I shared a preview of this makeover yesterday, but here is the full sha-bang (that’s a highly technical decorating term)…
This isn’t a typical piece for me to buy, but as you may have figured out already, I like to change things up, so I don’t get stuck in a rut. Buying a piece of furniture that is atypical for me helps me with that. Sometimes I love the piece and then I want to explore that style more. Other times, I enjoy working on the piece, but I don’t fall in love with the style. I really like how this turned out, but I’m not sure you’ll see a lot of stuffy victorian settees here.
This is how the piece started out…
It was one of the messiest pieces I’ve ever worked on…shedding grass and old burlap every time someone brushed passed it or breathed near it. The fabric almost fell apart as it was being removed. It was sturdy and the seat is comfy with a nice spring to it, so it just needed to be freshened up. You can see how it was painted HERE, but in a nut shell, we primed it with Tough Coat, did a base coat in Shutter Gray followed by two coats of Ironstone. I lightly sanded the entire surface, allowing some of the gray and wood to show through to give it a worn, faded look. I finished it with Hemp Oil.
I added some batting to the seat and back and redid the webbing that supports the back and then upholstered the settee with an antique European hemp sheet. I usually sell those in my online shop, but my source hasn’t been able to source new ones. I think a new batch is on the horizon, though.
And here’s the result…
I see this being a great bench for a dining room or foyer or maybe even at the end of a bed. I like how painting it white and keeping the upholstery neutral freshens it up and makes it feel more casual.
The settee will be for sale at the Chapel Market in Pike Road, Alabama, on October 25, for $285.
Tomorrow I’m heading into Maryland to do a photo shoot of a house for Cottages & Bungalows magazine. While I’ve done lots of shoots for magazines, I’ve never been the stylist and photographer for someone else’s house. I’m a little nervous, but excited as well. I picked up some flowers for the shoot and raided my yard as well…
We have an apple pie and pumpkins in the car, so we should be all set! I’ll share some sneak peeks and let you know how it goes…
33 Responses
I love how the settee turned out. It’s not a piece I would buy for my own home, but it will look beautiful in the right space. But at $285, maybe I would buy it!! That seems so inexpensive for the amount of hard work you put into it. I love seeing how you work now that you have your studio. I feel like the focus is back on the furniture makeovers, or at least it has been lately, which I really enjoy. Can’t wait to see the photos from the magazine shoot!
Marian,
I will never tire of seeing the furniture makeovers – I get SO much inspiration from them. I love what you did with the settee and sure wish I was close enough to go to the Chapel Market it would definitely be on my wish list 🙂
Marian, Love it, I drove past the your studio today and saw part of it thru the window! Good luck with your photo shoot tomorrow, you’ll do great!!
Ha, that’s so awesome! 🙂 Did you wave?
I was wondering last night when I saw your post if you ever did photo shoots for magazines or publications. I guess that answers my question. Good luck tomorrow… I love Cottage & Bungalows Magazine and look forward to seeing it.
oh goodie, Cottages & Bungalows is one of my favorite magazines ! you’ll do a fantastic job, Marian 🙂
Awesome job on that settee. Someone will walk away with a real prize from the Chapel Market. How fun to do a photo gig like that for the Cottages and Bungalows. I am still working on my photography skills and am determined to give it more time and attention. Good thing I enjoy it so much. I am just now trying out tethering and it is so great to see right away the results of a shot and adjusting from that.
Marian I couldn’t wait to see how the settee came out. Its fabulous. I knew you would make it a gem. Hope your shoot turns out well.
I would love the settee at the foot of my bed. I love how you can see the cut-out of the back of the settee. You are inching towards your European roots more and more.
What a wonderful revival. Love the way you have restored it.
Thanks for the inspiration
It turned out great, but I never doubted! Ya know, all this time I’ve read about Chapel Market, but I’ll be.. I didn’t realize it was right here in Alabama. I think we’re going to try to get down there for it. 🙂
not your best effort–the white ironstone wood and the upholstery are kinda blah, from a distance (of the photos) perhaps looking smashing up close. The blue print linen of your drapes might’ve been nicer, but I guess one has to keep trying swatches…maybe the toast-colored (burlap) colored linen may have provided a nice contrast to the ironstone..not sure but as is, I don’t think it carries your usual punch!
What a great opportunity for you! That sounds like a dream job for me. Love the settee. have fun this weekend!
