Too Much Honey Oak

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long Peeps.  I've been quite sick with the flu which put all my work behind 2 weeks.  Plus, I have been finishing up a few small pieces that aren't worth blogging about.

Now, that I am feeling like my self again, I can get back in my workshop ans start painting.  I was out of commission for a good two week, and it's amazing how empty I feel when I'm not painting.  This whole painting furniture thing, really is my passion and keeps me sane!!  

Here's a piece that I recently completed for a goof friend of mine.  Years ago, she purchased a ton of beautiful Amish made furniture.  Unfortunately, it's all in that honey oak colour, that was chic and beautiful back in it's day, but is nothing but dated now.  I finished painting 6 of her dining room chairs, and then moved on to this clunker... oh my, it weighs a ton!

**Yes, I am fully aware that my pictures suck.

The top is restained in  Jacobean, and the bottom legs are painted Annie Sloan Coco.  The Coco is a much more beige/brown than shown in the pics.  Gorgeous colour.  I have a side table that I will finish soon, so I'll post those pics and you can see the colour more clear.

(Marley's tail ;)

Of course I didn't take a 'before' picture because I'm stupid.  But, I found a similar one on google images...

This just goes to show that there are options... rather than selling or chucking your dated furniture.  With some elbow grease, your old honey oak pieces can be new and current.  Quality furniture never goes out style!

A Quick Before & After!

I took visual merchandising way back in my college days and my teachers used to piss me off all the time saying "don't forget to take pictures of EVERYTHING you do"...  they would harass us during every single project.  It was annoying up until I went to put together my portfolio after 2 years and realized I hadn't taken pictures of some of my best work... They were right.  Why didn't I listen to them? I don't know.  I was too busy thinking about getting out of class as fast as I could and grabbing a pint.  

But, 12 years later, I remember my embarrassing portfolio, and tend to take pictures of most of my work.  Perhaps another 2 years in college would have taught me to take quality pictures.  

Here's an example of some of my great work, but crappy photos!!! haha

I recently did this piece for a client of mine.  She loves burlap as much as I do :)

Before:

After:  

Bringing An Old Buffet Back to Life!

My absolute favourite past time in the whole world, is shopping in thrift stores, antique markets and second hand shops.  I love bringing home old, forgotten furniture, and bringing it back to life.  Only problem is that my house is beginning to look like a horders house.  I am seriously banned from bringing home any more furniture or knick knacks.  You should see me garage and basement.  Eesh.

To solve this obsession/problem, I like to shop for other people now!!!  Recently a new client/friend of mine asked me to find her a piece that looked like a piece she found at a shop, that had unfortunately sold.  A mission?!?!?  I'm on it.

After going back and forth on at least a dozen pieces, I came across this piece at a local antique shop.

I know, doesn't look like much, but luckily my new client/friend has VISION!!!  And immediately, we both knew this was "the one".  I picked it up the next day, and here it is today.

Here it is in her home! Perfect :)

Working with a new colour - ARLES!!

As most of you know, I only use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  It's my favourite paint to work with and comes in some of the most vibrant, beautiful colours.  I generally only work with neutrals, like white, black, and beige, but sometimes, I get to experiment with bold colours... like Emperor's Silk seen here on a hall tree and my office desk (excuse the mess)...

Recently, I purchased this beauty at my favourite store in Hamilton, The Painted Bench.  

They were kind enough to throw in a can of paint, so I thought I would be bold and choose a colour that I have always wanted to work with, but have never had a chance - Annie Sloan ARLES.

Source

Source

Dare I do a whole buffet in golden yellow?  Errrrrr, I thought I had the balls to do it, but now I am second guessing myself.  So, I did a little test piece to see if I liked it.  

Here is the 'before' pic...

And the 'after'

So what do you think?  Should I do the whole buffet in yellow??  eeeeee, I'm scared!!!

Candlestick in Country Grey

Finished this awesome candlestick in Annie Sloan Country Grey.  Distressed with a small coat of dark wax.

Candlestick 3' tall

$65

French Linen Desk

I just finished up this piece a couple of weeks ago for one of my favourite new clients!!

It was an old, beat up desk that she wanted her little girl to use.  I used AS French Linen.  Such a beautiful colour.

Before:

After:

Fabulous Birthday Present!

Last week was my 32nd birthday, and although I'm not really into big parties or big woopidie doos anymore, my family still always makes a little stink about it by bringing me some presents and cake.  Who can say no to presents and cake!!!

This year, I got a call from my brother a week before we were having a get together, claiming that he got me the BEST birthday gift of all time.  Seriously, you never know what to expect from my brother.  He has some seriously, creative gift giving skills.  

Taaaa Daaaaaah

Some sister's may use such expressions as "WTF" or "Seriously?".... but not me!!!  I screamed with JOY :)  Especially after multiple glasses of Pinot Grigio.  Eeeeeeeek.

Took me 4 days to make this baby look like this...

This is a custom blend of Graphite and Blue Violet.  It made a stunning slate blue that I plan of using through out my house.  The burlap knobs are from The Painted Bench in Hamilton.

MARLEYYYY!!!!

Thanks Mike... xo

White Side Tables

I picked up these side tables at my favorite furniture market a couple of months ago.  I loved the straight lines and simplicity of them.  Bonus was that there was 2 of them.

I went with white to keep with the simplicity.

~~SOLD~~

White Side Tables

29"l x 21"w x 18h"

$40ea

"BEFORE"

Antique Card Table

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a client, asking if I could fix up an antique card table from her Grandfather.  It was missing a leg, so I turned to my trustworthy, talented, always on-call carpenter (also know as Dad).  His response "I like to think we can fix anything".

And since I can paint anything, I took the challenge.

Here's how this beauty turned out after.  What a gorgeous piece.

2 Colour Tall Mirror

I love experimenting with different colours and techniques.  One technique I have grown to love is a two colour effect.  I recently completed this mirror and just love how it turned out.  It would look beautiful in a powder room, or an entry way, or even a bedroom on top of a dresser.

~~ SOLD ~~

Tall, 2 colour mirror

$60

48.5" x 22"

And this pic doesn't show much, but I thought it was funny that Marley just had to sneak in the pic...