Patina from clear and dark wax on furniture

Hello lovelies, I'm just popping in quickly this morning to show you the difference that clear and dark wax makes to your furniture. Waxing, for me, is the part where the magic happens. Because all chalk paint, including Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, are so matte they can look very flat without waxing.

Adding dark wax to your piece can really add depth and interest. Look at the armoire below with the door on the right already waxed.

Paul who is painting his armoire in ASCP Old Ochre called me a little stressed saying that he felt it didn't look like my work and what he expected. I told him not to judge anything until he had waxed it. I then suggested he bring a door to me and I guide him and show him how to make it look amazing.  

I suggested we paint the recessed piece in a lighter colour to highlight it. We used ASCP Old White.  I then applied clear wax and dark wax, pushing the dark wax into all the crevices and wiping off the excess.

looks beautiful doesn't it. I can't wait to see the finished armoire.

Hurry up Paul!!

Fiona xx

Layered ASCP Provence on a Rustic Pine Console

I don't normally buy pine furniture preferring instead vintage pieces but these pine consoles are so handy in your home that I couldn't not buy it. I don't have a before photo but it was orange pine and very rustic. I decided to do a layered look and used ASCP Provence as my base colour.

I first primed the piece with Zinsser and then gave it two solid coats of ASCP Provence. I actually removed the top (unscrewed) so it made it easier without having to cut in on the underside. Once the paint was dry, I got a large plate and on one half put ASCP French Linen and the other side ASCP Old White. With a large brush I dry brushed and also washed layers of both these colours over the Provence. For this you can be totally random. I think the main thing to realise is that you need to stand back from your work and look at it from a normal viewing distance and not worry about what it looks like very close up.

Once I was happy with the layering I let it all dry, waxed it with ASCP Clear Wax then distressed it. I used a much heavier grip sandpaper than I normally use for a rougher look.

For the top I painted it in a lovely Porters Chalk Emulsion that I often use as it's such a  great colour - soft, not too stark but not yellow like ASCP old White.

I actually love this table here at the base of my stairs but it's already sold. It's good to try different techniques and mix things up a bit.  Nice to do a few more rustic pieces also.

Cheers Fiona 

Latest Pieces of Painted Furniture

Hi paint lovers. Sorry that's it's been a while but I just didn't have the time or head space last week to update here.  Sometimes something has to give :) I also had my 30 year school reunion this weekend. A big event on Saturday night and then a follow up brunch just for the boarders the next morning. It's funny how close we are as boarders. Like sisters really, as we lived together so closely for so many years. A couple of people brought along their old photo albums and we laughed and laughed. I may not have blogged but I have been painting and building furniture.  I'll share a few pieces today and then the rest of the week I'll highlight some pieces with details of how I've painted them.

I picked up this simple pine console last week mainly because these are such handy pieces of furniture to have in your house. great in a hallway or behind a sofa. I painted the base in layers of ASCP Provence and other colours. I'll share a detailed tutorial on how to get this rustic layered look in the next few days.  This piece has sold already.

Instead of going to any Melbourne Cup functions I went vintage furniture hunting and I was well rewarded. I picked up this sweet little storage table for only $2.  I painted the base in Vintro Chalk Paint (colour French Navy) and sanded back the top and waxed it with a mixture of ASCP Clear Wax and some furniture oil. Jonty fell in love with this one so it's in his bedroom storing his beloved books.

I also fell in love with the vintage oak linen press. When I got it it was painted white (quite roughly) so I sanded it smooth (not stripped it) and painted three coats of a mixture based on ASACP French Linen to get this lovely mid range taupe colour. Waxed with one of the Porter's waxes. 

Vintage Linen Press

$495 180h x 107w x 40d cm

I love this little heavily carved hall or side table. Fluted legs. Solid Timber. Single drawer. A beautiful French country coloured chalk paint and waxed. Distressed finish. sold

I am a bit in love with this colour at the moment so used it on the demi lune pie crust edge table below also. Teamed with an ASCP Graphite top I think it's very elegant. The table below has sold.

Another piece that is still available is this sweet little side table. I have a piece of glass that fits the top also if you like that look. The outside is ASCP Paris Grey with several washes of white over the top and then a beautiful sea foam colour inside. Perfect for popping next to your favourite chair. Magazines and books inside and a glass of wine on the top :) 

 $220 

60w x 40d x 53h

I've had lots of people comment on this beautiful blanket box but it's still available. This is one piece that I really thought would have been bought quickly but sometimes you just can't tell.

Beautiful large vintage blanket box available - also good as a toy box. Gorgeous little castors on the legs also. ASCP French Linen wash with Louis Blue interior. 
97w x 50d x 72h 
$350

The last piece I'm sharing today (although there are more to share) are these amazing bedside tables. They are about 70cm square so make such a statement. I really love these and can also see them being used as lamp tables either side of a beautiful linen sofa.  These have already sold and are now out west at Warren.

