ASCP Graphite Serpentine Chest of Drawers: Lilyfield Life

I was about to say Good Morning but it's now just past midday - where has the day slipped away to? I am feeling a little stressed at the moment with my to do list - and one very complicated sewing project and a big old French desk to restore, I woke at 3:30 this morning tossing and turning trying to work out how to customise the dress to fit my daughter who is size 10 height and shoulders but size 7 around the waist. Luckily our brains are quite creative at this early time and I came up with a plan to make her not be swamped in it. I did take some time for myself this morning to do a work out with a trainer and it was fantastic to get back into lifting some free weights. I love weight lifting so much and I'm not sure why I haven't keep up with it these last few years. I'm sure my quads and pecs with feel it tomorrow but I'm so glad I went and didn't put it off because I was busy. Not making myself a priority is what got me unfit and overweight in the first place.

Anyway before I start sewing again (and gathering 7 metres of tulle for the lining ruffle of my daughter's Holy Communion dress) I thought I'd share with you a piece of furniture that I have just finished. This is such a beautiful chest of drawers and it was such a pleasure to paint with it's serpentine curves and pretty lines. I have wanted to paint a chest of drawers in ASCP Graphite for a while and this beautiful piece of furniture was the perfect candidate. I think it is very stately now.

This chest of drawers is made by Burgess, one of Australia's prestige furniture makers. It had been brought to Sydney from Armidale by a guy who lives in the next suburb to me. It had been residing in a stately old homestead on a country property.  The finish was a red lacquered varnish that was quite brittle and dated. I think with its new paint job, it looks beautiful once more.

I am a big fan of curves and French style furniture  The extra effort that has gone into manufacturing pieces like this is so worth it. The drawers are on runners and are dovetailed.   I misplaced one part of one handles (thanks for your comments yesterday on my frustrations) but I found some matching handles that I had taken off another dresser so it all worked out well in the end.  The black drop handles with their hints of gold look beautiful against the charcoal black of ASCP Graphite.

the specks on the dresser are just dust - removed now.

I fully stripped this chest of drawers with my orbital sander as the original finish was scratched and brittle. Taking the extra time is always worth it for a good finish.  

The little bits and pieces on the dresser are some of my favourite pieces at the moment. My gelungan that I bought last year in Bali and painted, a candlestick from The Works in Melbourne and some old French keys. 

and of course the drawing I did on a chalkboard. I still really love this piece of art based on Lillian Bassman's photograph. I have plans to do some more drawings when I find the time. Don't hold your breathe!

This piece is for sale, please contact me for details.

and because we all love a good before and after photo session...

cheers Fiona