Monday, May 27, 2013

MY Lady in Red....................

Good morning everyone!
Yesterday's POST was a tie in to today's post - did any of you figure it out?

Here's the tale of MY Lady in Red..................



First of all when I answered the Craigs list ad - and found out the dresser was here in Westmount - I thought
" wow " this is great - soooo close - except this baby was living in one of those I WANNA live there Wednesday homes - way up on the hill - I swear to God had I had my camera with my I would have asked if I could walk around taking photos lol - as it were - I was promptly directed down a very dark narrow staircase into the cellar, where sadly, I seem to belong.
After trying to lift my half of it - I looked at John and shook my head - there was just no way I could have angled it up that narrow staircase.
Did I mention I was out of breath just walking up the 60 steps to get to the front door in the first place?
And it gets better - this home was up - way up - but the parking in the back was UP again - another steep winding climb to the car pad.
We had to call my son in to help John - because sometimes you just have to accept defeat -
And then it sat in the back of the van for about a month LMHO - furniture painting is for the insane at times -
just ask anyone who does it - things that other people would think are insane are just another day on the ranch for us.

Anyway we brought it in last night -
AND IT STINKS - OH GOD IT STINKS
It happens sometimes - just last month someone bought a dresser and sent me an email telling me the drawers smelled bad ( is that embarrassing or what ? )
I put bowls of vinegar in the drawers which is supposed to help - I put baking soda - and usually that works but sometimes it doesn't -
A lot of the furniture I buy are antiques - and not antiques that have been gingerly taken care of - they're often in rough shape which is why they're often priced to sell.
And they have this smell which is a mixture of cigarettes and Church - does anyone know what I mean by that " Church " smell?  Sort of like incense?  It's very pungent................
Does anyone out there have a magical way of getting rid of that smell?

It appears that some sort of crazy glue fell all over the top


It was really like an epoxy - and very difficult to sand off ( which John did - I have to give credit where credit is due - Hey John - I'm giving you credit here )


and some knicks ( gouges might be a better term )  here and there


Here it is all sanded - ( why do you need to see a photo of it sanded ? I have no idea - but I think I'm supposed to show that )


and for any of you who know me, you're going to be shocked by the next step!

little Miss Paris Grey and White - opted for this instead!


The same old - same old just didn't feel right for this dresser - I was kind of aiming for a " chinoiserie " look instead.
Oh. My. God...............................
What took me so long?
Ok - I'm going to take you through the process with photos here - so bear with me

This is one of the drawers after 3 coats - no wax


here it is with clear wax on it


And here it is with the dark wax applied on top of the clear wax...................and the original hardware put back on ( which I was going to spray paint gold - then thought maybe black - but in the end left in their original state because the brassy color looks nice against the red )


And here's my Lady in Red


AND this is where having a good camera is absolutely vital - red is a hard color to capture anyway - but when you're working with a crappy Kodak - and a dark house - EVERY single photo I took captured it in a different color................every single one.
Just pick the one you like best - and I'll tell you that's the truest one LMHO




Never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight.....................


It's a much deeper red than these photos show.....................my camera is not capturing the depth whatsoever - nor is it showing how dark and beautiful the wax is.  Will you take my word for it if I tell you
it is absolutely gorgeous in real life?

The middle drawers did not have handles - so I picked up back plates ( I used these often anyway when a dresser needs a little something - something )






This may just be my newest favorite color by Annie Sloan..................

Emperor's Silk


 I never will forget.................................
                                                             The way you look tonight.........................

And there you have it - an old dresser and a tin of the best paint in the world...................
Have a great Tuesday all
Tomorrow we're going across the ocean for I WANNA live there - and I do mean across the ocean!

