September 09, 2012

Headboard Before & After

My client, Brandi, wanted to turn these old doors into a headboard. She saw this headboard (click here) and asked if I could duplicate the look for her. She didn't want them as distressed but she loved the overall look of them.
 
BEFORE


 
The original paint was caked on and there was splintered wood along the edges. I got a splinter that I am still cursing about and a scar to show for it!
I stripped the paint, sanded the wood smooth, and painted with Swiss Coffee chalk paint.
Brandi wanted a chalky look and I love the chalk paint because I can work so much faster because of the fast drying time.
 
My husband added a piano hinge between the doors so it could be hung as one door instead of two.
I don't have any pictures hanging the door but we used a french cleat (click here for more info) to hang the door on the wall.
 
 
AFTER

There is a lot of natural light in this space (floor to ceiling windows)

 
I spray painted the face plates on the doors with Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint and added a coat of wax to the doors.


 
Our girls waited as patiently as they could to join the photo shoot!
 
I loved reusing these old doors to make such a gorgeous headboard. I love stuff that is one of a kind and that nobody else has.
 
 
Linking up to:
 

August 29, 2012

Red Empire Dresser

Hi, my name is Helen, and I am addicted to empire dressers!

This is the third empire dresser that I've purchased and probably not my last. I love the shape, the curved legs, the overall chunkiness (is that a word)...I love it all!



I used Red Gumball by Olympic and mixed in some baking soda to make chalk paint. I added brown glaze because I had it on hand and to tone down the red.
After I sanded and distressed, I rubbed Kona black stain to create a deeper red and a glazed look.








 
After I added the black stain glaze, I sealed it with two coats of rub-on poly.
 
I very lightly distressed the edges but the black stain hides some of the distressing.
 
I used black knobs from Hobby Lobby.
 
I love this dresser.
 
How about you, do you love it?
 
 
Linking up to:
 Miss Mustard Seed
 

August 21, 2012

French Country Dressers Before & After

When I saw this dresser set on Craigslist I knew I had to have it! I always think I have to have everything I see on there but this one was meant to be.

BEFORE

These blurry photos make the dressers look like they are in perfect condition. In reality, there was missing veneer on the front of the drawers (too big to fill with wood filler) and layers upon layers of furniture polish. The dresser with the mirror also needed some repair work so the drawers would close.

AFTER








I used Rocky Mountain Sky by Behr and Swiss Coffee also by Behr.
I mixed the chalk paint recipe I always and sealed with wax (on the white and tops of dressers) and poly for the blue/gray parts.


My chalk paint recipe is 1 cup latex paint and 1/2 cup baking soda. I don't measure anymore but I would recommend adding 1/4 cup baking soda at first and then add a little more if you want the paint to be thicker.

I mentioned doing a how-to post and I am still working on it.
My husband thinks I should do a Vlog or a video tutorial. Oh, just the idea of it makes me cringe but I think it would be more helpful than pictures. I broke out the video camera while I was working on these dressers but couldn't find the nerve to videotape myself.
I have other projects I am doing so maybe I will bite the bullet and make you guys a how-to video.


Linking up to:

July 31, 2012

Empire Dresser Before and After

I have been wanting to work on an Empire Dresser for a while now and I was lucky enough to find one. The lady I bought this dresser from had it sitting in her carport and it had a lot of damage to it. The veneer was peeling off of the legs and it was pretty unloved. Helen to the rescue!

BEFORE


I mixed a custom sea green color and painted with homemade chalk paint and sealed with a coat of rub-on polyurethane. I get a lot of emails with questions about chalk paint, waxing, and distressing. I am planning on doing a post to answer all of these questions. If you guys have any other questions please let me know and I will answer those too!

AFTER






 I lined all of the drawers with a textured grey suede fabric. The fabric replicates the texture that the distressing shows on the top of the dresser. It was a nice coincidence.
I love those brass key holes.