Hutch in Millstone

This is another piece found by Sandy (oh, what would I do without her?).  I called about it and set up a time to go see it because the person selling it was selling it for an elderly couple.

When I got to their apartment I was a little disillusioned with the piece but the elderly couple was moving and needed to get rid of it and they needed the money.  Now, my wonderful Father in Law is always telling me how I can make a sow's ear into a silk purse (don't you just love that saying?).  So, as I was contemplating hauling this thing down the stairs (when I didn't really want it) I remembered what he always says to me and decided I would take it.  The man was so happy and I knew, even if it had to go in the garbage, that I had done the right thing. 

When I got it home I started looking it over and other than being covered in bird poo it was in really nice condition.  

Ever since I used this bird fabric to line some drawers a couple of months ago I knew it deserved to be front and center on a piece and this was the perfect little project for it.

I chose to go neutral with the color scheme so the fabric would be the focal point. 

 BEFORE

I hate those chunky monkey handles in the middle of the doors, so I filled the holes and replaced them.  And, guess what?  The moldings on the door fronts are actually plastic (they usually are on pieces like this), so I wasn't sure the wood filler was going to work, but it did fine.  :)

 After

The color is Millstone from General Finishes and the door fronts are done in Antique White with a little Millstone added in. 

 So cute!

Can't you just see this full of white towels?

 I replaced those yucky pulls with these rusty iron knobs. Much better!

Desk/hutch in White

 My client picked this desk and hutch up at a rummage for $50.  Pretty good deal if you ask me! :)  It is an MDF piece but it is solid and in very good condition.  It's for her daughter's room and she wanted it white.  When I finished up the desk we were talking about how going from off white to white isn't a huge change, but a fresh coat of paint makes a world of difference!  It was a little outdated with the floral motif and the light oak top, but now it's crisp and clean looking and I love how everything just pops against it.

 I love staging with metal, wood, and organic elements and they all look great against a simple, clean background. 

BEFORE

 BEFORE

 AFTER

I love this soft green against all that white, too.  

When painting MDF if you want to be careful not to go through the material covering it.  I lightly sand with 220 until all the sheen is gone and then use a good adhesion primer.  Then two coats of paint and a top coat and it's good to go! 

 I don't know why I don't use a crisp white more often.  Yum!

Her daughter wasn't thrilled with the dark hardware so I changed it out for white and like it just as much!  (hard to photograph the white against white, it's cuter in person!)

Depression Era Hutch in black

I was so excited when my client opened up the back of the trailer and this and a matching buffet were sitting there!  I absolutely love these Depression Era hutches.  This one has birds eye maple for the trim work (some of you might be cursing  me for painting over it), but there was a lot of veneer damage and someone had already refinished it previously, so.... ;)

After discussing colors in the room where it would be we decided black was her best option.  I've done a lot of black in the last few years, and at times I think, "Not black AGAIN...", but it really is timeless and so beautiful when finished. 

 BEFORE

I took these pictures in a hurry because we seemed to be having a windstorm at the time and all kinds of garbage was flying in my clean garage! :)

 AFTER

There is so much detailing on these two pieces and I love how the distressing makes them pop.

 This is my favorite part of the whole piece! Lol  

Great legs!  I used these knobs because she isn't sure what she wants yet and I happened to have two of them in my stash.  I still love them though.

I will be gone for the next two days so the buffet should be finished by the end of the week! 

Oak Hutch in Linen

I absolutely love a refinished hutch.  There are just endless possibilities with them.  So, don't ask me why I don't buy them very often.  Maybe it's the idea of how much work they are or how much space they take up, or that they're kind of a pain to haul around.  I'm not really sure to be honest with you. 

So, I was happy when Roxanne from The Rustic Shed asked me to refinish this one for her amazing little store (cuz her amazing hubby brings it right to my door, and he saved me from near death and crushing my grandfather clock, too).   Seriously, if you are in the area you must check it out! She has a great eye and a lovely, rustic style.  I always love working with her, too.  She is one of the sweetest gals I know.

She asked me what I thought about doing with it.  I know she likes more neutral colors (they sell better) and gave me the direction of "maybe something lighter".  Well, you know my new go-to color is Linen from General Finishes.  It's a color that borders between cream and beige and it's so versatile!

 Before

 After

I wasn't a huge fan of the leaded glass at first, but after putting it all together (and with a little affirmation from Roxanne), I decided I liked how it tied the top in with the bottom (total and complete coincidence, btw).  It looks so much better with the linen than it did with the oak. 

I decoupaged paper on the door fronts, then sanded them with 220 around the edges, sealed with Modge Podge, stained with Provence from Minwax, and sealed again  with poly. Phew! 

Yep, this is my favorite part!  Love, love, love the hardware!

I sanded the top down, did two coats of Java Gel (I usually do two coats on Oak and Maple because they are hardwoods and don't take the stain as well, meaning they don't get as dark as mahogany or cherry). I finished it with 3 coats of Varathane in Satin. 

I just wanted to tell all of you how much I appreciate you stopping by to read my blog and to take a looksie at my projects! :)

Repurposed Hutch Top

Do you ever feel like you're in the Twilight Zone?  I'm totally a routine person.  I don't function well without one, so the beginning of summer is always a little hard for me.  I stink at transitioning from the school year to the summer routine.  And, my sweet little daughter asked me to not paint this summer so we could spend more time together and I agreed (I needed a break anyway). This piece was my last custom until school starts again.  It was originally the top to the buffet I just finished up.  

My client wanted to use the pieces separately, so she had the same cabinet maker that made the tops put legs on the hutch so it could be used as a book shelf.  I really love the idea and thought it turned out so great.  It was definitely dark and in need of a pick me up! 

 Before

 After

I love this color.  It's subtle and sophisticated, especially paired with the dark wood top.   

 *Confession:  People always ask me about glazing and I never tell them that I absolutely hate glazing.  I'm not sure why, I just do.  But, I do like the way it looks when done lightly.  

I'm not sure when you'll see me again, but I hope you're still around when I finally make another appearance!! :)

Have a terrific summer!!

Depression Era Hutch

 I love when people contact me about furniture.  They have something they want to part with and it saves me a lot of looking!  When a friend approached me about this Depression Era hutch I knew I wanted it. :)

I don't see many of them around anymore and I just love them. This one was dark and dated and I wanted to bring out all the wonderful details.  I know there are wood lovers out there who hate what I do, but, to me, so many of the pretty parts of antiques aren't really noticeable when all the wood is so dark.  Paint really makes them pop. Not that I am justifying myself. ;)

Before

After

I desperately need to get rid of some paint, so I mixed a few colors I had on hand (ha!) to create this gorgeous, soft turquoise.  Pics just don't seem to do the blues justice (they never pick up the green in the blue, if you know what I mean).  It's a hint of blue, green, and gray...my fave!

 This is a little truer to the color.  I chose Cottage White by Behr (color matched at Sherwin Williams, of course) for the details.  I also undercoated the entire piece with it, so when I distressed the white would show through.  I love the combination of the white with the blue and the dark wood. 

 You know I adore a beautiful leg and does she have some pretty ones!!  Check those babies out!!

 I lined the drawer with the awesome fabric I had left over from Hobby Lobby and it's PeRfEcT!

 I love these oatmeal knobs.  I tried others, but they were too white.  I really like how soft these are.

 I am partial to the inside of a hutch being white. ;)

The inset in the door is amazing and I really wanted to frame it out, so I opted to keep the wood natural.  I gave it a coat of Danish Oil and then sealed it with Minwax Polyacrylic.  Yes, you can do that. Water based can go over oil based. :)

This one is

 FOR SALE