How We Refinished The Buffet

First, let me say how much it means to receive so many nice comments on my finished buffet.  That is almost as rewarding as the finished piece!

As promised, here are the steps we took in refinishing the buffet.  If you missed the first post, click here to read.  

We didn't take pictures while we worked.  But that is OK as this is not really intended to be a step by step tutorial.  There are other bloggers with some really good ones.  I highly recommend Shaunna at Perfectly Imperfect and Mariann at Miss Mustard Seed.    

I painted two coats with Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Louis Blue.  I found the paint did become thicker the longer the can was open.  This led to more visible brush strokes after the second coat.  One of the nice things about this paint is that you can easily add water to achieve a lighter color or thinner consistency.  This also leads to an easy clean-up!

This whole process was completely an experiment as we (my husband and I worked on it together one Saturday) had never worked with chalk paint before.  We used a very fine sanding block to remove brush marks.  This paint sands so easily!  We then distressed it in various areas.  Again, a breeze. 

Because we had it on hand, we used Ralph Lauren Tinting Glaze in Cottage Hill to added some age to the buffet.  We diluted this, two parts glaze and one part water.  My husband wiped it on and I came behind him and wiped it off.   I found that this glaze had some green undertones.   

We then used Minwax, Paste Finishing Wax in Natural.  Again, this was the wax we had on hand.  

We put it on much like you would on a car in a circular motion.  Waited about 15 minutes, then used a soft cloth to buff to a nice shine. 

It was really after the wax was buffed that this piece really began to sing!  The wax brings out the beauty of the chalk paint and the distressing.  Up to that point, I wasn't sure.  The longer we buffed, the more I smiled!  The wax brought out the old-world patina I was looking for.   We chose to use the existing hardware.

And for those who have difficulty with me painting an old piece of furniture, I have to say that I feel I gave this buffet it's second life.  I never would have bought it in the first place without planning on painting it.  Before, it looked too Victorian and granny.  Now, it feels fresh and modern with a European antique style.  I believe we will enjoy this buffet for years to come. 

A reminder of how it looked before.

And some more "afters" of my treasure!

Thanks for visitng!  Libby~

Linking to the following parties!


Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing Newbie Party


Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphis Monday
  






   

My Louis Blue Chalk Paint Buffet

You may remember that a couple of months back I purchased two pieces of furniture that I was so excited about.  I found them on eBay classifieds.  These listings are usually just for local sales.  More like Craig's List.  Here is the post when I shared about my finds.

The buffet was going to be used in the foyer.  I knew I wanted to try out the chalk paint that everyone has been using but I couldn't decide which color.  After some deliberation I decided to use Louis Blue.  I remember the day the paint arrived I was so excited I couldn't open the package fast enough.  Unfortunately, this is what greeted me. 

Yup, the paint can had popped opened during shipping.  Good for me, kind Virginia, at Southern Institute of Faux Finishing in Mississippi, the placed I had ordered from, immediately made it right.  Two days later I received another can and this one was in tip top shape.

Here is the buffet before in all of it's 1920's glory.

And the reveal!!

Last Saturday, my husband and I finished up this project and I couldn't be happier with the results.  Like many others, (namely Miss Mustard Seed) I chose to leave the top as is.  I just polished it with some Old English.

  

We removed the decorative piece that was centered on top as we felt it competed some with the mirror.

 

With having the piece finished I decided to change some things around for a fresh summer look.  I brought my two white lamps from another room.  On one side I added a silver tray with a small frame, wooden box and sea shells.  

On the other side I added a pretty etched glass bottle from Portugal and continued using my silver wine cooler as a planter.  

From another view

    

And a final view with the lamps on.

I'll be back with more details on how we achieved the finished effect.  It seems everyone uses a little different process. Again, I couldn't be happier.  I just smile every time I pass it now! 

Thanks for stopping by!!  I love to read your comments!  Libby! 

