The prep...

I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Boy what a job it was rubbing these back! It probably took me longer than it should've but I'm happy with the job done so far.

I know I probably should've used paint stripper (to make it easier), but I just couldn't wait to finally get started and the last thing I wanted to do was wonder around Bunnings for 3 or so hours like always!

As it turned out I had to after my once faithful sander gave up on me after sanding back the drawers of the bedside table....bummer!

So only spending about 45 mins (I'm so indecisive), I ended up buying a new one in the form of a Ryobi orbital sander ($79) complete with 8 spare discs ranging from 60-240 grit, a dust filter and a bag...woohoo a new toy!

I felt like a kid in a candy shop when I got to the counter

So after getting back home and completing my first mission of taking it all back to bare timber, I was finally ready to give it all its first coat of Black Japan stain

I let the first coat seep through and had to let it dry for a couple of hours

Completing the second coat this afternoon on the first half of the desk and bedside, as much as I love how it looks, I'm worried that it maybe just a little too dark so I'm going to let this dry overnight and see how it is once I sand it back a little to prep it for the wax and buff

As fate would have it!

Well after cutting up my table on Saturday to make my dual desk for the home office, I would have to say that I'm quite pleased.

Once I get to sanding it all down, it shouldn't take too much longer to have the office finally up and running.

I found a bedside table to use as a support for the desk in the centre and use the drawers for my stationary on eBay that was ending soon and later that night, I noticed that the seller had another 2 bedsides (the same) for sale as well!

Since the bedside was only $20 (starting bid price), I sent the seller a message to say that I would like to buy all three and if she would take $50 for them.

She replied later saying that she would consider the offer since no-one had started the bid (on eBay) and she would get back to me when she finished work.

The auction finished jest before midday on Sunday and no-one had bidded...phew!

So I sent another message to say that I still wanted to buy the items and she replied that she was only going to sell one as her daughter had changed her mind about the other 2...bummer!

I still wanted the one so I replied and said ok I'll just have the one.

She rang me on Monday morning to say that she would drop it in to me on her way to work! I was quite happy to go and pick it up (only half hr away) at her convenience, but when she offered to drop it in to me, I took it.

I've got a big job ahead of me with all the sanding back and re-staining, but that's the good 'ol D.I.Y for ya.

I'm guessing I'll have it done in a couple of weeks give a day or two hehe.

So so far, the tally for my office spend is:

$50 - sideboard (eBay)
$20 - Bedside table (eBay) free delivery!
$0 - Dining table & chairs (eBay) free delivery!

Finally taking shape

Well I'm slowly getting my home office in order. I've sold my old desk and bookcase for the asking price of $250.

I did advertise it on eBay however it didn't sell although I had a couple of watchers and well over 100 views so it re advertised the next week automatically.

Whilst I hesitated at first, I decided to drop the price (just to get rid of it) to $125 to which I got more watchers this time but less views...bizarre!

So when it (again) didn't sell, I advertised it on a local buy and sell site where I put the original price on it of $250.00 and sold it within 20minutes of advertising...bizarre!

So now that I have a blank canvas once again, it's a lot easier to get the room organised for what I want to do

Over the prior weeks to writing this post, I've come up with the idea of buying a timber dining table wide enough for me to slice down the centre to give me (2) halves which I'll turn into a double desk...simple!

So during the 2 weeks that I was selling my old desk, I was watching a few dining tables suitable to my needs on eBay however, I wasn't prepared to pay more than what they ended up going for so I was left feeling that this may not be the way to go!

That was until the other day!...keep reading your gunna love this!

Show us your Alfresco!

After being convinced by my lovely friend Renee (from our local Homeone forum and neighbour), who said that I should enter the McDonald Jones Homes 'Show us your Alfresco' competition to win $1000, I hesitated at first and then thought bugger it, I will

As much as we just looooove our home, we tend to use the alfresco more than any other room not just for entertaining, but just to sit out there on a nice day and have our late afternoon drinks overlooking the pool and then dinner whilst watching the telly!

I'm not sure if the photo I chose will win (after all I just did it for fun), but it would be nice to know that others would think it's worth it

I could've sent in about 100 photos (I'm always taking them), but your only allowed 1 and given that I haven't got a wide lens as yet, this one shows a bit of the pool area that we see whilst sitting on the outdoor lounge


So if you think we have a chance to win, please vote for us by visiting http://woobox.com/ye2w7i

Competition closes on the 8th Feb at midnight

Thanks