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Furniture Makeovers

Before and Afters

Best of MMS – French Chair Makeover & Tutorial

Welcome to another “Best of MMS” post. A few of you offered up the brilliant idea of sharing some of my past posts while I’m busy working on things for the book, so that’s what I’m doing.  (I’m sorry about the wonky spacing in the post.  Something funny happens when I put code from my old blogspot blog on my new site.)   I painted these French chairs before I had tried ASCP or Milk Paint and I thought I would share the makeover and technique again, so you can see a great look can be achieved with latex paint, which is less expensive and more readily available.  I really love ASCP and Milk Paint, but latex shouldn’t be totally forgotten. Here’s how the pair of French arm chairs started… (I had two arm chairs, although only one is pictured.)  The back of one was upholstered and the other was caned, but the

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Furniture Feature Friday – Favorites & a Link Party

As always, I was floored at the creativity, resourcefulness and talent displayed in the links last week.  You girls are gooood.  Here are some favorites… I think this painted console (and the entire room) by Erin from Welcome Home is so chic!  It started out as a dated 1980’s buffet, but it now looks modern and very high end.  I love paint.  I’m just sayin’. These corbels featured on Dixie Delights look so perfect supporting the counter hanging over her kitchen bar.  It’s such a clever way to add some character and architecture interest. Liz Marie did some major surgery on a dresser and turned it into a cubby shelf and work surface.  I absolutely love out-of-the-box DIY thinking like this! Enjoy the party! Here are the rules for our furniture get-together… 1.) Your post has to be about furniture. Please, please, please…just furniture. If you find your link has been

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Before and Afters

half bath reveal

The renovation that wouldn’t end has finally come to an end. As I was looking back over the pictures to prepare this post, I realize it’s taken a YEAR to get this 4′ x 8′ space finish. In our defense, we’ve had a pretty busy year and the half bathroom was just not a priority. We did hear some grumblings from the teenagers that frequent our home, because they had to hoof it up the steps to use the facilities, but other than that, it didn’t inconvenience anyone.  Nevertheless, it’s finally finished. Here’s how it started… …well, THIS is actually how it started the day we moved in…     …but I really prefer to block that carpet entirely out of my memory.   We put down the sticky-back black tile (after removing the carpet, of course) until we could afford something better and I did the best with the space

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Before and Afters

Jack’s Home

Most of the time I take my furniture to Lucketts or a fair, it sells and I don’t ever see it again. It’s always nice when I “hear from one.”  (Especially when it ends up in the home of a professional photographer who sends me photographic proof that it found a good home.)   This dresser started out as a typical Craig’s List find, but there was something about the quality of it, the lines, the masculinity with turned legs…I just knew it was a special piece.  As a bonus, the amazing original hardware was in a plastic bag in one of the drawers.     I refinished it for a Cottages & Bungalows article last January…   …and then put it up for sale during the Lucketts Ground Hog Day Sale. Jodi spotted it on the Lucketts website and, after consulting with her designer, she purchased it over the

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Furniture Feature Friday – Favorites & a Link Party

It’s good to be back into my usual routine with FFF and I enjoyed looking through your links from last week.  I can’t believe so much furniture making-over is going on in January!  I love it!  Here are a couple of my favorites from last week… I think this Craig’s List dresser makeover by Sue of Uniquely Chic is wonderful.  Of course, you know I’m a fan of refinished wood tops, but I also love the stripped detail and beachy feel of this piece. This cubby hole shelf showcased at The Thrifted Market was a fabulous buy at only $15!  They were styled to resemble a similar shelf from the Pottery Barn catalog and I think it looks great!  I bet this would be pretty simple to build as well. Here are the rules for our furniture get-together… 1.) Your post has to be about furniture. Please, please, please…just furniture.

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Before and Afters

I know it’s junk, but…

There are times when I find something and I know it’s junk.  I know I might not be able to salvage it, but I think it’s worth a shot.  This chair is one of those pieces.  I found it at Lucketts, marked down to $25 from $70.  I knew immediately why it was discounted.  It had a fabulous shape, was painted a great green, but…   …well, you can see the problem in this blurry iPhone picture.  It had a wonky leg.  Two wonky legs, actually, but one was really bad.   This chair really needs to be taken apart and entirely rebuilt, but, me being an impatient person and knowing this chair wasn’t worth major surgery, I worked on it to get it sured up.  That involved undoing previous repairs, gluing the joints and then putting in some strategically placed screws.      I then reupholstered it in an

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Before and Afters

pillows, upholstery & a dresser

I had a very productive day today and it felt great. I made three pillows, upholstered an arm chair, painted a piece of furniture and caulked and primed some trim.  Whew!  There are a few things that are contributing to the flurry of activity.  First of all, we have a big photo shoot happening over the next two days.  Second, I need to take some more shots for the cover of my book.  Lastly, we are soooo close to finishing some projects that have dragged on for years, so I’m ready to have things done. Here’s one of the pillows I made… A good friend of my mother-in-law gave this unfinished needlework piece to me and the colors were perfect for my house.  The second pillow is a tea towel with simple ties on each side. I’ll show the pillow and the upholstered chair another day.  I ran out of

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Furniture Feature Friday – Link Party

It’s the first FFF of the new year and I almost missed it!  It’s been a crazy week for me, so I didn’t have a chance to get some favorites lined up for you.  I did enjoy looking through some of the best furniture from last year, though.  We’ve accomplished a lot, haven’t we?  If nothing else, we have some great furniture, right?  So, link up and I’ll pick some favorites for next week! Here are the rules for our furniture get-together… 1.) Your post has to be about furniture. Please, please, please…just furniture. If you find your link has been deleted, it’s not because I’m mean, it’s because your post was not about furniture. You can share makeovers, awesome finds, favorite pieces, furniture arrangements, or even pieces on your wish list! Built-in furniture like kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities qualify as furniture. 2.) Post a permalink (the link to

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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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