Sunday, June 2, 2013

French Châteaux Chest of Drawers in Paris Grey

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

When I came across this chest of drawers I was beyond excited. The style, the shape, those curves!  I fell in love with it and happily paid more than I usually would for a piece to paint but I knew it would be worth it. It was originally a dressing table and I decided to separate the mirror from the base - you can see the mirror transformation here. I have had 17 people interested in buying the mirror but I am keeping it for a while as I love it in our hallway.  

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I decided to paint the chest of drawers in the same fashion as the mirror because I loved how that turned out. Before I even finished the drawers I had a couple of offers to buy them. I accepted one offer from lovely friends of ours and kept painting. Then as I was applying the dark wax and was near finishing the piece I had a big dilemma. I wanted to keep them!


Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

It is so much curvier and ornate than the French chest of drawers we currently have in our bedroom. Also several of my neighbours were walking past and telling me to definitely keep it.  So I told my friends that I wasn't sure if I could part with it and they said, sure take your time and let us know. Anyway I spent the night with it in our room in place of the old one and mulled it over. Phil eventually made the decision as he doesn't really like the antiqued look - he is such a neat freak and wants to wipe it down and clean it every time he walks by! So I let my friends know I'd be selling it and as soon as the rain stops, I'll drop it around to them.

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

It's very hard to get a good front on photo of this in our bedroom because it's only about 1 metre from the end of our bed. Anyway I'll be painting the old chest of drawers white this week and putting back all my clothes into it. I've been meaning to paint it for years so at least it will make me get to it.

Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I am still practising my dark wax antiquing method but am getting happier with my skill in it. I'm in the middle of writing a tutorial of what I've learnt so far and will share that soon.

Ever been so torn between keeping and getting rid of something? I keep reminding myself that it's only an object and I can always paint another one someday...but I still feel a little bit sick in my stomach about selling it.  I'll have to ask for visiting rights!

Fiona xx


Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Lilyfield Life painted furniture Annie Sloan Chalk Paint


48 comments:

  1. Simply divine. This might be my favoruite piece of furniture ever. You have done a beautiful job. I can't believe you aren't keeping it either. Hope you've had a good weekend. Shame about the rain
    Beth x

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  2. Hi Fiona, What a beautiful piece of furniture!! I agree with Beth, I can"t believe you aren't keeping it. The grey is so soft and gentle to look at and the mirror is so lovely as well. It is easy to see why you initially bought it. What delightful vision to see how stunning it would look. You certainly are getting better with the dark wax, you are even bringing me around (sorry Phil) although I still prefer it over grey rather than white. Beautiful work Fiona, I love looking at what you do and wishing I was 15years younger.
    Regards Brenda

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  3. Hi Fiona- you have done such a wonderful job on this piece I don't know how you can part with it. The mirror is beautiful too! Love your work and your blog! Best wishes Jenn

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  4. the close up photos make me love it even more, fiona! it is FABULOUS!!!!!!! so gorgeous in itself, but your finish makes it really stunning!

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    1. Oh thanks Cassie , I really appreciate that coming from you – it’s been a lot of learning with dark wax over these last few weeks.

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  5. I understand your dilemma looking at the photo's. Its beyond gorgeous! I would feel sick to my stomach too if I had to part with this piece:)

    Best wishes, Sumaya

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    1. Thanks so much Sumaya – I am just admiring it while I still have it!!
      Have a good week
      Fiona x

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  6. I Love it Fiona! I think dark wax is perfect for those ornate pieces, they really stand out. I think my husband is of the same thinking, but I think I would over rule him with this. I'm not surprised people were interested, and you considered keeping it, it's gorgeous!

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    1. thanks Catherine - it took me forever to get the dark wax just right. I had a great chat with phil about dark wax and i've worked out what he can live with how so i'll be on the look out for another fabulous piece
      have a great weekend
      Fiona

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  7. Fiona, This looks stunning and I love the blue and white porcelain .. a match made in heaven for sure:) Enjoy your Sunday!

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  8. hi Fiona, this is stunning and I agree with everyone else -how can you sell it! but you will find something else beautiful, you always do
    I love coming to your blgo and seeing your amazing paint jobs and styling - thanks for everything.
    Kirrily x

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    1. hi Kirrily - i'm very glad it's gone to my friends who just love it. and it suits their house so well. thanks for such lovely feedback
      Fiona

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  9. It's hard when you fall in love with something and it has to go :-( You did a fabulous job on it - love the Paris Grey and the waxing! What a fabulous piece of furniture. You are so lucky to come across such amazing pieces.

