Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Painted Sideboards a Plenty

I have a real love for sideboards. I'm not sure why but there is something quite grand about a good sideboard. I suppose it might be that living in Sydney's inner west, our houses are relatively small so to even have room for a sideboard in your dining room is a big thing.

As I prepare to paint another sideboard...


...I was looking through my furniture files and thought you might like to see a compilation of sideboards that I have painted in the past. Some good inspiration hopefully for you.



My french provincial sideboard in our dining room





and this one













Oak and Lion pulls





more ASCP Duck egg...






a few sideboards I've turned into tv cabinets






I'm not sure that's all of them but it's still a lot.
Any favourites?

Any suggestions for the one I'm painting in the top photo?

Do you love a sideboard also?

Fiona xx

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

French Style Bow Front Drawers

I love bow front drawers the best of all. They are a definite favourite along with Serpentine and other curvy fronted French style furniture.


The curved timber drawers really speak to me.  I think it's not only the beautiful lines that attracts me but the skill involved by the woodmaker in making the curved drawer front. There is just so much more involved than flat drawer fronts. Not that I have any idea about wood making but I can appreciate the skill involved. So as I paint I sit and admire the handiwork of the original maker...who is probably horrified that I'm painting his work but at least I'm keeping them in use and sending them off to someone else's house to be loved.




I painted these old solid timber drawers with a custom mix of paint. I am a big believer in waste not, want not. So when I had a few centimetres of paint left in my tin og Porters Paint Chalk Emulsion White I didn't want to waste it but I had no small projects at the time to use it on. Rather than let the paint go unuesd I decided to create a custom mix. I added in an almost equal amount of Colorbond Dune (try ASCP French Linen), a touch of ASCP Paloma and a little of ASCP Paris Grey. It made the loveliest muted stone colour. Three different brands of paint and four different colours but not wasting the end of a tin and cretaing a stunning elegant muted neutral.n I wish you could see it in person.

The top of these drawers was badly scratched so I completely sanded off the old finish on the top and sanded it to a very smooth finish. I love that you can see the timber grain through the paint but to touch it's as smooth as glass. Everyone who has seen these drawers have commented on the finish and ask how I achieve it - it's all in the preparation and sanding. I just don't like to cut corners.



I painted the handles as well as I love that look but I never over-paint the handles. I like seeing some of the metal through the paint. I think it adds a good level of interest.  I sealed the paint with ASCP Clear Wax.



I could easily have kept these. They are just the right amount of French style elegance that I love. However I don't need them so I have taken these drawers to Meshea Lifestyle in Leichhardt where they are for sale. They aren't styled here below. It's just from when I dropped them off but I thought it will give you a peek at all the beautiful things Larissa has for sale there.


Have a great day
Fiona xx





Monday, July 28, 2014

At home - vintage treasures


I decided to have a day without any painting on Friday. Shock horror I know. I had some tiny withdrawal symptoms but you'll be glad to know I coped okay :) I had a mountain of admin to do, my tax and quarterly BAS, applications to fill out for our home renovation, an online course to obtain my construction site white card and Owner Builder licence, house plans to finalise and also...very exciting for Lilyfield Life: a plan for my new venture of offering painted furniture workshops.  The day at home also gave me a chance to take some photos around the house.




One of the ladies, the beautiful smiling Judy, who came last week to the painting workshop commented that I have a lot of lovely things around my house and I suppose I do. I'm a big believer in slowly collecting treasures that are useful and meaningful. I don't shop often at chain stores, preferring to make things or buy second hand as how things come to me can often resonate more with me than what they are: my mum's handmade quilts, beautiful gifts from beautiful friends, artwork from people I admire, furniture I've spent my time and effort on I value more than things I just spend money on.



some of my mum's kitchenware that I inherited,


vintage bone handled knives sourced over the years from a million different markets.



a wire beer crate found in a dusty little shop on the far south coast


white painted vintage mirrors propped around the place bought on the cheap at estate sales, french chairs awaiting painting and reupholstering, and the galung (terracotta crown) that we bought in Bali and carefully brought home



Old furniture handed down that was my mum's and mine as a girl and now is my girl's


What special things do you have at home? 
Are you a collector of vintage also? 
I assume you probably are if you read here but I'd love to hear what is meaningful to you.

Fiona xx


Saturday, July 26, 2014

A beautiful marble top cupboard

I've been busy with the black paint again as I felt this lovely little cupboard needed a black base to showcase the beautiful marble top.



The marble is so lovely. It's very old and there are some small marks and one tiny chip out of it at the back but it's still totally gorgeous.



The original varnish on the cupboard was heat damaged and bubbled so I sanded a lot of it back to smooth it out but I didn't remove all the damage as it's made a lovely interesting effect under the black paint and it's part of the cupboard's story. I don't want my furniture looking all super new.



 The cupboard is for sale at Meshea Lifestyle in Leichhardt. Corner of Short St and Norton St.

A special thanks also to Bec from my painting class on Thursday for the stunning flowers. They are making me very happy. She is one clever florist. Just beautiful. 

Fiona xx