For $30 I bought this homemade bench with storage beneath. I had been looking for a wooden trunk or a storage bench for my living room, because I wanted something that provided extra seating and a place to store blankets, pillows, etc. When I found it I knew I'd struck gold, hideous tan paint and all. I strongly debated painting it black, but my passion and respect for the natural wood in my house took over and I just knew a black bench would be the black sheep of the house.
Here's how it turned out:
Be warned however, than stripping furniture IS NOT a walk in the park and a job that the impatient should stear clear of. The outcome required lots of messy messy paint stripper, scrubbing and scraping, and LOTS of sanding. My back is still in rough shape. I have to admit though -- I love the way it turned out. I'm so glad I didn't paint it black.
Cost: $30 (bench), $10 (sandpaper), $10 (stain) = $50
Hours: 8
