Good morning everyone !
Today I'm going to be a woman of few words..............because my brain is so tired I can't think of anything to say ( sometimes that's a good thing )
So here's the " story " of a hutch - or china cabinet - makeover - in pictures.
Meet Mrs. Calabash.
I was asked if I could switch out the mirrored back for bead board - so I decided to weather it to go with all the sanded edges on the piece - an old worn look
First I painted a quick coat of graphite in all the grooves and along the perimeters of the grooves
next I applied a coat of Paris Grey - making sure to leave some of the Graphite showing through
A " wash " of Old White ( half paint half water ) was then applied over the grey
Then quickly wiped into the paint ( I only do 2 sections of the bead board at a time because this dries very quickly )
Here it is in place
I also bought an applique because although the doors have pretty picture molding - the drawer was plain
Painted the lower interior with Paris Grey
Then I sanded all the edges -
Another small change I made was putting the fretwork on the inside of the glass - it was on the outside and I can't imagine how annoying that must have been to clean ! The interior would stay cleaner than the exterior so it makes more sense, right?
The handles were " sprainted " in a pewter grey - and she's done !
The shelves are glass - so Robbie ( the owner ) kept them at her house - which is a shame because I wanted to stage this piece :)
Now I'll tell you...........this piece gave me a couple of nightmares with bleed through.- shellac - shellac and more shellac. And the beadboard on the back? Well first I bought beadboard wallpaper - and did a crappy job so had to scrape it all off. OMG - it was the type where you have to apply paste and that paste? N.I.G.H.T.M.A.R.E. to get off !
Then John measured the back and went off to buy beadboard.
EXCEPT HE DIDN'T BOTHER TO WRITE DOWN THE DIMENSIONS OF EACH SIDE.
So when he came home
John says - The guy who cuts at Home Depot made a mistake
Suzan says - What do you mean?
John says - It's too short in height and too wide in width..............
You know where this is going right?
John says - What an idiot - I gave him the exact measurements !
Suzan says - Did you have it marked as the cuts going the right way?
John says - WHAT DOES THAT MATTER?
Suzan says - Well if you didn't - then the height would be too short and the width would be too wide.............
He stormed out the door to buy another piece - and this time gave the cutter the right measurements.
So wallpaper - and 2 sheets of beadboard were purchased to get this piece done :)
But baby, look at her now !
( doesn't she look like a " flasher " with her doors open ? )
Here she is lit up
Here she is with a wreath hanging on her ( hey - I took approximately 100 pics - you have to let me post more than is necessary !)
And the most important pic of all?
Here she is when she walked into my " office " for a facelift !
Paint a little ♫
Work until you faint ( a little ) ♫ ♪
That's the story of - that's the glory of love ♫
You've got to plotz a little ♪
Weep a little ♫
And lose a whole lotta sleep ( a little ) ♫ ♪
That's the story of - that's the glory of love ♫
As long as there's a tin or two ♫
I've got a brush and my two hands ♫
So when the world is through with them ♫ ♪
I can give them one more chance ♪
You've got to sand a little ♪
Up the stakes a little ♫
Wax 'til your hand breaks (a little ) ♫ ♪
That's the story of - that's the glory of love. ♪
You've got to stage a little ♫
Rage a little ♫ ♪
Watch each piece make you age ( a little ) ♪
That's the story of - that's the glory of love ♫
I LOVE what I do
AND I LOVE THIS PIECE !
( you've got to nag a little - sag a little - and every now and then brag a little ...............)
For someone who didn't have a lot to say - I never shut up once during this post
Don't come by on a day when I actually have something to say - you'll be sorry !
Have a wonderful day everyone ♥
I'm working on another piece as soon as I get off this computer :)
In the meantime you can listen to this version.................
Take it away Mr. Durante !
Goodnight Mrs Calabash..............wherever you are.
Hugs
Me
LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
JOIN ME AT THESE FOLLOWING PARTIES!