Much love

Sharing with
Clean & Scentsible                       Savvy Southern Style                          Adorned from Above
No Minimalist Here                             Shabby Creek Cottage                        I Gotta Create!
Beyond the Picket Fence                     Common Ground                                French Country Cottage
Becoming Martha                                My Romantic Home                           One Artsy Mama
The Shabby Nest                                Miss Mustard Seed                             Designed Decor
Funky Junk Interiors                           It's Overflowing                                   Uncommon Designs
Homemaker on a Dime                       Craft-O-Maniac                                  Keeping it Simple
Coastal Charm                                   Knick of Time                                     Our Home away from Home
Not Just a Housewife                          A Diamond in the Stuff                        One More Time
I Should be mopping the floor

77 comments:

  1. THREE SNAPS in a Z FORMATION, Suzan!! From curves to color - it has it all. Your bold color choice is spot-on, and it's sexy...But in a "Just because I look this hot doesn't mean I'm easy" kind of way.

    XOXO,
    Meredith

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  2. I love Emperor's Silk and have used it on many different pieces. I was going to paint my dresser in blue, but I just decided that it must be red. Thanks for giving me an idea what it will look like.

    You worked wonders with that piece of furniture!

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  3. I thought I did not like red, but this is just gorgeous. You did an excellent job.

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    Replies
    1. I thought I wasn't so crazy about it either - now I'm in love lol
      Thanks SO much
      XOX

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  4. oh I really like it in the red, is she dancing with you?

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  5. It looks fantastic in red.

    Have a great day

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  6. Hey Suzan this is beautiful could you deliver it to Australia for me ?????-love dee x

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  7. Of course it came out gorgeous, I love it! I usually don't buy the piece if it smells, but if it does I have put a cloth bag with baking soda and lavender essential oil mixed!

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  8. It is beautiful. What a wonderful lovely piece.

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  9. I looks wonderful. It is a lot of work but when you see the results it is worth it. Dianntha

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  10. Wowee!! What a difference! She went from being a wrinkly old lady to a sexy beast, lol!! Great, great job, kiddo! (And John too!)

    Nicole
    xx

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  11. Red...hmmm...wasn't sure when I saw the drawer but then when I saw the whole piece, well, you got me there girl. I love it. I think that might be my favourite.

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  12. Gorgeous! My can of ASCP in Emperors Silk has sat in my basement...unopened..for so long!

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    1. OPEN it !!!!!!!!! I waited far too long to paint something red too!
      Thanks so much
      XOX

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  13. Vast improvement!! I do love that Emperors Silk red. There is nowhere in my house that I can use it but that is mostly because if I started painting with it I would not know where to stop!

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  14. Gorgeous!

    I've always heard that to get the smell out of old books and magazines was to let them lay in full sun for a couple of days. That's a little tougher to do with furniture...

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  15. Wow! Look at you stepping out of your comfort zone!
    She's gorgeous, darling!

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  16. It's fabulous! I think I'm going to re-do an old dresser we have in the garage and put it in my son's room. He's got a pressed wood one that irks me so badly I've put it in his closet...which makes it a pain to access, and it's taking up precious toy storage space. ;) I've never done one, I'm scared, Suzan. You give me hope... when I do it I have to contact Danni. We mildly discussed it once... both of doing a makeover inspired by Simply Vintageous...by Suzan. :) I'm s-l-o-w-l-y gaining courage.

    I love your choice of red for this dresser. Makes all the toting and storage worthwhile, I'm sure.

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  17. She's absolutely gorgsous Suzan! The red is fantastic! Love it!

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  18. The dresser is stunning in red! You really had to work for that one but the results are amazing. A few drops of rosemary essential oil will usually get rid of odours on furniture. A British antique dealer gave me that trick years ago.

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  19. red was the perfect color for this dresser!!! so glad you went with it rather than "your usual"!!

