Saturday, August 31, 2013

I LOVE paint!

This would be the companion to this dresser I just finished.  It's a nice piece of furniture (solid maple) but was totally just ho-hum!



Before




 After

Seriously, love paint!  This was so ugly before.  I hardly ever say that about the things I pick up but I said it about this one.  It's so sharp now. <3!!






 The veneer on the other dresser was yucky so I was really pleased when I sanded this down and it looked like this!  Very unique.  I stained it with Early American from Minwax and I love how warm it is now.







 These hammered black knobs are so simple and understated and that's what I like about them! :)










 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Maple Dresser w/ Rose Detail

This is the kind of a piece I consider a "bonus" piece.  I found a cute dresser on CL and when we got to their storage unit to pick it up they said, "Oh, we have two others.  Would you like to see those too?"  Umm, yah! :)  So, I happened to pick up this plain Jane and her sister, but I had plans. ;)

I've actually been thinking about flow blue china lately (don't ask me why!) and was inspired by the colors.  I just finished up a very distressed dresser and was wanting something a little simpler with clean lines.  She fit the bill perfectly. 

*I've been taking pics on our phones because my Mac refuses to read my camera card anymore (the card is new so I know it's the computer)! :(   Technology is so nice until it needs to be fixed! $$$$

Before




 After






I  kept the distressing minimal and let the knobs do all the talking! :)






 I've been in love with these since I saw them over a year ago, but have only used them on a little cabinet I redid for my daughter.  I really like how they bring the focus down the front of the piece, and the simple white is the perfect background to show them off.





 I added this resin rose applique for a little detail, but kept it white so it wasn't distracting.  Love how it echoes the knobs.






 I ended up peeling the veneer off the top of this one, too (again! seriously??).  There were three pieces of maple underneath, but they were gouged in spots.  I hemmed and hawed over replacing it (Do you ever get your mind set on something and just can't let it go?  I was having a wood top on this! :) ), but ended up staining it Espresso and actually really like how rustic it looks.  I think it helps this piece not feel so formal. 





 So pretty!






 This cute little thing had to blow bubbles while I was taking pics (consequently I was cleaning them off the dresser when I was done!).  She's excited to go back to school and wear her new clothes! :)

This dresser was featured by:
Clydia @ Three Mango Seeds

Thank you!

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

On a High Note...

It seems like forever since I've posted anything!

This summer hasn't gone quite as I anticipated (do things ever?).  I haven't done near as many pieces as I thought I would and realized I'm ok with that. :)  It's been nice to go at my own pace and not be constantly stressed out about what's on my plate.

However, this cute dresser did keep me up a few nights!  I found it in my town (it was so nice to not have to travel to pick it up!) and it sold almost as soon as I posted it.  The woman who bought it is a friend of mine and I just love her style so I was so excited to hear what she wanted done with it.  She is a music lover and loves heavy distressing so we bounced around a few ideas until we came up with something we both agreed would fit what she was looking for. 

It had its fair share of issues, but nothing a little persistence and some grumbling couldn't overcome! :)

I just want to give a shout out to my amazing hubby for always coming to my rescue!  He seriously can fix anything and I could not do this "job" without his constant help!  


Before




 After












I love heavy distressing and just don't get to do it very often so was thrilled when she chose a piece from European Paint Finishes as an inspiration piece for the distressing.  To me, it just fits this piece to a "T".







After I painted, distressed, and glazed the entire piece I added a few pages from an old music book she had.  We wanted the pages worn looking so I tore the edges, adhered them with modge podge (a little tricky with this thin, inky paper), then sanded them down, and stained over the top of them.  When everything was dry I gave the doors a couple coats of poly.



 I think the hardware just makes this piece.  She actually had them shipped from England and I am in love with them!  So unique! :)








The room it's going in is this eggplant color so thought it would be fun to do a pop of it on the inside.  Love this color combo!




We wanted a natural top on this, but the original veneer was too bad to save, so I ended up peeling it off.  I love the wood underneath but peeling the veneer had left gouges in the wood (sometimes if the glue doesn't "let go" it will actually peel up the sublayer with it) so I sanded it smooth, stained it with dark walnut and left the gouges to be part of her story.  I love how rustic it looks and think it pairs perfectly with the finish.







 This is probably the most frustrated I've ever been doing a piece (I had to repaint a few of the drawers, the pulls were a pain, the top was a pain, the doors were a pain, lol), but I think the outcome was worth it.  She is probably my favorite so far!


I think I've been photo bombed. :)

I'm going to enjoy the last two weeks I have with my kiddos before school starts again and watch a few football games!  Go Hawks!

This dresser was featured by:
Gina @ Shabby Creek Cottage
Kathy @ Life on Lakeshore Drive
Peggy @ PJH Designs
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
Brenda @ Cozy Little House
Christine @ The DIY Dreamer
Deborah @ Green Willow Pond
Kristen @ Wonderful at Home
Karen @ Redoux

Thanks so much!

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