give old pieces a new look

[cupcake]

www.diynetwork.com/diy/lv_budget_decorating/article/0,2041,DIY_14102_2268741,00.html

My problem is I never seem to find these cool old pieces the only ones I can find are the pressboard type stuff

[braided-rug]

Boys used to make them at the school dh taught at years ago. There may be one in the shed, but not like an old one though I don't think. The shelf is lovely.

I am a bit scared of anything I think might have lead paint on it these days which may apply to a ladder, but paint stripper would fix that.