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  20. Glad for you to have help with your pretty lady whom looks incredible in red. Wow. Loving the red, so smooth and sultry. You did such a great job rehabilitating that gal, bet she's appreciative. Red is a color that many people have a hard time with. They think, nah, I can't use that but it grows on people, just not too much of it in one place. That dresser has a new life and I'll bet she's singing. Have a great week.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Don't know why I've never done it before - but I'm hooked now, definitely!
      Hugs,

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  21. Oh yeah baby! I LOVE it! She is bee-u-ti-ful! Perfect color and I love the added back plates on the middle drawers. *sigh* :)

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  22. Absolutely GORGEOUS !!!

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  23. Suzan,

    I love the red, I think it is stunning on this piece. As usual your story had me hanging on the edge of my seat. Trying to visual the carrying and breathing LOLl!

    Cynthia

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  24. That is amazing - and yes that dresser needed the red! I may be buying that color myself now!

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  25. I do love this red dresser. She is truly a grande dame with her curves and brass. They did not pay you to get the piece out of the basement? I hope they do not see this - they will want it back!

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  26. I love it Suzan! It is perfect! I hope you paint red more often now. So pretty!

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  27. Wow! This piece is gorgeous...:) I love the red....very understated but it certainly packs a punch! U thing the hardware looks great as well...:)Thanks for sharing!

    Blessings, Vicky
    Life On Willie Mae Lane

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  28. Gooorgeous!!! I have one just like I've been wondering what color to paint...duh! I can't wait to start! Thank you!

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  29. Great job! It looks really lovely.
    Congratulations!

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  30. Oh...Em...GEE!!!!! This looks amazing, fantastic, incredible...! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!

    -andi

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  31. Suzan, I love the way this looks. I've had a highboy desk in my garage for over a year waiting to be painted red just like this. Perhaps now I have the courage...

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  32. This looks absolutely fantastic. It doesn't even look like the same dresser! I love it, Suzan. Pinned to my DIY board!

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  33. Lovely transformation! That shade of red is perfect!

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  34. I love your lady in red: bold and chic. Now, could you tell the language police I think "peinture à la chaux" would be a better translation for "chalk paint"??? Also, if you're crossing the ocean tomoroow for I wanna live there, could you bring John with you? I have some sanding to do in the house and he could help, he looks so good at it! (I know John is beginning to hate me already!)

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  35. Suzy Baby! I am back! Computer ON! Good to go! Love the Lady In Red. She turned out great. Does she still smell like a church lady covered with smoke? lol I HATE that smell. Almost as bad as cat pee on carpet! Well, just wanted to pop in to say Hi- Good night- good morning-whatever- We'll catch up later- xoxo Diana

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  36. Fantastic!!! I have been thinking of using a red myself and I need to take the plunge!!!

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  37. Emperor's Silk was the first ASCP colour I used at a workshop on a small side table. I was instantly in love - it's so deep and rich. I've newly discovered Napoleonic Blue too!

    Church smell - oh yes, got it in my head now!! I always paint the insides of the drawers - that helps get rid of any smell. Plus I love the wow of opening the drawer to find another colour.

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  38. So gorgeous Suzan! I love that you showed some pictures of the waxing part because that is all a mystery to me! I'm pinning this one and learning from it! I really do love that red and sure didn't think I would!

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  39. It is lovely, Suzan! Love the color you chose :-) I know exactly what you mean by a "church" smell ! How strange, I just never thought of it that way, but now that you mentioned it ..lol Thank you for sharing your lady at the WEDNESDAYS ADORNED FROM ABOVE Blog Hop !

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  40. Beautiful transformation! I know what you mean by that weird smell - we bought an antique cabinet a couple years ago - got it home and opened the doors and it smells awful! I've tried everything and can't get rid of it! It's so sad it's such a beautiful piece too!

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  41. Just beautiful! I have yet to go red with anything myself, but why not, it looks great!

