Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Workshop State of Affairs

My client picked up the Red Hutch on Wednesday, and she and her husband loved it!  And I loved finishing the first piece in months!  It’s such a rush for me.  I only wish there were more hours in the day and more of me to go around.  (Or maybe I could use a clone, or a wet nurse.)  ;)

My kids are my greatest creations and my life’s work, and the newborn season of life has it’s specific and intensive demands on time and attention (and sleep!), and that’s okay!!  It’s just a season, and it will pass, and I’ll be able to accomplish more of the things on the to-do list, and guess what?  I’ll miss these days. 
So I have some really cool furniture pieces in the workshop that I daydream and plan for as I sit and nurse.
P1050586
This coffee table is actually almost done, and will be the 5th one in our living room in the past year or so.  I’m doing an antique glazed ivory finish to match this dresser that found a home in our living room.  It may be slow going, but I’ll get there someday.  :)
P1070367
I rescued this little two drawer chest on the side of the road the other day.  I think I may use this opportunity to try to do an antique mirrored piece like this Anthropology Dresser using Krylon’s Looking Glass Spray Paint.
P1070366
This awesome leather-topped table was also a freebie.  The pedestal bottom on it is broken beyond repair, sadly.  But I have plans to add some salvaged wooden castered legs that I picked up to turn it into a shabby, french coffee table.  Those openings on the sides are PERFECT for books, so I’m calling it the library table.
P1070365
This antique full size bed was a craigslist score.  It needs so much repair work before I can paint it, but isn’t it rad!?!?  It has the wooden side rails too!
P1070364
I picked up two matching french side tables the other day at my very favorite local thrift store.  They could go fantastically with either “the library table” or the bed, don’t you think?
P1050694
Then there’s this secretary desk.  I had tried to sell it as is, but no one seemed to be interested, so I’m going to paint her (which I’m pretty stoked about!)  My current plan with this one (though it is apt to change from one day to the next) is to sand and stain the drawers dark walnut, paint the body a distressed french gray, remove the (damaged) mullions and add a gorgeous wall paper to the back of the top hutch that will play off the stain on the drawers.
If any locals see a piece that they must have, they could always be painted to order.  Just let me know.
Going to go snuggle my baby now.  :)

Monday, October 24, 2011

Red Glazed Hutch

I was contacted a couple of months ago by a local woman wanting a custom refinish for a hutch that she had purchased.  I timidly agreed, letting her know that I had just had a baby and wasn’t sure exactly how painting furniture was going to fit into my new mom-of-an-infant life.  But as long as she could be patient with me and wasn’t in a huge hurry to get it back, I’d love to take it on.  She has been extremely gracious and understanding and patient too, and I’m happy to say that it’s done!  Woo hoo!!

She brought in this beautiful Ethan Allen hutch.  It was in great condition, but not the look she wanted for her home.

P1070167

She had already taken off the cabinet doors from the hutch top, since she wanted the less formal look of open shelving.

She was inspired by this beautiful china cabinet from The Crafting Chicks, and wanted to do the same deep red with black glaze finish.  And I was more than excited to oblige!

The Crafting Chicks had used Colonial Red Spray Paint from Rustoleum on their China Cabinet, so I had the folks at the paint counter of Home Depot color match that with some Semi-Gloss Behr paint and primer in one.  (Tip: When doing a glaze, go for a higher sheen that you want your end product to have, since the glaze will dull the finish.  I’ve also found that glazes are easier to apply and manipulate with a higher gloss or semi-gloss sheen.)

After a light sanding to rough up the surface and prepare it to accept the paint, I applied the paint with my HVLP Spray Gun and Air Compressor. Then I used my Behr Faux Glaze (which is colorless) and added some black craft paint for the glazing.  I focused on bringing out the details with the glaze, as well as adding a little depth to the flat surfaces.  I finished it off with some Satin Water-based Verathane Poly for added protection, and spray painted all the original hardware with Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze for a quick update and to complement the black glazing.  I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!

P1070247

P1070246

P1070244

P1070241

I hope that’s it’s everything she envisioned AND worth her very patient wait.  :)

I’m feeling very good about slowly returning to the furniture painting saddle.  My husband and mother-in-law have been so helpful with the baby while I worked on this.  It was definitely a team effort. (Go team, go!)

Thanks so much for hanging in with me during the dry and unavailable times!  I love my readers!

Linking to:

Primitive & Proper, House of Grace

Chic on a Shoestring DecoratingThe Shabby NestFurniture Feature Fridays

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Special Offer from Feast in 15

I have a super special offer for you today from a Twice Lovely sponsor, Feast in 15. Feast in 15 is a fantastic e-book from Tiffany King that gives you tips for speed cooking dinner as well as 2 weekly menus, complete with fast, crowd-pleasing recipes and shopping lists!

Tiffany is offering a limited number of ebooks right now for $1.99!!!

You just can’t go wrong with that price!

You can purchase here, and use the code FEAST199 at checkout,

but don’t wait, because the offer won’t last long at this price!

 

I’m working on this great hutch as a custom job for a client right now.  It’s my first job “back in the saddle” since having the new baby, and I’m feelin’ pretty good about it.  Putting on the poly this morning, so hopefully I’ll be able to share it tomorrow!

P1070167

‘Till then,