**pointed out by Annie Sloan herself - it is Louis Blue not Louie Blue - Thanks Annie! correction is made**   


Linking to the following parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Tabletop Tuesday at a Stroll Through Life

Home Decor and Organizing Link Party at Organize and Decorate Everything

Piece of Work Wednesday Furniture Link Party at Primitive & Proper

Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed

UPDATE:  To see how we refinished the buffet, click here.

A Hallway Feature

This is the end of a long hallway in our home.  Different things have hung here over the years.  Pictures, a mirror, nothing, etc.  Never quite happy with how it was looking.  I wanted to add some interest, but no color or pattern.  

I prefer to keep hallways mostly neutral.  This hallway has 5 doorways and that is busy enough.   Plus, I sorta like the eye to rest before it enters new rooms.  Recently, I was shopping at a thrift store and came across these beautiful white plates.  They were priced at $1.58 each and were 50% off that day.  There were 4 available.  My total was a whopping $3.16!  

Even though I had no idea where I would use them, I liked them, so I bought them.  I like the scalloped edge and wheat pattern along the top of the plate.

And there is a faint darkening around the rim.

They are marked on the back, the cellar, Made in Portugal, expressly for Macy's.  I am sure if I had bought them directly from Macy's they would have cost a little more than .79 cents a piece!

After looking at the plates for a while and my hallway wall, I decided to hang 3 of the plates there.  Better to keep an odd amount.   

But I didn't want to use the metal springy plate holders.  Although I have used them many times before.  I had heard of this new product and wanted to give it a try.  They are called DISC, Adhesive Plate Hangers and they are made in England.  I figure if anyone knows how to hang plates on a wall, it would be our friends in England!

It took me a while to find them.  Finally located some at A Classy Flea in Marietta for $3.75 a piece.  Have you used these before?  The DISC come in 5 different sizes and can also be used for adhesion to wood, hardboard and blockboard.  These are to be used for hanging, porcelain, china, eartherware, glass plates and plaques.   

I followed the directions on the back exactly.  You add a little water into the glue on the DISC, wait 5-10 minutes then apply DISC to the plate.  Press firmly and rub well to expel any air.  Leave overnight to dry.

Because my plate had a definite top to it, I marked the backside of the plate at the very center with a black Sharpie.  That way I could line up the hanger on the DISC in the right spot.

      
I used a Pampered Chef scraper to expel any air bubbles.

Next day they were ready to hang.  Really easy peasy.

I like how flush the plates hang against the wall with the DISC and you don't see the hanger at all.  

This is the end result. 

And a longer view.

Total spent:  $15.00

I am totally loving all things white right now and happy that I could find a way to add some more white to my home.

Now to show you what I received for Mother's Day!

My husband and children blessed me with two new ferns, two Knock-out Roses, (these are my first) and dinner at Bahama Breeze.  It was a wonderful day!! 

These are Boston Ferns and will need to be repotted very soon.   

I am trying the Knock-out Roses in different spots around the yard till I decide where the perfect place is. 

How was your Mother's Day?  

Have you tried the DISC hangers before?  Please don't tell me your plates fell off the DISC and crashed to the floor!  

Have you grown Knock-out Roses?  Any tips to give me?  My Mom grows them and loves them.   


I love to read your comments.  Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~


Linking up to the following parties:


Newbie Party at Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing


Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality


Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm

White Wednesday at Faded Charm









 

   

New Frame For A Favorite Horse Print

Don't know why, but I have always liked art of English hunt scenes.  Am I from England? No.  Do I ride horses? No. Am I a fan of English and European decor?  Yes.  Do I like all things related to horses?  Yes and yes.

This is a hunt scene print we have had for some time.  It hangs over our fireplace.  The artist is George Wright, it is called Crossing The Ford and it was printed in Italy.

I really like the colors in this print.  The muted and various shades of green, blue and golden yellow.  Black and brown with a pop of red.   Very pleasing to me.  

