a little Cabinet in French Country Style

I have been painting some of my finds from last week and really enjoying the shape of the beautiful furniture. This little cabinet was made in Italy and imported to Australia. I think it is such a sweet practical piece and have enjoyed making it over in a French Country style. 

If you want to see my inspiration for French Country style, see this post. I just love this two toned look - a mix of classic neutral and white. I find it very pleasing to the eye and interesting without being too bold and showy.

I painted the entire cabinet with two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk paint in French Linen and then painted the trim with ASCP Pure White. When painting the trim i just did it quite quickly and not in a thick coat - almost dry brushing it. I then got a slightly damp cloth and distressed the trim so some of the wood peaked through.

Once the paint was dry, I gave the whole cabinet a coat of clear wax (I used Howard's Feed N Wax), lightly sanded it then set to with the Annie Sloan Dark wax to antique it - I think I am improving with this process. See my earlier attempt here on my little bookshelf makeover.  My husband hates this antiqued effect , he doesn't like how it looks old (you've got to laugh..."yes, babe, that's what I was aiming for") but I am growing to like it.

I used two of the vintage porcelain crackle handles that are made in Limoges, France from my precious stash. I love how the colours of the handles perfectly match the paint.  I've got to sidetrack here for the moment because every time I write Limoges, I have great memories of a hilarious car trip with two girlfriends when I was 26 -  we spent a month driving though France and Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Belgium and ending up in Amsterdam. Anyway one day we'd started the morning doing a le Mans start in Le Mans (as you do) and then travelled south only to get very lost in the outskirts of Limoges, probably because we were young, silly, hungover and laughing too much. Anyway we finally found our way out of the maze of roads and spent a pleasant few days in the beautiful Dordogne Valley. The markets there are too die for. I definitely want to go back someday.

Anyway back to the handles - I bought about 40 of these for a very good price on eBay as someone was doing up their French Provincial kitchen into a modern style and didn't want them any more. I don't understand those choices but I love a bargain like that. Thank you.

This cabinet is for sale and has great storage with the shelf and then a spacious cupboard below. It is actually on little under mounted wheels so moves easily but these can be removed if you don't want them. Dimensions are 80cm tall, 80 cm high and 40cm deep. Message me if you are interested.

I will have a few more pieces coming up over the next few days so don't forget to check back or please share my blog or facebook page with your friends if you know anyone looking for furniture - I really appreciate your support.

by the by - does anyone know how to empty the water out of these old siphons?

happy days to you all

Fiona xx

Details:

Cabinet- bought at auction

Paint - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen (I bought last year in America)

Trim done in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White (provided to me by Annie Sloan)

Clear Wax - Howards Feed n Wax

Dark Wax -  Annie Sloan Dark Wax (provided to me by Annie Sloan)

Framed Painting - by John Downton of Quandolo Point, near my hometown

Vintage Siphon - my parents

Glass Cloche and Candlestick - Bed, Bath n Table, The Works

the little iron birds were a gift

the Pure Merino wool cable knit throw I bought on sale from Themes, when it was shutting down

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