A DESK MAKEOVER ( think pink )

Good morning everyone !

This was the first Friday in a while that I didn't have time to " chat " because I'm trying desperately to clean out my " stash " of furniture in order to start working on the dining room !

DO NOT LOOK AT THE HANDLES - I OBVIOUSLY HAD A HARD TIME FIGURING OUT WHICH WAY WAS THE RIGHT WAY !!!

( this happens every single time I do a French Provincial something or other - I swear to you - both ways look right to me )

This way is the wrong way

and the scariest part is I didn't even notice I had them going in both directions !

John says - Something's off with the handles
John says - Can you please let your readers know that I pointed that out for you please - thank you.

The desk was part of the set that I did for Evan's nursery - ( HERE )

I went in a completely different direction since there was no space for it in his room.
( I held on to it for as long as I could - hoping against hope that Ashley would store it for future use but she told me there was no way she could - ABSOLUTELY NO WAY - and so the makeover began this week and will be sold.. It's from a high end furniture line and is exactly 43 years old ( it was my nephew's - and then my niece's ) but it looks like it was made yesterday - it's in immaculate shape for it's age.

The chair - however - was in rough shape ( and of course I didn't take a before - of course not )

After unsucessfully searching for just the right fabric I ended up reupholstering the seat with drop cloth..................and painted the grain sack pattern on it - it's a perfect " fit " !

and then I decided to have a little fun with this makeover - with the hutch - to make it look like a country piece for a little girls room

Perfect timing for back to school days :)

Ok - on to the next piece ( s )

It's been hot here in Montreal - very hot as in 37 degrees celcius with humidity ( 98 in American ) and today they've got a  " Heat Warning " in effect.................guess I'll spend some time in the pool - this may just be the last hurrah !

ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT ™ - Antoinette and Old White - with clear wax for protection

Have a wonderful one everybody !
Hugs,
Me

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FLUSTER BUSTER                                                          SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
LEHMAN LANE                                                              HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
THE ESSENCE OF HOME                                             I GOTTA CREATE
LAMBERTS LATELY                                                     LIVE LAUGH ROWE
THE CHARM OF HOME                                                FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE
THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE                                    A GLIMPSE INSIDE
DESIGN DINING & DIAPERS                               MY TURN FOR US
58 WATER STREET                                                        THE SHABBY NEST
TIP JUNKIE

A HUTCH MAKEOVER !

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 !

You've got to scrape a little ♪
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


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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

The cutest little wall cabinet EVER !

See?
I told you !

Now this is what happens every now and then to me.

I see something like this - and my heart starts pounding and I can't type fast enough to get the email out inquiring about it - and then I check my emails every 30 seconds for a reply -.and then the email comes in and I'm too afraid to open it because I don't want to know if it's already been sold   because I. HAVE. TO. HAVE. IT

HAVE. TO.

I've been looking for a unique small cabinet for ages now.............for the kitchen

AND.....................................

It's officially mine.

ALL mine !

My new spice rack !

Now you may all go forth and try to find one for yourself :)

When I sent the email to the seller - I signed it Suzan.  That's it - just Suzan and when it was still available I sent this email

S.O.L.D.!!!

My husband can pick it up tomorrow morning- does that work for you?

Thanks so much Tracy – I absolutely love it !

Need your address ( with postal code plse )

( I have a blog – and already wrote up a post for it for Monday – so I was really hoping it was still available LOL ) 

I did not mention the name of my blog whatsoever - there's hundreds of thousands of them ( if not more ) but still - this is the reply I got 

OMG, I know your blog & FB page! Simply Vintageous - (recognized your name). What a small world! I've commented on your posts in the past. Love your work & your humour & that your hubby's British (like my Mum was)! Wish you'd come with him to pick it up, would love to meet you. I've been refinishing furniture for years & started doing stuff with chalk paint about a year ago. Learned a lot reading bloggers like you & have a passion for everything old. My house is filled to the rafters with old stuff, some finished and a lot waiting for makeovers. My hubby's getting impatient with my constant mess!

Anyway, the curio will be waiting for you tomorrow, I'm home pretty much all day. 

Hope to see you,

Tracy

Can you believe that?

I mean really - can you believe that?

I can't !

Suzan says - Well you won't believe this John
John says - What now?
Suzan says - I put an inquiry in on something - and the seller KNOWS MY BLOG !
Suzan says - She's apparently even commented on it !
Suzan says - OMG - I'm like the OPRAH of Montreal !
John says - Hardly.............
John says - I hope she hasn't read any of our conversation that you're so hell bent on recording
Suzan says - SHE HAS !   SHE LOVES THAT YOU'RE BRITISH
John says - Good God - I'm going to have to start wearing a disguise when I pick things up.

