Sunday, June 3, 2012

Details, details, details


I have had an old sewing machine cabinet in the garage for months waiting to be able to test my sprayer on it. Well, I have yet to use my sprayer, although the day is nearing. Meanwhile, Mr. Bad Rabbit has Jeeps to restore and I've taken over the whole garage. Again. Plus there's another elderly vehicle on its way here so the pressure is on!

Paint it, store it, or recycle it, but get it out of his half of the garage. That is the mission.

First up was the sewing machine cabinet since I'd completed the repairs months ago and it was ready for paint. This cabinet had some great carving in the wood, which is why I bought it. But with this piece I was still surprised how paint and wax can take a pretty cabinet and make it friggin' awesome!

Here it is - was.



And a little facelift later ....


The girl has been hiding her beauty!

 

Ready for her close-up!


Wow. I was going to take her to the booth but guess what? She is happily placed behind the sofa adorned with antique toys. Uh oh. 

Now, what to do with the teeny-tiny first-grade school desk that was there? No way can I part with it!

Argh. What to do ...


24 comments:

  1. I saw leave that gorgeous piece right there. It's perfect!

    hugs
    Sissie

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  2. Wow, what an amazing transformation! I think I would have to keep it too. Beautiful job, Dee form My Painted Stuff

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  3. Ok...I love the details that finally show...my only objection is to your description of the toys of my youth as "antiques"...I still have my busy bee (on your sewing machine)...guess I AM going to be 50 later this year...lol!

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  4. Oh wow, I love this!!!! So pretty =)

    Visiting from Nifty Thrifty Things

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  5. Nice One! I like the way you've left plenty of patina - it suits the piece so well, and the colour is just right too:-)

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  6. Oh, I love this piece! So, so pretty! :)
    Thank you for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week! You will be featured at tomorrow's party!!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

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  7. Lovely job...just wondering what kind of paint and color did you use.

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  8. Wow, what a great transformation! I have something similar and never would've dreamed of painting it, but now I'm beginning to wonder. Love the way yours turned out. If you're looking for another place to share your creative projects, check out Etcetorize. Party starts later tonight..would love to see you there!

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  9. I saw this on 1929 Charmer's blog and I think I'm in love. I'd keep it for sure! I'm a new follower :)

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  10. a really great idea. she went from interesting to utterly beautiful.
    blessings,
    ann

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  11. so fun! a friend of mine painted one of these turquoise once and it looked awesome- i had never even thought to paint one before! i love the green- it would be great on a porch with some plants! you could even stick them in the little drawers!

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  12. I'm glad you're keeping her. She's too beautiful to let go!

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  13. love it,looks like ASCP chateau grey...I did a dresser in this color and posted on my blog...I love this color...and understand why you kept it...

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    Replies
    1. Nope, not Chateau Grey, which I love as well. In real life the color is more like that 1940s green that you see in antique stores.

      Visited your blog and have to say, that dresser is awesome.

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  14. Daena, your sewing table turned out awesome!! Love it! This is the second one I've seen and I now I have no choice; I HAVE TO redo my great grandmother's sewing table! Thanx for the inspiration!! Shelly Andrade

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  15. Honestly, this is so beautiful! I would have been frightened to do this... not anymore! :)

    Shared on FJI Facebook and pinned for SNS 140. :)

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151009465241141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater

    Donna

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  16. Amazing look. Can you give more information of technique? Also, what do you mean ....wax?

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    1. The technique is basic Annie Sloan. I dry brushed the paint onto the cabinet so some wood would show through. Some spots got more paint than others.

      When it was dry I rubbed a thin layer of soft clear wax into the whole piece and let it dry. I buffed it and put a thin coat of dark soft wax all over while focusing on all the areas with carving making sure to really get it in the crevasses.

      I buffed the next day and added more dark wax where I felt it was needed and after letting that dry, and buffing, it was done.

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  17. Great color choice and fabulous technique on this piece. You are so right that the beuty was hidden before and now it is so striking.

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  18. One more great transformation you have done, I love this sewing table, it reminds me of one my granni has got at home. Very nice job, thanks for sharing, I love your work.

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  19. Love your sewing cabinet! Can you tell the color on it? I am going to paint a table but am new to this and can't visualize the paint before the waxes and if it is more than one color.Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. See above replies for a step-by-step. I don't remember the proportions of the color I mixed but Ce Ce Caldwell 'Alaskan Tundra' is the closest, I think. (he dry brushing makes it look like more colors because of the overlap.)

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  20. OMG - what a beautiful transformation you made. I found you via popping around Pinterest. Just go tmy hands on an older-than-vintage sewing machine table and base that I am going to try to save, at least the base. I also just found one sewing table drawer that is exactly like yours.

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