In Search of Teal

Do you get a particular color in your head for a piece and you just can't let it go?  Good to know.  That's the way I sometimes rock and roll too.  When I first purchase this particular dresser I just knew it needed a deep rich color and I kept picturing it in a dark teal.  I found it on lots of paint decks by many different companies, but I really wanted the ease of one of the natural clay or chalk based paints.  So I mixed my own.  Yes, I did.  I consulted with our local Annie Sloan stockist to see if she knew of any recipes for teal.  After playing around a bit with her paints I knew I could do this and by the time she called me back to confirm that we were on the right track I had already mixed up a batch in a shade that made me happy.  I will say that shortly after that I saw where American Paint Company  had a new color "Peacock" that is would have worked, though my color has a bit more of a green base than theirs I think.  (And yes, I have used American Paint Company paints and I do really like them.  We just don't have a local stockiest yet, so I have to order them.)

I looked for the before photo, which I know I took, but have yet to find it.  Picture a brown on brown , tired, worn out looking mid-century modern dresser with some fantastic original hardware that was almost beyond tarnished.  Here is what she looks like today.

And I'm sorry for the poor photos, that were taken in the workshop because it was some Arctic Vortex kind of day…again.  I have a horrible time with lighting in there, most likely due to the 30 florescent lights my helpful Mr. installed to make it nice and bright!  Love him!

Isn't that hardware with it's new shiny finish lovely on this piece?  I love shiny things.  Those intertwined circles are just the bomb!

Here is the close up.  The color turned out exactly as I had dreamed it would, and I hope it will make someone supremely happy with its 8 spacious drawers and newly refinished stained top.  

Hope you are having a wonderful and warm week friends!  
Deb
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Stylish Serpentine Dresser

Back when I picked up the Mahogany Vanity and Dresser set I also found this lovely Mahogany serpentine dresser.  It was funny because as I scrolled down CL and responded to the ads it finally dawned on me that the same house had lots of "my kind of stuff" items listed and I finally just said, "can I come look at anything you have listed today?"  Thus I ended up with several lovely pieces that had been in their family for many years.  This dresser had been through many a military move, and being retired military I could definitely understand it's condition.  Lots of veneer chipped off to include one rather large corner.  The finish on the drawer fronts was really rough, possibly from extreme heat in storage??  At any rate it is just a classic, beautiful piece of furniture and I couldn't wait to return it to glory.  I know this is a shocker, but I forgot to take before photos.  I don't hold out much hope of improving on that front, but I'll try.

I would have staged this pretty gal, but I threw my back out yesterday so there was no lifting this off the cart.  You'll just have to imagine it all dolled up!  Since I liked the idea of it relating to the vanity and dresser you saw here, vanity and dresser, I chose to again base coat it in ASCP Old Violet.  This time though I used a wash technique with the second coat in ASCP Paris Gray.

I love the way it almost shimmers on there.  It reminds me of soft waves on water.  I have to say, I'm really loving Paris Gray.  To me it seems to have an irredescent quality. 

 Distressing on this piece happened naturally as the saturated washed areas were wiped down some edges of the mahogany were revealed.  I used a hammered espresso spray to freshen up the original hardware.  All drawers are dovetailed and open smoothly.  They don't make dressers like this one any longer.  I hope my poor photos do it some justice!

Have a super weekend!  Go Huskers!  (couldn't resist :-))

I'm linking up to:
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Deb

Dreamy Cream

Why are post titles the hardest part?!  Anyhoo, I've been working on things, just had a hard time getting some completions.  It's too darn hot and humid to work most of the day so I've been limited to early morning and late evenings.  Pictures are tough too right now with all the foggy cloud cover the humidity has brought along with it, so forgive the photos.

Here is a lovely dresser that I bought a little while back.  It appears to be an Art Deco piece with some pretty details.  It has some "wrinkles" and "freckles", as do most older pieces, but for me they only add charm.  I love the cabinet doors, the beautiful legs, and the hardware is gorgeous. 

I opted to paint the outside rougher areas, but left alone the stained interior drawers which were in wonderful condition.  So much storage!  And I love the small shallow drawer on top.  I imagine it full of jewelry or men's ties, or a ladies hankies at one time it's life.  What would you use it for today?

I adore these details on the bottom trim and the gently fluted legs.  So pretty aren't they?  I painted this with ASCP in "Cream".  It does have the lovely pale yellowy tones of clotted cream.  Dreamy Cream...(lame title tie in here)!  Ha!

Have a fun day!
Deb
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