Guest Room, Part 2: Real-time progress

Having eaten my way through not one, but three, Thanksgiving meals over the weekend, I desperately needed to do a little physical labor on Sunday.  What better project to start on the beautiful 72-degree day (!?!)  than the refinishing of the antique twin beds that are destined for our guest room?

When I realized how gorgeous the weather was on Sunday – I’m talking shorts and a t-shirt, people – I grabbed the first bed frame and headed outside. Setting it down on a tarp (to protect me and the frame from the damp ground), and strapping on a 3M particulate respirator mask, I proceeded to sand down the old, totally crusty varnish.

I used my DeWalt electric sander for the flat areas, but had to hand-sand all the curvacious bedposts with my 3M sanding sponges.  By the way, the sanding sponges totally kick ass for dealing with the awkward crevices and curves.  And I’m not being paid to say this, trust me.

When the beautiful natural wood grain started to peek through all the [probably toxic] dust, I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that I plan to paint these old beauties.  But I don’t have the best track record with staining wooden furniture – as in it NEVER ends prettily – so I think I’ll stick with paint.  Also, I can’t quite tell if the actual headobard part is solid wood or wood veneer over something else, and so I don’t want to sand it down too far and risk removing too much veneer.

It was a really great way to spend the afternoon, sitting out there sanding ’til my arms ached.  I only wish I’d started earlier in the day, because I’d probably have finished both frames.

So the Tempaper is ordered and the beds are on their way to being refinished, so it looks like I’m slowly inching towards my goal of having an actual decorated room for guests to rest their heads in.  It may not happen as speedily as a professional full-time home blogger’s room makeover, but then again I am none of the above, right? This is real-time decorating for real people!

PS:  I’d be a bad shop owner if I didn’t let you all know about the Cyber Monday sale at Janery.  Today only, save 15% on your entire order using the code CYBER11 at checkout! This is the biggest sale I’ll probably have in the next few months.