Finished Armoire & Furniture Refurbishing: Part II

Well, after a week, here’s Part II! Like I’ve said before, my top priority is my family, then blogging/business. One thing I’m finding out is that keeping with all three this time of year is tough. Talk about a busy time! Even thought we try to limit activities so as to not always be rushed, it still seems like all we do is run from point A to point B.

O.k. enough whining. Ready to see the finished Armoire?

Let's see the before one more time:

Lovely, wasn't it?!

The Ugly Duckling had become a Swan!

I have to say, I loved this finish! Believe it or not, this was probably one of the easiest I've done.

Chalk paint just rocks! That's all there is to it.

I wasn't sure what that old decal would look like if I just left it, but the relief is so pretty. Wouldn't a monogram in gray look pretty in it? I may offer that as an extra service when I sell it. It'll be interesting to see if anyone takes me up on it.

See how I added the trim piece at the bottom to cover the rippling, loose veneer? The casters are just on for ease of moving and can be removed after it gets to the booth.

I even made sure to preserve and seal the old manufacturer label on the back. I can't believe it was still on there and in one piece!

Bet you wondered which fabric I went with, didn't you!

I was momentarily tempted to go more beachy with the fresher-more colorful fabric,
but this was just seemed more appropriate for the piece (more neutral).

See that center back panel? The fact it was off-center drove me batty! I even contemplated adding trim to make it more symmetrical! See, being a perfectionist can sometimes drive me nuts!

Even the drawers are lined.

Furniture Refurbishing: Part II

With Part I, I walked you through the process of coming up with a design. I’ll pick up where I left off, which is bringing that “idea” to fruition.

Once I have my colors and formulations picked out, I then set about analyzing how I’m going to apply the idea:

1. Before I can start, I have to decide if the piece needs to be stripped or not. If I’m going for a distressed, painted look and it’s in overall good shape, then I can skip this step. If I am staining or want smooth, clean lines then it will be stripped to the bone.

2. Once stripping is either skipped or done, it’s sanding time – lightly for no stripping to increase adhesion or heavy if a smooth finish is desire or marks have to be removed.

3. Now I’m ready to apply one of three things: primer, chalk paint or wood conditioner for stain.

4. Next, it’s time to apply either paint, decorative finish/second layer of paint or stain…depending on if primer, chalk paint base coat or wood conditioner was used (in order following step two).

5. Again, sand – only this time with a very fine steel wool or high grit paper if achieving a smooth finish or staining, and very rough for distressed pieces.

6. At this point, it becomes a layering game to get the desired finish-repeating steps 4 and 5 until satisfied.

7. Once I’ve gotten the finish I desire, I topcoat with either wax or poly. I NEVER skip this step…even if I’m after a very distressed look. There’s too great a chance that kiddo’s or everyday life can mar it and take distressing too far!

8. Finally it’s time to apply the fabric and topcoat with Mod Podge.

I’m not a crank-out-as-many- pieces- as-I-can kind of girl, but I try to move quickly. How quickly a piece is finished is determined by a couple of things:

• Did the redo process go as planned? (rarely!)
• Is it sports season or summer break (during these two or three times of year, it’s about all I can do to get a shower)?
• Is my booth full or do I have room to put more in?
• Am I working on interior projects within my own home simultaneously?
• Do I have custom work orders (those take precedence)?
• Are the kids all healthy?

Any one or all of the above can mean I take longer than anticipated on a project. It’s just a reality and my family comes first. Sometimes I fight frustration with how long it takes to get something completed, but then I have to remember why. This is such a short part of my life (raising children) and I don’t want to get so sucked up in the rat race that I forget to stop and enjoy every little momentJ. 

Linking up with:
http://www.remodelaholic.com/2011/09/for-sale-by-owner-69-shop-link-up-party.html
http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/09/furniture-feature-friday-favorites-link_22.html
http://junkinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/09/sns-100-pallets.html
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/09/feathered-nest-friday_22.html
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/09/vintage-inspiration-friday-56-more-from.html
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2011/09/wow-us-wednesdays-33.html
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/10/decorate-your-pumpkin-with-ribbon.html 

Hey, Ya'll...Look what I found!

Oh, man, did I hit the jackpot yesterday and today! I made my thrift store rounds (with three sweaty boys in tow) and then this morning I was up early out yard sailing. There is something so relaxing about getting up early before everyone wakes (and back home before they're up at times!), having my morning quite time and coffee, throwing on some gym shorts, t-shirt, flip flops, and a visor then heading out to "treasure hunt" ALONE! Makes my week...especially when I hit the mother load like I did this weekend.

My prized antique French mother-of-pearl opera glasses.

These wonderful opera glasses were a wonderful surprise when I pryed open the door on the French Provencial sideboard redo that I shared with you here. I nearly choked I was so excited and I've hung on to them not sure if I could sell or not. I've got them in the pile to go to the store, but still am not sure they'll make it into the booth:)

Wonderful 12" deep dresser.

The great thing about this dresser is the dimensions - 37.25" x 36" x 12" deep! It's handmade (I think) and I'm going to paint it...probably replacing the handles. I could think of a million places a good shallow dresser like this could go!



I loved the simplicity of this pedestal cake plate and cloche. There is actually a faint hint of gold inside the round top of the pedestal where it connects with the plate. Very pretty!



I am very tempted to keep this gorgeous crystal and silver shaker set made in England. They are so elegant and classy! 

This stainless holder is showing some age, but it was just so pretty with the cut glass decanter and little hanging fork...for pickles or such?

