Hi All!

Today, I have another piece to add to the furniture revival.  Here is an old cherry desk that I feel in love with on a recent scouting adventure.  

She had some rough spots, needed a good cleaning and some good old fashioned tender loving care.  But look at those lines - great legs, carved detail and the interior is like new!   All for a great price.  Sold! 

This is where I can't wait to phone Mr Niche to find out when he can come and pick it up - oops that should read pick them up.  Them being, not only did I find this great desk but I also found a bookcase and dresser.  Score!!!  And as luck would have it DH was headed in this direction so we would have them home the same afternoon!!!

When I got the pieces home I started cleaning the desk right away.  I came across a couple of address stickers.  It seems the previous owner's name was Amelia - so I decided to name this project Amelia. 

Although I don't normally prime when I use ASCP, Amelia had some rough  spots that I had to touch up prior to getting started.  Some markings add character, you just have to decide which ones you want to live with.   Likewise,  knowing what look you are going for shoul also help you determine how much  prep  work to do.  For example if I was going for a distressed look - I  would have cleaned her up and started painting. 

So here we are after the prep work and a coat of primer.

From the moment I saw Amelia, I knew this was going to be an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint  (ASCP) Project.  I decided to mix up a batch of my home brew that I call Vanilla Frosting. 

Here she is - still up on blocks.

Here's a close up of some of Amelia's details; displaying her new coat and her
original hardware now finished in Oil Rubbed Bronze.  As indicated earlier, I am  planning on a seperate post for hardware.

And here is another angle - I just love the details. 

And the total new look. 

I recently picked up a chair that needs a fresh coat of paint - it should look great with this desk.  Hope to get it posted in the near future. 

And now for the side-by-side before and after.  So how do you like Amelia's new style?  Have you done any makeovers lately; if so, I'd love to see them.

It's a furniture revival - one piece at a time!

One of my favorite challenges is to take a piece of furniture that has "seen its  better days" and revive it into an item suitable for today's living.  For me the  fun starts with the hunt, scouring sales, thrift shops, antique shops and  occasionally things just appear at the darnedest places.  Heck - sometimes an  opportunity for revival is here at home, right under my nose - screaming paint
me - - paint me!!!

Take a look at this piece - it really is in great condition and look at the details.  It was just sitting there, reasonably priced, saying help me.

Sometimes I brush, sometimes I spray...it all depends on the piece, what is the current condition and what is the desired look.   I try my hardest to stay away from sanding but that also depends on the condition of the piece.  Does it already have a poor quality paint job?  Do some spots require additional attention?  If so - break out the sandpaper.  You see I can't just walk away from an item because it requires sanding - once I have fallen for the lines (or the good bones) of an item, I am usually willing to put in the extra effort.  Besides, what would be the fun if it was all easy???

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP), Valspar and Rustoleum are probably my top 3 choices.  If it was up to DH - he would have me use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) on every piece.  Yes, ASCP is a great product and it always receives consideration; but, I tend to let the characteristics of the piece and the desired final look determine what I use.  Don't let the price of ASCP scare you off - it really is comparable to others when you consider the costs of primer and coverage. When using ASCP most pieces don't require sanding - so you have the time and labor factors to consider.  These are some of the reasons ASCP gets the DH vote every time; we also like the finish ASCP gives and oh yeah - no overspray!!! 

Don't get me wrong - not every piece is predestine for a coat of paint.  I have brought home pieces intending to paint them and afterwards decided to keep them in their original skin (at least for the time being).  I actually like to blend woods and painted pieces for a custom look.  I have some mahogany pieces that I would never dream of painting or parting with - but in the same room I have pieces  painted black that I wouldn't trade for a carbon copy in mahogany.   So it all depends and it truly comes down to your personal style. 

Any way, this particular piece was talking to me and wanted to wear ASCP.  I consulted with her future owner and a custom color was brewed.  

Below is a look at the detail on the drawers in the new color. 

And here she is after the hardware received a fresh coat of paint.  We will discuss painting hardware in a future post.

I wish I had a picture of her in her new home where she looks even better (add that to the list of things to do).  Maybe someday, I will get good at photoshop and then I can remove some of the distracting surroundings.  In the meantime...

 Before: 

After:

Enjoy!
Decor Niche