Industrializing

The Baron might be my proudest transformation yet! His name was inspired by Industrialists of the 19th Century who were referred to as "Robber Barons," but we're not going to get into that because any more in depth and I'm gonna have to start making stuff up as we go...

If you follow me on facebook you saw me post about this piece that gave me the creeps, but I couldn't resist because it just had such potential or as I like to call it, "Good Bones." This was my first piece I tried hand painting on and it was a cinch! I printed off the numbers, used some tracer paper and we were in business. I warn you though, it is realllllly tedious. Weirdly enough, I thoroughly enjoyed the tedium. Don't know what that says about me and I'm not really willing to explore it!

From KidCreep Chic to Industrial Chic I give you The Baron!

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I used Wood Filler to smooth out the top which had some deep scratches.

For this piece I used Behr paint in Poppy Seed PPU15-20 

Inside that cabinet is what I call "Contained Whimsy"

 Playing in the background:

• Haim - Days Are Gone album

Simplifying

Mid Century Modern Furniture is all about clean lines and minimalist design so I decided to keep in line with that school of thought by giving this piece a subtle facelift (if there is such a thing...). The drawers and doors were in fantastic condition while the frame had several scuffs, scratches, and watermarks. Nothing a few coats of paint couldn't fix. And voilà! Mid Century Magic.

You'll notice an amazing piece of artwork in these photos. It was a gift from one of my oldest and dearest friends. I have been waiting forever for the perfect piece to stage it with so that I could show it off to the blogosphere and give a shoutout to an incredible talent. Check out her Etsy store, OkiMochi, for more pieces like this!

P.S. The Gov was insistent you all to know she named this piece for me. We both got a strong masculine, Mad Men-y vibe from this piece, but I don't watch Mad Men (I'm super hip like that). She suggested "Sterling" and I have to say it suits, don't you think? Exhibit A:

Drool.

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I always love incorporating belongings from family and friends in my staging.
The camera is my dad's from his days when he moonlighted as an amateur photographer.
The book is The Gov's. Obviously.

Don't forget to check out OkiMochi

Playing in the background:

• Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack. Mostly because my roommates are tired of me belting the wrong words...
• House of Cards

Splashing

I'm thinking I might be onto something with this latest piece. A completely untapped genre.

Haute Mermaid... Mermaid Couture... Mermaid Chic...? It's a working title. 

Whatever you want to call it, I am obsessed with this gorgeous (mermaid-y) Sea Green and Gold Scalloped paper. It's still amazing to me what a difference such small changes can make. A couple coats of paint, a new handle, some splashy (pun intended) wallpaper and you have a completely new piece!

On a completely unrelated note, can we talk about the glasses I used to stage?! If you aren't familiar with Warby Parker, you should be! They are a super fashion forward eyewear company with a "Buy a Pair, Give a Pair" philosophy and I think they absolutely made this shoot.

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If you're in the market for a new pair of glasses take a moment to peruse their site and watch a video about the heartbeat behind their eyewear. This is not a paid advertisement, it's 100% from the heart of someone who stands behind their mission.

Playing in the background:

• Andrew Belle's Black Bear Album. Only. On repeat after repeat after repeat. Here's one of my favorite tracks.

Blanking

I have writer's block. 

I have been staring at the blinking cursor on my screen for two days. Ironic considering this desk makes me want to hunker down and write the next great American novel. 

Without further ado, I give you Delilah (aptly named because despite her beauty she stole all of my strength trying to strip off the 18 bajilion layers of paint).

Improving

I paint most of the pieces that I restore so you might be surprised to know that I love wood grain. 

Like, First-Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Of-Fall love... Handwritten-Letter-In-The-Mail love... Pizza-And-Netflix-On-A-Friday-Night love... Rainy-Sunday-Afternoon-Nap love... Good-Hair-Day love... you're catching what I'm throwing down, right? I love wood grain. 

I have a strict conviction that you only paint furniture if it will improve the piece. Its a relative concept so preferences will vary from person to person, but I would encourage you to appreciate and consider the wood grain before deciding to paint. For me, this sometimes means I do nothing at all to the piece, sometimes I rejuvenate the wood by rubbing oil into the grain, other times I partially paint a piece leaving some wood grain exposed, but mostly I choose pieces that will greatly benefit from a complete overhaul.

Same as my last piece, this piece (who I lovingly refer to as Casablanca) was from that fantastic thrifting haul I came home with several weeks ago. I was immediately drawn to the design of this lovely dresser with its cabinet drawers on top (I'm sure there's a much more correct industry term, but its beyond my scope of knowledge). I hadn't planned on leaving any of the wood unpainted, but once I saw the black with the wood grain on the cabinet drawers I was a goner. Mesmerized. I won't complain when inspiration strikes and creates less work for me in the process!

Hope this piece makes you think twice about painting all furniture you restore! 

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Thanks to my roommate for the use of her fabulous thrift store stool.

The artwork is from a street artist in Barcelona.

I used maps from a vintage travel book.
Spain/Portugal is on the left and Casablanca & Algeria on the left.

I felt like these handles were in line with the exotic feel from the maps...
but maybe that's just me. 

You'll notice variations in the paint color.
That's the beauty of milk paint.
I love the more primitive and natural look you get from milk paint.

 Playing in the background:

• Bootstraps
• Amos Lee (Arms of a Woman anybody? Add that to my "Swoon List")
• Air Traffic Controller