THE CHARM OF HOME FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE
THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS
DESIGN DINING & DIAPERS MY TURN FOR US
THE PIN JUNKIE PATINA PARADISE
THE SHABBY NEST THE CRAFTED SPARROW
LITTLE MISS CELEBRATION THE 36TH AVENUE
VINTAGE PAINT & MORE LIFE ON LAKESHORE DRIVE
REDHEAD CAN DECORATE DWELLINGS THE HEART OF YOUR HOME
BECOMING MARTHA KEEPING IT SIMPLE
BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH SAND & SISAL
A STROLL THRU LIFE CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY MEMORIES BY THE MILE
HOMESTORIES A TO Z FLUSTER BUSTER
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE MY SALVAGED TREASURES
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON I GOTTA CREATE
NO MINIMALIST HERE LAMBERTS LATELY
THE DEDICATED HOUSE GRACE & GOOD EATS
WONDER MOM WANNABE ANDERSON & GRANT
TIP JUNKIE REMODELAHOLIC
Just stunning. All that palavering around was worth it. I hope you don't mind me saying 'palavering'. My Mum used to use it as a nicer way of saying 'mucking about a lot'. It's very descriptive. Love, Mimi xxx
ReplyDeletePalavering - I LIKE it lol - now to remember it !
DeleteTHanks so much Mimi !
xoxo
Dear Suzan. This cabinet is gorgeous. Love Your make over.
ReplyDeleteHugs from here
Um, I saw this late last night. I know its bad when I read you when you post in the middle of the night, and there are no comments yet. So to avoid looking like a stalker, -I'm not-, I waited to check this out again in the morning, and comment now. The hutch looks amazing, and I really like the honest process you present. Everything never goes perfect, and being honest with the your audience is…just well honest.
ReplyDeleteUsing the same word three times in a paragraph is a no-no. But then, we are being honest here. Love the gray hardware, I'm sure the client will be super pleased, thanks for sharing!
HEY EVERY|BODY - THE STALKER !!!!!!!!
DeleteLOL !!!
We're ALL stalkers around here !
Thanks so much for your kind ( and funny ) words xoxo
Mrs. Calabash is lovely! Great idea on the fretwork ~ SO much easier to care for ~
ReplyDeleteSigned ~ G.C.
Ah, another successful makeover. And I'm wondering if you always keep what looks like a tub of booze in your "office"? If so, I'm coming to work with you!
ReplyDeleteAhh Suzan I can look at your pieces all day! Such inspiration for a newbie like me. And I even enjoy the words in between because your stories are always funny! Thanks for the laughs and the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a compliment Mary !
DeleteThanks SO much !
Now go and paint ye something !
( that's my inner Shakespeare coming out )
xox
Well worth all the hassle !!!! Love it !!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Pati !
Deletexox
Absolutely gorgeous, Suzan!! I love it all lit up. And I so love your rendition of that song. :-))
ReplyDeleteI usually dislike painting antiques, but this made me change my mind to paint a 1927 Thomasville dining room set I have. It has a buffet, table, 6 chairs with leather seats, a china closet and a server. Very dark finish, I think mostly from age. I was going to strip it and stain, but just might paint it now. Do you think I will have to strip it all the way down to the original wood before I paint it or just a good cleaning and light sanding? I think the wood is walnut.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - if you use Annie SLoan Chalk Paint ( and it's the only one I use so I can't speak for others ) you need only wash it before painting - that's it - no priming.
DeleteSometimes these old pieces bleed through the paint - ( leaving a reddish tint showing through ) in that case you shellac the areas where that happens. I painted a Thomasville Dining room set last year ( I'm pretty sure it was a Thomasville set ) Good luck Linda - and thanks so much
xxx
Magnificent - and I love your song(s). :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Betty - is the song stuck in your head now lol ???
Deletexox
Great re love. Beautiful cabinet Suzan.
ReplyDeleteKris
Hi Suzan,
ReplyDeleteAll your hard work has paid off, hutch looks fab!!!
I have similar hutch and I have to do that (I`m saying this to myself for months) as soon as I find some free time. You are inspiration!
Hugs,
Vesna
It's beautiful Suzan! Love it! Like the song too (smile)
ReplyDeleteThanks SO much !!!
DeleteI can't get that damn song out of my head now LOL
XOXO
Oh it's the difficult ones that capture our hearts in the end! It turned out great.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Cecilia
OMG I wish there was a "like" button to like some of the posts that are in the comments and your answers. This is the most entertaining blog I read daily. Palavering is great. I'll use it! Tub full of booze in your office was so funny. I don't think it was even yours. I love the transformation of Mrs. Calabash and the song was priceless. Loved Jimmy Durante. Wish I could sit at your student and learn all your tricks to refinishing and painting. Ya done good!! Sandy PS John is definitely a keeper.
