Inspiration

Inspiration comes from many places, and sometimes out of the blue.  I got a really good deal on a nice, clean mid-century modern blond oak dresser.  They don't seem terribly popular, go figure.
Here it is in it's before glory.

A little rough and a lot plain jane.  It would have worked for another subway dresser I told myself.  I could try some really fun transfer graphic on it I thought.  I just could not get going though.  A cold start and just no get up and go when it came to this piece.  I was not inspired to do much of anything with it, and nearly took it off to re-donate.  So I worked on other projects and shoved it in the corner.
Then it hit me.....

This rather funky (and off-season) oil cloth that I use for a drop cloth on my work table caught my imagination.  Houndstooth.  I even had a houndstooth stencil.  And so the rather plain mid-century dresser got 'all dressed up' and is ready for an official release.

She's classic, she's clean, she's still got a bit of that 50's sass because she's sporting some snappy houndstooth.  You know, in their bland blond state these dressers are so unappealing.  But if you put some color on them, shazam!  They are great canvas' for some pretty creative moments.  The storage is fabulous in this piece.  The drawers are solid, dove-tailed, clean and deep.

Dizzy, I'm so dizzy my head is spinning'... It really does make you dizzy.  And if I'm honest I was extremely happy when I painted that last row.  Just keepin' it real...

And just so I don't cause any permanent eye damage I kept it solid on the sides and top.  You are welcome!

All DIY Paint products:  Black Velvet and Beadboard, paints.  I did not prime, but I tested for tannin bleed through and decided to clear seal the wood prior to painting to avoid the wood tannins from seeping up.  I used Heirloom Traditions Aqua Clear in Satin to seal.  This was a new to me product, but man I do believe I am going to love this.

Have a wonderful week friends!
Deb

You can find DIY Paint in my booth #43, at The Brass Armadillo in Omaha, or shop online from my affiliate link.

In Search of Teal

Do you get a particular color in your head for a piece and you just can't let it go?  Good to know.  That's the way I sometimes rock and roll too.  When I first purchase this particular dresser I just knew it needed a deep rich color and I kept picturing it in a dark teal.  I found it on lots of paint decks by many different companies, but I really wanted the ease of one of the natural clay or chalk based paints.  So I mixed my own.  Yes, I did.  I consulted with our local Annie Sloan stockist to see if she knew of any recipes for teal.  After playing around a bit with her paints I knew I could do this and by the time she called me back to confirm that we were on the right track I had already mixed up a batch in a shade that made me happy.  I will say that shortly after that I saw where American Paint Company  had a new color "Peacock" that is would have worked, though my color has a bit more of a green base than theirs I think.  (And yes, I have used American Paint Company paints and I do really like them.  We just don't have a local stockiest yet, so I have to order them.)

I looked for the before photo, which I know I took, but have yet to find it.  Picture a brown on brown , tired, worn out looking mid-century modern dresser with some fantastic original hardware that was almost beyond tarnished.  Here is what she looks like today.

And I'm sorry for the poor photos, that were taken in the workshop because it was some Arctic Vortex kind of day…again.  I have a horrible time with lighting in there, most likely due to the 30 florescent lights my helpful Mr. installed to make it nice and bright!  Love him!

Isn't that hardware with it's new shiny finish lovely on this piece?  I love shiny things.  Those intertwined circles are just the bomb!

Here is the close up.  The color turned out exactly as I had dreamed it would, and I hope it will make someone supremely happy with its 8 spacious drawers and newly refinished stained top.  

Hope you are having a wonderful and warm week friends!  
Deb
Linking up to:

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