Well, I’ve been working on this Little Red dresser all week! While, I liked her charm and character, I wanted to create a more feminine piece. Plus, she was really banged up!
I opted for a dusty violet paint color that I mixed by hand. I also taped of all of the iron detailing and buffed it gold using Rub n’ Buff. I prefer the antique gold because it is less shiny!
The piece already had great curves. Wanna peak inside the drawer?
I found these knobs at Anthropologie and chose them for the shape, color and texture. There are tiny bumps on each one, which kind of reminds me of a sea urchin! This picture shows how plum-y she can look depending on the light.
I’m still workin’ on her. What do you think of the new shade, is it a keeper?
So, I bet you would’ve never guessed that I’ve been hiding out in my studio all week, since I’ve been back, working on this vintage, soon to be antique, Secretary’s Desk. When I got it, it was a sight for sore eyes! My neighbor thought that I would enjoy restoring it and fixing it up more than he would, so…I got to work!
I loved the shape of this piece especially. I thought of a dark wood Jacobean desk with shiny gold knobs, I had seen a while back.
Inside there is plenty of built-in storage, aplace to hold papers, letters, books, a envelopes. For a stationery lover or a writer, this would be a dream!
I almost put shiny gold knobs here, but when I came across these brass pulls, I changed my mind. I had to include this photo because of the blue light in the background. I buffed and shined the surface of the wood with Howards Feed in Wax. It is a natural way of sealing wood and does not emit any harsh fumes. The wax simply penetrates the grain of the wood and hardens. Then, the surface can be polished to a high shine! I prefer this method of finishing wood these days.
Overall, the color of the desk is dark, rich, and stately; but in direct sunlight the stain becomes warm allowing the wood grain to stand out.
Why don’t they make more beautiful carved wooden furniture these days?
Turns out my last post was lucky 100 and I missed it! I guess that I’d been anticipating it for so long the moment just escaped me. To commemorate this event I’d like to get back to the roots of this blog with a before and after reveal!
Behold the white coffee table, before any work was done.
Renewed with a slippery black sheen.
I buffed the tips of the legs gold and applied countless coats of black paint with a foam roller, all the while perfecting my smooth roll, I’m on a mission to accomplish. Then, I applied two wonderful coats of an oil based polyurethane gloss. That’s our living room, you see in the background.
I like how the table top really reflects the light and it’s modern feel too. You can see our new Vera pillow has found a home. Have you got any pics of updated furnishings you’d like to share? Send me a pic. I love to see your creativity.
Tonight, I’m off to Grand Performances to see Caravan Palace, a popular Parisian group…
If you stop by often then you know how I love found objects and a good facelift.
I dug this black and white fabric that I am storing in my garage for a client. I decided to use a pinch of it to recover this sturdy wooden frame. It was missing a seat, so I simply traced the shape onto plywood then cut a new one. Luckily, I had some extra foam and batting to pad it and make it plenty comfy. I chose the glossy black paint to add a modern feel to the retro plaid. For now, she’s sitting pretty in my shop.
Make sure to stop by Wednesday, when I’ll announce the 1-year blogaversary giveaway.
This week has been such a beautiful one. It started with the misty rain and ended with a sweet redo!
This table used to be yellow with rustic country charm. We had been using it much like a garden table filling it up with plants, watching as it quickly became dusty with soil. This little table is an antique, but was in no condition to be restored. I still liked the grace of it’s lines and the keyholes. A collector once told me it was probably a 1920′s wash table with a mirror attached. I always saw it’s original potential.
I think I like the pale pistachio paper and pink birds even more against the white.
I’ve been building a replacement for the garden, inspired by this tiny photo.
Now, I wouldn’t dare to set a dirty potted plant on this lovely white!
For custom pieces, please inquire hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com.
I am so happy to share with you a final peak at Ava’s room today. Her mom, Traci has excellent taste and had already purchased most of the fixtures and cute little paintings by TODD. I love the warmth of the cream sofa and how it sits between the two white end tables.
I am really enjoying how everything looks together. Plus, the sage accents really bring a new life to these traditional tables.
I explained more on this white washing technique here along with before pictures, if you are a curious type.
Lately, I’ve been a little MIA, working on 3 design projects can really be a lot! Not to mention, in 2 days I’m off to India and I am thrilled to soak it all in.
I promise to do lots of blogging from abroad and show you all the cool products and ideas that I find.
This once worn Queen Anne could be mistaken for a Pottery Barn reproduction piece, if it weren’t for the unpierced back splat. I’ve been working on this little number a couple of days now breathing new life into it as an entryway stool. The first day out here working in my studio, I sanded away the finish while listening to the rain magically patter down on the metal garage door. Remembering my luck finding the perfect silk fabric at F and S for Traci’s chair, I returned to find something appropriate for this piece. I really enjoyed picking the fabric and cutting a custom plywood seat with my new orbital scrolling jigsaw.
I must admit to having a weakness for cool patterns on anything from a footstool to an ottoman. This one works especially well as an entryway spot to stop and take shoes off, or a as a vanity seat because of it’s height.
I hope to make more pieces like this, occasional tables, stools, and nightstands tend to be my latest fascination!
Next time, I may pad the seat even higher. Instead of using 1″ foam and polyester batting, I may try the 2″ foam for something really fluffy.What do you think would look the best, thick or thin?…Ideas?
I loved this chunky wood table in baby Eva’s bedroom. The natural wood top was beautiful, but as a piece it just didn’t fit in with the room’s decor. Plus, it had a few blemishes to be taken care of.
In an effort to give it a second life, I’ve been washing it with sage accents and a glaze of white.
Stay tuned to see how it looks with it’s partner piece, a cream sofa and chocolate n’ white furnishings.
Traci’s chair had been handed down to her. It had a strong frame and was built beautifully. I was up to the challenge of restoring her heirloom piece. Here it is before on the left. We loved the original colors of the silk on the seat.
When, I came across this gorgeous Sunbrella silk at right, I knew that we had found our new fabric! We both agreed on it immediately. To add comfort, I added an extra sheet of polyester batting to the existing cushion, being mindful not to make it too fluffy! Here you can see the beauty of the wood from the side.
That is one chic restoration piece, does anyone know what period it is from exactly? My guess is a Thomas Sheraton piece.
Looks like it is going to be another full day. Pop in later in the week for a DIY project and inspiration!
Okay, so I’m a little embarrassed that our bathroom used to look like this. I couldn’t delve into painting because we were still considering a move and in my defense, the cream and cranberry tile were a tough color combination to accent.
The first week in our apartment, I painted the bathroom. Then, I painted it white all over again, here’s what it looked like (please excuse the mess!)
Here’s a peak at the pine wood frame. I prefer to lighten and darken stain with artist’s oil to develop a custom shade. This one is Varathane’s Summer Oak stain, mixed with Raw Umber. I chose knot filled 1″ x 2″ from Anawalt Lumber in lieu of rustic pieces which were hard to find in L.A. I came across this plan at Knock of Wood and knew the solution to my frameless mirror had manifested!
All year, I have been picturing this simple upgrade. Paint is budget friendly and makes such a huge difference in small rooms. The blue shade made the tile look creamier and less yellow…Did I mention I’m so happy?!
For now, this is the final peak! I’d still like to accessorize the outlets with covers, pewter maybe? Plus, find some decorative knobs for our built in storage.
For those of you playing my little faux granite guessing game, you are fool proof, it is the one on the right!
Pink Pianos is a place to connect the dots between Art, Design, and worldly inspiration. Pink Pianos showcases new ideas and vintage resurfaced furniture products.