I'll write up some detailed tutorials on a few of these, also how I built my own BBQ table and share some sideboard makeovers. I will also have a few more pieces for sale this week so follow me on IG or facebook if you are keen to get the heads up on them.

have a good day
Fiona xx

Pretty White Bedsides and Post Renovations House

Good morning. I thought I'd share some photos from around the house after our renovations and some lovely white bedsides that I have painted and that are still available for purchase. 

Beautiful vintage bedsides painted in white chalk paint and waxed and lightly distressed. The drawers are on sliders and work well. 60w x 38d x 57h SOLD

After so many years of blogging about the process of furniture painting I don't know if you are still interest but these were very dirty when I picked them up and very dark timber. I removed the handles, gave them a very good clean with spray and wipe then a super light sand. I painted them with a coat of Zinsser BIN primer and then three coats of a mix of ASCP Pure and Old White.  I then waxed, sanded and distressed, and buffed them to a beautiful smooth finish. 

We are progressing with our post renovations to do list and hopefully the master bedroom roman blinds will arrive. They are now later than they told us and I haven't had an update on when they will be here despite asking a few times for one. I used a company that I didn't have a personal recommendation for which is not something I usually do and I hope I don't regret it :)

But it's all good. We will get there, and we are loving the house and how functional it is. It's very easy living here with so much space (for the inner west anyway). House size is all relative :)

This is the view from our bedroom window. So pretty especially with the jacaranda in bloom.

I have given up on ironing tablecloths. I love using them but who has time to iron them regularly so I just decided to go with the crumpled look. It's very liberating letting go of my mother's exacting standards :)

I am off to swim squad this morning then back to painting furniture. I'm finishing off two massive bedside tables in taupe and an antiqued grey sideboard.

Hope you also have a lovely day.
Fiona

Latest pieces for your bedroom

Good evening my lovelies, I'm hoping a few of you are keen to update your bedroom as I have some lovely pieces available.

Queen Bed Head

I have held on to this gorgeous caved timber bed head for a year now, sure that we would use it in our own house. It ended up being a bit wider than would fit between our windows either side of the bed so I bought another narrower one and am selling this. I finally finished painting it yesterday.

A beautiful French style ornate queen timber bed head. Painted in a pale version of ASCP Paris Grey and heavily distressed. The detail on this is amazing. 175w x 140h SOLD

You can see the before of the bedhead in the background of this photo below. If you are interested in the bedhead and want better photos let me know. The last couple of days have been a bit overcast and it was a bit dark taking photos of this.

Vintage Blanket Box

Beautiful large vintage blanket box available - also good as a toy box. Gorgeous little castors on the legs also. ASCP French Linen wash with Louis Blue interior. 97w x 50d x 72h $350

and before

Pair of Bedside Tables

I also have a pair of beautiful large bedside tables (or they would work equally well as lamp tables) that are available for custom painting.  SOLD

69w x 69d x 50h cm

Today I started back again at swim squad and even though I only swam 1500 m I am exhausted. An early night for me. Man I am unfit. A steep road back I think...

Fiona xx

White Painted Kitchen Hutch

Yesterday when I posted about Paige's hutch I realised that I never shared Marianne's finished hutch in white that I painted last year.  It's a beauty also.

Here it is below without hardware or glass.

From memory I'm pretty sure this was painted in Dulux Natural White to complement Marianne's kitchen.

and before:

painting these hutches is always a huge job but I think so worth it. If you are contemplating painting yours, don't be hesitant. Just take your time with it.

Fiona xx

A painted hutch for Paige

I was up very early this morning finishing off Paige's painted hutch. For this piece I used a mix of Annie Sloan Chalk Paints for a custom match to my kitchen. It's hard to colour match exactly but I think it's close enough, especially when it gets back to Paige's house and is in a different environment and light.

Beautiful hand embroidered cocktail napkins from an estate in Dover Heights given to me by a friend. The dinner set was my mother's. She won it in a competition and just loved it but never used it. She wasn't someone who saved special things , she liked to use her treasures so I'm not sure why she never used this set. Maybe I should start using it for her :)

Inside is painted a white water based enamel for easy use. I love the bead board backing. It makes it very interesting.

and before - a big difference. Paige is on her way now to see it so I hope she loves it.

What do you think? 

Much more elegant, isn't it?

To see other hutches that I've painted clink on the links below:

http://www.lilyfieldlife.com/2014/11/a-pine-hutch-gets-painted.html

http://www.lilyfieldlife.com/2013/01/white-paint-makeover-vintage-kitchen.html

Fiona xx