Little End Table

This is one sturdy little side table. Soft linen colour with black legs.

 

$75.

 



Updated Secretary Desk

This is another example of "poor man's oak" finish.  This delicate secretary desk is made from a variety of woods but was finished with a painted oak finish for a uniform look.

The hardware had to be replaced as it wasn't giving any support when the front was lowered to use as a desk.

Sanding, sanding and more sanding!

I painted the details of the secretary in a dark blue knowing that the darker colour would "show through" with a light sanding.

The hardware has been replaced including the side hinge, lock and key. I purchased the lock and key from a vintage hardware supplier.  It really is an exact duplicate of the original lock and key. It  does look original to the desk.

I softly distressed the overlay

The front of drawer was just too bland, so we added a wooden overlay. 

It really pops with the dark blue undercoat.

The desk is 52 1/2 inches tall with a width of 30 1/4 inches .  It is 10 1/2 inches wide from back to front. I did paint the letterbox white but have not reinstalled. 

$250.  

Shabby Chic Chalkboard

This antique frame is finished in a warm yellow, softly distressed to show off the wood overlay.

The chalkboard measures 24 inches tall and 32 1/2 inches wide.  I am pretty sure that at one time this was mirror frame, so it is well built and heavy.

Closeup of the detailing on the bottom of the frame.

We added a small chalk tray so you can always find that chalk!

$75.00

Dresser Commission

Man I get angry at myself.  I am always neglecting to get a good "before" photo. This dresser was dropped off with a request that it be painted off white in a shabby chic style. The dresser was in very poor condition; someone had used a belt sander; naughty, naughty.  I like to restore the top to the natural wood, but the client wanted an all white finish. All for the better, as the natural wood top would have accented the uneven sanding.

Belt sanding can do so much damage unless you are REALLY experienced and the grit is very fine (400) and the wood is very hard.  

The dresser had been through a lot; I could and did pull the dresser apart, easily and with my bare hands.  LOL

Nothing that some glue and clamping won't fix.

Both sides and the back had to be clamped and glued

 

The drawers had to be glued together and existing hardware holes filled.  Dan made a new drawer slide for the bottom along with drawer guides.  This poor dresser had really seen better days.  I was very nervous about how she would work out.

Oh she is so pretty.

I went with hardware close to the colour of the dresser. The flat grey hardward provided looked a bit harsh against the warm white. There is no other dark colour on the piece to use as a contrast.

I am very happy with how well this poor dresser turned out...

Knechtel Three Drawer Dresser

I was lucky enough to happen upon this Knechtel dresser.  When you see anything made by Knechtel you are pretty sure of the quality and workmanship.

The veneer was so damaged on the drawer fronts that it had to be removed.  I sanded the fronts to a smooth finish...I think that the wood under the veneer is cherry

At sometime in the life of this dresser, it had a cat as a room mate.

I always sand prior to painting and sand between coats.  I final coat all my furniture with satin varathane for a smooth finish and that added protection.

The dresser is 40 inches wide, 18 inches deep and 73 inches at the tallest point.

The mirror has etched detailing at the top.  It has a few "age spots" but they only add to the character of this vintage piece.

$200.

Storage Unit Blues-Cedar Chest Restored

This poor cedar chest had been in storage for five years and storage conditions were not good.  

How disappointing to retrieve your grandmother's cedar chest and find that moisture had warped the veneer and REALLY damaged the finish.

The veneer was completely detached from parts of the chest. 

One of the legs had fallen off.

She was pretty sad looking.   The veneer almost looks like fabric and not wood!

So....

We glued the legs, removed the warped veneer, wood filled, sanded and sanded and sanded.  I stained the lid a rich dark walnut colour.  After a couple of coats of paint and a varathan finish coat, we have one pretty little cedar chest.

I painted the exterior a warm white, gently distressed by sanding and finished with a couple coats of varathane for strength

The cedar chest is 40 1/2 inches long, 18 1/12 inches wide and 19 inches tall.  It is a small cedar chest that could easily fit at the bottom of bed.  I did consider upholstering the top, but I liked the trim too much to cover.

I love cedar chests that are on legs and don't sit flat on the floor.

$200.

Repurposed China Cabinet

Originally this was a china cabinet.  I took off the door and opened it up thinking the piece would be good in a child's room or kitchen.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, asked if the shelves could be removed.  A lot of interest but no buyers.

So.....

We had a beautiful walnut table top in the shop that we repurposed.  Isn't she pretty?  

The Cabinet is 41 inches tall, 17 1/2 inches deep and 33 inches tall.  The single drawer is 9 inches deep for lots of storage.

My Kitchen Chairs

I have taken a bit of a break from sanding, painting, sanding, etc.  I have recently rediscovered knitting.  Everyone loves hand knit socks!

I decided to actually paint some furniture for myself.

These are very sold oak chairs.  When I first purchased them, they reminded me of an old sturdy woman, solid with thick legs. lol

The white paint softens the look of the chair.

I sand, paint, sand, paint, sand and then finish with 2 coats of satin finish varathane.  These chairs will be used everyday and the varathane will help to protect the finish.

Not so clunky looking any more!

Aren't they pretty?