Petite Desk with a Pedi

Well crud, I forgot to take a before photo again!  This was one of those projects that jumped ahead in the line of waiting projects when I was waiting on more paint to arrive to finish off my latest makeover victim.  Let's go with that and forget the fact that probably over half of my projects don't ever get a before photo.

Anyhoo, a month or so ago I bought a small one drawer desk and mid-century modern chair from a young lady who was moving.  Already knowing where I wanted it to go meant that it wouldn't take me long to knock it out. 

The desk is pretty basic classic in Old Ochre, but she can get to the ball with the pretty little pedicure.  I have been wanting to dip some furniture legs since I first saw Cassie do it on Primitive & Proper . 

I decided to go for a touch of glam and used gold for her little toe dip.  I really like the effect of dressing her up a bit.  I repeated the gold on her original wood handle too since it was such a simple design.

Lined the drawer with the same fabric I used to cover the chair, and refinished the wood top with a dark Jacobean stain and antique oil finish. 

For the chair I decided to go with a bright springy green that I'm loving right now.  It pulled out the green in the fabric and added a little mid-century mod pop to the set. 

A couple of lamps got a similar coat of paint.  I don't know why I've really been into lamps lately.  They are rather addicting fast finishes.  I had some fun with their shades again too.  This one has some dandelions blowing in the wind, and though you can't see it in the photo, there is some sparkle on that white fluff.  I wasn't so sure I was completely happy with it, but then my teenage daughter made a comment like "cool lamp Mom", and everybody knows that pulling a compliment out of your teenager is almost next to impossible so I'm not changing a darn thing on that lamp!  After all teenagers "know" everything there is to know right? ;-)

This second lamp was a takeoff from a lampshade that I saw the other day at Lowe's.  The Lowe's lampshade had embroidery on the inside of the shade that really only showed up when the light was on.  My version is not quite that subtle.

Here take a peek.  On the inside of the lampshade I adhered a bunch of different shapes that I had cut using my Silhouette.  They really pop out when the lamp is turned on and it is just such a fun easy way to pump up a very plain, simple lampshade.

So that's what I've been up to lately.  My paint has arrived so now it's back to the workshop and another completion.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Deb

Linking to:

http://missmustardseed.com/2012/04/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-a-link-party-8/

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/2012/04/poww-84-furniture-link-party-featuring.html

Classic

Good Monday everyone!  Hope your weekend was blessed with wonderful people, pleasant weather, and fun activities. 

I have a fun finish from the weekend to share today.  This piece served as a desk for us for a time, and just never really fit in after we moved.  I finally decided it was time to freshen it up and let it move away...well at least I can hope it will find a new home. 

The Harlequin pattern isn't something new.  You can find it all over blog land and Pinterest.  While this desk has a lot going for it already, this large top needed something special.

I love the effect this pattern gives on the desk top.  It just says classic to me.  I will say it is not exactly simple, but I found several really good tutorials and tools out there to help you figure out your measurements.  I did look them over and knew they were there, and then just threw caution to the wind and winged it.  Wonder where I got that from?  (Mom!)

Lucky for me it mostly turned out!  The desk is painted in Annie Sloan French Linen.  The harlequin design was painted on with a metallic silver leaf paint.  I did pretty heavily distress it because I didn't want it to be in your face silver.  I wanted almost a tone on tone appearance, but with a bit of shimmer.

The desk had pretty details like these corner rosettes.

Gratuitous leg shot!

While I love the color of French Linen I thought it needed a little pop of color somewhere.  I had these turquoise knobs on hand and decided they would be a perfect addition.  What do you think?  I also was really drooling to run to Anthropologie and pick up the Mercury glass knobs.  Hmmm.  I'll ponder this for a bit I think.  For now, I'm happy.

Here she is ready for that laptop or iPad.  The perfect size for a living room office or sofa table.  She'd also be perfect in an entry hall with a gorgeous piece of art or mirror behind her and place to set the mail and drop the keys.

Boy do I love pieces that are so versatile!  The sun is shining so that's a bonus and we're off to a great start to the week!  Have a good one!

Deb
Linking to:
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/2012/02/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-8.html
http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/2012/02/piece-of-work-wednesday-furniture-link_28.html
http://chattychics.com/2012/02/28/need-inspiration-wild-wednesday-5/
http://missmustardseed.com/2012/03/furniture-feature-friday-a-link-party-2/

Mixing it up with Versailles!

Hope everyone had a perfect 4th of July!  Grandparents pried all 3 kiddos (who were blessedly unscheduled for a change) off of our pant legs for a nice long weekend visit.  They all returned for BBQ and fireworks on Monday.  Everyone had a wonderful time!

It's amazing what you can get accomplished without having to stop and fix a meal, taxi someone somewhere, solve a problem, referee a disagreement, etc. You know what I mean if you still have shelf shifters at home!  I spent a lot of time out in my workshop working with the Mr. who was lending me his amazing "I can make that drawer close properly" skills.  Then he'd take me out to dinner!  Perfect and Even Better!

One of the pieces that I tackled this weekend was a cute little desk/side table.  Sorry, I spaced out taking a before.  It was in pretty decent shape, but it looked like it had been dipped in polycrylic.  LOTS of sanding people! I had pulled out my Versailles Chalk paint and decided that I wanted to brighten it up just a little bit.  I was planning on doing a lot of drybrushing over some dark stain for a super chippy kind of look.  I poured off a bit of the Versailles and added in a few dollops of duck egg blue.  Here's the end result.

I really like the color and think I  need to play around with mixing more of the chalk paint colors to expand that pallet.  The Mr. is less fond of the "prim" look of this piece than I am.  I look hard to find pieces like this when I go antiquing!  It's not for everyone, but there's a secret part of me that would love a really old primitive cabin  somewhere to decorate.  Hopefully someone else will love it and need it to complete their home!  The top was revived with a fresh coat of Dark Walnut and protected with Minwax Antique Oil Finish.  Gives it a nice hard, hand rubbed finish.

Isn't it rustic?  Do you like to mix styles and throw in some primitive looking pieces with your more traditional or modern ones? 

So, how about it, have you been mixing chalk paint colors to create varying shades or brand new colors?  I'd love to hear about your experiences with it if you have!

I'm linking up with Primitive & Proper's http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/2011/07/piece-of-work-wednesday-furniture-link.html    

Hope to see your projects there too!

Have a super day!

Deb

Whistle while you work

Isn't that just about the corniest title you've ever heard?!  Sorry, just having some brain freezing moments today and couldn't do any better than that.  But, if I do say so myself, this desk would quite possibly be worth a whistle or two. 

She has nice legs after all. 

Storage possibilities...

and more storage possibilities.

A gorgeous newly stained top on a beautiful vintage meets new desk! 

Sorry for the poorly staged, well really not staged at all photos.  I've been sick and I ran out of room inside to get a great staged shot.  I'll have to work on that.  The desk is painted in Duck Egg Chalk paint, then dry brushed with Old White.  It's been distressed and waxed and buffed to create a lovely effect.  The top has two coats of poly for some added protection. 

Hope you like it.  I think it turned out well and will serve as a beautiful work station for some lucky person.  It is for sale in the greater Omaha area.  Contact me if you are interested!

I'm going to attempt to link this up a Miss Mustard Seed's Friday Furniture Party!

Have a great weekend!

Deb

****My Post below, "Yee Haw" was featured on Primitive & Proper!!  Wow, I am so honored!  Thanks Cassie!  Cassie does some amazing work, and is kind enough to host a weekly link party that is chuck full of inspiration.

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/2011/06/poww-faves-and-shabby-apple-giveaway.html