What to do with an Antique Curio Cabinet...

The great thing about painting from my home studio ...(garage) is my neighbors are always popping in, and chatting to see what I'm working on.  

While working one day my neighbor said he had a curio cabinet in his garage he wanted to get rid of ....for free.  

A curio cabinet??? I had to think on it for a moment, but when I saw it....I thought Ballard Designs...a design catalog I've followed for 20 years. They have furniture pieces that have that old classic design and painted for a more current look! They have been inspiration to me for many years. I tried to find a picture of my inspiration piece, but no such luck!

The antique cabinet was in mint condition , and just needed to be updated with paint. I know you guys hear me say this all the time, but it still amazes me how paint can transform a piece of furniture!

The cabinet has glass shelves, and a display light...I painted the inside in Duck Egg Blue, and the exterior Old White with a distressed look!

I accessorized the cabinet in three different ways it could be used! The first in a bathroom with towels, baskets, and shells.

Second as a display cabinet for collection s, such my shells, and third for dishes.

Just a few modern ways to display those treasures we all have!  By the way aren't those vintage dishes charming? I picked those up at GW on one of my finds...I know nothing about the value of dishes, but I googled them, and their worth 5 times what I paid!

I think they were made for this cabinet!

I think she's very charming!

Have a blessed day!

Kim

Beach Bamboo ...Tables

Summer calls for a pop of color...and when I came upon these tables they were in good condition...other than one was missing a handle. 

I loved the straight lines & bamboo...so I thought a bold, fun beach look was what they needed!

I mixed my own homemade chalk paint , distressed...waxed, and added new handles.

This one is done in Bird of Paradise (BM) paint color.

This is done in Surfer (Behr) paint color.

If only I had a beach home of my own for these....maybe one day!

They did however, go into a beach home to live, and that makes me oh so happy!

Kim

Before & After Farmhouse Dining Set

This dining set was a freebie! Thanks to my wonderful friend Kara who is realtor, and had a client selling their home, and wanted to get rid of this dining set! How's that for a deal!

I know it doesn't look like much. It was in good solid condition, and just needed a facelift! The farmhouse style is very popular, and a customer of mine was looking for a table so he bought  it, and I customized it for him! 

We sanded the top down to the natural finish just like he wanted, and did four coats of tung oil in a satin finish. The chairs and table legs I painted Graphite (ASCP) with a clear wax finish.

I think it really updated the set, and now I actually like it! Never underestimate the power of paint my friends!

Kim

Dining Set Makeover

I love makeovers...I had a client  who purchased a dining set on Craigslist.  Needless to say it had potential , but was in desperate need of a makeover. 

After seeing what style & colors she was going for I put my creative juices to work!

I decided to dry brush Duck Egg Blue on all the surfaces.  She has a beach cottage style so I chose a fabric with the blue and splashes of coral for accent.

For now she's keeping the hexagon glass, but round glass would help with the update. 

I love how an outdated dining set got a new fresh coastal look! 

Just a picking & a painting!

Kim

Vintage Bench Makeover

Picked up this cute vintage bench...from a friend who advertised some garage sale things on Facebook.

She just needed a good coat of paint....

Duck Egg Blue seemed to be the color for her...

She turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself...she didn't sit long a neighbor bought her for her front porch! 

Kim

Painting Fabric with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on a Cane Chair

Well, I just have to apologize for the delay....I have been so busy painting...there has been no time for blogging.  I promise I will try to do better...between painting furniture for clients...yep, I have a waiting list, doing a design project, vacation, and a new part time job at Pottery Barn there's just not much time left.

This is a chair I picked up at a garage sale for $1...

Before

I love it...I love the caning on the sides, and I could just visualize the after.  Of course with my chair fetish I want to keep it, but there's no room...so what to do with that fabric?  I didn't want to spend the money to have it reupholstered, and I saw a pin on Pinterest that you could paint fabric!  Now that caught my attention!

So I thought what do I have to lose...right? A dollar, and a chair.  I painted the wood pieces first in Old White, and waxed them.  You need to make sure you wax your wood pieces so you can wipe off the other paint if it gets on it.  I picked a very hard chair with a lot of hard places to reach.

I used a spray bottle of water and wet the fabric really well...and just started painting the fabric with Duck Egg Blue ASCP.  The before fabric did have a water stain on it...but the paint covered well.  I only did one coat, and let it dry. The fabric does have a nub to it, which I like the texture. That was it! I've heard you can wax the fabric, but I chose not to.  It turned out so cute, and most people say they would never know I painted it.  Are you ready to see the after?

After

After

Didn't she turn out darling?  Just love it!

You never know what will happen when you're pickin' & a paintin'!

Kim




 

Spring Wreath

Nothing says Spring like a wreath on the front door!
I made this one today with my grapevine wreath, greenery, ribbon, and burlap I already had....added some hydrangeas, and I have a new spring look on the front door!
I don't know about you, but I'm ready for this new season!
Ah.....welcome first day of Spring!