An easy update for an old mirror

I thought I’d share how I updated an old metal mirror recently. It’s such a beautiful finish and very easy to replicate. I always find that mirrors are a great canvas to practice new techniques on. I hope this helps you with your painting.

Firstly choose an ornate mirror as the crevices and details is what makes this mirror texthnoque looks so good. My mirror was metal and the gold was quite faded. I used a black etch metal primer and quickly sprayed both sides of the mirror. This both primes and acts as a base for the paint.

I then used ASCP Florence and poured a small amount on a paper plate. With a dry brush I then stopped and lightly brushed some paint across the mirror frame.  You want your paint brush to be very dry for this technique so don’t overload your brush and dab off most of the paint. See how dry my brush is in the photo above is.

Once you are happy with how your frame looks you can let it dry then wax. 

If you want to get really creative you can do another colour over the top again to add even more depth.

Enjoy your painting

Fiona xx

Ps The mirror has already sold 

A gorgeous cedar linen press

Good evening (Saturday night), Phil’s out at the Bledisloe Cup and the kids are asleep and I’m in bed watching the Italian Job on Netflix but I thought I’d just quickly pop in here and post about a lovely piece I finished and sold yesterday.

It’s so beautifully made with the sliding open fronted drawers. So practical and lovely. 

I gave this a really good sand as the varnish was a bit old and bubbled. I then wiped it down with wax and grease remover for a very good clean. Once it was all dry, I painted it with two coats of Fusion Mineral Paint in Ash. The colour is exactly the same as ASCP Graphite. I then gently distressed the edges and details and waxed it all with ASCP Clear wax.  The finish is really perfect. It took a while to perfect my dark finishes but it’s worth the effort and practice if you are struggling with them. 

 

I also polished up the original brass handle and key. It’s really pretty. 






This sold right away with loads of people wanting it.

I bought this from a couple who recently bought a lovely old house in Lane Cove. The old lady they bought the house from had this piece her whole lifetime and wanted it left with the house; unfortunately the couple didn’t want it and just had it in their garage and the husband was getting annoyed with it in his man-space. Lucky for me and lucky for my vintage loving customer.

Have a good weekend 

Fiona xx

PS the walnut Graphite sideboard I blogged about last sold today. 

Charcoal and Walnut sideboard

Good morning! We have had an interesting few weeks to say the least. Lots of work also that I’m looking forward to sharing. I recently finished this huge walnut sideboard. I have painted this in a beautiful charcoal Graphite and stripped the top so you can see the gorgeous walnut grain.

The interior is all in a sea foam green. I also spent ages polishing up the original brass hardware. So gorgeous

Details are:

Available: an absolutely stunning vintage serpentine front sideboard. Painted in a gorgeous matte charcoal and the walnut top has been stripped and beautifully restored. The original brass hardware and key have been polished. 3 lockable cupboards all with removable shelf and painted sea foam green. The two outer drawers are divided and felt lined. Very gently distressed in the carved details. See comments for more photos. 

183w x 55d x 102h (inc backing board) cm 

$1200

Pickup Lilyfield or ask for a delivery quote

Let me know if you are interested in purchasing or viewing this piece.  Today I’m working a vintage cedar linen press. It’s so nice also. I am always happy working in lovely old pieces

Enjoy your day 

Fiona xx

A few French pieces this week

Good morning. I finally had a full uninterrupted day of painting yesterday. I had thought that would happen Wednesday with the kids heading back to school but at 9:15 the phone rang and the school nurse was telling me that Jonty had cut his head open and I needed to come take him to the doctors. A quick trip to the city then to Balmain hospital emergency for some glueing. How good that they no longer stitch kids heads up. Jonty was so relieved to hear that. Although the glue is ruining his hair style for school photos today :) ha ha the trials of being a boy.

Anyway yesterday I got a lot of painting finished. These beautiful drawers from France were painted in a warm pale grey and a charcoal top. They have already sold. They are just the most amazing stately shape. 

I just love them and if I needed more storage I would keep them. It was my buyer’s birthday yesterday and she bought them as a present to herself. 

I also finished this gorgeous little French style console. I love all the detail and the long fluted legs. It also has a leather top. It is still available. 

Available: gorgeous little vintage French style console table. Things I love about this piece:

* ornate swag & wreath

* elegant fluted legs

* embossed leather top

I’ve painted this in the palest grey and antiqued it to make the details pop. Swipe for more photos. If you zoom in on the third photo you will notice a tiny imperfection to the leather top in the centre of the table top. Very small divot.

