Repairing a Broken Statue - Stunning Angel

Last week I took the white walnut dresser to the buyer's house. My regular furniture delivery guy is away so I offered to drop it off myself and I'm so glad I did. Desley lives in a stunning home and she kindly gave me a tour. At the front of the house I commented on the beautiful angel statue below. I just love it...

I was stunned when Delsey said she'd painted it herself. She then told me that she'd completely repaired and rebuilt it. 

Pick me up off the floor, people!

Some people are so clever and creative.

Originally it was a brown ceramic statue but it got knocked over and shattered. Instead of panicking, (okay a little panic may have ensued) Delsey gathered all the pieces and slowly rebuilt it from the bottom up. She placed the broken pieces in order from feet up, using Liquid Nails and letting each piece cure before adding the next piece to the body, so that it had strength to support the next block. So much patience  - but hey she WAS rebuilding an angel :)

Eventually the angel was rebuilt. Desley kind of mooshed the Liquid Nails around to cover some of the broken patches and make it smooth. When it was all solid and sturdy, Desley painted it all in ASCP Graphite and then gave a wash of ASCP Old White to bring out the detail. As you probably know there is no need to use primer when painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (or other chalk emulsions on the market). You do not need a top coat of wax on outdoor pieces. The sunlight and rain would ruin the waxed surface anyway.

You can still see where the cracks were but I think that they totally look like they were meant to be there and just add to the angel's magnificence.

Now where can I find an angel of my own...

to smash ...

to repair ...

to paint ...

to adore.

Thanks Desley for letting me share. I loved the tour of your beautiful house and chatting to you. I look forward to seeing the walnut dresser next to your fireplace.

Fiona xx

Marble Top Pot Cupboard

I don't know if this is an over-reaction to living in cramped quarters with stuff everywhere while we renovating or if I am being sensible. Either way I am just wanting to purge all excess stuff and not clutter up our new space. If I can't find a perfect spot for it, then I'm not keeping it. No sentimentality involved.

I bought this little old marble top pot cupboard a year ago, painted the base black and then popped it into storage thinking I'd have the perfect spot for it in the laundry renovation. While there is room for it, I think it's going to make the space (which is a great size for a laundry in the Inner West) seem cramped and I don't want that. So I've decided to let this piece go. Yesterday I gave it another coat of paint to freshen it up and now it's ready for someone else to love.

Dimensions are 50cm by 50cm and 78cm tall. It's a little rustic but solid and the marble makes it quite heavy. There is a tiny chip in the back of the marble. Perfectly imperfect.

If you are interested in purchasing or viewing this just email me (lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com). It will make a lovely addition to any room. I need to stop looking at it or I'll want to keep it!

The staircase is being finished installed today so it is a big step for our renovation. I can't wait to share it with you. So good to not have to climb the ladder anymore!

Fiona xx

Gilded Vintage Mirror: Keep,Sell, Paint, Leave?

Last week I picked up a vintage gilded mirror that is in almost perfect condition. It was extremely dusty when I bought it and I didn't realise exactly how good it was until I brought it home and cleaned it. I don't know why sellers don't put a little extra effort in and present their goods nicely. They would be able to demand a much higher price. Anyway let's just say I scored a good deal on this one. 

On Saturday when the kids and Phil were out at basketball, I did a little house cleaning and faffing with pretty things. We are all a bit over living through the renovation and the dust and mess so it was nice to have it clean and pretty for a while anyway. Not long till it's all finished so we are trying to hold it together and not get too fed up. Anyway I decided to hang the mirror to get it off the floor. It can sit here behind the front door till I decide what to do with it.

Now the decisions are keep or sell, paint or leave as it. To tell you the truth I kind of love it in its gilded gaudiness. It's so OTT that I may just keep it as is for a while. Although I know it would look fabulous painted a more muted colour.

Like this one I have in my hallway...

or this lovely one by Leslie Stoker

Decisions, decisions. I think there is no wrong. I will just see what happens when the house is finished and if there's a good spot for it. At the moment, I feel like I'm on hold until the plywood wall comes down between the part of the house we are living and the new part. 

Someone asked me about the painting reflected in the mirror. It's a watercolour I did many years ago of the buildings in Prague. I saw a t-shirt in the markets of Prague in similar colours and I wanted to capture it as I love the city very much. Nice fun backpacking memories. Although from the photo I can see that the glass needs a good clean - like most of our house at the moment.

What do you think of the mirror?

Fiona

ASCP Painting Vinyl Progress

Good morning and wishing you all a productive week ahead. I had to share this today even though I'm not fully finished it. I am bowled over by how fabulous this Rococo chair is working out. I bought the chair recently with the thought that if the paint didn't work on it, I could just reupholster it. I plan to use it in my daughter's room as her desk chair. She wants a "French style" bedroom and this chair certainly delivers.

The chair started out filthy dirty and peach coloured vinyl. So disgusting, but a fabulous shape and despite being ugly, the vinyl was in fantastic condition; supple and no rips - just revolting 1980's peach. I didn't like pastels and peach back then, and I certainly am no more fond of them now!

I decided to paint it as reupholstering it would be quite tedious especially ripping out all that nail head trim and then having to do such deep buttoned tufting. I've never even tried to do that before so not even sure I could manage. So paint as a first option was a good choice. I got the gumption and a plastic scourer out on Saturday afternoon and started cleaning. Once it was clean and dry, I started painting with ASCP in French Linen. The first coat gave me great hope and then once I'd finished the vinyl I was just stunned. Even Phil CAN NOT stop telling me how beautiful it is!

I still have to finish the timber frame and I'll share then a full tutorial. This is one of those projects when you just have to jump in with both feet and have a little faith. I mean, seriously... it couldn't have got worse could it?

Fiona xx

Two Toned Dining table

Yesterday afternoon I was covered in paint head to toe and exhausted but very happy as I finished painting Victoria's dining suite. As lovely as Victoria is, I really didn't want to have to go back a third day to complete it so I powered on, not stopping, and made sure I got it finished.

After giving the chairs a very good sanding, I spray primed the chairs for speed and good coverage and then hand (brush) painted a couple of coats of the white paint. I used a low sheen scrub-able paint in the colour Dulux Lexicon Half as Victoria wanted a nice bright white. Victoria and her husband bought the table and chairs 10 years ago in NZ. I think the timber is Rimu. The table top has worn extremely well and so we decided to leave it as is. I painted the apron and legs only to freshen it all up. 

It looks great under a large pendant from Shady Designs. The rug was $200 from IKEA.

I have to say I absolutely hate painting chairs and these might be the last I accept for a while. I hate turning down work but would much prefer painting drawers and cupboards.

On the renovation front, I came home to a fully rendered house, the upstairs outside is painted, the bathrooms are finished, the gutters are all on and the floorboards are finished being laid. It seems like everyone was working like a demon today. I'll have photos next week.

Have a good weekend

Fiona xx

Sharing at Miss Mustard Seed

Vintage timber trunk and a gorgeous place to paint

Good morning! In about an hour I am heading to Drummoyne to finish painting a dining table and a set of  6 chairs. I don't mind painting onsite when it's such a gorgeous environment. I could look at these french doors and the ceiling for hours. My client is such a lovely woman and yesterday we chatted while I painted so it was very enjoyable. Hopefully I can finish the dining chairs today although I think I may have my work cut out for me. I'll share photos next week of it all finished.

While we were chatting Victoria asked me what I thought of the blanket box you can see in the above photo that she uses as a coffee table. She bought it with money from her Grandmother's inheritance so loves it and wants to keep it but she didn't like how the timber had turned orange over time. I suggested that I paint it Duck Egg as her cushions have hints of green and blue in them and it would act as a nice pop of colour in her otherwise neutral space.

So I bought it home with me to paint overnight. Still painting in my bedroom and yes I have half painted bedside tables - they have already been sold and my buyer wants them white. I'll be working on them over the weekend.

This is such a lovely old piece  - quite rough hewn with lots of character.  You can see the saw marks on the side. I lightly distressed the paint and then waxed it.

I'm off now to pack up my painting supplies for today. It will be quite nice to be out of my house today as the guys are laying the timber floor in the study and the lounge room and all I can hear is the nail gun firing every 20 seconds. I'll be spray painting the primer on the dining chairs to save some time then finishing them with a brush. Wish me luck.

Have a great day. 

Fiona

Vintage Dresser as a TV cabinet

Good morning! I'm heading to Drummoyne today (once I've dropped the kids at school to paint a dining table set at a client's house- someone tell me why I agree to paint chairs again?? Oh well a job is a job and luckily I love painting.

Last night I delivered an ornate chest of drawers that I had painted white to Desley. She lives in a beautiful stately house and will be using these drawers as a TV cabinet. She showed me the room where it will be placed, nestled next to a marble fireplace.  I'm pleased that this dresser is being used as a TV cabinet/sideboard. I think the drawers once full are too big and heavy to be used as an "opened daily" chest of drawers in a bedroom.

The whole piece is solid walnut with walnut burr veneer. The veneer had a few warping issues on the sides but Desley didn't mind that especially as the sides won't be seen next to the fireplace. I sold the mirror separately and painted the drawers in Porters Paint Chalk Emulsion. I did prime it first as veneer can often bleed a little.

Once it was primed I painted the piece in the chalk emulsion with a few coats and then sanded and  waxed for a nice finish. 

I am still counting down the days for a workshop that isn't my bedroom! I'm sure Phil is also :)

 I'll be looking forward to coming home this afternoon. Our timber floors are being laid today in the downstairs section of the extension and the plumber is here finishing the bathrooms. I can't wait to show you the fixtures and fittings. I'm slightly in love with the basins and taps we have chosen.
Have a lovely day.
Fiona xx

Sharing at Miss Mustard Seed

Apartment Therapy feature for Lilyfield Life

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and emails on my last post. It seems that so many of you get why paint is so amazing and transformational.  I appreciate all your kind words and support.

This morning I nearly gave myself heat stroke painting the front of the house. We started early to do as much as we could before the sun hit the front of the house. I ended up using my Wagner spray gun to do all the enamel trim and then I hand painted the Dulux Limed White Wall. I'll share photos soon as I didn't end quite finishing it. I was so hot and even after a swim in the kids padding pool and a cold shower I was still overheated. I ended up going supermarket shopping. I came home with lots of dairy items as it was nice and cool near those fridges :) 

Beth who follows Lilyfield Life sent me a message to say that one of my all time favourite chairs has been featured on Apartment Therapy - go check out their list of 50 creative uses of dropcloths. There are some fabulous great ideas. 

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/one-drop-cloth-50-diy-decor…

If you want to read more about how I made this seat cover please see here

Have a great weekend and Happy Australia day to all the Aussies. We are still the Lucky Country.
Fiona xx

Painting Furniture vs OMG don't paint it, You are ruining it forever, timber lovers

I do like timber, honesty I do, but I also want my house to look light and bright and fresh. Dark heavy old pieces of dated furniture just don't work for me (and for my clients) so yes I paint over timber and it even may be walnut that I paint and I truly love walnut.

But ...here's the thing: I get a little upset when people comment on social media and write to me saying that I am ruining a beautiful old piece of furniture by painting it. If you have a painted furniture business you will definitely have heard this before also. It riles me at times and other times I think that people just don't understand.  So I thought I'd take the time to explain (and sorry if this comes out as a bit of a rant)

I buy old pieces of furniture relatively cheaply that other people pass over. The pieces almost always need repairs or have some other issue that means they need painting or a complete overhaul. I usually spend between $40-120 on my pieces but sometimes if I really love a piece I'll spend up to $400: by no means am I painting valuable antiques. 

So when people have a problem with how I'm treating furniture, I think "why don't you complain to the people who let their furniture get to the sorry state that I bought it in, in the first place." (or about some proper travesty - war, rape, famine, large scale pollution, murder etc that occurs in our world). At least my painted furniture is going to a new home and will be treasured. I am good at what I do and have so many happy clients who treat my painted furniture as something very special in their homes so I am making NO APOLOGIES about what I do. 

(And thanks to all of you who do love what I do xx)

whew...I'm off to do some deep breathing and meditation now. 

Much love and let's all just be kind to one another on social media.  Have a lovely weekend. 
Fiona xx

Sharing at Miss Mustard Seed

Subway tiles - Bathroom Renovation Progress

Hello lovelies, it's been a while and so thanks for hanging in here with me. The house progress is hurtling towards completion. I think the builders are actually having some fun as we didn't use an architect and so we are making a lot of design decisions as we go along and it's a very successful union of design and practicality. Phil and I are absolutely thrilled with the house and there are some really neat features. 

I thought I'd share the bathroom progress today. We have modestly sized bathrooms but the house has three bathrooms now (the downstairs original bathroom, an ensuite for me and Phil and then a bathroom for the kids) so they don't need to be big. Saying that the new bathrooms are both 1.8m by 2.4m so it's spacious enough.

Subway tiles still to be grouted

I chose a grey floor tile (ceramic, with a marble like vein in it) and white subway tiles for the walls. I actually ordered matte tiles but the company delivered the wrong ones and I didn't realise till all 39 boxes of tiles were upstairs, up a ladder. The company, Archstone in Rozelle, was very gracious (as it wasn't their mistake as they were out of stock and had bought the tiles from a third party who had made the mistake) and they offered to climb up the ladder and get all the tiles and replace them with the matte tiles but seriously what a waste of resources and time so I decided to stay with the gloss tiles. Now I am very happy I did as the gloss looks fantastic and the tiles are brighter white than the ones I'd originally chose and as a consequence the rooms are brighter. Some mistakes work out for the best.

This bathroom still needs to be grouted. The floor will have sand and cement as grout so it's a dark grey and the walls I've chosen Misty Grey which is quite light. The bath is a 1700mm Kaldewei Dynaset bath. We have the 1500mm version downstairs and absolutely love it. It's a full steel bath. For the upstairs bath we opted for a multifiller so there is no bath spout and water comes out the round thing on the end of the bath which is also how you lift the plug.

This morning the tilers, Felice and Sonny, are grouting the master ensuite. I love it so far! We have a big walk in shower at the end of the bathroom and then a wall hung basin and toilet. Storage is overhead medicine cabinets. Very simple and streamlined.

The guys are wonderful tilers and have done a beautiful job. If you are looking for a tiler I can definitely recommend them. Email me if you want their contact details.

The plumber is coming next week to finish the fit out of the bathrooms. The end is in sight!

Fiona xx