patinated metal finish on cabinet

 

 Laundry Room update:

I had to work Saturday, and Sunday I had some client samples to work on and a client's piece of furniture to paint, so I didn't make quite as much progress as I would have liked.  I did however manage to finish stenciling one wall and, after the appliances were picked up, prime (twice) the wall behind the machines where the "subway tile" is going.

One thing I did manage to finish was the cabinet for the laundry sink (except for the pulls--I didn't paint them because I was planning to replace them with something nicer---then I realized the sink isn't level and the doors don't quite line up.  I don't want fancy pulls to call attention to this, so I'm going to just paint those.)

Before it looked like this, plain white melamine.  Though my sink hasn't been that white since 2007.  I did spend quite a bit of time scrubbing it this weekend, though, and have faith I can get almost that spotless:

 

 

I wanted a finish something like this metal covered chest from Restoration Hardware.  However, I wanted a more distressed finish---something that looked  really industrial and used.

I 

 Something more like this:

So I primed the melamine with tinted x-i-m, painted with a blend of silver paints from Modern Masters, and then had a lot of fun with stain and paint thinner:

 

I still need to paint the knobs and tweek the finish just a little---I think I may have distressed it just a little too much, but I really like it, especially with the graphic stencil.

slipcovered industrial bar stools

 

When we moved into the house 5 years ago after the renovations were complete, I had this setup in the kitchen under the window:

 It was cute, but there was not really space fore dining chairs---but it was a case of using what I had at the time, and I really liked having the softness and pattern of the upholstery balancing the wood cabinets on the other side.

As time went on, I switched out the curtains (don't worry the green ones made out of the fantastic vintage sheet just moved to another room) for these also made out of vintage fabric.  One reason I switched them is because I had enough of the vintage floral to make curtains for my glass doored cabinets:

Note:  in real life, the backsplash is much brighter and the cabinet doors don't read as striped.

Other changes, including selling the original table, the need for more storage in the kitchen, and the need to find a home for my partner's beloved baker's rack--(don't ask me, I don't understand why he likes it either), I moved the baker's rack in front of the window.

 

 

I didn't hate this setup.  I liked the extra storage, and it did provide privacy.  It was awkward with the chairs, and we eventually replaced them with these great industrial style stools from world market.  Side note--I know industrial is trendy right now, but I've honestly been loving touches of industrial design, including stools, for years.  I dragged home my first rusting metal cart in the mid 1990s:  I really liked the stools, including the wood, but I felt this whole area had gotten a little dull, literally.  I mised my pattern and color from the upholstery.  I also got fed up trying to open and close the window (why yes, I occasionally burn dinner filling the kitchen with smoke....why do you ask?) with the rack in the way.  Plus, I felt it really closed in an already small space.

I

Then I remembered this kitchen.  I don't remember where it came from, though.  I know it was in a magazine.  I think Cottage Living, but I'm not sure.  What I am sure about is that I loved those slipcovered stools from the moment I saw them.  I remembered this image, looked at my stools and realized I could have that look.

The fabric is from a beloved and ink stained shirt.  I loved the color and stripes so much I saved it for a potential project.  I loved the way the stripe looks with the floral and how it pulls in aqua from the adjoining office and back splash. They are loose and just slip on the stools like a hat.  It was only after making the slips, though, that I realized they looked like prison hats from a 1930s movie.  I'm okay with that though.


Truth in blogging:  The stools are used rarely.  At most once a week.  Therefore, I didn't secure the slips.  They slide around a little if they've been sat on, but it's easy enough to straighten them.  If I used them daily, though, the looseness would be an issue.  I'd have to find a way to attach them, either with velcro, ties, or something else.  As of now, it hasn't presented enough of an issue for my to take the time and effort.

In conjunction with some other small changes, I switched the baker's rack with a metal cart I found in my father's pasture with peeling paint in a combo of royal blue and John Deere green.  I love the way it turned out.  I still have storage for things like my dutch ovens and mixer, but it keeps the room so much more open.  And I love the splash of color with the vintage daperies.  

Update on laundry and to do list:  I've done a couple of small items on the list, so that's going well.  The laundry room is kind of on hold...but for a good reason.  I have reason to believe a fairy godmother is going to gift us with a new washer/dryer set for our commitment ceremony;  in that case, if i have fresh, white appliances and don't have to work around a mis-matched washer, I will definitely make some different paint decisions.  I will keep y'all posted.

the green desk

I did it.  I actually completed a project in a timely manner, AND took pictures before and after, AND finished it in time for Monday's Linky parties.  This must be a first.

Actually, finishing the project was easy...this was one of those that I was very excited about doing.  I've wanted to replace that white melamine sewing table for five years.  I ordered it on impulse and have hated it since the day it arrived.  It was relatively expensive (for melamine) so I hated to spend even more money to replace it, even though I longed for a writing desk instead.  Several times I've been tempted to go ahead and replace it, but something held me back.  I'm glad the design gods intervened because I love, love, LOVE the lines of the new desk.  Best of all...it was free!  It was a part of the old decor of a hotel project I'm working on, and the owner's wife let me have one of them.  I even already had a can of paint in the exact shade of green (I'm not even sure why I bought it...I found it cleaning out my studio), so the painting portion cost me nothing as well.

