Armoire

I've been looking for an armoire for a while now.  When I saw this one I loved it (made an exchange to get it--thanks Amy! ;)  ).  I am in the process of redoing my room and wanted to lighten this piece up a little for what I wanted. 

Before

After

I love how the white made it feel less bulky and the distressing showed off all the great details.

The old hardward was really heavy looking, so switched out for glass knobs on the top and replaced the lower handles with four white, distressed knobs.

The corners are my favorite part about this armoire!

Am really happy with the way it turned out, and it has a new home--mine! :)

color = Snowbound SW

hardware = Hobby Lobby

Sideboard/buffet

The picture makes this buffet look really washed out.  It was almost a burgundy color with a thick lacquer on it.  Still a gorgeous piece, but a little rough and very dated.  At first I wanted to do it all in black, but it had a little surprise for me (sometimes surprises can be be good!). :)

Before

After

(Did you notice the cute little lamp?) ;)

really love this shot...

So, I was going to do the top black as well, but when I was sanding it I saw a little bit of the natural wood peeking through.  My heart did a little thump when I saw what was under all that lacquer.  It was cherry!  I knew I couldn't paint over it, so I had to strip it (which was a first for me).  It was worth the goop and mess!  I wanted to leave the wood as natural as possible, so decided to use Tung Oil instead of poly. 

 The difference between the unfinished wood and then with the Tung Oil (which has no color and is also a  protectant).  It looks better in person! :)

One thing I love about redoing furniture is how, even after it's repainted, part of it's story is still evident.  You can see dents and dings, and veneer that is cracking.  I don't see these as flaws, but what makes a piece of furniture unique and beautiful.

original hardware spray painted black

rub through

SOLD

Lane Cedar Chest

When I went to pick up this buffet this was hiding in the corner behind it.  The couple said it was just taking up space in their garage and I was welcome to have it.  Lucky me!  It's a nice, sturdy chest in good condition and the inside is almost perfect.  Couldn't see it in anything but black because of the detailing on the front. 

Before

After

Rub through

SOLD

Ugliest lamp EVER!

 Even the most hideous thing (in this case this poor lamp, which I'm sure at some point in the history of time some woman thought was wonderful) has the potential to become something beautiful (o.k., if not beautiful, then at least cute!).

Before

Yes, I know what you're thinking, "Why in the world would you bring that thing home?!" (Doesn't it remind you of a pineapple?) Well, I must admit I was out rummaging with a friend and she said, "What about this?"  I was thinking, "Um, yeah, what about it." But, instead of saying what I was thinking I said, "Oh, yeah, sure."  The price was right (it would have to be!) and the ugly duckling came home with me.

After

See what I mean!  A little paint,  the removal of the "neck", and a new shade and she's transformed!  You're welcome little lamp! ;)  A special thank you to Jodi for having a vision for this poor creature that I did not!

SOLD

a story about a dresser

I went to my first estate sale a few weeks ago and drug Craig with me--he says it was for the truck I still maintain it was for the company ;).  Saw a few things I liked but most of it was too much $.  Then on the way out saw this cute little dresser and the price was a steal!  I was so excited! We took it to Craig's shop to fix the drawers and I happened to see the shipping label on the back.  It said "Em Heins, Lyndhurst WI".  Lyndhurst is very close to the little town Craig grew up in and so I asked him if he knew who it was.  He called around and found that it belonged to the grandmother of a woman we know from church.  What are the chances!  She graciously let me paint it and is going to keep it in the family now.  A sweet litte dresser with a happy ending. :)

Before

After

Love the spindles

Still has the original wood casters

The top was still in pretty good shape--just needed a little sanding (ok, maybe a lot of sanding!).  The original was pretty dark and you couldn't really see the wood grain, but she wanted a medium tone which really let the grain show.  Very unique!

Orginal hardware--just needed cleaning.  Love it!

SOLD

side table

Fun little side table I did for a friend.  Love it in black.  Sorry the pics aren"t so great--hard to do black under florescent lights.

 Before

             After

Is it weird that I just want to run my finger along the edge of this?  Yeah, that's weird! :)  My philosophy is if it doesn't make you want to touch it when you're done painting it then

something is wrong. ;)

If you don't know what color to do--do black.  It looks good on everything. :)

Buffet

I thought this was a dresser and didn't notice the doors on the bottom at first  (the picture was not so great) , so I debated about it for a while.  So glad I decided to pick it up!  It was in really good shape (just needed some minor repairs) and I found another treasure when I went to pick it up--two for the price of one--can't beat that!!

Before

After

so pretty :)

First time lining a drawer--didn't turn out too bad. :)

This is the original hardware.  Love the pulls...very feminine. 

When I first saw this piece I wasn't sure I liked the details, but after painting them white and distressing them I think they're beautiful.

SOLD