77w x 32d x 76h cm

$385

Pickup Lilyfield or ask for a delivery quote

I also have this lovely carved timber mirror available. 

Available: a lovely vintage carved timber mirror. Can be hung portrait or landscape. Painted in a pale grey and limed for a lovely soft finish. Mirror glass in perfect condition.

110w x 54 cm

$245

Pickup Lilyfield

I am having a huge allergy attack today. I had a quick coffee with a girlfriend this morning and there was a huge case of lilies nearby and I’m just so allergic to them. I’ve had an antihistamine, a shower, changed clothes and I still feel like ripping my face off. My friend thinks it’s hilarious that the owner of Lilyfield Life is so allergic to lilies :)

Have a great day

Fiona xx

I’m back and sweet French style bedside tables

OMG that’s the biggest blogging break I’ve taken in 8 years. I hope you haven’t all unsubscribed and are still reading. I have been busy painting furniture and just normal life.  We have an exchange student from Hong Kong staying with us for a month. She arrived this morning and is just lovely. Probably overwhelmed as my kids haven’t stopped talking all day; so excited.

 I have loads of pieces to share with you if you are interested. I thought I may as well start with the pieces I currently have for sale. Last night I finished these sweet bedside tables that are perfect for your French inspired bedroom. I have also seen these as little side tables in a hallway.

Painted in a beautiful warm pale grey chalk paint (my special custom mix), smooth waxed finish and glazed to highlight the lovely detail of the brass ormolu. 

47w x 24d x 69h cm

$550 the pair - NOW SOLD

Pickup Lilyfield

I have loads of ideas for blog posts and tutorials so I hope you keep reading. I apologize for being slack but sometimes you just need a break and to simplify your life a little.

Fiona xxx

Sweet depression era cabinet in Porters Paint

The other night I got a text from a friend if I wanted a cabinet. Of course I said yes :). It was her grandparents and needed about of love and the glass needed lots of scrubbing. I painted it in Waterford one of Porters Paints beautiful greens.  My aunt recently painted her dining room in this colour and I just love it. So sophisticated. The interior has been painted in a bright white satin enamel. 

The back is made from an old tea chest and still has the original stamps. I have left them unpainted inside and out as couldn’t bring myself to paint over this piece of history. This piece is very versatile. It would be gorgeous in a bathroom, kitchen, lounge room or large hallway. 

How cool is the SYDNEY on the back. So special.

This is Waterford below. Such a gorgeous colour.

This sold immediately on my Facebook page with several people interested so I think people love it as much as I do.

Fiona xx

Console tables available

Thanks so much for the lovely emails and messages about yesterday’s blog post. You guys are the best. Thank you.  I feel as though I have loads and loads of friends online and I really appreciate the community here.

 

Today I didn’t get much painting done. I’m priming a few pieces but nothing finished today. I do have a few console tables available so I thought I’d share them here for those of you who don’t follow me on social media. 

This black beauty is a very old English mahogany table imported by a gorgeous elderly couple who are now downsizing. I’ve painted it jet black and given it a matte clear coat. The pie crust edge and ball and claw feet are stunning.

109w x 41d x 73h cm

$450

Available below : I always love painting these French style console tables. They really are a perfect way to add some elegance to your home. This one has been painted in a pale putty colour (beautiful hardwearing paint), white highlights and antiqued for a sublime aged patina. 

88w x 34d x 72h

$495

Pickup Lilyfield

I also have a few of the gorgeous bowls also available. These can be posted. $70 each.

Available: Sweet little vintage console with rattan shelf. Nice shape and painted a pale ASCP Paris grey mix with a Graphite top. Classic combination for an elegant French look. Nice slimline piece for a narrow spot. 

77w x 36d x 71h cm

$285

Pickup Lilyfield

And last but not least the white console table I blogged about a couple of weeks ago is still available. Just beautifully I don’t know why it’s still unsold. Someone needs to fall in love with it:)

Available: a lovely solid timber French style console table. Also would work beautifully behind a sofa. Painted in white chalk paint and with a silky smooth waxed finish. Three deep drawers with rustic iron handles, (if you prefer I have cup handles that fit perfectly). The drawers’ interior have been painted a gorgeous bright green for a pop of freshness. 

So many uses for this piece. 

145w x 50d  x 76h cm

$585

Pickup Lilyfield or please enquire about delivery

If anything catches your eye please let me know

Fiona XX