My inspiration was this beautiful show house room below by Peter Dunham.  I loved the pop of the emerald green and I the colors and tone on tone inspiration board reminded me of my guest room walls.  And, in the wider shot, you can see that the color and pattern are balanced by wide swathes of white in the trim, ceiling, and other furniture.

I took a couple of pics of the other side of the guest room to show you that I have a similar situation.  While the walls are dark and heavily patterned, that is balanced by a creamy white ceiling,  bone bedding, and creamy white draperies on the windows and used as closet doors.

Here's the original sewing table against the inspiration wall:

Here's the inspiration again:

 

And here's my version:

It's certainly not an exact replica, but I think it captures the feel very well.  In any case, I love it.  I also found some small, strong magnets that let me finally use my magnetic primer inspiration wall the way I had hoped to.

I did go with a heavily distressed "fauxtique" finish on the desk:

Here's what the desk looked like before:

My sewing box was a little too big for the desk, so I tucked it away beneath it, raised on a salvaged child's chair:

 

I've realized that I do all big sewing projects downstairs in the dining room, so I used the sewing table less than I thought.  What I would like it a peaceful place to write, so I styled the top as a writing desk.  I used things I already had:  a vintage lamp moved from another location, a Beni Hana figurie as a vase, a mock croc stationary holder, and my grandfather's christening cup to hold pens.

I have a great view from the desk to my window seat and love that light that streams in:

I absolutely love the way it turned out.  This was one of those projects that just worked out exactly the way I planned.  Those are rare, so I am savoring it.

the green desk

I did it.  I actually completed a project in a timely manner, AND took pictures before and after, AND finished it in time for Monday's Linky parties.  This must be a first.

Actually, finishing the project was easy...this was one of those that I was very excited about doing.  I've wanted to replace that white melamine sewing table for five years.  I ordered it on impulse and have hated it since the day it arrived.  It was relatively expensive (for melamine) so I hated to spend even more money to replace it, even though I longed for a writing desk instead.  Several times I've been tempted to go ahead and replace it, but something held me back.  I'm glad the design gods intervened because I love, love, LOVE the lines of the new desk.  Best of all...it was free!  It was a part of the old decor of a hotel project I'm working on, and the owner's wife let me have one of them.  I even already had a can of paint in the exact shade of green (I'm not even sure why I bought it...I found it cleaning out my studio), so the painting portion cost me nothing as well.

My inspiration was this beautiful show house room below by Peter Dunham.  I loved the pop of the emerald green and I the colors and tone on tone inspiration board reminded me of my guest room walls.  And, in the wider shot, you can see that the color and pattern are balanced by wide swathes of white in the trim, ceiling, and other furniture.

I took a couple of pics of the other side of the guest room to show you that I have a similar situation.  While the walls are dark and heavily patterned, that is balanced by a creamy white ceiling,  bone bedding, and creamy white draperies on the windows and used as closet doors.

Here's the original sewing table against the inspiration wall:

Here's the inspiration again:

 

And here's my version:

 

It's certainly not an exact replica, but I think it captures the feel very well.  In any case, I love it.  I also found some small, strong magnets that let me finally use my magnetic primer inspiration wall the way I had hoped to.

I did go with a heavily distressed "fauxtique" finish on the desk:

Here's what the desk looked like before:

My sewing box was a little too big for the desk, so I tucked it away beneath it, raised on a salvaged child's chair:

 

I've realized that I do all big sewing projects downstairs in the dining room, so I used the sewing table less than I thought.  What I would like it a peaceful place to write, so I styled the top as a writing desk.  I used things I already had:  a vintage lamp moved from another location, a Beni Hana figurie as a vase, a mock croc stationary holder, and my grandfather's christening cup to hold pens.

I have a great view from the desk to my window seat and love that light that streams in:

I absolutely love the way it turned out.  This was one of those projects that just worked out exactly the way I planned.  Those are rare, so I am savoring it.

desk update

Don't you hate when you're reading a story in a design magazine that goes on and on about such-and-such feature and how important it is to the design.....and then there's no picture of said feature?  (BTW, Elle Decor is the absolute worst about that).  Anyway, I realize I'm almost as bad.  I'll mention a project, and then give no further info.

Painted, but not finished.  Green is not true to life--it's more of an actual grass green like original inspiration.

This is closer to actual color.

I'm determined to turn over a new blog leaf, so here's an update on my dream desk. In case you don't want to have to go to the previous post, here's a pic (which is familiar to basically anyone who's ever read a design blog) of Peter Dunham's  green desk in the Windsor Smith Veranda Show House:

Here's the desk I started with in it's original condition:

 

While I love Dunham's   whole room above, and it's definitely the Boho vibe I live for and with, it's still a little too dressy for me.  I wanted a more "lived in" look; besides, I haven't created any "fauxtiques" in a while, so decided to go for a more distressed look.  Trolling the internet for inspiration and authentic wear patterns on painted antiques, I found the following:

Venetian Table at Tara Shaw

Tone on Tone

Via pinterest.  I didn't follow link, but according to description, this is a well done recent

 finish.

I'll describe what I did (with pics) when I finish, but at this point, I've painted the top in a faux bois to match legs, pre planned missing paint chunks with blue tape, given two coats of pale blue primer, and given two coats of green.  If the weather holds out, I have plans to finish the distressing this weekend.