This is when blogging and doing everything else at the same time is hard. I have a bunch of things in the works, but nothing ready for that beauty shot that makes the before and after posts so fun to share (and read, I’m sure!) So, today I’m showing a few pieces that are in the works in the basement.
I finished this 1800’s dresser today in MMSMP Linen with a stained wood top…
Cari prepped the piece for me and got it to this stage…
I stained the top and added some more texture to the finish by layering more Linen paint in a thick mix in strategic areas and then applied heat with a hair dryer to create crazing. It’s very subtle in this finish, but looks really cool…
Notice it around the key holes and at the bottom of the drawer? I used a mix of Antique Wax and White Wax to bring out the texture even more. I hope I can photograph it properly later this week.
Cari worked on this wardrobe today…
…and the Grain Sack paint is bringing out an amazing texture that was in the original poly finish.
I love it when that happens.
Here are a few other pieces in process…
I loved working down in the basement on furniture today. It’s like therapy for me. I actually got a little lost in it and Jeff had to come get me to remind me about some conference calls I had! That’s one reason why I have alarms going off on my phone all the time. I am the type who totally loses track of time when I’m working and will forget to eat, go to a dentist appointment and pick up my kids from school. Thank goodness for alarms.
Anyway, tomorrow I am going to start working on my videos for the Building a Creatively Made Business 2.0 series. I loved your comments and questions on the original post and I’m looking forward to addressing some topics that were brought up. If you missed the post about the course, you can check it out HERE.
21 Responses
Marian:
I have a few pieces of antique furniture that are missing some of the drawer stops just like the ones pictured with the desk above. Would you know of a resource where I would be able to purchase these?
thanks
carol
I enjoyed seeing all the projects in progress. It inspires me to finish up all the unfinished projects around the house 🙂 I really like the combination of MMSMP Linen and stained top of the dresser. I also love the rustic finish around the keyhole. looking forward to the beauty shots!
Crazy in love with carved wooden handles! I spent way too much on a piece just because it has carved handles . It’s tempting to paint it too, but I am conflicted the wood is so nice….after seeing yours I am feeling less conflicted…I see another project to add to the list!
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I love the carved wooden handles too, but will paint around them and leave them in their natural state! Too beautiful to paint maybe.
I enjoy seeing the works in progress and reading about the process. It doesn’t always have to be about the finished product. Thanks for sharing the journey! 🙂
Each piece of furniture is just so beautiful, you have inspired me I have a desk to paint!
All your painted pieces are so beautiful! A few weekends ago I bought a dresser that I am having a hard time getting up the courage to paint. It’s a total copy-cat of your lego dresser, which I love. I am afraid I’m gonna ruin it. It’s in my garage parking space and it has started to snow again in my parts. I better decide quick!!! I did put your hemp oil on it which cleaned it up nicely. The top drawer has a beautiful veneer on it – the rest of it has some damage, but I still am afraid to paint! Ughhhh! How do you get the courage to paint things that have been “naked wood” for 100+ years??
Maybe don’t paint it…or just paint the drawers and leave the top. I love the natural wood! I usually buy cheaper pieces that need the veneer pulled off and lots of sanding and patching…then I paint. I usually try to leave the wood on top unpainted but stained and waxed. Or you could paint the top and leave the drawers wood. Just a suggestion.
I don’t get nervous about painting wood! If I love a piece as is, I leave it natural wood. If I think it would look better painted, then I paint it! I love my “Lego dresser” with the frame painted and the drawers wood. Maybe try something like that, so you can have the best of both worlds.
This might be a weird question, but can I ask what kind of lights you have down in your basement? They really light up the space and I have to work down in my basement a lot and would love MORE LIGHTING! The pictures even look well lit with the lighting you have.
Thanks so much!
What color is the dresser without knobs painted? I love it!
Love the ‘non-beauty’ shots! Glad I am not the only one with several unfinished projects in the works!
I really hope that you are signing and dating your painted pieces. If not, please start Right Now. You are creating heirlooms. Ann
hair dryer crackling! interested to hear more about that!
I can so relate to getting lost in creative work projects and forgetting what’s on the schedule for the day!
Love all the projects…even if they aren’t finished 🙂
how about a pic of Cari
Yeah, how about it? Doesn’t she get any glory?
I’d love to share a picture of her! 🙂 She always shows up in her painting clothes, so I haven’t asked her to pose for a pic, but I will. She’s amazing.
How do you continue to find such beautiful pieces to redo?
Marian, is crazing something that only occurs with milk paint?
Fun to see work in progress! : )
Love the blog, especially the variety of projects and clever details.
What do your use to first clean the furniture that you plan to paint?
I rarely buy furniture that has any type of odor, unless it is English/Irish scrubbed or damaged pine.
I like to paint my thrifted and “scooped from the curb,” pieces instead of staining, as I like lots of color on my furniture pieces and large picture frames.
I spend much time using my heat gun outside (wearing my industrial respirator, you never know what is in all those layers of paint), or a non-toxic stripper or just a mixture of bleach, Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint soap (especially on old scrubbed pine) and water.
I also sand, a lot with my Mega Mouse( love it.), Small Mouse (great for corners and interior hard to reach places, and a small hand sander. I got my hand sander just last week at a church rummage sale for just $2. Church sales are the greatest and one is helping the local community.
As Spring has sprung and I have many pieces ready to rejuvenate! I do agree working on these projects is great therapy, patience-building and a chance to listen to all the CDs I forgot I owned. . Nothing better that taking a “before” snapshot, then standing back and looking at what you have done with your own hands in for the “after” snapshot. Very satisfying.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Hallaren