The Olivia Mirror: Reverse Distressing

Sometimes you get lucky enough to find the same piece twice. Which is fantastic because it always solves the question of, "Um, I wonder what it would look like in this color...". You're with me, right!?

Several months ago, I purchased this mirror and created an aged gold patina. If you missed that mirror makeover, you can find it here:

Finding this exact mirror a second time was a treat! I was curious to see what this gal could do with some turquoise patina. Perfect, because now I'm going to get my second chance! To get a rich patina, I chose Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in Florence. This color all by itself offers a really bold flare. It's also one of my favorite colors for layering.

Since this mirror already had an original brassy bronze hue to her, I opted for a reverse distressing technique. Reverse distressing means your distressing while you're painting without actually using sand paper or wiping of paint. It's more of a painting technique. You don't paint for full coverage but rather you paint with push strokes so that the natural tone shows through the paint and looks as if it's already been distressed.

Once my paint had dried, I selectively covered her in targeted areas with Dark Wax.

The combination of her original color, Chalk Paint® in Florence and the dark wax gave her a stunning combination of colors that were to die for. Here's Ms. Olivia in all her turquoise patina glory.

Do you see how the original brassy finish came through? Those areas weren't painted, that's what we call reverse distressing.

Here's to second chances!

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

24

The Scolio Dresser

We've enjoyed a nice little quiet Christmas break with our little family. It was a first for us. And we filled it with outings, movies and giggling over family games. I promised myself a little break from painting so that I could enjoy all that this down time had to offer... reconnecting with my kids and my husband and just enjoying the simple things in life. A week and half into my break, I was craving to pick up a paint brush and so I did... gradually.

Here's the first completed project of 2014. Meet Ms. Scolio. A French Provincial style dresser with nice legs and a curvy bottom. This dresser had really nice bones and beautiful hardware and a super fabulous price tag. I fell in love as soon as I saw her.

A gal contacted me and asked me to paint this for her in a custom turquoise color that she had seen in one of my previous pieces. I'm always partial to refinishing pieces using a neutral pallet, but it is a nice treat to be able to play with colors.

I love the contrast between this color and the vintage hardware. What blended in before, now says, "Notice me!"

I'm grateful for an abundance of things, having a body that allows me to paint is one of them. I wish you a brand New Year filled with happiness and finding joy in the simple things. May 2014 be a year that we strive to be kinder to one another, more patient with our families, find ways to be of service to others and find gratitude and fulfillment in the things/people that we've been blessed with... and not the things we wish for.

Happy New Year!
Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

4

The McMillan Armoire

Did I mention that I love old 70’s furniture? I do.. I really do. Those pieces are sure solid, well built and heavier than an elephant to carry. And the vintage hardware are larger than life.

 

When you look at a vintage piece that has an ugly wood grain and lots of details it’s hard to look past it and envision it as anything but 70’s furniture. Back in it’s glory days, this armoire would have been found in a bedroom holding socks, shirts & pants. But take that same chunky piece of furniture and paint it a bright and vibrant color and now you’ve turned it into a statement piece that’s versatile…

say in a foyer to hold your mail, keys, scarfs, or purse. 

Or…

in an office or craft room to help you organize all of your office/craftiness supplies.
Or…

 

... in your family room as a stylish hideaway for your games, movies and video controllers and extra curl up blankets.

 

Before you give that garage sale find the once over.. pretend it to be a color. Any color. Once you do that, it hyper speeds out of the blah realm and into something out of a current Anthropologie catalog. I used Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. The formula for this color was two parts Antibes Green and one part Florence, finished with both clear and dark wax.

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

0

The Patterson Dresser

This classic french provincial dresser received a makeover using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. I needed a muted mustard yellow so I mixed 2 parts Arles with 1 part Coco and applied both clear and dark wax. The result?

This lovely piece is going to be turned into a bathroom vanity...

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

0

The Flintock Dresser/Buffet

Sometimes I wish we could go back into time. The simpler days… the time period when families would gather round the kitchen table and play board games and eat popcorn. The days when children could ride their bikes and play outside with all the other neighborhood kids without fear of being taken. The days when dinner was made from scratch, folks were more honest and things and people were appreciated better. AND the days when furniture was made rock solid. :)

And then it’s finds like this that reminds me I can still find quality made furniture. I purchased this dresser from an elderly lady downsizing and moving back to my home state (small world). I opened a drawer and saw a vintage label for Maslow Freen Furniture in NY. How lucky for me! They knew how to make furniture… I seriously think I broke both of my arms just carrying my end to the truck.. and that was with the drawers already out.

I was enamored with the pineapple shaped legs and it’s V detail at top, but what I loved the most about this piece was the bird hardware on the drawers. In fact, I thought so much of the birds that I decided to paint it a peacock blue hue. The formula for this color was 3 parts Florence mixed with 1 part Aubusson Blue and 1 part Louis Blue Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. I protected the piece using both clear dark wax… it muddied it up nice and pretty and gave it a nice rich tone. :)

Here’s a few of the after…

 

This is long, it’s heavy and now the details are beautiful!

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

0

Painting Upholstery Fabric With Chalk Paint®

I think this has to be one of the most enjoyable projects that I’ve done so far. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time you know that I absolutely love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® (and I don’t get paid to say that).


I have painted wood furniture. I’ve painted glass. I’ve painted hardware. I’ve painted lamps. I’ve painted metal. But, fabric? Really!? This, I had to try.

44

Furniture Makeovers Using Color

Color has such an amazing effect on the ambiance of a space. It reflects our personality, it can change our mood and when we’re ready for a change it’s relatively inexpensive to alter. Painting furniture easily fits into this category. A bright and vibrant piece of furniture isn't for everyone. But one thing is for sure... it's definitly eye catching. :)

Stare hard at this next before we're calling The Natalia Dresser, a wonderful french provincial styled piece! What do you think about the color? Blah, right? When you see a dresser like this at a thrift store does it make you want to stop and ponder about ALL the amazing possibilities you could do with it, or do you just keep on a truck'n? I hope that the yellowish finish on this piece wouldn't have been a detour for you!

When shopping for furniture thrift store scores, here's what matters:

• Does the furniture piece have good bones? 
• Is the construction made of quality wood?
• Does the piece of furniture need repairs that I'm capable and willing to do?

Here's what doesn't matter.... that existing color! Painting furniture is such an easy and inexpensive way to update a space. So, if you happen upon a thrift store score, but you're not crazy about the color... snatch it up. Once you re-finish it in YOUR perfect color, you're the one that's going to go crazy (over it)! "Make your own crazy!"... Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

We selected the Natalia Dresser for it's intricate detail, the fabulous hardware and let's be honest... those legs are to die for. If you're drooling over this vibrant color, you'll want to choose Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan and mix one part Aubusson Blue with two parts Florence to create this rich and deep turquoise color.

The results? You get a fabulous french provincial piece that you want to stare at longer simply because of her color…

Remember what we started with?

Color makes a difference!

 Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

0

The Jackson Mirror

This mirror is massive coming in at 54” tall and 31.25” wide. It had really simple lines and I swear as it came off our truck I could hear it scream, “Paint me bold.” I never argue with a talking mirror.

I love Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in Antibes Green. But, I wanted a little bit more of an emerald tone so I mixed 1 part Florence with 1 part Antibes together. Out came this rich green that paired with a dark wax gave it it’s bold color. It turned out really beautiful.. Here it is in all it’s 54” parts. :)

Carrie || Thirty Eighth Street

0