Although I liked the print, I did not care for the frame it was in.  Blah. Boring.  And please, not a gold-colored band thing-y around it.  See the close-up?

This is how the mantel looked awhile back.  I always felt the picture called for a frame with more oomph.  Ya know?

I guess you know where this is leading.  Right, we found a more suitable frame!  We purchased it at a consignment store at 50% off.  We paid less than $15.00 for it.  It had this print in it with a green mat in a wooden black frame.  I actually like this print so I am holding on to it.  

Here is a close-up of the frame. 

We used the green mat and my husband removed some of the black from the wooden frame to reveal more of the wood-grain.  

And here is the after.  You get the idea although this is not a great picture.  For some reason the green mat is looking dark blue on my computer.  It is not blue, more of a hunter green.   

Probably should have turned off the spot-light we have on.  Anyway....

I did a little updating of the mantel.  I kept the tall candle sticks.  I like these for the height they bring to the mantel.  They previously were a putty color and I sprayed painted them brown.  I brought in some old Readers Digest books.  Kept the succulents I bought at Michael's Craft Stores that I had taken a sponge brush and white paint to.  I brought my small brown and white transfer ware ironstone pitcher from another place in the home.  I added a white oval platter on the other side.  

Overall I am much happier with the new frame.  I think it is a big improvement but I have a feeling we aren't fully done with this project. 

On a completely different note and totally unrelated....I had the pleasure of attending a local Atlanta bloggers luncheon last Saturday.  It was put together by Rhoda of Southern Hospitality who has recently relocated to the area.  Here we are all together.  Some bloggers and some readers.  It was a lot of fun and I think the beginning of something special!

I am linking up to Kim at Savvy Southern Style, who was at the luncheon too, for Wow Us Wednesdays and Linda at Coastal Charm for Thrifty Nifty Tuesdays! 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~

A New Buffet and Some Easter Pretty

Hi Friends!  Remember when I showed you my foyer and springtime vignette?  You can see it here.  I mentioned then that I had been on the hunt for months for a buffet for the foyer.  Well, how quickly things can change.   Ta da!!

Isn't it beautiful?  I had been faithfully scouring local ads, thrift stores, estate sales, etc.  I found this listed on eBay classifieds.  Did you knot that eBay has a classifieds website?  This piece has a companion piece too, a china cabinet.  They are from the 1920's and both have been well taken care of and are in really good condition.  

I paid $225.00 for both pieces!  That is right, $112.50 each!  For now the china cabinet is on our screened-in back porch.  I had intended to use it in another place in our home but it simply didn't look right.

Now back to the buffet....I updated the table scape with an Easter theme.

I am using the same runner I had on the other chest.  Moved the plant that was in the silver wine cooler and replaced it with these cuttings from a ginormous tree in our back yard.  

Don't know the name of the tree but it has sweet white blooms on it.  My husband cut a lot for me and believe me, it didn't make a dent in the appearance of the tree.

I downloaded this awesome He Has Risen printable from Dear Lillie website.  You can get your own for FREE!!  Jennifer has them in several different colors.  Love her and her blog!  She is so talented. 

I placed a couple of cutie rabbits in front of the picture with Easter grass and eggs.  The crystal lamp is old but new to me, given to me by my Mom.  The two buffet lamps are in another spot for now.  

So what do you think about my new buffet?  I think it fits the foyer so much better than the chest I was previously using.  My plan is to paint the buffet.  I thought long and hard about it.  It is not yet an antique.  It is pretty like it is but I want to update it.  I am planning to use that fabulous chalk paint that everyone is blogging about.  Here it is again.

What color do you think would look good?  White?  Blue?  Green?  Gray?  I would like to use Duck Egg blue.  What are your thoughts?

Thanks for stopping by!  Libby~


Linking up to the following parties!

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style


Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life


Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm


Twice Owned Party at House of Grace

Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality