I'm so closed to being finished at April's............and I'm going to miss her actually - what a great lady - full of personality and it's been fun working and chatting away.
When I first got the job, I thought - ughhh - I hate working at clients houses with them standing over my shoulder in a panic. But I have to tell you - if you ever get an opportunity to work at an April's home - TAKE it - ( loving her girlfriend Barb too - Hi Barb )
Ok enough sucking up to the client ( she's reading this I know btw )
Sorry if you're tired of seeing the before - but it's so dramatic a change that I may just post the before and after once a week, every week, for as long as I blog ( I'm funny like that )
April says - Can I put things on top of it yet?
Suzan says - No no - not yet - you have to let the paint cure !!!
and then April went out and I ran around to find some things to stage it with lmao.................
she has the most amazing collection of hearts I've ever seen - really - I'm going to ask her if I can take pics of them all to show you guys ( and she'll say - yeah sure - because she's very accomodating like that, right April? )
Here's a photos of the " driftwood " technique...............and I completely forgot to photograph the steps as I went............what kind of a DIY blogger am I, you ask? Not a very efficient one, obviously, but I'll do it on the weekend on a scrap piece of wood, promise. ( sometimes I break promises too but I promise this time I won't )
Ok - while I'm at it, do you want to see a sneak peak of the pedestal legs?
Here is the before - it was so dark that none of the details actually showed
AND they're packed with gorgeous details!
But baby - look at her now!
Wait till you see the buffet/hutch!!!
They're changing the wood shelves to glass - and installing lighting.............
When I saw the handles my first impulse was to spraint them - those of you that follow know that word by now - they looked so dated and drab against the wood but April said she wanted to keep them the way they were............
The customer is always right?
100 % !!! I have to give credit where credit is due - and that was such a good call.
You learn something every single day.................I won't be in such a hurry to spraint hardware any more,
BUT it was my idea to paint the pedestal legs Old White - the original plan was to paint them the same color as the table and I was RIGHT about that!
( You see ? There's that little girl hopping up and down, saying " look at me, look at me " I need to compensate - I need to give myself credit - I need affirmation, I need ................... to grow up basically - but I just can't see that happening any time soon, you? )
Ok - time to move my butt and get those chairs done - because now I am DYING to see them done too!
Have a great Thursday all
Sharing with!
Common Ground French Country Cottage Craftionary
Shabby Art Boutique Simple Home Life One Artsy Mama
Becoming Martha ( Keep Calm and Link Up ) Funky Junk Interiors
Miss Mustard Seed My Romantic Home Classy Clutter
The Shabby Nest Nifty Thrifty Things I Heart Naptime
Pieced Pastimes Knick of Time Not Just a Housewife
Ginger Snap Crafts Adorned from Above No Minimalist Here
Miss Mustard Seed I Heart Nap Time Homemaker on a dime
Knick of Time Beyond the Picket Fence
The Dedicated House\
So very gorgeous! Glad you had a good client whose company you enjoyed~!
ReplyDeleteOMG it is so beautiful-can't wait to see the finished items.
ReplyDeleteWhen your good your good and when your funny your funny! Always look forward to reading your post.
Beautiful as usual... now don't forget your promise!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful! I MUST know how you did the driftwood technique! I think that would be perfect for my dining room table that needs an overhaul!
ReplyDeleteJenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof
Hi Jenna - actually it's nicest on the table! I will definitely post something on the weekend about the technique!
DeleteHugs,
Suzan
Looks great ! I think paint really changes everything! My least favorite thing to do are the chairs! Very labor intensive.
ReplyDeleteI have a buffet that is almost IDENTICAL! I painted it a Carolina blue color and faux grained the top. Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteGood Afternoon Suzan, What a difference you have made to your client's sideboard.....it looks fabulous.... and how wonderful to work for such a lovely client. You are really inspiring me to search for a "pot of paint" to change some of my furniture. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes
Daphne
Hi Daphne!
DeleteI really lucked out with this customer - she's been a joy to work with -
Get out and find your pot of paint ( it will not be under the rainbow - you'll have to actually get to a store LOL )
Hugs,
Suzan
April and Vladismir are probably want you to come live there and paint everything. I cannot wait to see how you created the driftwood look. Really, I cannot wait - I have a table I am painting gray and need something special for it. Suzan to rescue!
ReplyDeleteSuzan,
ReplyDeleteYour transformations are beautiful. April is a lucky girl to have your talent. Her room is going to be gorgeous. I can't wait to see it all done.
Kris
So gorgeous, Suzan!
ReplyDeleteLittle Girl Suzan wants credit and recognition, and rightly so. You deserve it. Little Girl Cheryl just wants to stomp her foot and whine about having to vacuum. Not as justified.
ReplyDeleteSuzan-That is turning out just beautiful. I love it and you have done an amazing job on the piece. I can't wait to see the whole set pulled together and done-(I bet you can't wait either!;>) It looks like a million bucks!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning Suzan! Sounds like you had a great time on this job. Can't wait to see the chairs... they're always the least fun, but I'm sure they'll be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job Suzan!! Love!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much !!!
DeleteXOX
That dining room suite has gone from nice but ordinary to absolutely beautiful with a wave of your magic paintbrush. Well, maybe a bit more than a wave, but certainly worth it! How nice to have a kindred spirit client.
ReplyDeleteLooking like a Suzan original!! Yet, again!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm In Awe! Awww! Owww! No....AWE!!! :) Awesome!!
ReplyDelete-andi
Love that finish. Can't wait to see your description of how you did it. And those are the cutest little rosettes on the table legs!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Betsy - I need to find a scrap piece of wood to do this on - I'm all out :(
DeleteXXX
It's looking good. When you come up for air from doing the chairs I will know the reveal is following soon.
ReplyDeleteBliss
It is looking great, love that piece and color. I would have cracked up when I came home and saw things on top of that piece. I love that vine heart. Great!
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Wow! It's all so pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - it was beautiful to start with, right?
DeletePaint only made it look even better!
hugs,
Suzan
I try to paint like you but my stuff always seems to turn out so, well, amateur-ish compared to yours. Sigh. Try, try again, right? Or maybe I can bribe you to come to Vancouver Island for a week and do my chairs, hutch, tables, sideboard, kitchen ...... Patty/BC
ReplyDeleteSend me the tickets Patty - and I'm SO there lol - could use a little of Vancouver Island right about now!
DeleteXOX
Gorgeous!!! Cant' wait to see the chairs.
ReplyDeletethanks Heather!!!
DeleteXXX
Wow. What a transformation. Love it.
ReplyDeleteSuzan,
ReplyDeleteYou have outdone yourself!! Absolutely gorgeous work and craftsmanship! KUDOS to you, my friend! And bravo to your client for being such a positive force in the overall result!
Poppy
Gorgeous! What a fabulous job you did Suzan. I love it and can't wait to see the rest.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
Thanks SO much Margaret!
DeleteIt was a gorgeous piece to start :)
XOX
Looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Deanne!
DeleteXXX
it all looks great!! can't wait to see the complete *AFTER*!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a fantastic job with this makeover, Suzan.
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
Meredith
That looks great Suzan! Can't wait to see everything. I picked up a buffet just like it the other day that I am keeping for myself and am going to attempt to do a Union Jack on it. :)
ReplyDeleteThe table legs are really great now, I love how the way you painted draw the eyes to wonderful details!
ReplyDeleteWow wee! Nice work! You're right about that pedestal, way to bring the details out!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're so funny and entertaining as usual!
Hugs,
Nicole
Love it! Looks great!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful transformation! Love the color. It is amazing how the details really pop now. Looking forward to seeing the hutch.
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
PS-Would love to have you link this up to Saturday Sparks
I am always loving everything you do! LOVE that buffet, and yes, that hardware looks great against that color.
ReplyDeleteKelly
OMGoodness! this sideboard is gorgeous and I can't wait to see the table finished. What color is that sideboard?
ReplyDeleteThe hardware is perfect!
xo, Ginger
Of course you need to be proud of your work because the buffet is so gorgeous!! Can't wait to see you work your magic on the table and chairs.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
So beautiful! Love the color and the decor on top! I'd be thrilled if you'd link up at this week's Off the Hook!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful. I just love the color.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Judy!
DeleteXOX
Perfect!
ReplyDeleteWow Suzan, It turned out gorgeous! That color is divine and I love the technique!(I also just love how I get little pink stars when I type!) Did you use a white glaze? I copied your glaze technique on my dressing table and I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI think my french dresser is going to be blue. I'm always inspired by your blog.
Peace
Linda at The French Hens Nest
Amazing! The color completely updates the piece. It's amazing what a coat of paint can do! Stopping by from Shabby Creek Cottage :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Suzan! I love the color!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful but I wouldnt expect anything else from you-love dee xxx
ReplyDeleteLooks so GOOD! I love the color!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out so beautifully Suzan! Lucky client!! I'm the same away about staging. I know better than to put
ReplyDelete"stuff" up there right away, but then I just can't help myself (and have had to fix a few oops! because of it!!)! :)
Beautiful piece of furniture!! Love the color; it looks so classy!
ReplyDeleteSo Beautiful. Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteJen @onceuponatimecreation
I can not believe you painted that antique buffet!!! My heart sank as I saw it change. It feels as though its history has died. I guess if you bought it second hand and have no emotional attachment to it, then it would be easier to paint. I could not do that to my grandmas or aunts buffets. I just couldn't. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteWell Rebecca - I don't know how to reply to this other than to say if you don't like painted furniture then don't paint your own!!!
DeleteI think this client paid perfect homage to her Aunt by keeping it - period.
Paint does not destroy ( it can be sanded or stripped after all )
My site definitely is NOT for you - because that's what I do - I paint furniture!!!
Thanks for your input and your visit.................
Suzan
I love this piece! You will be the Star Feature tomorrow at the Before and After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again tomorrow at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDeleteI see in the comments above that you were planning on doing a "driftwood finish" tutorial. I have searched your site, but don't see one anywhere. Am I missing it? I have almost this exact same set and would love to replicate this look. You did a fantastic job! This is my first time on your blog and I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteHi Suzan, This is quite possibly the best makeover I have every seen. I have seen it literally everywhere in my internet travels. Then this morning it pops up on my Hometalk email. There are two reasons I love this makeover. I have a dining room suite that is almost a twin. I have the pictures saved in my files. I was going to do something similar. The other is I love blue. Your client is a lucky lady to have such a beautiful suite. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteKim