Table Trouble

"Muriel"

We'd like you to meet Muriel.  

Muriel is a beautiful old table that had been sitting in storage for quite some time.  She used to look very similar to this (Not the actual before picture. We forgot to take one but this is close!).   Her finish was in pretty bad shape and she was kind of dreary looking.

Oh yes, and she had another slight problem...she was missing a metal claw foot.  Now if it had been just a plain piece of metal without much detail it may not have been too much of a problem.  But this foot was anything but plain!

Because we thought we would be getting the missing foot from the original owner, we had already made plans for this table to join some other pieces that we had made for someone at a lake cottage.  We had already painted the entire table and we were just waiting to add that missing foot and to paint it.

At first there was a bit of a panic, should we just hope they wouldn't notice?  No, that wasn't an option.  Do we call them and tell them that this perfect table that they had already paid to have done was...ugh...less than perfect?  Not a great option either.

And then it hit us!  We had used this amazing product called Quick Wood in another one of our projects to replace details that were missing.  Maybe we could use it to create a foot?  Hmmm...it was worth a try!  

We used a foot from one of the other legs as the mold.  We needed to make sure that the putty would come out of the mold so we brushed the inside of it very lightly with Pam.  (I know, who would have thought?!)  We worked the putty as directed and then laid a flat piece of it inside the foot.  Next, to make sure that the mold would fit on the foot when it cured, we placed the claw foot, with the putty in it, onto the bare wood foot while the putty was still wet.  You have to work quickly because it sets really fast!  

When we pulled the mold off the leg (right away) the putty remained behind and it looked like this.  

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Ok, we did leave behind a few finger prints and the edge needed a little more detail but that wasn't a problem.  We just added a little more filler where needed and then used a dremel to polish off the fingerprints and to adjust some small details once it had dried.

A little metallic bronze paint followed by the old white paint and voila...Muriel had a perfect foot!  You honestly can not tell the difference!

And here is Muriel now...in ALL her glory!

So if you ever find that your "perfect piece" happens to be missing a bit of detail, don't pass it up because you think there isn't hope!  A little bit of Quick Wood might just do the trick!

Sharing with:

Coastal Charm:  Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Elizabeth and Co.
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Under the Table and Dreaming:  Sunday Showcase Party
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays

Gitty Up

Meet Cheya 

This is a picture of a friend's daughter's best friend, Cheya. She had ask if I would be able to paint it so she could give it as a gift to her. Why not? Don't we all live for challenges?

The medium...watercolor, no problem, easy peasy....I love to fool myself.  The first step after the drawing is the lightest colors of paint, one layer at a time. I used Arches Watercolor paper. It takes the best beating mistakes I make.

Winsor & Newton is one of the finest brands I have used for watercolor paints so far. How far is far? I'd say 15 yrs. or so, off and on between kids and life and kids and more life.  I chose watercolors purely for the fact that if my kids got into them they were going to be washable. I looked at them as finger paints, just a bit more pricey! Good quality really does make all the difference.

 

The process can be slow yawn  building up layer on layer of color,  slowly darker and darker. Its been a real challenge for my patience. I want it done yesterday. 

With each step Cheya becomes more alive to me. I become lost in the hours that go by, they seem like minutes. Haven't we all been there, when doing what drives our passion?

Cheya..

Her daughter loved it!

Large animals are becoming the new rage in art, so I've been told. So I think I will take out the acrylic paints and canvases now and see if I can get creative. Putting up my feet and dreaming of which animal should be next. What do you think?  Cow? Elephant?

The Claw!

"Nichole"

Sometimes you get lucky and you find a piece that's just beautiful.  You can see all of it's personality and charm even through a dull, old brown finish.  That was the case with Nichole.

Even when we could only see the beautiful lines on her back from a distance, we knew...we HAD to have that chair.

And those FEET!  OMG!  Just look at those FEET!

We painted her in Annie Sloan Graphite Chalk Paint.  Yup, I know, we should be sick of it by now but the more we use this color, the more we want to paint with it!  It's just such a beautiful, rich gray that can be completely changed if you want by using a white wash on top or in this case Briwax Liming Wax. 

 This wax is so cool!  It completely softens a color without leaving streaky lines like some other techniques we use.  

Here you can see the change in color because we didn't apply the wax to the ball under the claw. 

Now...just look at those FEET!

And the wax lightened even the rush seat giving it much more contrast...and style!

Isn't she a Beauty?!

Sharing with;

Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday

Debbiedoos: Newbie Party

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Under the Table and Dreaming: Showcase Sunday Party

DIY Project Parade

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures

Ivy and Elephants; What's it Wednesday

Cottage Chic

"Margaux & Marguerite"

We recently found these two tacky looking ladies that definitely needed a little help if they were going to regain their past glory.  Although they were solid structurally, their drab yellow color and shinny gold detailing made them very dated and quite honestly, U.G.L.Y.

