It’s been a bit since I’ve had a proper furniture reveal, hasn’t it? So without further ado…..
This cabinet started out PURPLE with darker purple and gold accents. And under all that was more gold!
I knew I couldn’t just paint over the layers of ugly, drippy, latex, especially if I wanted to distress her (and I knew I would want to).
So I decided to completely strip as much of the paint off as I could:
I also had to remove warped and water-damaged wood veneer that was on top and used a method given to me from Helen over at Picked and Painted. She is a genius. It worked so well! It mainly involves just a water-soaked towel and letting it sit overnight, but I’m going to bug her to do a tutorial with pictures on her blog, so it will clear up any confusion or questions! Did you hear that Helen? 😉
Stripping an entire piece of ornate furniture is a lot of work, ya’ll. And it’s super messy. Because I have no garage or basement to work in, I did this mostly in my dining room and my porch (when it wasn’t freezing out). But that will no longer be a problem in a couple months, because…..
We bought a house!
I’m not going to give details or pictures yet, because we haven’t closed on it. And those of you who know, know things can go array until closing date, and I don’t want to jinx it. But suffice to say, I will have adequate work space starting sometime mid-January!
That is one of the reasons I have been a little infrequent with my posts lately… there has been much to do with gathering paperwork, meeting with our realtor, meeting with our lender, getting the house inspection done, etc. All during this time, we had a bum couple of weeks where both our cars broke down a couple times, then our dryer broke, then my phone dropped and broke, and our ipad dropped and broke…. hahaha! But all is well now! We either fixed or bought new everything we needed and I’m trying to get back into the swing of things now!
I wasn’t completely forgetting about furniture either, because during all that, I finished 2 custom highboy dressers (very similar to ones I’ve done in the past, so no pictures), plus this little turquoise and gold number!
Whew! I’m ready for a nap, just remembering all that! 😉
I used ASCP Provence, dark wax and gold gilding wax. It was the first time I used gold gilding wax and I LOVE it!
It was nearly effortless to use and really made some of those details pop!
These side scroll things were actually warped from water damage and had come loose from their nails and were sticking out, curled almost, only attached at the base (top part). My friend who sold them to me, though they were metal or plastic. I knew the wood, even though it was warped a little, would nail back into place, so I put some wood glue on the back and got the tiniest tack nails to reattach them.
I had to try a little Christmas bokeh… 🙂
I’m a total amateur when it comes to photography, but I do what I can with my digital point-and-shoot! 🙂
You can see here what a difference dark wax makes for this paint! And I love how authentic the two little glass knobs on the doors look! They didn’t have anything before, so I had to drill some holes for them.
She matches so well with my tree doesn’t she?
The day after Thanksgiving we got our fresh tree from Costco (it was only $28) and my middle child, Alex, who is 4, was the most excited about decorating it. Sweet boy put all the ornaments in a 2×2 foot section at the bottom, so when he went to bed I rearranged (bad mom? haha)!
The tree was begging for something vintage, handmade and festive, so I added some Starts of David out of antique music sheets! They were super simple to make and were free, since I already had the music sheets!
I took pics of the steps to make them, and will post them later this week if anyone is interested… Just let me know if YOU are! 🙂
I also added a no-sew ruffle tree skirt I made from MMS tutorial, only I used drop cloth instead of linen and I ran out of fabric, so I didn’t go all the way to the top yet. YET!
Lastly, I had to share my 2nd most exciting find at a thrift store (first being the dresser I kept)…
IRONSTONE!
I got everything you see in that cabinet (except the platter in the top shelf) for less than $50! I couldn’t believe my eyes, when I was looking through the dishes (like I always do) hoping to find some Ironstone, and came across stacks of dinner plates and saucers! Then in a display area, they had the larger items like the bowl, cake stand, pitcher, gravy boat, platters and a sugar pot. I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime find, so I bought it all, even though there was some stains, cracks and crazing. I didn’t mind at all! 🙂
Now, every time I walk buy this cabinet (another thrift store find a few months back), I just stare for a bit, so pleased to have a jump start on my china collection!
And yes, that cabinet will get a makeover (with Paris Gray, I believe), but since I’m keeping it, it is low on the totem pole of priorities.
This month will be busy for us (and for everyone it seems like) but this is my wish for you this season:
And don’t worry, I’ll be back on Thursday for another furniture reveal! 🙂
Also, lest you forget or you don’t follow me on facebook yet, I’m trying so desperately to win the Annie Sloan Snap and Share contest! I need A LOT more votes even though I’m like 4th place, so if you could, would you please go vote for me? You can vote for more than one person, and you can vote once a day!
Anyone who votes and comments, will be entered into a drawing I will do IF I WIN, for a FREE can of Chalk Paint AND a can of clear wax!
Check it out HERE!
LOVE how this one came out. I love the gilding wax. It is so much fun to play with. Oh, and that tree skirt is gorgeous. I need to make something for our tree this year, but we don’t have it yet… Gosh, you have so many votes in the Annie Sloan Contest. So happy for you!!!
I LOVE everything you showed. You are sooo good with furniture. I really love your tree skirt. I want to know how you made that. That would be a cute purse, curtains – lots of stuff. Good jobs Rachel! And congrats on buying a house.
Love the ironstone! I keep voting everyday Rachel.
Nice job on stripping the entire piece! My father would say “A job worth doing is worth doing correctly” and you certainly didn’t take any shortcuts in this transformation! The dark wax must really calm the brightness down of Provence..This piece is stunning and especially with the gold highlights. Gorgeous! And congrats on the home purchase…hopefully no major glitches from now until closing!
Robin
Rachel, I voted for you. Hope you win!!! Love your cabinet makeover!!! Please do the tutorial on the sheet music stars! I would love to make some for my tree!!! Thanks!!
Congratulations on the new house! So happy for you. I love this piece and how you applied the gilding and dark wax. It certainly is a keeper 🙂
AHHH A HOUSE!!! SO EXCITING!!! i can’t wait to hear more details 🙂 just wish it would be closer to us so you could paint all my furniture and decorate my house 😉
simply wow…really nice furniture.This antique master piece will give your house a old charm.i want to just suggest you to add marine lights to your collection.
love the cabinet, the color blue is gorgeous, i would love to feature it, if that would beok with you just let me know,
lauren
not sure if you caught the feature you can see it here. thanks again!
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com/2014/01/revival-monday-142.html
This is a gorgeous transformation! Stunning!
Great job! Love the colors!
So jealous of your Ironstone finds!!! I once found a 42 piece set for super cheap! I was so excited! Great job!!!
I love, love, LOVE this gorgeous piece, especially with the gold embellishment. Found you over at West Furniture Revival and look forward to seeing more!
Blessings,
Patti