Peacock Desk/Vanity!

So here we have a cute little desk. (Gosh I love Craigslist!..I seriously think I have a problem)

Wasn't in bad shape, just needed some updating! 

I mixed up my own chalk paint for the black and white. I used ASCP in provence for the blue accents.
I waxed with AS clear wax. 

Can you tell I have a small problem with paints? In the background
you can only see a portion of my "collection".  I'm a sick puppy. 

                                      Ta Da!!  This would be so cute in a carrara marble bathroom!
I'm still looking for the right chair to pair with her. There is also a mirror, but dumbo me did the stencil
without realizing the mirror covers up the fringe of the top feather. Doh! I like it better without anyway.
 

            I just felt like using my peacock stencil. However, I didn't have any emerald green paint.....;(
                                           So I used about four different blues and teals.

Close up of the detail work.....

Old hutch gets a new life! Complete before, during and after shots......

Ok. Here it is. Got so excited to start, almost forgot the before shots! One of the glass doors had a crack in the glass, so I decided I would just leave them off altogether.  This was a CL find for $40.00. Probably was 20 too much! 

Here's the AFTER.  I didn't get it to go here, but you'll read about that later!

             I make my own chalk paint using Plaster of Paris. However, I did get a quart of ASCP in Provence just so I could see the difference. This black is a mixture of Martha Stewart "francesca" and some other black paint I had laying around! I used half and half of each and about 1 cup of the plaster of paris.  I use two coats on everything. BTW, my chalk paint and the ASCP finish exactly the same. See for yourself. AS goes on a little smoother, but the end result is the same. IMHO. 

 Even though you don't have to sand, I still do. Don't know why. Old habits from wood finishing.  I just feel like starting with a nice clean smooth surface.  I removed the back thinking I was going to paint it, but after pulling it out (or rather after hubby ripping it off!) the veneer paneling began peeling. Covering it with fabric seemed easier than fixing it.

 I applied ASCP in Provence to the inside of the hutch and painted it in the grooves of the door before giving it it's second coat of black.  This pic above shows the detail work to the crown molding.  I applied the blue sparingly with a very dry brush and made sure to work it in well.

Here are the doors after being painted. The left one has been distressed and sanded but I haven't added the Provence color yet. 

Here is one of the doors all finished and waxed. I was so jazzed when I saw those colors come to life! 

I did splurge on the AS clear wax and her application brush. The wax works great and you get a good workout applying it! Hate that part! 

I spray painted the original scrolls and hinges ORB and picked up these new knobs at Hobby Lobby. All knobs were 50% off!  I went nuts and bought out half the bins! One never knows when one might need knobs!

 Now for the sick part. After getting this all done, I moved it inside by my back door, mudroom-like area, only to find out it was too big! WTH?? AAARRRRRGGGHHHH.  So much for measuring! I really wanted to keep this! 

I also found this fabric on sale at Hobby Lobby. It was applied to the back using some spray adhesive and small staples. 

 It doesn't really go here in the hallway. I stuck it here to take pics and because I really don't have anywhere else to put it.   I guess I will have to sell it.  :{


                         Just an excuse for me to find another one to do!!!!!!!

Greetings all! This is my first attempt at blogging so please bear with me at my feeble attempts! 

I've always loved woodworking and refinishing but never have done the painting thing. After pouring through dozens of bloggers and reading up on helpful tips (thank-you everyone) I decided to pursue my passion. And here I thought I was the only nutcase out there!! Anyway, here is the beauty I found on CL. It was a little beat up. 

                               Both front legs were in need of some surgery.  A little wood glue and
                                   wood filler and she was ready to sand.

 This was my first ever piece I attempted at painting. I used a latex paint and some glaze mixed w/black paint for the accents.  I was totally winging this.  I just copied what I saw on other bloggers posts!

I have no idea why the bottom drawer came out like that. I used a wipe on poly on the entire piece
and I didn't vary the application.  Dunno.

I was so happy with my first piece, I kept her! But I got an email asking if it was for sale by someone
looking over my blog.  I can always do another!  :)  I sold her.  ;(

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My second piece was this oak dresser

                           This is the Mt Airy dresser. I scored this one for 50 off of CL. She wanted 75,,,I was new to the game,,,I bartered for $50 and a pewter baby frame  (She had told me over the phone that  her daughter just had a baby) I had lying around the house!! It worked! Never hurts to ask.....

                                There is a mirror, but the woman I sold this to didn't want it.

                           
                          I sanded everything with 100, 250 and 350 grit. The top got 3 coats of a
                          dark walnut stain.   I used my own homemade chalk paint on this one.
                            I mixed some DunnEdwards Antique White and a little DE Lemon something.
                        About 16 oz total. I stirred in about 8 oz of plaster of paris and viola! Chalk paint!
                               I add a little water if it feels too thick.

 

                             I gave the dresser 2-3 coats, sanding in between each one.
                         

                           

                                       I lined the drawers with some leftover fabric.

                               
                                I took an 80-100 grit sandpaper and distressed the edges.
                               The whole thing got a coat of mixwax dark finishing paste.
                               The original hardware got buffed and cleaned with Brasso.
                               
                         I'm thoroughly hooked on my chalk paint. I just love it.
                         I know they say you don't have to sand or prime. But I just can't help it.
                          All those years of finishing wood, just makes me want to sand.
                                                 I think it makes for a better base.