Obsession of the Week

I found my latest decorative obsession during my trip home when I went visit my family in Houston. My sister recently remodeled her kitchen and purchased new living room furniture. When I was there I fell in love with the changes she made to some of her existing furniture, when she added a decorative glaze to them. The biggest transformations were with the fireplace mantel and the kitchen table. Both pieces were originally a dark mahogany wood.

mantel scroll

pedestal bottom of kitchen table

As you can see decorative glazing and paint were used to create this aged and distressed look. My sister did not do this herself; it was done by her decorator. I have done some intense research and want to recreate this look myself on this end table.

I originally bought this table to refurbish it as a new seat for my dog because right now she sits on my ottoman and I want it back. However, I have decided against using this table because it's too high for her to climb. Moreover, once I started working on the table I didn't like the finish I chose and put the table on the back burner. But now that I have seen this decorative glaze on my sister's furniture I love it! I think it will look great on this end table with it's trim and corner pieces. Once I finish my kitchen cabinets I will tackle this project!

Where did the time go?

I can't believe it's almost August! I am sorry I have been missing in action lately. June and July have been very busy months for me. I went home to Houston, TX to visit family and celebrate the birth of my niece. My sister, Vanessa, had her second baby on June 30th. A beautiful baby girl, Sloane Sidney Walton. I also took a mini vacation to upstate New York for my best friend's family reunion. And in between all of this I started painting my kitchen cabinets, refurbishing a large club chair, sewing bench cushions and sewing a roman shade. Not to mention this crazy heat wave New York and New Jersey have been experiencing with temperatures in the high 90's. Which for a Texas girl shouldn't seem bad, but walking around in this weather is exhausting!

So don't forget about me pretty please! Because what all this chaos means is new furniture pieces to show you and more blog posting! Check back for my obsession of the week: a new glaze technique, pictures of my new kitchen cabinets, the refurbished club chair and much more!

Dressing Up Your Dresser

My most recent refurbishing was for a client with a 20 year old five drawer dresser. My client loved the dresser, but knew it was in desperate need a of furniture face lift overall, the dresser was in good shape. It had a few surface scratches, some chips, a broken drawer glide and a broken base board.

dresser before

Refurbishing it didn't take long and within a week we were picking out paint colors. I always try to advise my clients to find a few shades of a color they like because we all know, but many of us forget, once paint dries it's a slightly different shade. With this dresser we were on the hunt for the right shade of grey, not to blue and not to green. Our first choice too green, but after a few more tests we found this beautiful Benjamin Moore & Co. grey blue Gibraltar Cliffs color.

dresser after (puppy not included)

My client selected these knobs from Anthropologie.  The ones we used have more of a brass finish. The link will show you a zinc finish. Our knobs were found in the store. She wanted the dresser to have a distressed look. We agreed a light distressing detail would be best.

I have more refurbishing projects coming up. I will post pictures soon!

Put Me On A Pedestal

This beautiful ebony stained octagon vintage end table was a fabulous find at my local thrift store. I couldn't find a manufacture date any where on the table, but by looking at the construction of it I would say it was made in the 1960's or 1970's. 
This neglected end table is made of solid oak and has a built in shelf.  The table top and pedestal bottom detach. When I found it, it wasn't properly tightened, therefore, I think shoppers thought it was broken. Or they couldn't see the beauty I could see! Lucky me, right? Overall the table was in good condition; the main damage was on the top. Deep scratches to the surface had damaged this table, but I knew it was nothing a sander and some stain couldn't fix.

vintage end table before

end table before

After some love and ebony stain this table has returned to it's beautiful self! My favorite part is the built in shelf!!

end table after

This newly refurbished end table would look stunning next to a couch in a living room, in between two armchairs or next to a bed. The top measures 23 inches from left to right and stands 22 inches tall.   

end table after close up

This is the same area that had the deep scratches. All of them were sanded out. The wood itself has great character and a beautiful grain pattern throughout.

You can buy this beautiful end table for $150. Shipping will be easy, especially since the pedestal and top detach.

All purchases are made through paypal.

Happy Shopping!

Obsession of the Week...

It seems as though everyday of the week I fall in love with something new! Whether it is a fabric, new decorating technique, a piece of furniture or a newly decorated space I can easily spend hours online or thumbing through magazines looking at all of these things. Therefore, I decided why not share my obsessions with you, whoever you are out there. I can't be the only one falling in love, right?  At least I hope not.

This year at the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), a new finishing technique for wood was showcased. One of my favorite blogs, Apartment Therapy, refers to it as Metallic & Mirrored Silver. I love it! It's super modern yet on a log of wood I think it looks contemporary with a rugged edge. I have tried to recreate this look three times on a sample of wood and can't seem to get it to be as shiny or reflective as in the pictures. It's really frustrating, but I promise I am going to master this! I don't care how many times it takes me. I have the perfect 1950's retro end table that would look amazing with this finish. So here's hoping!

As soon as it is finished I will post the pictures. Until then if anyone has any tips or advice please share!

Let me help you Refurbish your furniture with Love.

Do you have a piece of furniture you love, but it needs a furniture face lift?  Did you pick up a piece of furniture at a thrift store or flea market, but don't have the time to refurbish or the know how? Did you inherit your grandmother's table, but don't know what to do with it or where to put it? Let me help you refurbish that piece of furniture and we can turn it into a stunning focal point for your room.

Send me an email with a picture of the furniture you want to refurbish along with your contact information, then we can discuss your new Refurbished with Love item!

One man's writing desk is one woman's sewing station

My sewing clutter and machine had taken over my kitchen table. Between the sanding and painting I was always worried it would get dirty. Therefore, I was on the hunt for a desk, but not just any desk, a desk with character. That's when I came across this beauty.  The desk was in excellent condition, good bones and no major damage.

desk before

I decided to paint it the same color as my night stand. I gave it an antique finish, changed the hardware and behold this beauty!

desk after

Now I can finally set up shop with the proper work space.