A Lovely White Desk

I bought this desk from a guy who was moving back to New Zealand and couldn't be bothered shipping it back. It's such a lovely shape but the stain had turned very orange.

Nothing that several coats of white paint can't sort out!

It's a lovely solid desk with a planked top and a curved front. 

The drawers are on timber runners and are deep, offering great storage.

  

and before

This is for sale, if you are interested please contact me.

(Please note, the chair is not for sale with the desk, as it's part of the dining suite I'm working on)

Happy weekend!
cheers Fiona

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What I'm Working On

Today I'm posting over at Primitive and Proper where Cassie has asked me to talk about hand painting designs on furniture.  Pop on over for a look. (It will be up 9:30pm Sydney time)

If you've found your way here all the way from Cassie's blog then welcome, and I hope you stick around and enjoy my projects here in Sydney, Australia.


I've been painting like a mad thing today.  I have way too much half painted furniture in the house at the moment and my poor husband will probably have a mental attack when he gets home. I'm writing this post quickly then cleaning up!!


This is what I'm working on currently...in the middle of my lounge room.... did I mention recently how much I love my painted concrete floor.  No drop sheet required!


This walnut butterfly extension French Provincial Extension table has been stripped, re-stained and the legs and apron will be painted a limed white, while I'll leave the top natural wood.  The matching chairs have been painted and reupholstered in a divine Damask which is a very expensive upholstery material but I luckily found some samples for $1 at Reverse Garbage.  I love that place!

 (and yes, I still need to put the washing away)

I still need to add trim to this lovely Louis chair

I will do this in front of a movie later tonight I think.

This lovely desk has been rescued from being bright orange pine.  The drawers need one more coat and then it's finished.  Or maybe I'll do some detail on the trim??

and I need to wax this chest of drawers and re-attach the hardware. I'm just not 100% sure if I should leave plain white or do a design...any suggestions?

I need a workshop!


Have a great weekend and make sure you pop over to Cassie's blog and show some love!


Thanks everyone, I really appreciate you popping by and your lovely comments.


cheers 
Fiona

Watercolour Wednesday and Our Wedding Anniversary

I was back at my painting class today.  First up we did an interesting exercise of painting a still life with only two colours - Raw Sienna and French Ultramarine.  The purpose is to concentrate on tone rather than colour. it was very helpful.

Gumnuts in a vase

We then did the same scene with more colours. I decided to stick to a limited palette and just added in Quinacridone Gold.

I then painted some Lisianthus which was highly appropriate as these were our wedding flower and today is our 9th wedding anniversary.  I thought I could give this painting to my husband.

A little secret is to use pencil to define the white areas. in the painting below the pencil is very fine.

A few stronger pencil marks really adds to the definition and helps your eye travel across the painting.

I asked a few other women in the class if I could share their wonderful efforts. My aunt also does the class with me, she's been working with Susie Murphie for a year now. I love my aunts work. She's a graphic designer and her artistic talent really shines.

My aunt's limited palette still life.

and using a broader colour range (5 paints)

...and one other painting really grabbed my eye. Jan does amazing work. Her paintings from last week were to die for. I love her use of purple and green below. 

...and here we are on our wedding day. This is the one and only digital photo we have of the day. I think i need to scan some in.  I was three months pregnant on our wedding day and our daughter is exactly 8 and a half today. It's always easy remembering how long we've been married for.  I treasure every day with Phil. He's an amazing man.

Happy days!
cheers Fiona

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Valentine's Day and Pinning White

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you've got someone to share some love with.


We don't usually celebrate Valentine's Day - firstly because we both think it's a bit commercial and naff; and secondly because our wedding anniversary is tomorrow.


But I thought I'd just change our room a bit to give my husband a surprise when he gets home. 

I still need to paint my nightstands...

Mind you, I fell backwards off the bed while I was doing this and thought (as I was lying on the floor in a lot of pain) that I'd re-broken that wrist again....it's stopped hurting now so all ok but my bottom is bruised!)

On Pinterest I've started a new board labelled White Spaces. It's already attracting a lot of attention. I guess so many of us love the freshness that a white room brings.  If you're interested follow it here:  White Spaces 


Here is some of the loveliness that I've pinned:  

This ceiling is to die for....

I love this Oak table surrounded by all that white

Possibly my favourite lounge room of all time 

or perhaps it's this one...

Martha, of course, makes it look effortless

Not sure about the lace tablecloth but love me a white french chair

Divine white nursery. 

I love that mirror...and the armoire... and the chandelier

 (all sources here)

Hope you have a lovely day!

cheers 

Fiona

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Paris Tea Trolley

Today is the first time I've used my Paris stencil on a piece of furniture. I'm very pleased with the result. 


A cute little vintage tea trolley that had definitely seen better days and was nearly passed in at auction.  I love the little castor wheels.


It's painted a pale French grey with the detail in a darker colour that I mixed myself.

The edge trim is also darker grey. On display is some of my new fleur de lis dinner set I bought recently. An absolute bargain from Haven & Space in Berry.

close up

  

and before

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