How did I do that?

If you would have told me in the beginning of the summer that i would learn how to use a reciprocating saw, an airgun, and construct a 6ft. island I probably would have responded in laughter. However, I did learn how to do all of the above in order to create an island at a very minimal cost. Due to the fact that I did not have a job my budget for this project was indeed small. The challenge of working with a budget was very rewarding in the end and helped me to be very resourceful.

Let me tell you where the materials came from and how much it cost me to build this island. The total cost to build the island was only $30! This was because the top of the island is an old door that my neighbors had sitting in their attic. I sanded down the door, painted it, and put in inlays. The frame was built out of a 2x10 that my neighbors had in their garage. Finally, the wood that you see around the base of the island was salvaged from old pallets that are used in factories to more cargo. That is where the reciprocating saw came in. I used the saw to cut apart all of the pallets. I then had to have all them cut down to size and I then had to sand them. The majority of the money that was spent was used for paint, the inlays, and the hardware. Not only was this project a great accomplishment and a learning experience for me, it also gave me something to do on those lazy summer days.

The Island

This island I like to call my pride and joy. There were many long hours of labor and obstacles that led to the creation of this island. With the use of my neighbors garage (and electricity :)), machines, and math skills we were able to create this beautiful piece of craftsmanship.

I decided that i wanted to make an island because I thought it would be a nice addition to my quad as well as because of a lack of employment and the unavoidable boredom that comes with living in the valley. Also, my neighbors whom graciously helped me to build this are very crafty and have done a wonderful job renovating their own house.

As anticipated the island has been a wonderful addition to the quad. It is great for extra storage and counter space. The island is also a great area to entertain guests. Almost everyone who has walked in the door of our quad has asked about the island and how they could get one. If I had a little bit more time on my hands I would definitely consider having a business on the side.

Wall Art

Upon my arrival to my new quad in late August I was very disappointed in the lack of maintenance from the previous year. There are areas on the wall where the drywall is coming off and the paint is peeling. The light beige cinder blocks created an atmosphere that felt somewhat like prison. My roommates and I decided that we would need to find some artwork to display on the walls.

We took our search for artwork to discount stores such as Ross and Marshalls, knowing that was where we might find artwork to fit our almost nonexistent budget. However, even at these discount retail stores the artwork that we were looking for was ranging from between 40-50 dollars! This did not suffice for our budget.

Feeling rather disappointed we decided to take a trip to Michaels and purchase some foam board, decorative paper, and some glossy finishing paint. From this we were able to create some beautiful wall hangings; if I do say so myself. We were amazed by what 25 dollars could do for us!

Bar Stools

This summer I had a lot of time on my hands, so I took it upon myself to use my limited budget and unlimited amount of time to furnish my quad. One weekend I found a set of 4 bar stools for 12 dollars. The stools were hunter green with pine seats and were far from stable and a desired taste. After a few hours of sweat and blood, a quart of paint, 400 ft. of twine, stuffing, and fabric the bar stools were transformed. These new stools now decorate the front of the island that divides our kitchen from our living space. You will learn more about the island in a later post as it was also created from materials that were collected from my house.