Frenchie Dresser Makeover

Oo la la.  I loved this little dresser as soon as I saw it at a yard sale.

The size is so versatile--you can use it as a dresser, a bedside table, a console in the entry or living room, or even in a bathroom.

Once I was done with it, I knew that it would be similar size and style-wise to these chests from Wisteria, ranging (on sale) from $800 to over $1000.

 

 

The issue with these 60's to 70's French Provincial pieces is they have laminate tops, and sometimes drawer fronts.  If you've ever tried it, you know that painting over laminate is a pain in the old patooti.  It involves a really good primer.

Chalk paint to the rescue!

I decided to use ASCP in Paris Grey.

After painting, I went over it with Briwax in Golden Oak.  I love this wax over Paris Grey.

 

 

I wet scrubbed a couple of areas so the original finish came through.  I liked the cream against the grey, giving it a worn, aged look.

Then I finished the entire piece with ASCP clear wax and put back the original hardware.

I'm really happy with the end result--what do you think?

Before:

After:

It will be going to Mr. P's Emporium soon--I'll be pricing it waaaay less than the Wisteria Chests!


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Painting Brick With Chalk Paint

I finally did it.  Something I've been wanting to do since we moved into the house 10 years ago.

 

Yes, I do tend to procrastinate.

 

I've been wanting to paint the brick around our fireplace, but the thought of using a special primer, then painting the whole thing again with latex paint just made me tired.

 

And then along came chalk paint!

 

Of course I've been using chalk paint on furniture for the last couple of years. I've seen other people in blogland use it for brick--even asphalt--and it looked great.  So I decided to take the plunge.

 

Here's the fireplace before painting. (The mantel was decorated for Valentine's Day)

 

 

 

I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.  I read about a project in her book, Color Recipes, where she painted limestone walls, and decided to use the same technique on my brick.

 

She diluted the paint, so I did too.  I used about 2/3 paint to 1/3 water.  I just eyeballed it, so the ratio isn't exact. It took two coats. 

 

After painting the brick, I decided the mantel stood out too much color-wise and cut the fireplace in half visually.

 

 

 

So I did a color wash on the mantel.  I was going for generally the same type of look as my door, which is on the other side of the room.

 

 

 

 

Here's the mantel after, with the wash.  I'm not liking the white with the color of the stain of the mantel wood, so I'll probably be painting the whole thing out.  But I'm going to live with it for awhile.

 

 

 

I was going to paint the dated brass fireplace doors with heat resistant black paint, but the doors are so rusted and hard to open, I decided to just buy a new set down the road.  Fireplace doors are not cheap though, so I will have to put up with the ugly brass for a bit longer. But it will look better in the long run.

 

I sealed the paint with General Finishes poly in flat.  I didn't want shiny bricks.

 

All in all, I love the change.  I think it brightens up the room and goes well with the beige walls and white furniture.

 

 

 

 

And by diluting it, it only took a little more than half a can of the ASCP. So the cost was cheaper than if I had to buy primer and paint.

 

Cheaper and easier--what more could I ask for?

 

Before, from last winter ...

 

 

 



 

And after, with my summer white pillows and the rug I changed out awhile ago ...

 

 

And in this case, procrastinating paid off, because chalk paint wasn't around 10 years ago!  :)


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Desk Makeover

Well, it's hot, humid and plain old yucky here today, with no end in sight for awhile.  Which means I'll be working inside this week in my air conditioned, messy basement instead of my hot, messy garage.  I have dreams of having a beautiful, organized workplace one day ...

 

Sigh.

 

Anyway, I finished this desk last week and wanted to show you how it turned out.

 

 

You may remember I picked it up at Goodwill.  It was in basically good shape--just a small crack I had to fix--but I've found that plain maple doesn't sell well, and it was a little boring. So I decided to give it an update.

 

I painted the base and top in ASCP Old White.

 

 

 

And the drawers in Ce Ce Caldwell's Seattle Mist. 

 

 

 

I did a little dry brush of the Old White on the handles.

 

And distressed the piece to make the details like the scalloped top stand out.

 

 

 

Then I finished it with Ce Ce Caldwell clear wax.

 

 

 

Before ...

 

 

 

And after ...

 

 

 

I took it to the booth today.  I hope someone likes it and buys it soon, so I can get some more stuff out of the basement!

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Cottage Buffet Makeover

I apologize in advance for the photos in this post.  It's a combination of the fact that I was painting in a tight spot in my dining room, the piece is too heavy to move by myself to a better place to photograph, and my poor photography skills, which I'm working on.

Anyway ...  I found this buffet on Craigslist.  It really wasn't in too good of shape, but it was cheap, sturdy, well-made of maple (like I said, the sucker is heavy!), and I thought with some love it could be cute.

