Entry Table

Now this was a fun project.  My brother gave me a custom built desk someone was giving away that was black with gold trim and had been built from cabinet bases.  Weird.  So,  I took one of the bases and made an entry table.  First I painted it Provence.  Then, I took a random chair spindle (my brother Roger's idea, and a good one!) and cut it into fourths to make my own bun feet. 

Then I took an old pallet apart.  This took an inordinate amount of time and muscle, since I couldn't find our crow bars.  Some kid of ours probably chunked it into the woods.  So, one hammer, a chisel, one hour, and sore arms later, I had some pallet wood.  I cut them to length and nailed them on top, using rusty old nails. 

 I just used clear wax on top, so the difference in color in the boards really stands out.  I kept the original hardware.  I think this is such a fun, funky piece.  I can see it being used as an entry table, in an office, or even the kitchen as a little island...  I did decide the top was too wide, so I went back with the skill saw and shaved an inch and a half off both sides.

Here's before I shaved more off: *ignore the coloring!*  It is aqua, but I took this pic with my cell phone:

 And after.  See?  Small change, big difference.  I think it looks much more balanced.  In fact, I didn't mention what I didn't like about it, and Kyle immediately said, "Well, the top's too wide..."

This will be at Fredericksburg Trade Days in October!

Bold Green Sideboard

I refinished my friend Casey's sideboard.  She wanted it to be a statement piece with plenty of color.  At first even I was a bit intimidated by her color combo (Antibes rubbed over Provence), but once I got the dark wax on I really liked it.  She said she loves it so much she wants to take naps on it :)

Here's the before:

And after:  Can't wait to see what hardware she puts on there!

Grey Table

This is the table that matches the grey hutch I just completed.   Can't wait to see what hardware she puts on it!  I also finished a black armoire for Jacqueline and completely forgot to take after pictures!  It turned out great, but it wasn't distressed, which is really the fun part about refinishing to me, so I think it just didn't occur to me to take pictures until it was too late!

Here is the before pic:

 And some close-ups of the after:

The only difference between the table and the hutch is that it was originally red instead of bare wood.  I primed it with BIN Zinsser, which I am liking better than Kilz, so that it wouldn't affect the color.  I chose to expose it in a few spots, though, and I really love the character it gives the piece.

Partying here:

Grey Hutch

 I am so pleased with they way this turned out!  The Grey is a custom mix of Paris Grey and Graphite and it has hints of Provence peeking through.  This is my first time to use the Provence color and it is gorgeous!  Can't wait to do a whole piece in it.  This is what the hutch looked like originally:

Good bones, tons of possibility.  Just needed a little glueing and clamping.

After painting the Grey over the Provence, I distressed, waxed, and then highlighted some spots with dark wax. 

 The shelves inside show more of the blue - I painted them Provence and then dry brushed the Grey on top.

This is a custom piece for someone and I will be starting tonight on a hall table to match it.  Can't wait!!