The Power of Re-Purpose

Forget "it is what it is", and make "it" what you want. For example, I needed a hallway table, and couldn't find one that I liked. After stalking craigslist for the better part of a week, I kept coming across a cute "sewing machine". I can't sew, what am I going to do with a sewing machine...nothing. However the cute little table (in its perfect mid-century modern form) it came in...well, that would be the perfect size (and shape) for the hallway. A little black spray paint ($0.99) and my $15 sewing machine table was an instant success. Added bonus: if I decide I want to sew, there it is. Again, I always like to run sandpaper along the edges of anything I paint, it adds character, and doesn't necessarily look like you bought a sewing machine table, and sprayed it black. You could also dress it up a little (and protect it from people who like to leave glasses without a coaster) with a coat of polyurethane.