Stubborn Telephone Table

My Mom picked up this little telephone table when she was antiquing. We both agreed the details and fabulous legs would make for a fantastic makeover. It started out very chipped with gold paint. I imagined this table having a very smooth, polished finish. I wanted elegance. I decided green would fit this table perfectly.

I began by stripping this piece since I wanted a smooth look. The minute I started rubbing the paint off I knew this wasn't going to be easy. This piece of furniture had about three coats of paint on it. The paint got very sticky and was very stubborn in the creases of the turned legs. There was a time or two I wanted to throw this table out the window in frustration!

I actually walked away from it for a few weeks and then reevaluated what I needed to do to finish it. After getting most of the paint stripped, I had to go back with a handheld sander and chip off the remaining chunks of paint. I very quickly realized this piece was just NOT going to end up smooth and polished. I decided this table was going to have to look aged and distressed. I have always heard, "let the piece speak to you" and this was the perfect moment to listen to that advice.

BEFORE
(after it was stripped)

AFTER

I used a dark wax to get into the crevices the old paint left behind. I applied liquid gold leaf to the details with a small paint brush. This is when the piece really came alive...it gave it that elegance I was looking for in the very beginning.



BEFORE

AFTER

Not only did the piece talk to me... it had a better idea than I did.  Keeping this piece distressed really made it look like an antique. What do you think of the outcome?!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by!



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A Blue Nighstand

I just loved the shape of this night stand when I found it on Craigslist. I quickly paid the $25 for it and hauled it home. At first, I thought I might leave it the way it was since usually I love the cream color. Although...it's just not in my nature to leave a piece be! There were red and gold specks throughout the finish and I decided that wasn't quite the look I was going for anyway.

BEFORE

It looks like I couldn't wait to get that handle off before I got a picture!

AFTER

The base color is Martha Stewart's Robin's Egg Blue. The glaze is Valspar Translucent Mixing Glaze found at Lowes mixed with Raw Umber craft paint. I spray painted all of the fixtures with a bronze color to give a clean look.

I painted this back in the summer, but just got it finished because I struggled with finding a handle that fit where the previous holes were. I have filled holes, no matter what, ever since. That way, I can decide later if I want a handle or knob. I found this plate to cover the holes and it worked well so I could use a knob.

BEFORE

AFTER

Back before I knew what I was doing... my Mom showed me how to glaze with this piece. I'm so lucky to have her around so that I don't have to learn absolutely everything the hard way! The glaze toned down the blue perfectly and brought out all of the details.

I'm so glad this piece is finished! I am selling this one... hopefully quickly so that I have space for more future projects.

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A Pink Vanity

I found this vanity that was pretty beat up at a flea market for $18. I knew I wanted to paint it pink so it could be used in a girls' bedroom.

BEFORE

AFTER

I painted this piece using a flat paint. The matte finish was fun to work with (similar to chalk paint). I really wanted the imperfections to stand out so I used a tinted wax to reveal them better. I even added more texture with brushmarks. I tinted Annie Sloan clear wax with an oil based grey paint. It was a soft grey that didn't change the pink color as much, but was only held in by the texture that was there. This worked perfectly.

I used the clear wax all over first and then waited 15 minutes before using the colored wax. I buffed the piece and it was finished. I love how it turned out and it was fun using the Annie Sloan waxing brush and wax I got for Christmas!

I'm loving how the texture came alive with the grey wax! The knobs I got at Hobby Lobby added the perfect touch.

I painted the inside of the drawers grey to give that little something extra!

I am selling this piece so hopefully it will find a good home soon!

Thank you for stopping by!

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Media Center

Last spring when I was just beginning to restore furniture I ran by this chest of drawers on CL. I really liked the shape of the curves, but this was before I knew what to look for in a piece of furniture. Now, I know it needs to have good bones and made of solid wood. Although this piece is made of particle board, the drawers worked well and I felt it was still worth experimenting with!

BEFORE

AFTER

I decided to take the top drawer out and replace it with a shelf to make it a media center. The shelf took only a few hours to make one evening. I painted it with SW Creamy paint and finished it with Varathane Water-Based Satin Polyurethane .

I found these handles in the hardware clearance aisle at Von Tobel's. I bought them for $1.25 each and spray painted them bronze. My new secret place for less expensive hardware!

When I brought it inside I realized that the sound system box did not fit! For some odd reason I measured the two boxes to fit the width, but not depth. I am trying to find a solution either to replace the sound system or cut a larger hole in the back, but for now the box sticks out a couple of inches. Mistakes come with the territory!

 All around, I love how it turned out and it matches my end tables so well!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a lovely Wednesday!

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Shabby Chic Sofa Table

I found this fabulous table at a flea market a few months ago and finally have finished it up! I am so excited with the finished result especially since I experimented with a few new techniques for the first time.