ReplyDeleteYet another beautiful piece completed! How the h**l do you do it so seemingly, effortlessly?! It's been a yr and a half and I haven't painted one piece yet. You have to come here and stay for a month, really. I'm begging you! Pretty, pretty pleeeease! xo Patty
ReplyDeleteI LOVE doing it Patty - maybe that's why?
DeleteI'd LOVE to come stay for a month lol - next year when you're a little more " done " with reno's - I'm trying to escape that crap LMHO !
Thanks so much !
xox
Turned out beautiful! Love the song :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely the piece I love the most. Going to look for a piece like this asap!
ReplyDeleteYou re showing me that painting old furniture is not a black sin, but part of modern life.
The paint/not paint cycle has been going on for years and years and will keep on keeping on.
The furniture makers should hire you to make them look way good!!!!!!
Just beautifully done. Thanks for sharing.
How did you get so good at this?????
Aw - thanks so much Marje !
DeleteA black sin LMHO - a black sin is when people throw them out by the curbside ( or is that a cardinal sin? not sure ! )
You're too kind !
Practice Practice Practice LOL
XOX
Woweee, Suzan! This hutch turned out just stunningly! You are a true artist! I love it, and wish I had the talent to do what you do! Just Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI am very envious!
Laura, Hazel, Lucy!
Thanks SO much Laura - you're so kind !
DeleteAnd by the way - you're Ethel - I'M Lucy LOL !!!
xoxox
Hi Suzan, I found your blog sometime in 2014. I started at the beginning and slowly read through all of the posts. I can't believe I am all caught up! Now I'll just have to wait for new posts like the rest of them. Thanks for all the entertainment.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh Jessica - all the way from the beginning ? How embarrassing LOL - and what an honor at the same
Deletetime !
Thank YOU !
xoxo
Love your make-over on the hutch but then I haven't seen a piece yet that you have done that I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteYou know, you are quite the inspiration to us all.
Love your cute little ditty of a song. Thanks for the laughs.
Have a fun and enjoyable weekend
Just Stunning! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDelete(Found you through Craftberry Bush)
Shelly
100Things2Do.ca
Thanks so much Shelly!
Deletexox
For a gal who didn't have much to say, the little you did was AWESOME! So enjoyed your version of the song and think it should become THE Furniture Reimaginers Anthem...perhaps sung at the Haven Conference (just say'n - wink wink).
ReplyDeleteOh crap,
ReplyDeleteP.S. You did a beautiful job on the hutch, despite all the oops moments. It really is a stunner!
This turned out gorgeous! Much prefer the after.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Christina !
Deletexxx
It's stunning! And you know you have the best husband, right?
ReplyDeleteIt turned out beautiful...love it!!
ReplyDelete~Cindy
Beautiful! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Awesome job! I would love for you to share at this weeks Happiness Is Homemade Link Party! http://wp.me/p466oG-2FQ Hope to see you there! Have a terrific week!
ReplyDeleteStunning makeover...! And how you styled it is gorgeous too!! You may have just given me the inspiration (courage??) I needed to paint my oak hutch. Please share this at this weeks Friday Favorites at mustlovehome.com. Our readers would LOVE this! Have a super week - Christine
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Christine !
DeleteI've marked your party on my list - see you !!!
xox
This look awesome! Beautiful! Thank you for linking up on The Handmade Hangout and we look forward to seeing more fabulousness in the next link up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous makeover and so worth (easy for me to say) all the trouble. Thanks for sharing this beauty at VIParty.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzan! This piece turned out wonderful and what a great idea putting the fretwork on the inside of the doors. I had a similar cabinet and it was a real pain to clean the glass. Thanks for joining the Share Your Style party.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
Wow, she is a beaut Suzan! Problems don't get you down. You just fight back. :) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Beautiful piece...LOVE the after!!
ReplyDeleteGrinning at your hubby story. Most of us can relate. Your hard work paid off. Great job. Love your song parody.
ReplyDeleteThe Weekly Feature Series is live. Pop on over and check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/09/weekly-feature-series_12.html Have a lovely weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
ReplyDelete