Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Graphite Dresser before and after

Good Morning all !

Well I'm never going to win any awards for photography unless they're in the " WORST " category :)

Our last house was too dark - this place was too bright for proper photos - let's blame it on that, k?

Last week I showed you this piece that a customer wanted updated

I can't find the before photo - so all I have to show you is this  ( I've told you many many times I have no business having a blog - seriously - none at all - no before pics - lousy after pics ..............2 key elements for a DIY blog gone to hell  )


But I'm hoping you can get an idea of how it looks from this - very Restoration Hardware ( ish )
n'est pas?


I know some people paint the piece in it's entirety - with the drawers in and all - but I always remove them and paint the interior drawer frame




I also do all my distressing ( sanding ) prior to waxing - and I think most people do it after - it's a personal thing - I feel I have more control of the outcome this way - if I do too much I can always touch up - once a piece is waxed - the touch up process is very " iffy "
I've seen pieces where people have done that - and it ends up looking " choppy "
BUT like I said it's a personal thing - everyone finds a way to work that's best for them through
trial and error!


Once everything was waxed - I spray painted the knobs ( customer didn't like them and wants to maybe change them so I had nothing to lose )



This next photo is very true to the color - Graphite changes constantly - depending on the time of day - the light in a room - the lack of light in a room - it can go from looking quite light to a very deep shade
But this next photo is how it looked when it was delivered lol


and that's one piece done -
now on to these little guys ( and the most precious thing I found tucked into a ledge of the interior - actually choked me up )


For now I'll leave you with a little peak into the kitchen
Not finished - but well on it's way :)

Keep moving Suzan - one foot in front of the other - it WILL be a home one day..............





You all have a wonderful Thursday -

Much love,

Party Time!
My Romantic Home                               The Shabby Nest                       Miss Mustard Seed
Between Naps on the Porch                    Be Different - Act Normal        Glitter Glue and Paint

39 comments:

  1. I love this graphite colour I wanted to do something for Kerry but I know she wouldn't go the "white " but I think this will be the answer.Now to find the piece or maybe my friend can and then you will have to deliver it to me as I cant travel ha ha -love dee x

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  2. WOW, it turned out very lovely - like it a lot and the color is also great. You do beautiful work. I like the knobs too.
    The house is looking good - can hardly wait to see the end result.
    Mary

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  3. Very nice piece! I like that you paint the interior frame. I do as well. I think it looks sloppy otherwise. I also distress before waxing. I know that isn't how Annie Sloan does it but waxing first, sanding and distressing then waxing again just didn't make any sense to me. Seems like extra work and I am lazy!

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  4. It's beautiful, but I'm so excited over your tiles I really like them!

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  5. I love the graphite and the paint used for the pulls....you did a beautiful job on that dresser! What did you find??? I hope you an share. Love your new floor and can't wait to see it all done. You will share won't you? How was the storm there? It's a blizzard here, schools closed, gusty east wind, blowing snow....nasty! Trying to stay warm inside. Feels like January! Have a great day!

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  6. The dresser turned beautiful as always.. you do lovely work!
    I LOVE the floor!!! Can't wait to see more pics! V

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  7. I really love what you did with that dresser.....the knobs look juts gorgeous on it! The floor is AMAZING! I can't wait until you unveil the whole thing! Have a lovely day.....One week till Spring!

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    1. Thanks so much Laurayne !!!
      ( the floor is only half done - like most everything else in the house lol )
      XOXO

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  8. Nice dresser, completely changed! And the floor... stop teasing us, let's see it!
    P.S. Those inner drawer frames are called "web frames."

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  9. I need to know what was in the ledge of that piece.
    I need to see your whole kitchen.
    I tend to become over-involved. You already knew that.

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  10. Hurrah you've got your black and white floor going, woot!

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  11. I love the fluted seams of that piece. It's even more beautiful in the shade you chose, and I hope she keeps the handles, because they look really pretty in that zinc finish. I have a couple of reproduction Gustavian pieces, and they came with silver handles on grayish-white and white finishes.

    What was in the piece? I went through twice to see if you put it in a photo.

    The peek of the floor looks good so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! ♡

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  12. Hello,
    The floors look great. :-) It is happening!

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  13. The dresser is awesome as always and I love that floor. I cannot wait to see the whole kitchen. I know it will be amazing.
    Kris

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  14. Yeah, sometimes your photos are sketchy :) but you make me laugh out loud. I also laugh when my cursor turns into a little party in a martini glass whenever I'm at your site.