  

Luckily, this was a problem that could be easily solved with just a bit of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint!

Initially we weren't quite sure what look we were going for but we knew we wanted to soften their overall look while still showing off all their beautiful lines.  

When we found a home for them in a lakeside cottage we knew immediately what we needed to do...

 We started by painting them with the color Coco.  This is a warm brown/grey color that works beautifully alone or as base color to apply on pale pieces like these.

Then we applied a crackle medium to the recessed portions of the drawer & cabinet fronts and quickly covered the crackle with Old White paint.   (Even though both pieces would eventually be completely covered in Old White, we needed to do these areas separately because the crackle dries very quickly.)   

Some people might stop at this point, preferring the strong contrast between the two colors but we were going for a softer look.

Crackling was a great way to add character and interest to the piece and to really set off the surrounding details without bringing in another solid color.

We finished painting over the rest of each piece with the Old White, pretty much covering the stronger Coco color that we had initially applied.

Finally, we began sanding down areas here and there, bringing out more of the Coco color, giving these pieces a beautiful, worn look.

Last but not least, we had inside the cabinets on Margaux to play with so we threw in some Duck Egg Blue to give her more of that beachy, lake house feel.  This really created a nice contrast to the more neutral tones of the Coco and Old White on the exterior.

Of course with the garden in full bloom I couldn't help but to bring in some of that color too!

  What a change from the dreary, flat yellow & shinny gold!  It's amazing how a little paint can totally transform the look & feel of a piece of furniture and in turn an entire room, don't you think?

Sharing with:
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
At The Picket French: Inspiration Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
2805: Potpourri Friday
Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
Under the Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase Party
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
The Brambleberry Cottage: Time Travel Thursday

Roosting On Adele

"Adele"

Whoa....talk about a diamond in the rough!! This chair was dark, drab and dated but we could see her potential!  We were really drawn to the caning under the less than attractive, outdated fabric and the dark 70's looking wood finish.  

Although the buttons on the back were a cute little touch, 

they had to go to be able to show off the interesting lines and authentic style of this chair and to expose all of that beautiful caning.

So, off to play work we went.  We began by removing the old fabric and replacing it with a heavy, neutral sail cloth.

To add a little bit of interest we put a french label on the seat and then fished off the wood in Annie Sloan's Old White Chalk Paint.  

The lighter color really brought out the details throughout the entire chair and gave her a much needed update.  (Sorry about the yellow picture; this was taken with an iPhone!)  To make her details stand out even more, we added a little distressing here and there and a bit of wax was rubbed in to give her a soft, yet well protected finish and she was ready.  Well almost...

To complete Adele's transformation, and to prepare her for her stay at the Old Chic Boutique, we sent her on her way with a hand made rooster burlap pillow that was loaded with color.  This pillow gives her so much character and charm and makes her the perfect accent for any room.

Life's A Beach

"Beachy" Plaques

Happy Summer!  Yup, today is the official start to summer and also the longest day of the year.  Wooo whoo!   I thought it was the perfect  time to share a couple of plaques that we made...

All of the hot sunny days instantly bring thoughts of soak'n up the sun at the beach!

Isn't this old fashioned scene great?!  I'm not sure I'd like to cover up that much in the hot sun but I bet that bathing cap saves a lot on redoing hair color! 

Here's another favorite past time for many during the summer, golfing.  Unfortunately, I can't say I've ever played at Pebble Beach but it's on my Bucket List!  Ok, I don't look like that on the golf course either but just go with me here.

We put the graphics on the front of old cabinet doors but skipped the cabinet so that they can be enjoyed in any room.  These images came from Kristy at 4theloveofwood.  She actually put them on a cabinet, So Awesome!  She's an incredibly talented lady that does amazing work.  Be sure to check out her site!

Hope everyone has a wonderful summer!

She's So Fine!

"June"

Every now and then you come across something (someone) that has a killer style and they're just brimming over with personality.  This little table, "June" is definitely "one of those".  You know the type; when you enter a room all eyes are on her.  Every line of her profile, so perfect; every embellishment, in just the right place.  She doesn't need to be loud or boisterous to get the attention of every...person...in...that...room.

  

But "June" shares the same fate that so many of us have, or will eventually succumb to.  Although she's still full of life and beauty, time has taken it's toll leaving her... well...a bit faded...

and yes, a bit creeky and wobbly too.

And she's no longer the show stopper that she once was.  

Does that mean that her time of glory is over?  Ummm...Heck NO!

With a little hip replacement, and a few stabilizers...

and some new, beautiful color put in just the right places to highlight her amazing bones and incredible lines...

and yes, incredibily sexy legs...

she once again, in her subtle, unpretentious way, commands the room; like the beautiful, classy lady that she is.