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  They are both solidly constructed and in good shape, but their style is outdated.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.

Shell Letters!

I've had the supplies for this project for months, but it's been one of those things that I kept putting on the back burner.  I finally got around to it yesterday, and I'm glad I did.  The finished product is pretty cool.  Perfect for the beach house I don't have!

I spray painted chipboard letters white and then used superglue to attach each shell.  It is very tedious work, but worth it in the end.  Make sure you wear gloves when using the superglue to prevent gluing your fingers together! I purchased the shells on ebay, but you can probably buy them a craft store, or, better yet, collect them from the beach!

These are for sale!

A Mod Dresser gets an Update

I scored this 1950s mod style dresser from my friend Ryan.  It's a cool piece that I knew could be transformed with some paint and new hardware.

I decided to go pink with this one---a color I don't often choose, but I pictured this dresser with a new, girly vibe.

I primed this piece and then painted it with Martha Stewart latex paint in a color called Punch.   Next, I drilled holes where I wanted the new hardware to go.  For a long time I was scared of using a drill and would have my boyfriend or dad do this part, but it's actually very easy.  The hardest part is making sure you measure perfectly so that the holes are in a straight line.   I decided to place the new knobs 6 inches from the sides of the drawers, and halfway between the top and bottom of the drawers.  I made pencil marks and then chose the drill bit.

I just pick the drill bit that looks slightly larger than the hardware I'm using (very unscientific!)

Here is the finished dresser, with its new feminine look...

I love this hardware, it's a bunch of little flowers bunched together.  Very unique!

 

This one is now for sale.  It would look so cute in a nursery or little girl's room!
See "For Sale" section for details on purchasing.

Back in Action

It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I have an excuse--I've been in Ireland!
My sister and I had a fantastic time on the Emerald Isle, discovering long-lost relatives, taking in the scenery, and of course, visiting more than a few local pubs.

My sister Meghan on the left, and myself

Now that I'm home, it's back to painting.  I just picked up this absolutely fabulous, circa 1920s bedroom set.  It's a matching dresser, bureau with mirror and full size bed.  I'm in love!

  

Mirror on left attaches to this bureau

I'm planning to paint it off-white.  If anyone is interested in it as-is, without paint, send me an email!  I'll probably start painting this set next week.  I think it will look gorgeous.  Stay tuned....

Painting a Laminate Bathroom Vanity

There was nothing wrong with our bathroom vanity, but there was not much right about it either.  It does the job, but it's cheap, builder-grade laminate--nothing special.  Since buying a new one was out of the question, I decided to take my trusty paint brush and attempt to make it a little bit prettier...

Here are the steps I took to paint a laminate vanity:  (PS some people say you can't paint laminate, but I did a lot of research and found that you CAN!)

1) Remove the doors (this was really simple--take out 4 screws) and hardware.

2) Prime the doors and cabinet.  I used Zinsser B.I.N Primer, which, I have read, is the best on laminate. 

3) Paint the doors and cabinet (I used a brush, but a roller might be easier.)  I used Glidden semi-gloss latex paint.  It took 3 coats to cover completely. 

4) Protective coat--I still haven't done it, but I'm planning to spray on a polycrylic.  

5) Reattach hardware and doors.

The whole process took an afternoon to complete--not bad at all. 

Here is the vanity after it's paint job...

I like the contrast of the darker bottom and white sink.  Might have to paint the medicine cabinet the same color.  Overkill???

Next project: replace the faucet!