European Cottage Dresser

I definitely have a soft spot for furniture with a cottage look.  This naturally worn, well-loved European dresser fits that spot.  The color is original; the patina perfect. 

Those over-the-years smoothed-to-the touch turned knobs are one of my favorites.  

Notice the knot holes peeking through the patina.

What's not to love about the curvy apron with a naturally chippy edge.

The chunky turned bun feet make the piece.

The back side shows its age.

I can't forget to mention the goat giclee resting on this piece.  I thought he was the perfect accessory for the cottage/country piece.  Notice how it's framed with webbing and nail head.  I'm stealing that idea.

Dresser and goat are up for grabs at our next Sweet Clover Barn sale.

February 21, 22, 23.

Kathy

My Girly Side

I know I'm kinda labeled modern/ funky, but I definitely have a girly side.
 I'd call it boho girly. 

My most recent transformation, a 1970's faux bamboo chest, surprised me.  You know the style, pale yellow with bamboo details.  Normally, I would paint something like this citrine or a high gloss black. 

 I went in a completely different direction though. 

 I'm assuming that I was influenced by the month of February where pinks and reds rule. 

 I went for pink.  The color is actually called Barely Pink. 

Transformation From 70's Yellow to Girly Pink

Of course it looked too "bare" in these photos and I had to add some styling.

Lately I've been experimenting with  Annie Sloan Gilding Wax.
It's similar to Rub 'N Buff, but much creamier and much easier to use.
 It comes in a jar with a screw top so no worries about a tube that
 always seems to dry out before I use it all.

There was a beveled edge on the chest that just screamed to be detailed with the gilding wax.
 I used a small brush and filled it in free hand.  

Gilding Wax Applied to Beveled Edge

I couldn't stop there.  I applied the gilding wax to what I'll call the bamboo "knuckles".

I did this free hand too.   The hardware is original and I think it works perfectly with the pink and gold.

Bamboo "Knuckles" Outlined

I had to use my painters' tape when I tackled the molding around the drawers.

Molding Detail

So, what do you think about my girly side?

Kathy

If you know a girly girl who would like this piece, it will be for sale at our next
Sweet Clover Barn Sale, February 21, 22, and 23.

More Chalkboards

Yes, I think making chalkboards is fun, so I created a few more.

I had two very large door panels.  The raised panels are perfect for framing the chalkboard.

On the first panel I primed the whole board then painted the outside edge gray and the inside with chalkboard paint.  I had some leopard shelf liner.  I decided to add it to the narrow raised section.  I cut it to the length and width I needed.  It's very easy to get a straight edge because the reverse side of the shelf liner has a grid you can follow.   I let the liner overlap in the corners then "mitered" the corners with a straight edge and a diagonal cut on the miter line.  I then removed the top piece and voila--mitered corner.

I painted the next door with a gloss white on the outside and chalkboard paint on the inside.
On the narrow raised panel I used a stencil with a quatrefoil design and modeling paste to add some texture.  Tutorial for modeling paste and stencil here.

When using the stencil and modeling paste you'll find that the result is perfectly imperfect.
 It's worth it for the added texture and interest.  To make it show up more you could also used some glaze over the pattern to make the design stand out.

The next chalkboard experiment involves the lift top panel from an old player piano.  It's vertical in the picture but you get the idea.  I usually add chain to my larger pieces.  I'm not sure if this will hang vertically or horizontally.

Lift Top From A Player Piano

So, what do you think?

Kathy


To see my other post for more ideas about chalkboards and cork boards go here.

When the Light is Right

Have you ever seen the light angling into your room and just need to grab your camera and capture the sparkle?  That happened on a crisp winter morning in my kitchen.  The light seemed to target my wooden compote filled with floats and powder horns and to illuminate my mache elephant.

The light through the green float painted one of the powder horns.

As the angle changed, the light sliced across the wall.

I was mesmerized by the brightness that morning.  I actually only had my old point and shoot to use. 

  I had dropped my good camera and was waiting for a new lens.  I'm glad I gave it a try anyway.

Kathy