A Vintage French Painted Sideboard for Emily

I've got a gorgeous project to share today. Some pieces are just wonderful to paint and I am grateful to be asked to paint such beautifully shaped furniture. Emily's grandmother recently moved into a nursing home and her family sorted out her possessions. Emily became the lucky new owner of a beautiful vintage sideboard and she and her father went halves in paying me to paint it.  When I picked it up from her grandmother's home, Emily's dad said "now Fiona, you will make it beautiful, won't you?"

I hope I've satisfied him.

Emily originally asked for it black like the sideboard I painted recently.

Lilyfield Life black sideboard

She has a lot of black furniture in her house already and when she came to discuss colours and sheen with me, she saw the French dresser I had just finished that was sitting in my hallway waiting for me to take to the new owner and fell in love with the grey and white finish. I love this finish also so was more than happy.

French Dress turned TV Cabinet

So I painted her sideboard in a similar fashion. I used ASCP Paris Grey and Pure White for the trim. I then waxed the whole piece with ASCP Clear Wax and Dark wax on the details and distressed.

Below is a little comparison with the piece unwaxed and waxed to show you the difference that dark wax makes to the authenticity of an aged piece.

Antiquing Wax makes a big difference, doesn't it. I know a lot of people are a little fearful at using dark wax but my advice is have a go and practice. Read my tutorial here for more details.

I took the sideboard to Emily last weekend and she was thrilled with it. How nice to have something of her grandmother's in her dining room. 

Thanks for stopping by and also for all your nice emails and comments on my post yesterday

cheers Fiona xx