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    1. thanks Petra -yes the Paris grey looks beautiful with the dark wax. i am always on the look out for pieces that speak to me!

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  10. hi Fiona, this may be your best work yet. I can imagine you are so sad to see it go. You are so talented and creative. Thanks for my daily dose of inspiration. I can't wait to see what you come up with next!
    Karen

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    1. thanks so much Karen, that means a lot -happy to inspire any time!

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  11. Gosh I love that piece, just the right amount of ornate finish to it! Grey looks so classy. Must keep my eye out for a dressing table!

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  12. haha so funny that Phil wants to clean it, he doesn't appreciate the effort that goes into the grungy look!

    Dark wax antiquing is definitely something that requires a bit of practice, and the more ornate the piece the easier it is to get it looking right, as I'm sure you've worked out. Large flat areas are the hardest - what works for me is putting the paint on roughly then leaving it sit for a couple of minutes, then dragging and stippling the brush randomly on the surface to give the area some texture (and sanding lightly over these parts when distressing so as not to smooth it out too much). Actually just reread that and realised that is something like what Annie Sloan suggests lol but I did actually work out this technique well before I read any of her books :)

    xx Karen

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    1. Thanks Karen, just dropped it around to its new home now. I also did the cross hatch brush stroke to get good texture and also the drag through semi dry paint. It gives a lovely texture.
      And Phil says tonight that he'd get used to anything so to go whatever I want!! But it actually had less storage than the other French drawers and we need all the storage we can get
      Have a good night
      Fiona

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  13. It is particularly lovely.....but if you kept it, there would be room for the next "big thing!"...Linda B

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  14. It's lovely Fiona! Too funny about your hubby wanting to clean it... I'd encourage that thinking and point him in the direction of the bathroom ;) Jo x

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    1. oh he is a clean freak and our house is always neat because of him (either he is cleaning or I am cleaning to make him happy!)

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  15. Hi Fiona - I was looking at the post after this one ( gorgeous makeover ) and then saw this - I just posted it's sister LOL - almost identical in finish - too funny!
    XOX

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    1. i'll go check your out Suxan. i love these dressers!

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  16. love your bureau, from the Dedicated House...
    Karen

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  17. Wow that came out gorgeous, you did a fantastic job I can understand your dilemma, must be very bitter sweet to let it go! (i found your site via dedicated house)

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    1. thanks so much Dria - It's always a bit hard to let things go but then i can start all over again.

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  18. HOLY GRANOLA -you can paint, girl! this absolutely rocks.
    Jessie x

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  19. You did a beautiful job on it. So many people can't do the distressing thing right - you sure can! Your neighbors are lucky indeed. Found you via Stroll Thru Life.

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  20. Such a fabulous piece and I love the new finish and color. Beautiful. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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    1. thank you so much Marty. hope you're having a great week

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  21. Featuring tomorrow! If you decide to come for another visit to SF, can you bring that with you???? It looks like you have mastered the dark wax technique too. I love everything about it. Goes live at 1:00 PST. Don't sell it, unless you want to sell it to me!

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  22. It's gorgeous and I would be wanting to keep it also...

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    1. thanks Cathy - I ended up selling it but that's ok. I'm sure I'll find more beautiful things! hope you are having a good weekend. pouing rain here. Fiona

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  23. Hi Fiona
    Your work is really inspirational. I have been to an Annie SLoan workshop here in Cape Town, South Africa and am now ready to paint everything in my house. I am busy painting bedroom furniture in Paris Grey and Old White an need some advice as to what colour the walls should be. I am wanting the make the room grey. Should the walls be darker or lighter than the Paris Grey? I am thinking of putting up grey curtains and then having a white duvet. I am stuck cause the colour on the walls could really make or break the look of the room. Would love to hear your advice. Thanks for all the wonderful tips you put up on your site.

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    1. thanks so much (sorry you didn't leave your name), I think it will depend on how much light your room receives. either darker or lighter will look amazing - darker for moody and romantic and lighter for a softer french feel (just in my opinion). Our walls are painted in a Dulux colour called Sleigh (in the bedroom where these and the rustic cabinet is taken it's Sleigh in half strength). Hope that helps
      Fiona

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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