We ended up staying 3 1/2 hours chatting  - more on that another time - I have a spice rack to hang up.

Have a great day everyone !
( though I suspect it'll be somewhat ruined because you don't have the cutest little wall cabinet EVER )

Hugs,
Me
( the triumphant one )
Thanks again Tracy !

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BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                               SAND & SISAL
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT                         A STROLL THRU LIFE
AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY                                         MEMORIES BY THE MILE
HOMESTORIES A TO Z                                                  FEARLESSLY CREATIVE MAMMAS
ELIZABETH & CO.                                                  THE DIY DREAMER
FLUSTER BUSTER                                                          SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
LEHMAN LANE                                                              MY SALVAGED TREASURES
IVY & ELEPHANTS                                                 NO MINIMALIST HERE
HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON                       FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS
I GOTTA CREATE                                                           LAMBERTS LATELY
LIVE LAUGH ROWE                                                       GRACE & GOOD EATS
FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE                                    THE SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE
TOO MUCH TIME ON MY HANDS                              DESIGN DINING & DIAPERS
MY TURN FOR US                                                          PATINA PARADISE
THE PIN JUNKIE                                                             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

ALL IN THE FAMILY ( a tale of 2 changing tables )

A long - long time ago ( when the earth was green ) 

There was the prettiest bedroom set that you've ever seen....................

But that really was a long time ago - ( I'm trying to remember back to the exact year but I'm thinking maybe 43 years ago - this bedroom set belonged to my nephew John and then his sister - my niece, Joie.

This is the only pic I have of the before - that my daughter sent me from her Dad's.

Lindsay says - Do you think this set would work for Evan, Mom?

Mom says - No - not at all - it's far too feminine Lindsay 

Lindsay says - Well Dad's going to put it on the curbside - why don't you take it - fix it up and sell it?

Mom says - I have too many things - I'm drowning - I can't take it.

But you know - this piece has memories of the sweetest little girl - and I couldn't - I just couldn't let it be put out in the trash.

and so I told them I'd take it ......................

It's a high end piece - the company is no longer in business because people have just stopped spending that type of money on furniture - so not only is it sturdy and still in incredible shape - it's now irreplaceable as well.

In the meantime I found this on line that I would redo for Evan.

Fast forward a little and the bedroom set arrived at my door - in perfect condition EXCEPT it had been left outside in the pouring rain - one on top of the other and the tops had become very damaged.

 John sanded the tops down and in no time at all THEY CAME OUT LIKE THIS !!!

That's what quality furniture will get you :)

I've never had such an effortless ( well this was completely effortless for me because John did the sanding )

result from sanding down the top of a dresser !

And a thought was born....................if I stained the top dark

And painted it grey - using ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT ™ - Graphite and Pure White mixed to make a custom color - which is just a little deeper than Paris Grey actually ) and spray painted the gold handles in pewter -  then maybe - just maybe it wouldn't look too feminine at all !

And that's how Evan - before he's even made his entry into the world - ended up with 2 changing tables.

We ( in our infinite wisdom ) have decided that this one will go upstairs in his room - and the second one I found will stay downstairs so that Ashley doesn't have to run up and down all day.

( I changed my kids diaper's on my bed - their crib - the couch - the floor - the bathroom counter - wherever there was a flat surface - I never even thought to have a special designated place to do such a thing - but that was then and this is now I suppose - oh the hardships I endured LOL !!! )

Sadly there's no room for the desk in his room .....................but at the end of the day the dresser has stayed in the family - and that kind of makes it priceless in my eyes :)

Have a wonderful day everyone !

Hugs,

Me - Lolli - AKA

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JOIN ME AT THESE FABULOUS PARTIES !

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH                                CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT
YESTERFOOD                                                                  AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY
KATHE WITH AN E                                                         HOMESTORIES A TO Z
FLUSTER BUSTER                                                           SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
MY SALVAGED TREASURES                                        HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
NO MINIMALIST HERE                                                  LIVE LAUGH ROWE
FEEDING BIG                                                                   FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE
SHABBY ART BOUTIQUE                                              MY TURN FOR US
THE PIN JUNKIE                                                             MY ROMANTIC HOME
SIMPLE NATURE DECOR                                              MISS MUSTARD SEED
THE SHABBY NEST                                                        LADY BEHIND THE CURTAIN
VINTAGE PAINT & MORE                                     DWELLINGS THE HEART OF THE HOME
KEEPING IT SIMPLE