Friday, February 7, 2014

Painted French Console

Some pieces are irresistible and just need to be bought. At least that's what I tell my husband!! Even though I wasn't really needing to buy any furniture to paint last week (as I have about 10 pieces needing refinishing already) I couldn't pass up on this one, especially as I managed to buy it for a couple of hundred dollars less than I would have expected to pay for such a gorgeous piece. 


I love the shape but the timber on the base was a different colour to the timber on the top for some reason and it was a little too shiny and Italianate for my liking - but i knew that paint could make a big difference.


I have had my nephew working for me, teaching him to paint and refinish furniture. He starts uni in a few weeks but was at a bit of a loose end these holidays and so it's been wonderful to give him some paid work and focus. He is fantastic to teach - careful, diligent and soaks up information then carefully applies the knowledge. I couldn't want for a better apprentice. I've also appreciated not having to do every thing myself. Together we lightly sanded this piece and painted two coats of ASCP Paris Grey, making sure we didn't get paint into all the nooks and crannies as we wanted to keep the deepest parts of the crevices dark.  


We then decided to completely remove the timber top that was braced and screwed on so that we got a very neat division between the grey and Graphite we painted the top. It's a pain to remove the top and then refit it but I'd prefer to do this than get paint where I don't want it.  Once the paint was all dry, we waxed the base with Annie Sloan Clear wax, distressed very lightly around the details and edges and then finally buffed. For the Graphite table top, we did two coats of a polyurethane, sanding in between with extremely high grit sandpaper and then waxed and buffed. This will give it extra durability and makes for a more even sheen.



I really love how elegant the console looks now. I wish I didn't need to store stuff in my hall way cupboard or I would be keeping this piece.





The piece is for sale. Dimensions are 122 cm wide, 52 cm deep and 75cm high. Please email me if you are interested lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com

Do you love this piece or is it too OTT for you?

Fiona xx

sharing at
Miss Mustard Seed
French country cottage

14 comments:

  1. It was a beautiful piece before, but truly outstanding now. Love the granite gray top paint. I never run across great pieces like that; I would have bought it too.

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    1. thanks Marti , you are so kind. I occasionally see these tables but usually they sell beyond my refinishing budget. This sold last night so that's great!

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  2. Be careful, Fiona. You may end up with a queue of willing (blog reading) "apprentices" at your door ;-).
    The piece looks great with the colour contrast. I wouldn't have thought to do that...
    Cheers Karen

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    1. imagine how much furniture we could paint!!
      thanks Karen so funny

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  3. I really love this piece, it is intricate but because it's not large it doesn't look overpowering. Your colour choice is beautiful.

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    1. thanks Roberta. much appreciated - i was torn with a few choices of how to paint this but I thought simple was better. hope you are well
      Fiona x

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  4. I think this is the most gorgeous table I've ever seen--I love the shape of it, the scroll work on it, and the lovely paint colors you chose--it's perfect.

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  5. Sorry - not a fan! Loved the original look with the beautiful rich woods and shine. Too much time and craftsmanship to be covered by paint.

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    1. Each to their own ; and the owners love it painted this way so that's the main thing.

      No need to comment anonymously just because you disagree with my painting. I'm very happy to have your feedback.
      Cheers Fiona

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  6. Oh Fiona - it turned out stunning !!!
    What a gorgeous makeover - and a big congrats on your feature at French Country Cottage - so well deserved!
    XOXO

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  7. lol - the negative comments are usually always anonymous !!!
    Boggles my mind how anyone could prefer the before to your amazing work - but hey - whatever floats their boat I suppose :)

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  8. Oh WOW! I would not have been attracted to it at all before, but now it is stunning!

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  9. It looks absolutely stunning! I don't know you can part with it. I think that is the hardest part......painting and then parting.

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  10. Stunning! Way, way better painted. Wish I had a place for it.

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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