Piano stool make-over - nice legs!

A good friend brought me her piano stool which had been in the family for many years but was looking very sad. A beautiful, traditional shape, but just not really in-keeping with todays modern family style. The seat had totally collapsed so wasn't even serving its purpose. 

 

 When I started to take it apart, it was many, many layers of horse hair and hessian with approximately 7oo,ooo nails to hold it all together!! 

 We discussed the look we wanted to achieve and with quite modern tastes, my friend and I settled on trying to bring the wood back to a lighter shade and along with a new seat and funky fabric, it would then fit perfectly into the family home, all new and ready for many bums!

But, it wasn't meant to be! The stain in the wood was so deep, there wasn't a hope of bringing a lighter shade back, so plan B was using paint. I LOVE painted furniture, but when the piece is antique (and its someone else's!!) its pretty daunting. Anyhoo, we braved it and decided on a classic and subtle taupe colour and then a fabric to coordinate. I love how it turned out, so does the piano player thankfully! She's certainly going to find it more comfortable practicing ;)

 

 

We have also decided on a small crystal knob in the centre of the drawer, that's for the next trip over their way! We've already started thinking about a piano to match....;) 

 

 

 

 

 

A painted kitchen

I love a painted dresser/hutch (called different names across the world!) - it's quite a strong English look I think, there are some amazing painted furniture options available over there, not so many in Australia I've noticed. There's just something really homely and warm about this look for me.

 

Laura Lee Burch

 

Indulgy

 

Little Yellow Barn

 

So here is my interpretation of the painted dresser look using chalk paint, the main body in a bone white and the the internal section in a beautiful bright blue. Lightly distressed and sealed with wax for protection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm really pleased with how it turned out! Great storage and eye candy for someone, she's currently for sale.

A little bit of 'thumage' in a few shots there, sorry, must do better :)

Hamptons Beach TV Cabinet - tres popular??!

I love that bright white & wood feel in a room. Its very fresh and easy on the eye! I had been staring at this TV cabinet for EVER trying to decide what to do with it...some colours, styles just come to you before the item is even out of the shop/auction, but others sit....and sit....and wait and then it comes!

 

Lets visit the Hamptons!

Freshhome.com

 

Homeaway.com

 

Zhush.com

 

Tipjunkie.com

 

You get the idea...bright whites and the warmth of wood were my inspiration.

The piece was plain mid-toned pine, I sanded back the top and re-stained and waxed it, then gave the body several coats of chalk paint. It has a lovely matt texture to it, very unassuming but totally charming once in its place (like one of those girls from school who has a clever knack of looking all coy, but totally knows they are gorgeous!!) 

 

Pottery Barn knock off! Take it with you....anywhere!

I've had my eye on this idea for a while, many of the DIY bloggers have attempted them, I just find them so appealing in so many ways. Beautiful to look at, sentimental AND educational for the whole family!

 

Pottery Barn

 

So this weekend, I gave it a go and love the finished product!

My ruler has a lovely handmade feel — hand-stained and hand-drawn — and as the product description wisely points out, “you can even take it with you when you move!” (I didn’t really think about it, but that’s a good point. If your Granny ever moved, you'd want her to take the kitchen door frame door with her?) Not super practical.

 

 

 

I think the style of it is so lovely, even if you didn't have any little ones, a day-care, a classroom, kids clothing store??

Some bedside sunshine!

I have been working on a lovely summery yellow bedside this weekend. The top and drawer front were stripped back and waxed to a beautiful shine. The rich yellow paint was lightly distressed and waxed, I think the 2 chunky glass knobs give it a rustic-y glamorous feel!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It wasn't the hugest job, easily completed in a day (which was just as well as the showers were pretty persistent!) but I love the final finish - especially against the brickwork - it just makes me smile :)

Ombre Tallboy

I've seen loads of lovely ombré drawer efforts, I think they are fab!

Kate Spade

Kidcrave.com

FoundDesignsAtlanta.com

I had a tallboy already painted in duck egg chalk paint who needing a little something, so pulled her out of the workshop and had a go. Loving how traditional she still is, but with a quirky twist, great storage; clothes, toys, bathroom?? I thought her quirky shape deserved a little distressing, just a touch!

Some close ups for those who might be thinking, hmmm, that could work in my house ;) Apologies for some finger shots, I was under pressure to finish from a sick child!