Friday, August 31, 2012

More painted furniture - White bedside tables

Yesterday I showed you the ornate bed head that I painted white (thanks for your nice comments) and so here are the matching bedside tables.   I think they make a beautiful set. I have to still paint the matching long chest of drawers and mirror so will probably do that next week.

white painted furniture by Lilyfield Life Sydney

These are a great set of bedside tables - the drawers are well made and are on runners so slide very smoothly. I was unsure of painting the handles or leaving them as they are. I'm not such a big fan of painted hardware so I thought I'd leave them unpainted and see what whoever buys this set wants, and I can do them then if so be.  The handles are a gorgeous shape and really match the mouldings!

white painted furniture by Lilyfield Life Sydney

I love how the distressing has made the ornately carved details pop. I also like how you can still see the wood grain through the paint work. It's very subtle but still visibleThese bedsides are a good mix of solid practicality and prettiness. I personally like a big bedside table, maybe because our bedroom is quite big (by inner Sydney suburbs standards anyway) and the bigger bedside tables balance out the room. I use my bedside tables as storage for clothes so I'm grateful for the extra space. 

white painted furniture by Lilyfield Life Sydney

Here's the matching bedhead if you missed it yesterday.  I will have to ask who ever buys this set to send me a photo of it all together in their bedroom as I would love to see it all set up nicely with white linen and some big comfy pillows, some nice lamps and possibly a bunch of pretty flowers on the bedsides. sounds good, doesn't it?

white painted furniture by Lilyfield Life Sydney

When I'm in the swing of painting, I really miss my little furniture booth.  But I do have a better balance with concentrating on my (more profitable than painting) business consultancy work, keeping painting furniture as a hobby, my family, my community, my life without stocking a booth. 

But I did like having a little booth to stock and make pretty but it took a lot of time and effort that in particular cut into my weekend family time (so my husband is very pleased I don't have it any more!! and there's somewhat less crap all through the house).  I still sell my furniture well on the internet which means I get to meet the people who buy it. I really love that and being able to pass on the stories of each piece that I have lovingly restored and revived.

white painted furniture by Lilyfield Life Sydney

and here's the before (because we all love a good before and after shot, right?)


Do you have hobbies that somewhat take over your life? 


Do you paint furniture? 

It's addictive, isn't it!  There's something so damn satisfying about painting furniture, when in reality it's quite a simple process of slapping on some white paint (ok there is more involved than that but it's not rocket science) but it makes me feel so creative, productive and alive. 

I think I'm on a roll....

Fiona xx


20 comments:

  1. ooh you definitely improved those! I like painted handles ;)

    xx Karen

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  2. You were right Fiona, they are very similar to the ones I've just done! I think they look gorgeous. The bed head I have is a lot uglier than yours (as a bed head anyway) so I've decided to turn it into a bench/storage seat. But yours look perfect :)

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  3. Your items are beautful! Nothing is more is more refreshing and timeless than a beautiful bath in white. So clean, so crisp! Let's paint the whole house!

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  4. So. Much. Better. :0)

    Visiting from Feather Your Next #228

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  5. I adore your redo! Yes, hobbies (does blogging count too?) can take over, always working on balance. I love to paint furniture and recently my six year old ask me why I want to take so much paint off (distressing) after I worked so hard to put it on. Pretty insightful! Then he saw the finished product and trusted Mom :)

    xoxo, Tanya
    http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/

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  6. ooh you definitely improved those! I like painted handles ;)

    xx Karen

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  7. You were right Fiona, they are very similar to the ones I've just done! I think they look gorgeous. The bed head I have is a lot uglier than yours (as a bed head anyway) so I've decided to turn it into a bench/storage seat. But yours look perfect :)

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  8. Gorgeous job!!! And yes I'm addicted to paint also - nothing is safe lol

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  9. just beautiful. I love how you have transformed these.

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  10. Hi Fiona,

    Any updates on when Annie Sloan Chalk paint will be available somewhere in Sydney?

    I keep reading about it on blogs and can't wait to try it. Do you think it is anything like Porters Milk Paint ( I haven't tried that either)
    Love your inspiring blog.
    Cheers
    Victoria - Darlinghurst

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    Replies
    1. hi Victoria - I know they are making some moves on coming here but I think it's probably early days yet. ASCP probably gives a similar finish to Porters milk paint but they are quite different to use. Both look great with wax to seal though.
      Why don't you try to make your own chalk paint and see how you go with that. I mix a couple of tablespoons of plaster of paris into a 500ml dulux sample pot for my paint. You will need to add water if too thick. just experiment.
      good luck but yes am waiting too for ASCP to come to sydney!
      cheers Fiona

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  11. Calling by from The Shabby Nest.
    Great transformation. I love how your bedside tables turned out. They have so much character now!
    you are absolutely right. painting furniture is highly addictive. I'm always on the look out for something new to paint!
    have a great sunday!
    rita

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  12. Hopping over from Homemaker on a Dime and had to see what you had painted. Lovely bedside chests and they now "match" your bed! I just featured a painted chest myself, so I know the work involved in your project first hand. I like your distressed finish too. Great work! Show us the finished room sometime when you get a chance too.

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  13. They are perfect! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Homemaker on a Dime. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-13.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  14. So pretty! Visiting from the "Make it Pretty" party. Kari -http://thesweetestmemoryblog.blogspot.com/

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  16. I have to agree that painting furniture can really be addictive. It is more of like you can’t get enough of dressing up your baby with different beautiful dresses. I liked the transformation here, from traditional to something very elegant. They’re absolutely lovely!

    Christine
    COFsouth.com - dealer of new and used office furniture in Miami

    ReplyDelete
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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com