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Rainy Days & Sneak Peaks

I took this picture out of my kitchen window and this is what my view has been for 2 days…cold and rainy. Cold and rainy is not good weather for painting. Although I do my spraying in my basement, I have to open my cellar doors for ventilation in my spray booth. So, no painting for me for the past couple of days. I will not leave my readers with nothing, though, so I wanted to give you a sneak peak of some things I primed and show you how my Craig’s List French Provincial dresser is coming along.

I purchased this basket at an auction for $1.00. We have a lot of quilts and textiles in our shop and they are currently folded and stacked. For our new shop, I thought some of the lap quilts would look great rolled up in large baskets like this one. It’s a little faded and tired, so I decided to…you guessed it…paint it!

 Here it is primed. I think I’m going to paint it a light blue/gray color. It will give it a much cleaner look for displaying the quilts. (And it will be for sale, of course!)

 I purchased this vanity at a yard sale for $20.00 and I have been using it as my temporary desk. Since I finally finished my permanent desk, I’m going to get this one ready to sell in the shop.

 Here she is all primed. I’m dealing with the dreaded red mahogany stain that seeps through everything, so I’m going to have to seal this before I move forward. (Boy, sorry about the blurry picture!)

 Do you remember this beautiful $30.00 Craig’s List dresser? I found matching hardware for it on E-bay (not one of my thriftiest find, but I was going to win those babies) and I’ve started working on it.

 I’m going to go with my current trend and strip & stain the top. This one took about 3 coats of paint stripper. Check out my tutorial if you want to learn more about furniture stripping.
I’ll pause a moment to explain why I like the method of staining furniture tops and painting the rest. I have painted A LOT of furniture and one thing I’ve learned with white & light colored painted furniture is that the tops really shows wear. I don’t mind chippiness and distressing, but I don’t want my furniture to look tired or damage. I want it to look beautiful for a long time and I believe a stained top will look nicer, longer. This does not work on all pieces, but when it does work, that’s the route I’ll choose.

 I was surprised how easily the finish came off of the sides. I was ready to go to war with that thick poly coating, but it wasn’t bad at all.

Who knew the wood under that weird finish was so pretty? We need to take this darker, though…of course.

 Much better. Boy, that is one gorgeous dresser top.

 Look at that stain soaking in. Drink it up, my lovely.

 So, my gorgeous dresser is now waiting for a sanding cleaning, priming, painting and some special details. I’m hoping I can do that in the next couple of weeks, but getting furniture ready for the new shop is a higher priority. Our grand opening will be November 6 and I can’t wait to share all of the details and pictures as we move and decorate.
I’m linking this to The Inspired Room’s Procrastinator’s Progress Party. I’m really trying to crank things out!

Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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23 Responses

  1. It's been raining here the last couple of days too. I can't wait to see your shop and I absolutely love what you're doing to the desk and dresser. Looking forward to seeing it completely done.

    Gail

  2. I just started following your blog yesterday, and I'm hooked. I have a large French basket I keep looking at – wondering if I should line it w/ toile or paint it. I'll be back to see how your basket turned out!

    Enjoy your weekend,
    Zuzu

  3. Wow your projects are coming on well 🙂 Thanks for your comments on my blog and a car boot sale here in the UK is just like your yard sales etc. Sellers turn up in their cars – open the boot – empty the car contents onto tables and sell 🙂

  7. I am a recent follower, but have loved your blog so much. I have worked on some furniture pieces for my college age daughter to use in her apartment,so I have loved getting ideas and suggestions from your blog. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful ideas. Best of luck getting ready to open your shop. Love & blessings from NC!

  8. I'm always leaning forward to the point of my nose nearly hitting the laptop screen when I read your blog entries. I just love your flair with what looks great! I may have envision doing something differently at first, but when I see what you do, your way wins me over every time. 🙂

    Rain and thunderstorms out here too!

    Donna

  9. I'm with Donna, I love reading your blog so much! I can't wait to see what you do with that beauty of a dresser! I hope I find one soon for my home. And you're posting pictures of the new shop?! I'm so excited about that!!!

  10. Ooh! I'm looking forward to seeing what the dresser is going to look like. Omgosh, I had seen a dresser just like that one at a Goodwill store and I could kick myself for not buying it. ugh
    Love your blog!
    Blessings,
    Sandra

  12. Those are two incredibly beautiful pieces! Can't wait to see them finished, especially with the crafty hand painted effects! Maahhhvelous!
    Lisa

  14. Wow. Your "big" projects make my little table project for the Procrastinator's Party seem paltry. I love what you're up to with all the dressers and will come back and visit!
    Have a happy day!
    Jayne at mysongwithin

  15. You've been busy! I LOVE the lines of that desk! Can't wait to see all of your hard work completed!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Tamera@doubledelight

  16. Wow! I'll try not to complain about the little things I have around here waiting to be stripped and painted anymore. That chest of drawers/hutch is going to look amazing, can't wait to see the finished product.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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