BEFORE

AFTER

The original black paint was very chippy which usually I love, but I imagined this table grey. I decided to strip the base of the table to remove some of the paint so I could get a smooth finish. Afterward, I sanded it using 220 sandpaper. First, I painted two coats of 1-2-3 Zinsser Primer. After the primer dried, I painted one coat of a lighter grey and then used a dark brown glaze to finish it.

The glaze I used is Valspar Translucent Mixing Glaze found at Lowes mixed with Raw Umber craft paint. I worked in small sections applying the glaze with a brush. After wiping the majority of the glaze off with a rag, I used a dry brush to soften it. I love how it accented all of the details.

I was planning to stain the top so I used the palm sander to remove the paint. Although, as I began sanding I realized I liked the variation between the light wood and the black paint. I came up with the great idea to try a white/grey wash to finish the look.

I mixed a light grey paint with the Valspar Glaze using a 1:4 ratio. I brushed the glaze on and then took a dry brush to remove some of the paint and give it texture. The wood began to reveal itself even more when the mixture dried. It really exposed a lot of it's imperfections which I love!

I sealed the whole table with two coats of Minwax Polyurethane Spray in Clear Satin finish.

After using the palm sander.

Hope this inspires you to try some different techniques!
I really enjoyed trying something new. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.



In Different Light

While searching for inspiration, this Pottery Barn lamp caught my eye. I loved the lamp, but definitely not the price tag! So I began the search for a more affordable way to achieve this farmhouse chic look.

While wandering through Hobby Lobby, I found a pair of candle holders on sale for $8. They were the perfect pair to transform into PB knockoffs!

BEFORE

AFTER

First, The Hunny drilled a hole down the middle of both bases (he discovered they were ceramic). With the help from my Mom, I began the painting process using a textured spray paint. We used Rust-oleum Multicolor Textured Paint in Autumn Brown for the base. Layers of white paint, crackle paint, and a brown glaze were then added to achieve the distressed look. It took some time and patience to get the look I wanted.

I bought lamp kits to transform the bases. The kit fixtures were painted with a bronze spray paint. The Hunny helped me feed the cord through and attach the fixture.

I bought natural color lampshades at Wal-mart and covered them in burlap fabric purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics. We made a pattern from craft paper that was used to cut the fabric. We used Mod Podge to adhere the fabric to the lampshade and left it to dry over night. I used twill tape to finish the edges.

I love how they turned out...It was fun to find inspiration and make it for less! The overall project cost more than I hoped but still less than PB! What do you think of my candle holder lamps?!

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Rocking Chair Makeover

I found this rocking chair at an antique store a few months ago. I loved the style of it, but that fabric had to go! The 70's look just isn't what I was looking for.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

I decided I want her to sit in the corner of the Master Bedroom where the windows are (which makes for difficult pictures :/). I found this simple geometric pattern that worked perfectly with the curtain fabric!

BEFORE



AFTER

After removing the hundreds of staples (which oddly, I don't mind) I was surprised to reveal the past owner had used a sample of carpet for padding! I used some foam I had on hand and cut it to size. I used the piece of board from before as a template for the foam and fabric. I allowed a few more inches around the edge to fold over when cutting the fabric.

I then layered all three with the front of the fabric face down and the board on top. I began to pull tight on one edge and using a staple gun, secured it with just three staples. I then moved to the opposite side to secure it with three additional staples. Afterward, I moved to the other two sides and repeated this process until finished. This method allows you to get the fabric very taut. I had so much fun working with the staple gun! I screwed the board back in place and am now enjoying a brand new (more comfortable) chair!

I did this project before I had my blog so I apologize for not having pictures of the process! It truly is an easy project to recover a cushion and can make such a huge difference! Hope this inspires you to try a quick furniture makeover with fabric and a staple gun! 

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My New Old Chair

I have been searching for a specific style of chair for the new Master Bathroom. I finally found THE one at an antique store for $18. It began as a green chair, which The Hunny proclaimed he liked after I painted it. I, of course had a vision of white!

BEFORE



AFTER

I painted the chair with the one and only Rust-oleum American Accents Heirloom White. After a few coats, I distressed it with 220 sandpaper. 

I did a lot of distressing for a very old look. I love how the green began to reveal itself!

I used Minwax Dark Walnut Stain as a glaze over the distressed areas. Although, as I began to wipe the glaze off with a wet rag, the white paint turned more brown than I liked. So I simply used my sandpaper and began removing the glaze. It brightened the white and gave an amazing texture, this really added to the old look I was trying to achieve.

I used Minwax Paste Finishing Wax to add a protective and luster finish.

One last look at the after!

Hope you had a wonderful week!

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