Monday, March 5, 2012

Union Jack High Chair and Child's Rocking Chair

This weekend I finished up two more pieces. I picked up a child's wooden rocker at a garage sale a few months ago. I have been holding on to it because I just wasn't inspired to do anything with it.



In January, my friend Sarah encouraged me to pick up an older wooden high chair at a thrift shop in West Palm Beach. Normally I would not have looked twice at it. I have no children and I don't get particularly get excited about high chairs. But I decided what the heck. Let's see what we can do!



So I got the two pieces back to Jacksonville and pulled them out on the driveway to come up with ideas. They were different in style. I'm not opposed to selling them separately but it would be cute to paint them in a similar style so they could be sold as a set if someone wanted.



The red of the high chair inspired me to revisit the whole union jack theme. I had finished a dresser in a similar style but didn't have the nerve to use red on it. Also, I'm sure most mom's out there would agree, they just don't make enough cute things for little boys. It's easy to shop for girls, the cuteness is endless! But baby boys are really lacking in cute furniture, clothes, etc.
So here's the finished project. I am trying to get a little better with my photography so I am including some closer up shots for added detail.
Hope you enjoy!











Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Free nightstand with the purchase of a coffee table!



I spent quite awhile looking for a coffee table on Craigslist. I wanted something with character and more reflective of my style. I finally found what I was looking for. It was dark brown when I got it and has a leather top. This is another piece (I could freaking kick myself) that I didn't take before pictures on. Here it is finished, painted light green and antiqued. There's no way I'm selling this piece...I'm too attached!


So when I went to pick up the coffee table, the person that was selling it asked me if I would be interested in taking a nightstand off his hands. It was solid wood with no major damage so I said sure, why not! The first time I refinished this piece, I wasn't happy with it. I sanded it down and stained the drawer fronts and top. I painted the body of the piece a turqouise/blue color but I just wasn't happy with the finished piece.
About a week ago, my friends, Tim and Sarah sent me a picture of some furniture they saw at Home Goods. They have gone on numerous thrift store, consignment, antiquing adventures with me up here in the Jacksonville area and down in West Palm Beach. Sarah keeps an eye out for good deals in South Florida and they both help to inspire me when they see something neat. Here is a picture of the furniture they saw at Home Goods.

And here is the nightstand before and after...

Union Jack Dresser

I picked this dresser up at a thrift store over a year ago. I failed to take the before pictures so bear with me. I can tell you that it was painted white and had wooden handles on each of the drawers. I'm not a big fan of the style of the piece so I knew I wanted to do something special when I painted this piece. I was inspired by another dresser I found while browsing on the internet.
I am happy with how it turned out. I think it would be so cute in a little boy's room. There just isn't enough cute stuff for little boys!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Shabby Sheik?

I have a disturbing addiction to Craigslist. I have downloaded the app and try to check the antiques and furniture by owner sections on an almost hourly basis. My sister-in-law advised me recently that I have turned her into a Craigslist furniture stalker too. The stalker reference is so true. I never thought about it that way.
Anyway, in additon to posting the projects I find to refinish, I enjoy finding the funny ads too. Whether it's spelling, grammar, or just a ridiculous item that someone is trying to sell, I will be re-posting the ads that I find somewhat amusing. I'm cautious to remove any "identifying" information but thought someone else out there should enjoy a good laugh too.
Without further ado...

SHABBY SHEIK KING HEADBOARD - $125 (BEACHES)
Date: 2012-02-16, 9:04AM EST
Reply to:
DOWN SIZED TO QUEEN.... SHABBY SHEIK KING HEADBOARD IN WHITE WITH A SHELL (REAL) IN THE MIDDLE.... LIKE NEW $125 FIRM.... CAN TEXT PICS

Friday, February 3, 2012

Lace Side Tables

So whenever I plan on going to visit a friend or family member I add their city to my Craigslist app and start browsing the furniture available for sale in their areas. On a recent trip to my parents' house I found a pair of sweet little side tables for sale. My Mom, being the good sport that she is, went with me to look at the tables and possibly purchase them.
When we arrived at the house we met a very nice couple that were in the process of selling their mother's belongings that were left over after she passed away. I thought the visit would last a total of 5 minutes. Get in, take a look, exchange the money, load the tables up, and be on our way. Needless to say, we visited with this couple for about 30-45 minutes. I really enjoyed chatting with them. This was a very pleasant Craigslist exchange.
Anyway, on to the refinished products!
Here are what the tables looked like when I got them.



I decided to go with two different finishes because who wants to have furniture that is too matchy! The first table was painted with Duck Egg Blue paint. I highlighted parts of the table with Old White paint. Now to the fun part...I was experimenting with a painting process I found while watching the Nate show. The lace design was painted with white paint and then mirrored paint. It turned out beautiful! The design has an almost 3D effect when you see it it person.

And finally the other table...I mixed Olive paint with Old White paint and distressed the table to let some of the wood show through. The lace design was painted with bronze paint.