Leave it to me to pair an old (clean, mind you) oil can with a Bible! This Bible is lovingly inscribed from 1942 and well worn. Something about handwritten inscriptions make a book, espeically a Bible, even more exciting to find. Makes you wonder about the person who obviously spent a lot of time with this precious book.

I LOVE these plates!

 I still continue to be amazed at what people just toss out. To me, it's a sad commentary to our times, but I am more than willing to capitalize on what others don't want:) This set of plates was just too beautiful to take one picture of so I took one of each to share with you.

I found two sets of these silver candelabras. I just showed two here with the shakers for a pretty vignette. Lots of silver was out this weekend!

Huge scallop shells!

 Would you believe I found eight of these huge scallop shells just in a Ziploc bag? I can think of a bunch of fun projects to use these on!

A set of pretty buffet lamps were just waiting on me at the thrift store. Sold!

  

This mirror is ancient!

 I wish I knew the story with this mirror I found at one of the local thrift stores. It's incredibly old, gold leafed, and heavy as lead! It was sitting behind the counter and I just caught a glimpse of it. Enough to make me ask to see it and plunk down some change. Incredible! It's missing a top pediment, but it's still gorgeous...just makes it seem prettier to me.

This was another large mirror I found as I was hitting my last yard sale.

Last, but not least I found a tiny little thrift store I didn't even know existed, walked into the very dark back room and found this! After a little haggling, we came to a really good price and I wheeled it out where I could be sure I wasn't being "hoo-dooed". True to her word, it was in good shape a should be a quick redo. I've placed an order for some of this ever so famous chalk paint and can't wait for it to get here. This is the perfect job to try it on.

What a great day! God is just so good. I so don't deserve to find these kind of treasures, much less be able to have a little booth where I'm able to sell them! It's amazing how when you're willing to do what He asks, how He blesses. This is one of those endeavors that could so easily crash and burn, but after much prayer, I knew it was were He was leading ...for now. And I'm having a ball. Wonder what he's got in store for me next...or better yet...what he has in store for you? Are you willing to go out on a limb if He asks you to? Do you trust him enough to take a chance with the unknown? If so, you'll be truly blessed...simply for taking the leap of faith, regardless of whether your endeavor succeeds by the world's terms.

Smokey Bear becomes The Baroness

"How YOU do'n?" (love that quote from Friends...why did that show have to end?!) I've been down under for the last few days, and no I don't mean visiting the Outback...(I wish!). I was down for the count and under the weather, wishing I was down in the bed and under the covers! But, as we Mom's all know, we have to literally be at death's door to get that! The meds the doc prescribed made me feel just a little loopy. I was afraid if I typed a post, it would have been gibberish! For example, I edited all my before pictures and now I can't find them! I have no idea where I saved them! Thankfullly I had a few elsewhere.

Anyhoo... Ready for another reveal? It's been a while, hasn't it? Remember Smokey the Bear? Yes, Old Smokey has gone through quite a transformation and become.....

The Baroness!

(Lacking smoke, that is)

Here she is, in all her glory!

Talk about a labor of love!

This was the detailing I fell in love with.

The white is Sherwin Williams "Creamy".

I had a sample pot custom matched to the tan color in the fabric, which I then mixed with glaze.



The glazing brings out the beautiful Art Deco detailing.



Like the new knobs?

I wanted to make the inside like a jewel in a box...when you opened it, you saw the real beauty!

This fabric was my inspiration and jumping off point. It was more of my remnant finds.

The inside of the drawers are painted Martha Stewart's "Tide Pool" Precious Metals. Gorgeous turquoise color!

It took me forever to finish this one. Taking on a smokey, repair needing piece isn't fast work. I've had a number of custom orders and they've keep me tied up as well. I just had to go visit Old Smokey whenever I could squeeze in a few minutes, but He has now become a SHE! What'cha think?

Just to review, I found this old chiffrobe/armoire at one of my local thrift stores. It REEKED of fire smoke. Apparently, it had been sitting in a storage unit that had caught fire. The lady checking me out thought I was crazy to take it (that's never stopped me)! I had to strip it down to the bare...and I do mean bare bones, wash it with Murphy's Oil soap multiple times, prime with Zinnser Bin (my new favorite primer) and put multiple coats of paint/glaze/fabric/wax on it, but it's now smoke free. You'd never even know it had such a rank, lowly beginning!

Smokey Bear arrives home (I had to Lysol the car big time)!

Part of me hated to paint this. I think it's walnut! But, I had to do some repair work on places making it a necessity.

The incredible amount of nastiness coming off! Can you believe how thick those layers of paint were? See the white residue? Ash!

I bet this was beautiful when new!

And, just to slow me down a LITTLE bit more, I forgot to follow my own directions to size fabric larger when lining with it! It shrank and I ended up having to find and order more. While waiting on it, I dropped some hints as to what was coming. If you want to know info I didn't include here on any of the process, let me know!

I really enjoy recreating a piece of furniture. I'm finishing up one or two more quick projects to show you (I work on multiple things at once), and then I get to start on my next big project using my fabric remnants I just found! Remember this?

Can't wait to get started using these remnants!

 I'm not trying to crank out a ton of stuff. I goal is to sell one or two BIG pieces a month with my smaller stuff down at my booth. I enjoy taking my time and making each piece a work of art.

fyi:
I have got to reduce the amount of email in my Inbox, so I'm canceling some of my blog post subscriptions. If you notice a drop in your reader number, it's not that I don't like it or am not still keeping up. I just am signing up as a follower instead so I can keep up with them in my Dashboard versus my Inbox.

Linking up to: