Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Oooh La La!

I'm sharing a project I completed a couple of weeks ago.



I was inspired to paint this piece after seeing a post from Libby at Light of the Home.  She had a similar piece and we had the same idea - it looked too old fashioned for our tastes.  I loved the finished look of Libby's buffet so much that I got straight to work on my piece.  I say "piece" because I still don't know what the heck it is!

I trashed picked this a couple of years ago (you can read about that here),

and don't know what it was used for, and it now serves as a focal point in my Living Room.

Libby used A.S.C.P. in Louis Blue for her buffet.  I chose Paris Grey, since that's what I already had.
The walls in my LR are a pale yellow with blue accents throughout the room.


I added Old White on the drawer fronts and on some of the detail.


I'm certainly no expert, but I'm gonna share a couple tips here that some of you may find helpful.  These are just some things I learned through trial and error.

First, when distressing a piece using sandpaper, rather than randomly sanding all over, I only sand in corners, edges and over raised details.  In other words, I don't sand over the broad spaces, like the side or front panels.  I've found that it looks too forcefully distressed when I do this and I can better achieve a worn look by going over those spaces with stain.



And that leads to my second tip.  After experimenting with brown wax,  I've discovered that it's not nearly as forgiving as stain.  Brown wax dries way too quickly and is very hard to tone down, even by applying a clear wax.  I usually use Minwax Dark Walnut for all of my staining and it is so easy to work with.  After letting the paint dry completely, I apply the stain with a sponge brush and wipe off with a dry cloth.  If it looks too dark, the clear wax will tone it down quite a bit.


I've also learned that the longer I let the stain dry, the less will come off during the waxing process.  If you wax right away, you will remove most of the stain.  So it just depends on what look you are going for.  The great news is, everything is fixable!

I added crystal knobs from Hobby Lobby.


I love how it turned out.  There is so much detail on this beautiful piece.  I love how the stain works its way into the crevices.  So pretty!


I also scored this new rug for $40 on Craig's List.  The previous rug had too much yellow and a hint of orange in it.  This one coordinates perfectly with my new Frenchy painted piece.


It was still rolled up and in the plastic!  It looks spotty in the pic, but it's brand-spankin' new!!

I also replaced the pillows on the sofa.


Got them at Tuesday Morning for $12.


I'll be moving the coffee table from the family room in here in the next few days.

Here's a sneak peak at my latest project.


Hope you are having a fabulicious week!
xoxo,
Kim







36 comments:

Kimberly said...

Love it! amazing job.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

WOW that piece looks FABULOUS!! Martina

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Kim...

I'm not sure what a piece such as this was used for either...but I can say that it is absolutely frenchy fabulous!!! Ohhh my goodness...I thought it was beautiful in it's original state but after seeing how you refinished it, I love, love, LOVE IT!!! I love the colors that you chose for it! It really is frenchy fabulous!!! Girlfriend, it really is a unique piece and I think it looks sooo nice in your beautiful living room! Oh yes, I certainly can see why it is now the "focal" point! I'm just tickled pink for you, Kim! You did a magnificent job with refinishing this beauty! I'm green with envy! Hehe!

I also love your new rug...it's perfect! You know, I have been wanting to do a room...maybe a living room and or dining room...in french country...using cream, pale yellow and gray! After seeing this lovely cabinet against your yellow walls...I am SOLD!!! Wonder what my honey would think if I wanted to redo all the living area of our home? Hehe!

What an inspiration...thank you, dear friend!

Warmest summery wishes,
Chari

Darlene said...

Another outstanding job. I love how the distressing makes all the details pop!

Marianne said...

The piece came out great! I agree with you on the dark wax. I'm having a lot of problems with it and find that the minwax stain I use works much better. I did a piece with the dark wax and dried so fast and was so dark that I had to repaint the entire thing.
Marianne :)

Marigene said...

Kim, your dresser/cabinet came out gorgeous...I ♥ it! You couldn't have found a more perfect rug to compliment the piece.

Debbiedoos said...

Kim I love how you transformed this piece. THe details really show up now too. I just read your Southern post too, LOL...Seeing I am now a native of the South, it is so darn funny. My little guy is going to have the accent, not us, we are northerners!!~ I can't even fake one good.

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

I love love love the two tone color you used on this "piece" and the mellowed finished on it is just awesome. I just love how it turned out too! And adding the crystal knobs finishes it off so beautifully. Looking forward to the next one,now. I love how the rug and the pillow goes so well with your painted piece. Thanks for sharing all the helpful tips,Kim. Have a great week!~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

It is beautiful...I love all the colors in the room. I am thinking that is a dresser - possibly victorian. Just a guess though.

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Your piece is gor-ge-ous!!! Wow...

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Wow! That turned out fantastic! What a wonderful transformation.

Kathy said...

Wow what an awesome piece you have and such a great job, awe inspiring!

Melinda said...

I like the transformation--it looks more inviting. The color is so calming.
Great job!

Melinda

aimee said...

what a great find and fab job you did. i love how it turned out. i would love to see the inside if you are up to showing it to us. im so curious! i hope asking this isn't as bad as inviting ones self to dinner :)
blessings,
aimee

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

Love it and the rug is a perfect match! Good score on that.

At The Picket Fence said...

That looks incredible Kim! You did such a great job on that and I love your new rug too. The colors you are adding are so fabulous! :-)
Vanessa

René said...

Thanks for sharing how you achieved this look. I was wondering how to do the staining over wood. Very pretty.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your piece is gorgeous and it is stunning painted. You did a great job on choosing the colors. The rug is a steal. What a great find.

Thanks for your comment about updating the house. You mentioned changing the doorknobs and hardware to ORB. Debbie @ Confessions of A Plate Addict is a really good friend of mine and she spray painted her brass ones ORB. She just gave them a really good cleaning and then a light sanding with a very fine guage steel wool, just enough to give the paint a tooth to hold on to and they have lasted perfectly for 2 years. Just a thought. You might give it a try. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

A fabulous transformation! Love the new color!

Hugs
Charo

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I am so with you! I don't like the real distressed look either. It is gorgeous and the rug is perfect!!

Carol

Sarah atRosePetals said...

I don't know how I haven't visited you before but I'm glad I stopped by...I've had fun reading through all your older posts. You are one creative gal!

This piece is GORGEOUS! That's why I love paint...it has a totally different look now...do you stare at it everytime you walk by? :)

have a lovely evening ~
Sarah

Reunion Committee said...

ooooh I LOVE it!! seriously love it.
And you got the pillows from where????? lol
Tana

Shabby Marilyn said...

New follower, I love, love this piece and the rug really is the finishing touch! Paris Grey is a rich color! Your work is great!

Allison@FabRehab said...

Possibly the most amazing piece of furniture I've EVER seen. You made it gorgeous!

Inspired by you said...

Beautiful job! The paint really highlights the details instead of being lost with just the wood stain.

Julie said...

Wow! What a unique piece. You did a great job on it!

Decor & Harmony said...

Wow! Now that's a makeover and 1/2 (half)It looks so much better painted great combination of color, wax and distressing! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. We know how to ROCK WOOD!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

So much better Kim. I love your color choices. The two tone really brings out all the lovely detail.

Ricki Treleaven said...

I am too scared to try the chalk paint...too many steps to mess up! It is interesting that you use stain rather than the wax. You make a very good point! Your furniture is so pretty...I can't believe the transformation!

xoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill

Anonymous said...

Kim,

Kudos to you on the amazing job on giving an old piece a new look! Beautiful. The rug you scored compliments it perfectly.

Your Friend,
Deborah

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That chest looks great, Kim. I love the color of it. Great job. Thanks for joining WUW.

White Ironstone Cottage said...

You have PRO skills
The chest is amazing love the colors fabulous job Love your style
Thanks for linking with Treasure Chest Friday
xxoo
Pam

clustres said...

Kim, this piece is magnificient! I know some people are afraid to paint antique pieces, but look how gorgeous it is. I like to find pieces that are so rough that they HAVE to be painted! My excuse.
I have painted with a lot of greys and this is a beautiful color!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Pam

vintageshabbychicks said...

love this awesome piece....its just love at first sight for me!!

vintageshabbychicks said...

Just love this fabulous piece...It was love at first sight for me!

Deborah March said...

SWOOOOON...