Growing up, I was thrilled any time my mom planned a trip to the mill store. A haven of unfinished wood furniture, it was my little craft-loving heart’s dream. During my 9th grade room renovation (I liked to redecorate yearly) I decided I needed seating. My uber crafty mother suggested we buy a wooden chest on the cheap at the mill store, then upholster it in the fabric of my choice. The chest itself cost just $50, and the fabric and padding another $40. Armed with a staple gun and a couple of free hours, we transformed a simple unfinished cedar chest into a bright-green throne. The extra storage made for quick room clean-ups, too. Moral of the story: when you can’t seem to find what you want at furniture shops, get to a mill store and make it yourself. –Erica P.