The Joy of a New Color

My latest custom paint project was pure joy! The main reason is because I used a color I haven't tried before and OH. MY. GOD....it made me giddy after just one coat! Take a look. Tell me this transformation doesn't make your heart sing!

BEFORE

My client, Lauren, was in the market for a vintage buffet, and I had spied this beauty from a fellow furniture guy on Facebook. I directed her to his site, and the rest is history. She had me over to take a looksy at the piece in her home, and we decided this baby was going to make a statement!

AFTER

 Painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Aubusson Blue! (do you hear that, angels are singing)

The inside was done in a 50/50 mix of Old White and Old Ochre. There was a ton of bleed through on the inside, as the original wood was stained but unfinished. So I had to use clear shellac to block the bleeding and used a few more coats of white than I normally would. But, I gave it lots of texture, and really aged the inside. I love that look.

Everything was sealed with soft clear wax and aged with dark wax. Seriously, what doesn't look better with dark wax!

This is the original hardware, believe it or not. I tried to clean the dark stuff that was on each pull with Brasso, but it revealed a dingy silver color under the muck. So, I pulled out some gold gilding paste and gave them all a little bling. 

I have been out in the garage swooning over this buffet. Craig's List has been up on my laptop all day, so I can find a buffet of my own to paint in this color! When the right piece comes along, I'm telling you, I might just redecorate my living room so I can have something big and gorgeous in Aubusson Blue!!

Paint Demo Inspires Craft Club

This weekend I had a nice group of neighbor ladies over for a paint demo. A few were really interested in learning how to transform their old furniture with the shabby chic style that is so popular. We worked on this tray, which can be purchased already decoupaged with this pretty floral paper from Jo-Ann's Fabric. The wood was unfinished, and the handles come black.

We painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Antoinette - a pretty soft pink color. I showed the gals how to distress with a sanding block and seal with clear wax. Then we even added a little gold gilding wax to the handles for some added glamour!

It was so much fun, sitting there talking about painting, drinking wine and generally gabbing with the girls.  And so, we decided this would become a monthly craft club. Like a book club, a different member will host a meeting at their home, where they will lead a craft. I'm starting in October with a Halloween craft - stay tuned - I'm sure to write a blog post about it!

The Secretary is In!

This afternoon I delivered another custom piece for a client - a lovely secretary desk.

Below are the BEFORE photos: (Even completely spray-painted black, it was very pretty.)

 Here's the AFTER: painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen and Old White.

I distressed the edges lightly and added dark wax in the crevices on the crown molding and around the window panels, after sanding back the stencils.

She decided to leave the inside black. Thank goodness, can you imagine how much time it would have taken to hand-paint inside all of those compartments!!

Here's the piece in her home, adjacent to its matching table and chairs. She loved it and I am so happy with how it turned out!

Occasional Table Gets Gilding Wax Treatment

I've been dying to try gold gilding wax, and when my neighbor (thanks Karen!) gave me a pretty little occasional table, I had the perfect piece. With it's carved column legs, it begged for some bling!

I wish I had stopped to take a BEFORE photo, but like so often, I get all caught up in painting, and forget. So, imagine this piece in a dark brown. Trust me, it looked really different!

It's painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre. With all of the crevices and detail, I knew this piece would look beautiful with dark wax. And of course the gilding wax went into the little carved details on each leg. Gosh - she looks so pretty!

Distressed Mirror Makeovers

I finished a couple of mirror projects - one for a neighbor who wanted a full-length mirror for her daughter's bedroom, and another vintage mirror I plan to sell. (Although looking at it in my entryway tempts me to keep it!)

Here's the vintage mirror sitting on a long entry table. The mirror can be hung or placed on a surface as you see here.  It's painted with two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a lovely yellow color called Arles. It's got a bit of dry-painting in Old White, is lightly distressed and has been clear-waxed for protection. I am selling this mirror for $75.00.

The mirror measures just shy of 33" wide by 21" tall. I would guess it had been made with an old wooden window frame, as it is very heavy. You would definitely need to reinforce the wall hardware if you plan to hang it.

And here's a photo of the full-length mirror. My neighbor wanted it to match her daughter's antique white bedroom decor. So this was painted with 2 coats of Old White, with light distressing and sealed with clear wax.

Mirrors are hard to photograph. At least for this inexperienced photographer. I didn't want to get in the picture, since I was wearing my pajamas! I hope my neighbor and her daughter are happy with how this turned out!

A french coffee table named after a special friend

You may noticed on the page where I've listed my items for sale that they've all been given a name. Why? I thought it might help me keep track of the pieces I've completed in years to come, when they've all found homes - and - sometimes I can't help but think of someone I know when I discover a piece of furniture.

Like this coffee table. When I laid eyes on her, I saw elegance. Those curvey legs, the delicate drawer pull, the beautiful carved shells and finials - they all said, "this old girl may be down, but she's not out." And after a paint job, her vintage glory shines. And so she is named after one of my very dear friends - a woman who is a tremendous fighter, when the odds have been against her - and a true class act. She is Ann, and so this table has been named, The Annie.

Here's her before photo and several images from various angles to admire her...

The entire piece was painted with Annie Sloan chalk paint in Paloma - a grey/taupe color with a hint of lavender. It's a beautiful French-inspired color that I thought would be perfect for this table. I dry-brushed Old White all around the legs, base and top edges. The top of the table features a damask and vine accent. It's been distressed and the legs, base and edges were aged with dark wax. The top was sealed with clear wax.

Dry brushing with the white paint allowed the paloma to show through.

I painted this in my driveway on a hot day and some of the paint started to crackle. I quickly took it inside, fearing that I had destroyed the paint job. But, once it dried completely, I was in love! The little bit of texture provides so much antique-factor!

I know what you're thinking...so many photos! But, I couldn't stop snapping the camera. There's so many beautiful sides to see. Just like the real Ann, she is named after!

I hope you you like her!