Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A spash of color

I started with this worn out piece of furniture, that I found locally. ( It had ugly brass hardware on it but I removed them before I remembered to take the pic.). when I found this piece I saw so much potential but I wasn't sure of it's origianl purpose, but I loved the deminsions and style. It was too tall for a night stand or living room side table.But I knew it would be great as a serving station/ buffet, entry way table or even as a TV stand.
Before

Inspiration piece
  Then after doing some research on pintrist and a local antique stores for similar pieces I found out it is really similar to several of the old dry sink or washstands I saw, so that's what I am calling it. I got my inspiration from this piece to the right and decided to go bold with color.  So I used an avocado/pee-green. The piece was very worn and the wood needed very little prep just a light hand sand and dusting with a wet rag. Then I applied the paint in a nice thick coat (I used a flat Martha Stewart wall paint). After that I distressed and sanded the edges to give it the old country or rustic inspired look, which I just love on this piece. Lastly I wanted to try a bit of faux glaze for effect and to fallow my inspiration piece. so I mixed some bear glaze with a dark brown paint and then liberally applied it to the piece. It really helped tone down the green while giving it a rustic aged look. I was really happy with the way it turned out. And although I have put this one in my house because I love it so much it is still for sale! check it out in my online store.





After



Sunday, January 22, 2012

Latest projects


After
I found this vintage 1960's lingerie chest in the French provincial style and fell in love. I knew I had to have it. I was so torn on what color to paint it but decided to go with a shabby chic two-toned vintage grey and I think it turned out beautifully. These lingerie chests are scarce and I was so happy to find one.
Before

I actually found this solid wood desk at a home when I was picking up another piece and saw so much potential. It was solid but really warn with marker drawing all over is and lots of use. But I painted it a flat black and then hand sanded and distressed it for a rustic look and finished it with a mat poly finish.     



 I bought Chris a flat screen TV for Father's Day (last year) and it has been up stairs in the bonus room hardly being used. So we decided it was time to make the move downstairs, but we couldn't put it in the  living room because we had a large black Tv cabinet and while it was oversized the flat screen wouldn't fit. So I had to find something that was rustic and fit our style to put it on, so the search was on. But all I could seem to find for entertainment units were either modern or to polished iand fancy for us. So when I found this old  dresser the demension were perfect, however it wasn't solidwood so I was unsure of how it would turn out but at only $30.00 it was worth a shot. I first painted a rustic clay brown and then lightly brushed an antique canyon grey overtop in various areas to add shadowing and demension. Then I lightly sanded the corners and edges so the green background would show through ever so slightly. The key with this piece was to paint lightly. Finally I finished with a coat of mat polly finish and changed a few knobs to add a bit of iron work and this is how it turned out!

Before

After

The Starting point

So I have decided it's past due that I compile all my creations together and start an archive and blog. What started out as a creative outlet and hobby for a stay at home mommy has become a passion, adventure and love. I started back in March of 2011, buying a few pieces of old run down furniture at yard sales, thrift stores and then let my creative juices flow. I had no idea what I was doing, but I began  using paints we had left over in the garage from our house. I started with coffee tables, posted them on my facebook and they sold immediately. So I went and found a few more pieces... and got even more creative, however I had no idea really what I was doing. I would just lightly sand, paint and add a spash of creativity. Now 7 months later I have sold over 39 pieces and have 2 more currently listed. I have learned about what works what doesn't and still trying new things with every piece. I hope that this blog helps inspire you to get creative with your old furniture and instead of trashing it give it new life again.