Dirt Road Adventures – Stripping Furniture

The Thrift Store Console

I decided that the Thrift Store Console I found for the beach cottage needed to be stripped down to the bare wood. Because I’m miss impatient, I did it this week.

First, I’ve gotten so many mixed reviews about the oven cleaner method of stripping furniture.

Mainly, you need to be outside and rinse with water.

Since the temps hovered around freezing this past week, I decided to use the Citri stripe method.

I’ve used it before with good success. There’s hardly any odor and I can do it inside.

Well, let’s just say it was a lot of work and almost impossible to get all the residue off the wood. This was after several applications and lots of scrubbing.

Sanding was a last resort but finally, I had bare wood.

I said I would definitely try the Oven Cleaner next time, but so many friends reached out to say it didn’t work for them any better than my citri stripe.

So the conclusion is…… Stripping furniture is hard work and regardless of your method, you will be scrubbing, and reapplying and scrubbing and rinsing and scrubbing and then sanding and rinsing and sanding some more before you are left with bare wood.

If you are faint of heart, try chalk painting your thrift store finds.

With that being said, the console is looking so good. I love the natural wood finish. I can’t wait to have it in place at the beach cottage.

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We had a visitor in the middle of the night

We didn’t get a lot of sleep on Friday night. Our alarm kept going off and Rudy was going crazy.

Turns out a neighbors dog had run away from home.

Rudy reluctantly shared his bed with Porter and he was a sweet puppy. Thankfully, his collar had his owners phone number and Porter made it back home safely before lunch.

We had a beautiful snow on Saturday morning but with the wind, the winter wonderland effect didn’t last long.

This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.

In addition to refinishing the console, I also shared these great blog posts.

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In Case You Missed It

First, a couple of Valentine’s Day Inspiration posts. How to Use Cloches for Valentine’s Day Decor and Gift Ideas was part of a Pinterest Challenge and I had so much fun putting this vignette together.

Then next, I shared this DIY Valentine’s Day Craft Heart Swag tutorial.

Our Virtual Supper Club Tablescape theme for January was – Cozy Winter Tablescapes and we shared 6 Creative Winter Tablescape Ideas on Thursday.

Then, yesterday, we share all 6 Cozy Winter Dinner Menu Recipes with you.

These recipes are perfect for a cozy evening with friends.

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Adventures off the Dirt Road

Why Didn’t I Think of That?

Each week, there are so many wonderful blog posts, and I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today.

There are so many creative ideas, and I’m always asking myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”? LOL

Mary at Life at Bella Terra shared 5 jaw dropping Valentine’s Day Tablescapes.

Kelly at The Tattered Pew shared these adorable Ice Votives! How fun!

Winter is a great time for rearranging indoors and here is an old post that you may find helpful. How to Hang Art Perfectly Every Time.

Bits and Pieces

If you’ve always wanted to visit historic Savannah, GA. check out this post by CoCo at the Crowned Goat.

Hydrangeas are my favorite and Stacy from Stacy Ling Bricks N Blooms shared the Basics Of Hydrangea Care

Wait until you see Kim at Shiplap and Shells 7 Cloche Ideas for Valentine’s Day.

Check out this cute Valentine’s Day Candy Dish Idea from Chloe at Celebrate and Decorate.

Here’s a Vintage Retro Valentines Card wreath from Cindy at DIY Beautify

Sale Sale Sale

Click here for candle sale.