Monday, May 30, 2011

antique cabinet in provence


I know I say this a lot… but this is one of my favorite pieces I've ever done.  

It was pure luck & timing that I found it.  I dropped by the Goodwill to make a donation, and of course, couldn't resist going in for a quick peek.  And there it was… the heavens parted & the angels sang, and I bought it so fast the staff's heads were spinning!



The glass was missing & the interior wood was in bad shape.  I used restore-a-finish on the interior wood & it spruced up nicely.




I painted it in Provence Chalk Paint.  I was a little nervous that I didn't have quite enough left, so I added a dollop of Old White to the can.  I didn't think it changed the color that much, and I had plenty to finish the project.



Instead of wax, I used a dark walnut/ jacobean stain mix on it, then diluted the effect with laquer thinner.  Lots of sanding later, I was happy.



I'm saving the art deco hardware for another project, as that wasn't the look I was going for.



My husband helped me add chicken wire to the opening.  I painted it in ORB first, so it wouldn't be so new & silver.



What's that saying about curiosity & cats?!


Love this piece!!
kathie

Friday, May 27, 2011

country ~ a long time gone


This table was Country with a capital "C" when I found it.  It was so fresh on the floor of the local Goodwill, the staff had barely had time to walk away after placing it when I called them back to carry it out!

I struggled with what to do with it… the whole thing is solid wood, with the exception of the trim around the table top.  It is laminate, or resin, or something.  I thought about stripping & staining the top, but wondered if it would look weird because the whole top wouldn't be the same?

Here are the before shots…




Do you see the detail on the trim?  They are HEARTS.  Oh my early 90's, country style goodness.  My goal was to make the hearts disappear.

Somehow, I got no 'during' pictures.  So, here you go…


The first picture is without the two huge leaves.  The rest of the pictures, I believe, include the leaves.



I painted the whole piece in Paris Gray chalk paint (after doing 4 pieces in in, I'm about to have to order more.  It lasts a long time.)  Then I distressed only the legs & trim (I left the top untouched) and added some clear & dark wax.




I really, really love it.  It might have to live here for a while before I sell it!


If you look closely, you can still see the hearts.  But I took a poll of family & neighbors, and no one noticed the hearts until I pointed them out!

Yum!

thanks for stopping by!
kathie


linking to these great parties:
Redoux's Friday Redoux
Restore Interiors Restored It Wednesday
Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday
My repurposed Life's Catch as Catch Can
Primitive & Proper's Piece of Work Wednesdays

Monday, May 23, 2011

louis blue


This dresser was so ordinary I almost passed right by it.  But it was half-off day at Last Chance in Chamblee, so things are always worth a second look.


Nice 'before' picture, huh?



I stripped & sanded the top ~ the wood is nice.  I filled the *very-awkward* holes on all the drawers (they were missing much of the original hardware… I have no idea what it could have looked like!)



This shelf unit thingie that is awaiting attention served as great drawer storage!



I painted the piece in Louis Blue (chalk paint, of course)…




Stained the top dark walnut…






Roughed it up a bit and added Annie Sloan's dark wax.


And… ta da!  I am thrilled to pieces with this piece!  I love the contrast between the light blue, the stained top & the heavy hardware (all heavy iron).










Perfection, in my book!  It may be staying for a bit :)

thanks!  have a great day!
kathie

linking to these great parties:
Redoux's Friday Redoux
Restore Interiors Restored It Wednesday
Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday
My repurposed Life's Catch as Catch Can
Primitive & Proper's Piece of Work Wednesdays