My friend asked me to paint some furniture pieces that she owned for her family’s vacation home they just purchased.  I don’t do custom pieces too often but I decided to take on the projects.   It was a challenge with the pieces being so massive but somehow it all got done within 2 weeks.   She picked out the colors for all of the furniture and sent me pics of the bedspreads that would be used on both beds.

The first piece I worked on was a King size headboard and footboard. I painted it Sherwin Williams Drizzle made into chalk paint. Then I distressed it, then sealed it with clear and dark wax.  We decided to leave the metal lattice the way it was. I love the designs on the sides of the headboard and how they came to life when distressed and waxed.

The after picture of the King size headboard

before and after of the footboard

The footboard was so thick and solid it could stand up on its own. This made it easier to paint because I didn’t have to lean it on anything.

The next piece was a dresser that my friend wanted to match to the bed even though they originally didn’t go together.  I first planned to paint the entire dresser but as I examined the wood I didn’t want to cover it all. The top was in great condition and had such a shiny varnished surface.  I knew it would be better to leave it alone. The parts of the dresser that framed the drawers were also left with the original wood .  I experimented with leaving the middle panel of wood on each drawer and the cabinet with the original wood but ended up painting that later.  I kept on the original hardware & added some rub on bronze to help them tie in with the bronze accents on the metal lattice on the headboard.

This was what it looked like when I experimented with leaving some wood on the drawers. It was interesting but not what the client had in mind.

    Next I painted a matching nightstand and mirror.

Here is the picture of the complete set in her vacation condo. I think the colors she picked really work well with the bedspread.

Another furniture piece was this headboard for another bedroom.  It is a very unique piece and had bamboo inserted in the center ovals. I painted both front and back with Sherwin Williams Viva Gold.  I sealed it with a clear and dark wax.

I was very relieved and happy when I finished all 6 pieces and they were picked up from my workshop, just in time for Thanksgiving.  They were able to set up their condo and enjoy it Thanksgiving weekend.  It is always a learning experience to do custom pieces and it was great to work with such high quality furniture.  It is rewarding to see the pieces in their new home and one day I plan to go see it in person.

My husband and I found this nice metal wall hanging at an estate sale. I have been looking for something to put on my kitchen wall ever since we repainted it.  I love the designs on it but it was in need of some TLC. It was rusting and pieces were flaking off both on the front and back.  First I  scraped off all the areas that had loose pieces and sanded it lightly.  Then I painted it Sherwin Williams Empire Gold – made into chalk paint.  This is the same color as my dining room which is close to where I will have this in my house.  I only had to paint one coat because I really wanted the original black to show from underneath. Then I distressed it which is very easy to do on metal pieces. Then I put on clear wax, let it dry and then antiqued it with dark wax.  This was one of the easiest projects I have done in a long time.

Here it is hanging In my kitchen over the pantry door. I love it!

We have been remodeling at the Country Kitchen and now have 2 men’s bathrooms. I worked on some old vintage room dividers that have been in the restaurant since it’s beginning 30 years ago to use for privacy panels in one of the bathrooms. The bathrooms have beautiful new tile walls and floors and didn’t look very vintage so I wasn’t sure if it was going to work. I painted a two tone effect of two shades of gray to match the tiles and I varnished with a heavy duty varnish.  I think they came out really nice and I was so happy to be able to use something we already had laying around the restaurant – especially after the expenses of doing this nice renovation.