My first drop leaf table restoration!

I picked up this drop leaf on a visit to a local estate sale. I had been wanting to do one for awhile and the price was right.  this is a Duncan Phyfe -Style....notice I said Style.....I did a little research and got some info from an antiques expert. Antique is usually something of at least 100 years old. 

And Duncan Phyfe was a furniture maker in the early 1800s. If you actually have a Duncan Phyfe anything, its probably  180+years old! So, anything made later than that in his style, is a knock-off.

 I was told that the wood on the tables are of a mahogany veneer. The legs on the larger table are made from "red gum" wood and then stained to look like mahogany.

Here are the two items I got. The little guy was refurbed with the nautical compass. 

This wood refinishing was pretty straightforward.  After sanding, I applied Varthane dark walnut gel.
           The body got a coat of home made chalk paint using DE "lambswool".

And heres what I ended up with....

         Hub used the buffer and "mothers" to get the brassy-ness on her feet back to original.

 

So there ya have it! A little history lesson the Duncan Phyfes ! 

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Monday, July 11, 2016

YOU ASKED MY OPINION II angelas request

Hi, !

I follow your blog and love your design esthetic. You are amazing!!

How about a little free advice?

Attached is a picture of a headboard that I purchased to have painted,

a picture (closeup detail and nightstand) that shows my existing furniture that I’d like to have the headboard blend with,

and a picture of a “painted headboard” that is just an idea.

The new headboard has some details that I think are fabulous and “match” well with my existing furniture. I’m just not sure how to make everything fit together and look like they fit and still be FAB!!Idea…help?AngelaFirst I would start by lifting the headboard by adding legs or planning to mount it on the wall with a french cleat. We wouldnt want all that gorgeous detail hidden behind pillows.

Legs                               French cleat

Then I would fill in the bottom space with another piece

of wood. This is where the pillows can rest against.

The scrolling detail of these headboards are

 commonly made of extruded foam, so you cant sand

them, you cant stain them but you can paint them.

Ive painted them before,

it is easiest to take it outside and spray them.

If you want to match your other furniture more.

 Rather then using a white or cream color,

Varathane has a spray stain & poly in-one

which I have used. The cabernet color seen below.

 Your dry time would be several days if not a week to

 ensure a good bond and finish. I vote for a cream color for more drama.

 

A beach mat could be used to make panels for the

 inset sections

 This would mimic the textured feel of the

 inspiration photo below.

Then the matting could be stained a rich dark

 walnut to tie into the other furniture in the room.

Alternatively a fabric could be used here too.

A faux nailhead trim could be glued around the inset

panels to further mimic the existing furnitures metal features.

If anyone has other suggestions plz comment below

 as Angela Im sure would love to read them.

YOU ASKED MY OPINION I can be found here

YOU ASKED MY OPINION III can be found here

*** Interested in finding sources for the few inspiration photos used in this post,

right click the photo and in google image search use the file name listed under properties to search each pic.

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Sunday, July 3, 2016

Cant get enough of this color and my new workshop!!!!

I'm on a turquoise color kick! I just love this color from the 

Real Milk Paint co.  They call it cobalt but it's this stunning shade of turquoise. 

This 100 yr old buffet was in great condition. 

I didn't want to cover up the wood but just wanted to enhance it a bit. 

 I forgot to snap a pic before I started.  The wood is quarter sawn oak and hardly needed any

attention. I sanded the doors and drawers and went over them with some stain that

matched the body. Painted with the milk paint. Oh I forgot, I actually did a first coat

with the color "peacock" and then did my second coat in cobalt.  I didn't want the color

to be too bright and I like the greenish-blue underneath.

I have to post a pic of my new garage makeover-workbench area!  Everything was done with stuff

we already had laying around the garage. The wood flooring on the wall has been up in the rafters

for 5 years! Wasn't enough to really do anything with so why not bling up the workspace area?!

 Mr Pretty built me the new work bench and put the wood on the wall. I stained and sealed, as usual!

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Saturday, July 2, 2016

Getting Ready to Sell my Goods at a Fair

sigh....i know,,,its off-center......

My halloween sign display for the fair

Tomorrow, I am doing my first vendor fair. Meaning, I will be lugging several furniture pieces, as well as, some smaller signs, mirrors etc. across town to sell. I have never sold my goods at a fair booth so I am excited and curious to see how it goes. And, a bit nervous. Will my items sell? Will I be able to use my PayPal credit card reader for the first time? Will my booth look pretty?
At this particular fair, vendors usually are selling smaller and more crafty items, but the market is good. So we shall see!! Good news is, I am dragging along a helper, Tamara, my best friend from college, and a large bag of hershey kisses so, at the very least I will have fun.

Here is a picture I snapped of one of my Halloween signs displayed on my shelves.

This is a small table I will have for sale. Isnt the pedestal base beautiful?

And here is a sneak peak at a three drawer dresser I am finishing up to take along. I will be doing a tutorial for this piece coming up.
I will let you all know how it goes and I will also share with everyone anything I learn. Anyone else sell at a fair before? Let me know if you have any good tips.

Find beauty in your day!

Debbie

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HOMESENSE HOW I ADORE THEE my new birdcage and painted mirror

Last visit to Homesense happened to be a quick

 stop while we were on a peaceful drive to get away

 from the hustle and bustle of life and work. As both

 George and I work at home a great deal in the

 evenings sometimes we just take off for a quiet

 drive and enjoy an ice cappuchino from Tim Hortons.

Recently I had mentioned out loud wanting a bird

 cage. I had really wanted one for a long time but

 never mentioned it. With my retail job Ive been all

 over the Fraser Valley as well as different locations

through out the country and really just never see them.

Well during this last stop at Homesense we meandered around

the store together close to closing time, George would pop

 in and out of the isles showing me things he saw.

 Then just as we rounding the final lap to the finish

 line he popped into the isle again this time with a

 beautiful white birdcage in hand.

I gasped and immediately said

"I WANT IT!" 

Then common sense took over and I asked

"HOW MUCH?"

Turned out to be $40, come on!

Well I still wanted it.

While this whole thought process was going on

 George popped in with another bird house of a

 different color and style. Now I was even more

 excited at options. Be careful what you wish for.

 Before the whole thing was done we musta found

 close to a dozen different styles, sizes and colors.

And different prices. 

Including this pretty pretty turquoise one and it was only $15*** SOLD ***

Another find that evening was this great

*FLYING THE WORLD*

mini suitcase.

We also got our large oval clock that youve seen in the past

and a few book boxes at Homesense.

Before I go I want to share with you some encouragement I received from

AMY from MAISON DECOR

She painted her beautiful mirror frame pink and

 encouraged me when I told her I didnt quite have

 the nerve to do mine.

Well I was finally able to find a bit of time Mothers

 day morning and went for it. Happy Mothers day to me.

Mines blue, its bold, its finished, and its brilliant.

Did you notice it also matches the bird cage?

Muahahahahah!

A tutorial of this mirror can be found here.

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