It turned out just lovely. Must be fun to play with different set ups in your studio while styling the piece and arranging props 🙂 Beautiful work. Enjoy your photo shoot!
The settee turned out so great! How exciting to do a photo shoot for a magazine! I always love what you do. You are one of the bloggers that I look up to and admire!
Marian your photo shoots are fabulous,you really have an eye for making beautiful displays. I look forward to 11 am in Ca so I can check out your posts.Thank You……..love love everything you,do and I could not live without your milk paint, it is the best and the colors are beautiful. I remember a beautiful soft green you mixed for someone,I wish that was in your colors.
Have an awesome day
I did not see your vision with this piece Marian, but you did a wonderful job on it. I would have loved to see the back side of it as well though. Great work and I think the price is way too low for all the work you two did on it.
Marian,
Is your shop a place that we can see? Will you be giving classes at some point soon? You mentionin your blog places that make me think it is close to my Dad’s place in Bendersville PA. (Aspers really) Are you near there?
I’d love to take a class sometime!
Deb
Hi Marian, I love seeing the split screen, before and afters. The side by side comparisons are always so lovely.
I finally started my own major furniture makeover project. I’ve finished 1 drawer so far-lol. Such a pleasure to pop in and browse around.
Have a nice day,
Lisa
I totally agree that the price is way too low. I am always amazed that you find such great stuff for next to nothing in antique shops and on Craig’s List. Those kind of deals do not exist in North Carolina!
I can see this piece in a garden room or porch upholstered with a tiny floral print.
Marian,
I love the settee. I love the look it turned out super! I agree the price is very reasonable. If you feel that it is right go for it. But we all seem to think it is tooooo low. I am really enjoying the split screen too! As I write this I am in Australia, funny to see home town (well not my home town) here so far away. I would love to be at Chapel market! You go girl!
Smiles, Alice
Just lovely Marian- as all your work is! It is so restful and it must have been nice venturing even briefly outside your signature MMS look. I cant believe how inexpensive it is… no way it would be that price in Australia!!! Thanks for being such an inspiration to all us painter gals!
Have a fabulous day
Alison
I am a huge MMS fan—- you ROCK, Marian, when it comes to vision, creativity, talent, energy…!! Every night I look forward to taking a peek at the next days post!!! I love your work! But I have to be the Lone Ranger and root for the wood on the settee- I actually like the dark wood better than the white this time. I don’t think the white shows the beauty of the carving on this amazing piece…I would love to see you distress the carving more or add some depth with your antique wax. I also want to give kudos to your amazing myriad of devoted followers—I enjoy reading their comments and insights. You are a blessed woman to have so many “friends” praising and encouraging you every day- I know you realize that. You bless others; They bless you!
You’re not the Lone Ranger on this one, I wouldn’t have painted that pretty wood either; the patina was so beautiful. But, having said that, it really did turn out to be a beautiful, almost Scandinavian (a la Carl Larsson) piece. I love Judy’s idea of it on a porch or in a garden room.
I knew going in this was going to be a blue ribbonner, (I just made that word up) but I had no idea this was going to need the gold medal! Marian, this is indescribable! Ever little detail, from the careful layering of your colors to the attention paid to the distressing, to allowing the carvings to still display their beauty is like a flower bloomed. The upholstery is gorgeous, you did such a beautiful job. The fabric is perfect and plays off of the wood color so well, the fine braided finishing trim is so Victorian, you worked it girl! I absolutely adore this!
Oh, a new adventure! Good luck with the photo shoot tomorrow, Marian!
P.S. I just happen to like the “stuffy Victorian style.” One of my most prized possessions is an upholstered Victorian armchair… and no, I will not be painting it white. 😉
Marian, it is so beautiful. Love the white and neutral fabric and that is a steal!
It’s so wonderful! You should do more of this style. What a transformation! Congrats!
Marian, today was so fantastic. I felt so honored and blessed to have you in our home and get to learn looking over your shoulder. I’m so grateful, and cannot wait to see how your photos look in print. Truly an inspiration you are! Thanks so much again…and I will say this at least 10-20 more times. Just a warning.
Marian, beautiful makeover! And your whole styling scene – stunning! Love how you’re able to set up all these different styling vignettes in your studio to showcase your work. They are just so beautiful!
Wow, I love it! I’m not a big Victorian era fan, but the Mustardized version is fabulous! I would buy it for our Master Bedroom in a heartbeat, if I was any where near you! You do such fabulous work and continue to inspire!
Fabulous makeover and gorgeous images.