DIY projects: fabric covered table & bookcase

I feel like I've become a DIYholic lately. I've always liked to have different projects going, but I guess I've just gotten more confident with my skills as a DIYer. It's a ton of fun to me to work on projects. I could do it all day! But unfortunately my budget for Home Improvement/DIY projects goes faster than I would like it to. I'm really lucky to live next door to a handy man that helped me with this project I've been wanting to do for awhile. How it all happened...




 I found this really awesome no sew skirted table on The Newlywed Diaries blog. I thought about it for a minute and realized there is no way I can make this table. I don't think it looks hard, but I've never made anything like that in my life! Then I got to thinking about someone who could do it... My neighbor! He's always outside building stuff and doing stuff that handy men do. So, I asked him if he would help me. I showed him the picture and he very nicely accepted! He was so happy! He's retired, in his mid 70s and loves to do handy work. Perfect! He built this for me in no time at all!

I was pretty excited! He used all scrap wood from his shop, and I paid him for the nails. I wanted so badly to pay the man something, but he said he wouldn't accept anything! How nice, but I still feel like I should do something. 

That night when Nolen got home from work he helped me move it into the guest room. It fit perfectly!

 All I did was staple the fabric around the top of the table. So easy to do! It's definitely not perfect, but it works.  Tip- Iron the fabric (if it needs it) BEFORE you staple it to the table. I learned the hard way on this one. See...

Still a little wrinkled, but it looks better.

 Love having more storage options... need another plastic drawer for the other side.

I'm so pleased with the way it turned out. Just as I had imagined... Maybe even better! :-) Now I've just got to make my bulletin board all pretty and finish organizing all my stuff. And here is the finished product of my bookcase...

I'm so glad I saw this post on Little Green Notebook where she paints the backs of the bookcases Benjamin Moore-Horizon. I loved the way it looked and brought some color to the room. Our living room could definitely use some color! It was super easy(and cheap) to do. I just got a tester of the BM-Horizon and that was all I needed. Testers are a little under $3... PERFECT for my budget!

Next project- curtains for living room for under $20.

Happy Tuesday!