It had a lot of surface scratches, which I sanded, and chipped veneer, which I filled it with wood filler.  It was also missing some screw caps. 

I'm not a big fan of screw caps, so when they're missing I usually say good riddance and fill in the holes, but there were caps still on the piece so I decided to replace the missing ones.  They went along with the cottage style I was going for anyway.

I removed the old hardware and filled in the holes on the drawer. 

I lightly distressed the outside, and put on new hardware in a retro style in celadon green.

Inside the cabinet I used Ce Ce Caldwell's Nantucket Spray which matches the hardware, and on the outside I used Annie Sloan's Old White.

Wax on the inside and sides, and a couple of coats of Miniwax Wipe-On Poly to protect the top, and it was done. I think it would be perfect in a country kitchen or cottage dining room.  

 

Before ...

And After.

See what a little love (and paint) can do?  It will be going to Mr. P's Emporium.


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Last Piece for Lucketts

Of course, leave it to me to finish up the last piece for Lucketts the day before we have to pack and set-up for the sale!  Once again, my time management skills seem to leave a lot to be desired--especially since I still have to finish tagging everything!

 

But I thought I'd take a break and show you a quick before and after of this little cabinet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got it from another vendor who was closing out her business.  I know she got it at an auction, but where it was before that I have no idea.  From the crud that needed to be sanded and cleaned off, I'm guessing it was in a barn or old basement somewhere.

 

I painted it in ASCP Paris Grey and waxed it with Liberon Wax Polish.  This was the first time I've used this wax, and it goes on really smoothly.  Plus, I think it smells good!

 

 

 

 

I had to use the shellac trick because the wood bled through in some areas.  Do you know this trick?  Sometimes you'll get a red hue bleeding through the paint--usually from mahogany pieces from around the 30's for some reason.  Just give the area a coat of shellac and paint over it to take care of the problem.

 

 

 

 

I distressed the piece with a sand block, and because I didn't have time to get glass cut for the doors, put in some chicken wire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to use new knobs as the original ones were broken.  They're from Hobby Lobby, and I think they're pretty cute.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the before again ...

 

 

 

 

 

And the after.

 

 

 

 

 

A big difference!

 

Now  I have to finish tagging my small items and pack up for tomorrow.  We're picking up the UHaul bright and early!

 

Did I get everything done I planned to?  Nope.  Between going to Seattle, getting sick, and like I said--my time management probably isn't the best--I didn't get to any of the things I wanted to make for the sale.

 

And despite starting earlier this year, I think I have about the same amount of pieces as I did last year.  I didn't have my booth space last year, and some pieces that were slatted for Lucketts had to go there to replace items that sold. (Not that I'm complaining about selling things!)

 

But ready or not, here I come Lucketts!

 

If you are local you won't want to miss this sale.  And when you come, please stop by and see me!  I'll be near the back entrance (the one by the Design House--which will be open during the market!).  Between the first and second row to the left if you come in that way.

 

A couple of tips:  For best selection, come early on Saturday.  To get the best deals, Sunday is your day. Most vendors will mark their remaining items down or negotiate with you since they don't want to have to pack and take the items home.  Since it's been raining, the parking lot may be muddy so wear appropriate shoes.  In addition to 170 vendors, there will be food available and entertainment for when you want to take a break from shopping.

 

I'll try to post photos of the booth set-up tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

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Two More Table Makeovers

Here's some more table talk.  I told you Tuesday that I've been knocking out tables for Lucketts.  Here are two more.

As you can see, I didn't take the time to style these photos -- I'm moving and grooving people!  I'm deep into painting mode, which I have to be if I want to get enough done for the Market.

Here's the before of the first table.

I sanded down the top to reveal the beautiful wood inlay.

Now, I'm not a talented enough furniture refinisher to be able to stain each of the inlays individually, and I didn't want to lose the differentiation of the sections.  So after sanding I just used Howard Restore-A-Finish in walnut on the top. It gave it a bit of color, but not so much that it covered up the inlays.

I painted the base in ASCP Old White and distressed it.

Wax and a pull from Hobby Lobby finished the piece.

I didn't get a before photo of this coffee table, but just imagine your basic 70's wood finish.

I painted the base and part of the top of the table in ASCP Old White.

The two squares on the top were done in ASCP Coco.

For this one I used a stencil that picked up on the square detail, and went well with the neoclassical look of the hardware, which I was keeping.

I used the stencil across the entire top of the table.

I lightly distressed the piece and sealed it with Ce Ce Caldwell's wax.

 

Now it's ready to join the pieces in my living room, aka "The Lucketts holding area!"

One of these days I'll have the house back in order ... but for now it's on to the next piece.  :)




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