Archive for Facelift

Violet Crush: Before and After

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?

Posted in Facelift, Furniture Design | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Secretary Desk: Facelift (Surprise!)

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?

I would buy it;)

Posted in Facelift, Furniture Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

100th post in Glossy black

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…


more Metamorphosis pics Monday!

Posted in Events, Facelift | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Facelift: Pink Pianos chair

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.

It’s already June, 1 year, and time to celebrate!

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Friday…I’m in love: Vanity

I don’t care if Monday’s blue…

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.

Happy Friday, folks!

Posted in Facelift, Furniture Design | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ava’s Room Final Peak

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.

Posted in Art, Facelift | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Once upon a Chair…

Now becomes a stool!

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?

Posted in Facelift | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments
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