Turn the Everyday into Eco-Fabulous: How to Transform Tired Furniture into Sytlish Must-Haves

We hear a lot about the power of reuse. It's better for the environment and your wallet. But, where do you start? For most of us, thinking about do-it-yourself projects can be a little intimidating, especially if you're idea of unclogging the sink is calling the plumber.

Fortunately, DIY experts like Zem Joaquin of ecofabulous have made it their business to show us how easy and cool a little bit of creative reuse can be.

To prove how easy and inexpensive it actually is, Zem went onto Kijiji Classifieds and bought a "pre-loved" cabinet to give an ecofabulous make-over. Below is a step-by-step guide of how she turned an ordinary and easily-forgettable piece of furniture into a stylish attention grabber. The piece needed a little TLC, but the craftsmanship was excellent.

The greatest part, beyond using low-VOC paint and preventing a perfectly great item from ending up in a landfill, the whole thing only cost $70, including the price of the cabinet.

Plus, she offers cool, creative ways to get those elegant little accents, like sanding brass handles instead of using a chemical polisher to create a brushed metal look, so that you don't have to expose yourself to harsh toxins or chemicals in the process.

Here are the steps Zem took to convert the cabinet into something fresh and beautiful, while still keeping it's original charm.

A Kijiji Cabinet Conversion

Courtesy of Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous

Step 1: Prepare the Piece & Surrounding Area

I removed the doors and hardware - I originally thought that I might have to change out the pulls, but I realized they were solid brass and could easily be revived!. Laying down a drop cloth, I cleared a surface to prepare to strip the original stain.

Step 2: Strip the Original Stain

Using an eco-friendly stripper, I applied the material with a paint brush, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently scraped off the stripper with a flat-edge scraper (sometimes called a putty knife). Depending on the original material, you might need two coats of stripper. I wiped off any remaining residue with a cloth and then let the surface dry fully.

Step 3: Sanding the Wood

After the wood was completely dry, it was time for a little good old fashioned elbow grease. I sanded the entire piece to achieve an even surface and to take off the last remnants of the previous stain. I started with a higher grit sandpaper (like 80) and finished with a fine grit (like 220).

Step 4: The First Coat of Stain

Before applying the first coat of wood stain, I wiped off the entire piece with a dry rag (I like using old, damaged shirts) to make sure that the surface was free of any dust and particles that might get under the stain and create blemishes. I applied the stain (a non-toxic, soy-based product) with a sponge roller and then wiped off the excess with another rag.

Step 5: The Second Coat of Stain

After 24 hours I applied the second coat of stain, but this time with a brush, using full, even strokes - you want to make sure that you don't leave any streaks or splotches.

Step 6: Reviving the Brass Hardware

While the second coat was drying I set to work on the brass hardware. Using a fine grit sandpaper (220) I was able to sand off all the tarnish to leave a sleek, brushed-metal look. This method is less toxic than using a chemical polisher and I love the textured effect.

Step 7: The Final Gloss Coat

After another 24 hours, I brushed on a low-VOC, water-based lacquer - again, make sure to use full, even strokes so that you don't have any inconsistencies. The lacquer comes out looking milky, but don't worry - it dries clear (think Elmer's glue).

Step 8: Reassemble & Admire the Job!

Once everything was dry I attached the original hardware back on and voila! Instant upgrade. Ok, not so instant - but an upgrade that was definitely cost-effective and rewarding! The natural wood surface is glowing. I love the warmth of the color and the overall style. It went from mediocre to magnificent with a total cost of $70!

Ashwin Seshagiri is a member of eBay's Green Team. To find out more, including ways to showcase your own creative reuse projects, visit the Green Team's website.