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Thursday, September 12, 2013

Black Empire Dresser

This is the original dresser I went to pick up where I also found this one and this one. I have a hard time passing up an empire!

I already had a vision of what I wanted when I picked it up. Almost as soon as I got it home I prepped it (sanded it all down and stained the top dark) and had it sitting on my driveway. I had a client (can I just say I love meeting new people! She is awesome and I probably never would have met her had it not been for furniture!) stop by to drop off (or pick up, can't remember now!) a few other pieces and she saw this one sitting there. She asked if she could have it, and I said "Sure!" But, then had to ask the inevitable question-"What do you want done with it?" The whole while dreading in my heart because I knew I wouldn't be able to do what I wanted. :( She said, "Black." Double :( :(.

BUT

I'm so happy with the way it turned out! It's such a stately piece and perfect for the TV stand she's going to use it as. It fits so well in her home! Hubby said it looks better black anyway. lol

And, happy ending because I found another dresser almost immediately that I'm going to do what I had intended for this one. :)

Before

After

Oh yeah! It's a beaut!!

Such a great top and it looks great with her dark floors.

These cruddy pics don't do it justice either! Wonder if that's a finger print, a rain drop, or spit on the lens?? ;)

So, so happy it's got a new home already!!

This dresser was featured by:

Clydia @ Three Mango Seeds

Maryann @ Domestically Speaking

Thank you ladies!

Linked up here:

Saturday:

PinkWhen

Life on Lakeshore Drive

Designed Decor

VMG206 Sunday Showcase

Sunday:

Monday:

A Diamond in the Stuff

Cupcakes and Crinoline

Pinkapotamus

Lolly Jane

Our Home Away From Home

Cedar Hill Ranch

Tuesday:

Dorothy Sue and Mille B's Too

Adventures of a DIY Mom

A Bowl Full of Lemons

The Winthrop Chronicles

Domestically Speaking

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wednesday:

Handy Man, Craft Woman

Thursday:

Mr. and Mrs. Winslett

Friday:

French Country Cottage

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House

Antique Washstand

I found another dresser listed on CL in my town (I can hardly stand to drive very far to pick up furniture anymore-boo!) and called for a time to go see it. When I got there I found the man was selling his parent's house and his sisters had pretty much cleaned it out on him. I told him I would take the dresser and he asked if I wanted to see the other piece he had available. Of course, I said yes! He took me around the corner and I saw this sweet little thing sitting there. Before he said anything I ~~practically yelled at~~ told him I would take it.

My husband would have kicked me had he been there! I didn't even ask him how much he wanted for it!! lol Lucky for me he was very reasonable and was practically bouncing out the door with my treasures. :)

Before

Almost every piece I've had for the last month has had "issues" so I was so glad that this little washstand was in pristine condition (with the exception of a cracked drawer bottom which hubby kindly replaced for me).

After

I had a hard time choosing a color for this one and ended up mixing my own (which I just lOvE doing!!). It looks turquoise in this picture, but it's really a soft blue/green (I think the color in the following pics in more accurate).

It had a pretty, rustic wood top on it so I sanded it down and stained it Espresso (Varathane). I love the contrast with the paint color!

*These flowers were given to me by a dear friend for my birthday. Aren't they gorgeous?!! Thanks Tere!!

Love how the paint "chipped" on this one.

I had originally wanted to put coral knobs on this piece but when I saw them I just wasn't feeling it anymore, and found these. I think they're perfect and glad I went this direction instead!

People always ask my how I decide on paint colors and hardware and I always say trust your gut! It seems the first thing your eye is drawn to is usually a good choice (I said usually--lol). That being said I still fret over paint colors!

*This piece was painted twice because I did not go with my gut when I was standing at the paint store and chose the other color. I hated it, so mixed my own and liked it so much better!

Just makes me want to touch it!!

As summer is quickly coming to an end I had to include this shot of my gorgeous twist-n-shout hydrangeas! Just adore them!!

This cabinet was featured by:
Mr & Mrs Winslett
Mary @ Boogieboard Cottage
Kathryn @ The Dedicated House
Kathy @ Life on Lakeshore Drive
Therese @ VMG206
Rita @ Suburbs Mama

Thank you so much! :)

Linked up here:

Saturday:

PinkWhen

Life on Lakeshore Drive

Designed Decor

VMG206 Sunday Showcase

Sunday:

Monday:

A Diamond in the Stuff

Cupcakes and Crinoline

Pinkapotamus

Lolly Jane

Our Home Away From Home

Cedar Hill Ranch

Tuesday:

Dorothy Sue and Mille B's Too

Adventures of a DIY Mom

A Bowl Full of Lemons

The Winthrop Chronicles

Domestically Speaking

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Wednesday:

Handy Man, Craft Woman

Thursday:

Mr. and Mrs. Winslett

Friday:

French Country Cottage

Anything Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House

Monday, September 9, 2013

Before & Afters {parade of black}

Does anyone else feel like Monday should be renamed can't-get-squat-done day?? Feel like I've been running all over and haven't gotten anything accomplished and the things I did accomplish were twice as hard as they should have been!

Anyhoo! :)

Last week was one of those weeks where I got a lot done, but not very many pics to show for it. :) I was waiting on knobs so didn't post pics of some of the things I finished and then they were picked up (knobs to be put on by clients) and things have been moving in and out very quickly (good for me and my garage space, but not so great for blog posts!).

Here are a few small custom pieces I did. I know they don't make for a very exciting post but their owners were happy! Even after the last 2 years I am still surprised how paint has the power to transform! Outdated oak and pine can become fabulous again!

Befores Afters

The armoire is awaiting knobs and baskets for the inside because it's being repurposed as a craft cabinet!

I have an empire dresser I finished as well, but I think I'll give it its own post!

Have a great week everyone!

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.