Bedroom Set Makeover

I recently painted this bedroom set for Sarah, a friend of a friend, and her husband Tom--awesome people!  Sarah found the set on Craigslist and realized its potential.  I love this French provincial style.  The set is nice as is, but looked a little outdated.  I've realized that my mantra in life is "everything looks better with a little paint."  I know there are a lot of natural wood lovers out there, but I must admit, I do love the painted look!

Here is the bedroom set after being painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre, sanded, and waxed.

I kept the original hardware but painted them using gold-leaf mixed with water to thin it out and make the finish look more "antiqued."
Here is the difference...

I love the shape and style of French provincial hardware, it's so elegant.

Thanks, Sarah and Tom!

A Navy Bureau

I painted a bureau for my friend Ellie this past weekend.  She wanted a very dark navy color to match the color scheme in her room.  I chose the color Graphite which is a really dark charcoal/navy.
I think the outcome is a much more sophisticated version of an old bureau.

The knobs that Ellie found are very cool--they kind of have a tortoise shell look to them.  I had never seen anything like them.

Thanks Ellie, I had fun!

What Do I Call This?

I'm really pleased with the way this transformation came out...I'm just not sure what to call it...


























It would work well as a side table...but it would also be a really cute (extra-small) buffet/sideboard for a small space.  It would also be a cool liquor cabinet.

Whatever it is, I'm loving the wire doors.  I kept the original knobs, just dry-brushed them with paint.
This versatile piece is for sale.  See details in "For Sale" section.

Painting During Sandy

I'm averaging one blog post per month now that school is back--not very good!  I finally had some time (thanks to Hurricane Sandy) to get some painting done.  The majority of Massachusetts escaped the storm without too much damage, but we did have two days of school cancelled.
Here's what I got done while I was stuck inside...

I've had this old desk sitting around for months, waiting to be painted.  I picked it up at a thrift store.  It's a really solid, well-built piece of furniture.

I painted it off-white, sanded it, and applied furniture wax.  I knew I wanted really cute knobs on this one, and I think these navy blue roses do the trick.

 I didn't paint the inside part where your feet go because I thought the white would just get dirty.  You won't see the scuff marks on the dark wood!

 

 

 

The desk is large enough for an adult, but would look really cute in a little girl's room.
The dimensions are: 42" across x 31" high x 20' deep; the chair opening is 22.5" across x 23.5" high.

This is for sale for $160. Please email if interested!

A Couple New Pieces

I FINALLY had some time this weekend to get some painting projects done.  It's been so long; I've missed it!  School has really been keeping me busy. 

I've had these two pieces sitting around the house waiting to be painted for over a month...

I picked up the round table at a yard sale.  The woman selling it said it is very old, possibly even late 1800s.  I love the shape and the carved details.   

The other piece is an entryway table, or possibly a child's desk.  

BEFORE

AFTER

 

The color on this entry table/desk is a mix of French Linen and Old White chalk paint. 

 

There is some chipping of the veneer on the drawer of this side table.  You can only see it if you are looking for it.  I think it adds to the aged patina! 

I painted this with a mix of Chateau Gray and Old Ochre chalk paint, then applied gold leaf paint on the carved details.

See For Sale section for details!

A Blueish-Gray Server

BACK TO SCHOOL TOMORROW! For those of you who don't know me, I am a high school history teacher.  This will be my second year teaching.  I cannot believe how fast this summer flew by.   It's been a fantastic summer though.  The weather in the Boston area could not have been nicer.  I was able to do lots of fun things with my time off, and, of course, get lots of furniture painted.

Now that school is back I won't be able to paint nearly as much as I have been the past few months. Believe it or not, teaching really is a time consuming career!  I'll definitely be painting on the weekends though!

I recently bought this oak (I think?) server at a consignment store.  Some natural wood is gorgeous but this just wasn't my style.  I wasn't digging the tiger-like stripes in the wood.  It has awesome bones though, and is in great condition. 

I mixed two colors of Annie Sloan chalk paint to get this blueish-gray color.  I did two coats of paint, sanded it ever so slightly, and then finished it with a protective wax.  I also changed out the hardware, adding new glass knobs.  

 

I've said it before, but I am absolutely obsessed with old servers and sideboards.  Beautiful and useful at the same time.  This one is great, lots of storage, and the mirror is in excellent condition.  

It needs a new home!  See For Sale section for details.

Side Table Stories

I've been working on these two side tables for the past couple of days.  They are both solidly constructed and in good shape, but their style is outdated.

I was painting the tall, thin side table for a customer who said she had found it in the trash!  She said she might like it painted a turquoise color.  I was excited to get started on that one.  It might sound crazy, but there really is a thrill in bringing "trash" back to life! 

To paint that one, I mixed two colors of chalk paint (bright aqua with off-white) to make a lighter shade of turquoise.

 

Here is the side table after a couple coats of paint, sanding, and waxing.  Also the hardware was painted white...

I painted the nightstand off-white and filled the original hardware holes so that I could attach new knobs. 

I am digging the new fleur-de-lis knobs.  Adds a little bit of French glamour. 

The white nightstand is for sale!  Check out the "For Sale" section for details.