sconce was painted, masking tape was placed over the flowers and small little dots were also taped off. After a few coats of water-based spray paint in green, the white flowers and random polka dots really pop.

After the chairs were painted with a coat of white paint, they painted a design of loops with dots, inspired by the wallpaper behind, across the padded seat and seat back.