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  42. It looks gorgeous. How to get rid of that smell, just ask!! Good ol shellac. It locks and blocks in the smell. Unfortunately you would have to paint the interior, because the shellac is too shiny for my liking. This is Annie's tip to all her stockists. She has been doing this for years and nothing works but shellac. It blocks the order of cigarette smoke, that musty smell, every stinky smell you can think of. We love love emperor's silk, one of our top selling colours in Quebec. :) hope this baby flies out the door.
    Caroline

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  43. WOW, I have this same dresser, my husband picked it up at Goodwill.
    We've had it sitting in our garage trying to decide what we would do with it. Yours is beautiful!
    We'll have to get started on ours.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  44. Oh, you gave her a lot of character, Suzan. Love that bold color.

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  45. I just saw this on Shine-On Friday! WOWZA!! It's so pretty that I want to marry it. Love, love, love the red - it just "makes" this piece shine. I have a chest that belonged to my husband's grandmother - we originally painted it brown. Yep, brown. B-o-r-i-n-g. You have made me reconsider the deep plum that I originally wanted! Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks SO much Kim!!!
      I'd marry it too if I had the space to keep it LOL..............
      Get out that Deep Plum!!!
      XOX

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  46. How lovely, the shape and color are gorgeous. I'd love if you'd come and share at my first ever link party. http://organized31.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspire-us-thursday-link-party-1.html

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  47. Gorgeous. LOVE it! Great job. Susan

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  48. Red is definitely growing on me & this looks amazing! Thanks for sharing! I saw you at Common Ground :)
    Blessings,
    Nicole
    http://coleyscraftingcorner.blogspot.com/2013/05/yellow-cubby-table-makeover.html

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Nicole! My first endeavor - loving the color!!!
      Have a great wknd,
      Hugs,
      Suzan

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  49. I LOVE this...FABULOUS job! I just bought a hutch to keep for our home...and was thinking a grayish-blue or red. I LOVE this color!!!!

    Julie @ http://www.thevintagebarnhome.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Julie - it's much nicer in person, believe me!
      Go for it!
      XOX

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  50. This lady in red is gorgeous. Would you believe I have a can of Emperor's Silk and have not used it after I don't know how long I've had it. Maybe I'll get it out and do a project after seeing this make over. Nicely done.

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  51. Hi Suzan!!!

    THIS PIECE IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    WOW!!! What a difference!!! It was so boring before and you've made it into a gorgeous "alive" piece of furniture!!! No wonder you painted it red(Emperor's Silk), you knew it was going to be "hot"!!!!!!

    Pam
    xox

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  52. Wow! That is one good lookin' dresser now! Great work. She turned out beautiful!
    Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!

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  53. Amazing transformation! Love the color! I have a new weekly link party which is live now and I would love if you stop by and link up this wonderful post! Hope to see you there! http://mariaelenasdecor.blogspot.com/ Hugs, Maria

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  54. What a stunning, stunning piece!! You did an absolutely fabulous job:)
    Krista

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  55. Beautiful makeover! Love the red!

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  56. I LOVE the red!!!!! Great job! Are you keeping this one for yourself?

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  57. Hi! Love your dresser makeover! Just stopping by to let you know you've been featured on my Finding Friday Favorite Finds. Be sure to swing by and grab my featured button; you deserve it!

    http://itsalwaysruetten.blogspot.com/2013/06/finding-friday-my-favorite-finds.html

    Cheers,
    Julia
    It's Always Ruetten

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  58. Just lovely Suz! I love that color, so rich and luxurious. Great work as usual!!

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  59. Suzan,
    I love the red! I have an old dresser and with the book shelve hutch which was my sons. I mean, its been around a long time (my son is in his 40's). I want to redo it and have been trying to decide on color. This may have made the decision. I love this red. Surprisingly, I think this would help to make it less clunky and heavy-looking. Now, if I can just get that 'dental molding' trim off the top of the bookcase.....

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  60. what is this "wax" you use? and do you prime? I am looking to refinish a dresser I just got off craigslist and need advice!

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Due to a large amount of spam ( that I'm tired of going back to posts and deleting ) I'll be using comment moderation from now on !!!
Can I beat these spammers at their own game? Probably not - but I'm going
to try my damnedest !!!
xoxo