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Furniture Makeovers

Furniture Makeovers

soft milk paint landscape dresser | part 2

I will fully admit that I still feel out of my depth with this whole landscape painting phase of mine.  I’m inspired by it and moderately terrified all at the same time.  I waffle between loving this milk paint landscape dresser and wanting to put it on the burn pile.  This may be how I always feel, but I hope this internal conflict goes away as I gain some confidence and discover my style. Or at least it isn’t so in my face! If you want to know the milk paint colors I used for the base coat, you can find that info in part one. The milk paint is chipped in some areas, which I think will end up giving this piece a really unique look once it’s finished.  It wasn’t “the plan”, but I’ve learned that some furniture pieces like to have a greater say in how they

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Furniture Makeovers

soft landscape dresser | part two

I will fully admit that I still feel out of my depth with this whole landscape painting phase of mine.  I’m inspired by it and moderately terrified all at the same time.  I waffle between loving the piece I’m working on and wanting to put it on the burn pile.  This may be how I always feel, but I hope this internal conflict goes away as I gain some confidence and discover my style. Or at least it isn’t so in my face! Here’s how the piece is looking as I left it this afternoon… If you want to know the milk paint colors I used for the base coat, you can find that info in part one. You can see that the milk paint is chipping some, which I think will end up giving this piece a really unique look once it’s finished.  It wasn’t “the plan”, but I’ve learned that some

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Furniture Makeovers

soft milk paint landscape dresser | part 1

I came into the studio on Monday morning like a tight ball of stress.  The studio is my “happy place”, but I was struggling to step away from the “businessy” things and create.  I finally had to force myself.  I needed it.  I needed to mix some paint, dip a brush in, watch a transformation in progress, feel myself relax with each stroke. I pulled out this little pine dresser and decided to start a new landscape on it. The last one I did had vibrant, playful colors. I wanted this milk paint landscape dresser to have a soft color palette. The MMS Milk Paint colors I mixed up are (from the top, clockwise) – Layla’s Mint + Boxwood, Eulalie’s Sky + Shutter Gray + Farmhouse White, Farmhouse White, and Layla’s Mint + Lucketts Green.  I loved the palette just sitting on the table.  I was already enjoying the benefits of a

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Furniture Makeovers

soft landscape dresser | part 1

I came into the studio on Monday morning like a tight ball of stress.  The studio is my “happy place”, but I was struggling to step away from the “businessy” things and create.  I finally had to force myself.  I needed it.  I needed to mix some paint, dip a brush in, watch a transformation in progress, feel myself relax with each stroke. I pulled out this little pine dresser and decided to start a new landscape on it. The last one I did had vibrant, playful colors.  I wanted this one to be soft. The MMS Milk Paint colors I mixed up are (from the top, clockwise) – Layla’s Mint + Boxwood, Eulalie’s Sky + Shutter Gray + Farmhouse White, Farmhouse White, and Layla’s Mint + Lucketts Green.  I loved the palette just sitting on the table.  I was already enjoying the benefits of a creative endeavor. Since it’s easier to show

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Before and Afters

BYOF Workshop Makeovers

This weekend, we hosted a BYOF (bring your own furniture) MMS Milk Paint workshop at the studio.  Those workshops are always such a fun time of painting and fellowship and we had a great group of ladies who brought some awesome furniture pieces. It was a good excuse for me to take a couple of days to thoroughly clean and tidy-up the studio and restock our supply of drinks, snacks, and, of course, chocolates!  I also brought in some sweet cherries and homemade mini blueberry muffins.  I love playing hostess and sharing my creative space with others. The class went from 10:00 until 3:30, so we had a lot of time to chat and work on the pieces.    It’s fun for me to introduce people to milk paint and see their trepidation turn to excitement as their pieces transition from the before to the “ugly stage” to the finished

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All Things Home

deconstructed chair

There is a small furniture trend that you may or may not have tuned into – deconstructed upholstery. Personally, I’m a fan.  Not in every single case and definitely not for every room, but for just the right old piece, it’s a way to honor the makers of it – to put the hand-tied springs, basted burlap, and wood frame on full display, in all of its half-dressed glory. photo via I’ve been wanting to create this deconstructed look on a piece, but hadn’t met the right one, yet. Well, that changed on Monday, when Kriste was stripping this pretty chair.  I looked at the muslin and burlap and realized I really liked it.  I said something to the effect of, “Stop right there!” The muslin is a little too far gone on this piece, sadly, but I am planning to clean up the back and the frame and reupholster the front

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Before and Afters

Farmhouse White Dining Room Table

I have been thinking about painting my dining room table top for ages.  I never actually went through with it, though.  Partly because of time, but mostly because I was a little nervous about painting it.  Yes, I was actually nervous about it!  I have never had an all-white dining room table and I honestly wasn’t sure if I would like it.  As much as I like painted pieces, I am partial to wood tops. The thing with this table is that the top is made out of an old barn door and, if you take off the runner, you can definitely see that.  There was a sign posted on it back in the day when it was a door. And, while I don’t think woods used in a room have to match, the top didn’t really relate to anything else in the room.  So, I had the house to myself for

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Before and Afters

Eulalie’s Sky Dresser

If you watched the “prove yourself wrong” video, you already saw how this dresser turned out, but I wanted to give it a proper before and after post. Here’s the before… This piece really was a pretty one as is, but I needed a piece to paint and crossed paths with this one. I decided to use a color I love, but haven’t used a lot lately…Eulalie’s Sky.  It’s a happy, pretty color that just seemed to suit the video we were making. Here is how it turned out… As an aside, this dresser is almost identical to one I bought back in February… Even the hardware was the same, which makes me think that might’ve been the original hardware, even though it looks more Queen Ann to me. I replaced the hardware with some simpler bail pulls and I’m planning to do the same with the Eulalie’s Sky dresser. The

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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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