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    1. I know - I feel like I've won the lottery when every now and then I actually take a decent photo LOL
      The martini is so you don't notice how bad the photos really are !

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  15. Loving the graphite...I just used it for the first time. Have you tried dark wax over it or just clear? I wasn't brave enough to use the dark wax. I thought the clear darkened it up quite a bit anyway. Can't wait to see the floor with the rest of the kitchen. ;)

    xoxo
    -andi

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  16. that graphite is just what I need, I love the soft hue it gives, beautiful!

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  17. Beautiful piece...it turned out great!! Can't wait to see your kitchen when it is all done...love the floor!!
    ~Cindy

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  18. Oh Suzan, that sneak peak wasn't playing fair girl. I am dying to see this floor!! Great job on that piece as always. You are perfection when it comes to sanding and painting.

    Cynthia

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  19. great job on the dresser and the floor ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my im swoooning

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  20. The dresser looks amazing. I bet the owner is going to keep the knobs now! And that floor... it's going to tie all your kitchen together!

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  21. You did a great job! I hope the owner keeps the hardware...they are perfect now!

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  22. Well, I tried to comment and it kicked me out...stupid google. Anyway, love the dresser and the painted handles! Like you, I always always remove the drawers, handles, etc when painting and do the frames. I just did a custom dresser and side table in graphite with country grey handles and details...he loves them! I hope your customer loves his handles too, they look perfect!
    The flooring looks awesome!!! Can't wait to see it all together, and yes, one day it will be a home, Suzan, and you will be in love with it...you designed it and did it all.
    Debbie :)

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  23. Hi Suzan. The dresser looks so great. Love it.
    Please finish the kitchen floor. I can`t wait to see it.

    Wish you a great weekend and send you a big hug.

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  24. Love it! I think it looks beautiful...especially with your great idea about the knobs. You are a pro, that's for sure!

    I really thought I was the worst with photos on a blog...just a simple camera, not a fancy one. The flooring looks gorgeous! Can't wait to see it finished.

    xo
    Pat

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  25. Beautiful dresser Suzan! I'm always amazed at how easy you make it look. I ended up painting my hardware brushed nickel. Looks very similar to yours. I almost lost my mind trying to get it right. I am NOT a furniture whisperer. I am a furniture screamer. And my family will be happy when my makeover is done. The jokes on them, I'm never done.

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  26. It is beautiful as always as you do great work! What did you find? Oh do please tell!
    The floor is looking good! Hurray to the other one being gone!
    Hugs,
    Cecilia

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  27. You're doing so much all at once! WHEW! And the floors really are looking great! Sweet hugs!

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  28. Really nice color and great work on it...love the knobs!

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  29. Suzan, I never noticed the pictures were bad because I'm too busy LMAO! I'm with ya on the distressing before wax - it may be messier but you have so much more control. Love the graphite dresser (you've never had a piece I didn't like). Okay, are you going to let us in on what you found in the end table? Curious minds need to know ;)
    Marie @ The Interior Frugalista

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  30. Nice Suzan! I'm pretty sure your blog is doing fine without major photo skills! I take mine with my cell phone still..LOL! I just tried that spray paint/primer in one for the first time yesterday to spray paint a light fixture..because I'm cheap. It worked beautifully!

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  31. I bought some graphite but haven't used it yet, this piece has got me motivated to try it. I love the name of the spray paint, Hammered lol . So excited that you got your tiles and can't wait to see the whole floor. hugs Tobey

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  32. Thanks, Suzan, for sharing your knowledge with others! I am posting this to my Painted Furniture board for reference for me and my pinning buddies!

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  33. Love the transformation! It'd be great if you'd link this up at my blog party going on now! http://accidentallywonderful.blogspot.com/2014/03/accidentally-wonderful-wednesday-8.html

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  34. I love this piece! I think I painted its cousin awhile back . . . it had the same lines, same hardware, and I painted it in Artissimo. The darker color made it look modern and sleek and that hardware look glam--just like yours does! Fabulous :)

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  35. I love that piece. It really looks like it stepped out of a Restoration Hardware catalogue!! Love Love Love your tiles. They look amazing. I can hardly wait for the big reveal!

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  36. Why do I always say I'm not a gray person, but whenever I see something gray, I love it! Awesome job, Suzan! I can't imagine the customer not taking those drawer pulls - they look great!

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  37. Suzan, you should have one happy customer with this gorgeous piece. I saw your post on The Shabby Nest link party. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey

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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