Tag Archives | furniture makeover

Debut: China Cabinet Transformation

Lighter stain colors can date a piece of furniture… quickly. Don’t you think?

Beware! Full scale admission coming… My eyes used to just shoot past those pieces that had a lighter stain color. Can you believe that I wouldn’t even look twice at the bones or shape of a piece if it was the wrong color stain. Silly me! Thankfully, that was years ago. Whew! Glad I got that off my chest. Anyone else out there willing to admit they used to do that too?

This china cabinet was a victim of such snobbery. During a visit to a local consignment shop this piece caught my eye as soon as I walked in the door and I almost bought it. I didn’t because I couldn’t load or store it at the time. It was priced really well too. I literally had to drag myself out of the parking lot in order to leave it behind. Then a month or two later a client called me and told me she was looking for a sturdy storage and display piece for her salon. Immediately the china cabinet came to mind, but I was certain someone else scooped it up. So I didn’t mention it to her.  A quick phone call later and and I discovered that it was still there.  What!!!!  Lucky us!

Here is a before picture, well, I had already taken the glass doors off and such…

China Hutch before transformation

The lines, shape and functionality of the piece are great. The only thing holding this baby back is the color. Would you have left this china cabinet behind because of it’s lighter stain? No worries,  my client was looking for a piece with a darker stain too.  So instead of painting this china cabinet…I stained it.

Re-stained china hutch

Now it’s a nice deep espresso color.  Can you believe it’s the same china cabinet?  I almost can’t believe it.  It looks like a brand spanking new piece of furniture!

Here is a side by side photo comparison and a few detail pictures.

Side by side comparison of the China Hutch transformation

xoxo

Meg

Debut: A glossy black desk

The desk makeover you are about to see is a custom order.  This furniture makeover hit’s the mark for the Hollywood Regency style.

Talking about design styles…Do you find yourself liking a million different styles?  I do!!! I narrowed down my personal style with help from Fieldstone Hill’s blog series titled Overcome Decorating Paralysis and I will share my personal style in another post. I was confused, because I truly like and appreciate almost every decorating style. You should check out the series if Pinterest makes you feel like you have design ADD. Anyhow… back to the furniture makeover… here is the before picture of the Drexel desk.

Drexel Desk before makeover picture

The desk was on the shabby side.  Not shabby chic.  Just shabby.  The back side had jagged buckled veneer that needed to be removed.  It took some time, because I tried a couple different techniques.  The most efficient veneer removing technique for this desk was the old standby of a chisel and hard work. Ok. Now. Think  classic, luxurious, glamorous and glossy elements…. and you have Hollywood Regency style with a lovely touch of distressing.

Black glossy desk

Pretty gorgeous!  Don’t ya think?

Hollywood Regency Style Desk makeover

Glossy goodness!

Hollywood regency Desk makeover

Chippy goodness! You might not realize it but the finish is as smooth as butter! In my opinion the Hollywood Regency style includes the glam and the distressed.  The chippiness adds character and reminds us that the desk has a history. I keep calling it a desk because that is how it will be used, but I believe it’s actually a dressing table. It’s a stunner, whichever role it plays from here on out. The second piece in this furniture makeover will be debuted next week… Stay tuned …

How you would use such a versatile piece in your home?

 

Linking up at Miss Mustard Seed’s Furniture Feature Friday and Liz Marie Blog

xoxo

Meg

Debut: A mustard chest of drawers

Antique Dresser before pictureThis chest of drawers was in quite a state of disrepair when I found her.  Her ninety-seven years had taken a toll on her exterior, but her drawers still opened and closed like new.  Quality construction, right there…folks.

 After creating a design plan, a lot of prep work, painting and distressing… here she is now.  Isn’t she fabulous!

Mustard dresser with black and white knobs

Mustard Dresser close-up picture with black and white knobs

Mustard dresser leg view

When picking a color, I take into consideration the shape and presence of the individual piece.  Many times design inspiration comes from family and friends (as in the turquoise sideboard).  The current piece was inspired by my grandmother. Now my grandmother is not quite the same age as this lady, but she has an unexpected inner vigor.  Some consider her sassy.  I like to think of my grandmother as spicy or zesty, which is exactly what this chest of drawers was missing. Not anymore it’s not.  The mustard color makes this piece interesting; then to top it off I threw in a little bit of chippy goodness.

I really think it would fit in any design aesthetic.  Here is another picture in a room with a non-white wall.

Mustard chest of drawers

She is for sale in my Etsy shop here. Linking up at Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday!

xoxo,

Meg