Born on the 4th of July

Yes, I know it is February.  At the time my heart was looking for red, I craved a deep, rich blue.  Like this...

So pretty with a snowy backdrop.  This is APC's 'Born on the 4th of July'.  It is a lovely, lovely Indigo blue with great, deep pigmentation.  It dresses things up like a classic navy blazer, or dresses them down like your favorite pair of jeans.

The original brass hardware is gorgeous against this color.  It looks elegant and sophisticated even with some gentle distressing.  Underneath a bit of Desert Cactus peeks out.

Up close you can see the subtle color movement.  It reminds me of the depth of the seas and light plays so beautifully across it.

I have one like this already or it would probably stay and live with me for a time.  But, as with most of the pieces I work on it is for sale and will move along and grace someone else's home.  What do you think of this grand French lady?

Have a lovely Valentine's Day with the ones who hold your heart!
Deb

It Takes Two

Bad news, I'm still using my cell phone as my primary photo taker.  Good news, these are a bit better because they weren't taken in my workshop!  I'm givin' you something to stick around for folks!

Picked up the furniture that was part of the decor for a Spring Parade of Homes house this morning.  It is always so fun to see your creations living (temporarily) in these gorgeous new homes with all the latest 'gee whizz' cool stuff.  Well I picked up most of it.  The two little side tables I had restyled so quickly for them at the last minute were purchased to permanently continue their work as designer house decor items.  

I have searched everywhere for my original before pic of these guys, but can't find it anywhere.  I'll give ya the written visual:  two Ethan Allen square side tables with a dark, dark stain and hard finish on them.  The gals had been asking for a coffee table for one of the houses.  The decor was very California beach home.  This house sits on a sand pit lake, common here in Nebraska for the non-local readers, and I wish I had thought to take some photos of the house.  It is gorgeous and just sold.  (The Builder was Absolute Custom for the locals.)

I never did find a coffee table, but when my 'picker' husband shot me a cell phone photo of these two tables to see if I wanted him to get them I knew what we could do.  And I say we because my picker even volunteered to be my stain stripper because he knew we were on a time crunch.  So, when one good coffee table is difficult to find, how about 2 nice smaller tables side by side??!  You betcha!

Ethan Allen uses a good quality stain and poly I will say, and curves are always a challenge.  It was difficult to remove every trace of that almost black stain, but we both tried hard.  And eventually got it to the point where we could see that it would work.  I applied a couple of coats of Minwax' Weathered Oak stain to begin, and followed that up with a couple of white wash coats of ASCP Old White.  Paint fast, wipe it off fast, with 2 or 3 layers depending on the spot.  The tops had stripped off easily and were easy to power sand so they ended up just naturally lighter.  

(Isn't that rug under the table gorgeous?)  Squirrel!

The design team totally styled the pieces after we dropped them off and the room was so lovely.  I love knowing my little tables are going to be help people see a nice big house as a possible home.  It's a good gig if you can get it little tables!  

To end this post I would just like to add my continuing prayers for the people in Oklahoma who were affected by ALL the tornadoes this week.  It has been difficult to watch all the destruction that was left behind and reported on.  Your strength, faith, and spirit have been so apparent in the stories we continue to hear.  It's humbling.   Please everyone, consider giving to one of the charitable organizations that will continue to provide aide to these folks as they heal and rebuild.  

God Bless everyone!

Deb

Linking to:  

Tried to anyway, it just wouldn't take. :-(


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Dreamy Cream

Why are post titles the hardest part?!  Anyhoo, I've been working on things, just had a hard time getting some completions.  It's too darn hot and humid to work most of the day so I've been limited to early morning and late evenings.  Pictures are tough too right now with all the foggy cloud cover the humidity has brought along with it, so forgive the photos.

Here is a lovely dresser that I bought a little while back.  It appears to be an Art Deco piece with some pretty details.  It has some "wrinkles" and "freckles", as do most older pieces, but for me they only add charm.  I love the cabinet doors, the beautiful legs, and the hardware is gorgeous. 

I opted to paint the outside rougher areas, but left alone the stained interior drawers which were in wonderful condition.  So much storage!  And I love the small shallow drawer on top.  I imagine it full of jewelry or men's ties, or a ladies hankies at one time it's life.  What would you use it for today?

I adore these details on the bottom trim and the gently fluted legs.  So pretty aren't they?  I painted this with ASCP in "Cream".  It does have the lovely pale yellowy tones of clotted cream.  Dreamy Cream...(lame title tie in here)!  Ha!

Have a fun day!
Deb
Linking up to http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2011/07/all-things-furniture-features-and-link-party-4.html          Come join the party fun!

Frick & Frack

Are you ready for a pair, a couple, a duo, for Frick & Frack?  They were part of a set that included the 2 dressers and a desk.  I really wanted the desk for Dear Daughter #2.  DD#2 did not need the dressers.  Here is the only "before" photo I can find that I took.  I am really bad about "before" photos. 

To make up for it I try to take lots and lots of "After" photos.

These were nice solid, dove tailed backs of the drawers, clean, pine dressers.  I painted them with Annie Sloan's Versailles Chalk Paint.  Distressed the edges and applied a finish of paste wax.  I am very pleased with the way they turned out, and hope they find a lovely new home. 

Sorry about the photos on the furniture pallets, but I couldn't be patient enough to wait for the Mr. to get home from work.  My wonderful Mr. built these so that I could move the larger pieces of furniture about the workroom by myself.  Isn't he just a genius?!  And all mine, lucky me!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Deb

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