Here’s a taste of what’s going on in my studio!!
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.
I can’t wait to show you Eva’s updated room!
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!
When my neighbor Marca, showed me these 2 incredible hand carved fish tables, I knew I was interested in the project. They were selected by her from a prominent antiques dealer and friend years ago. Although the beauty of their carvings each had withstood the test of time, the table tops and bases needed to be restored. We decided to refinish and recreate them with a decorative flair based on a watercolor painting within the room. You can see the artwork way in background, just to the right of the window.
I know, I’ll grab an extra picture of the painting tomorrow!
Here you can see them as they are further embellished in my studio. I used combination of color washing and gilding to renew the surface. As you will see the oxide red and burnt orange really complement Marca’s own decor. As for the bases we chose a deep blue.
The pair can be used a serving table side by side or alone, when she entertains!
We really wanted something unique, so we chose to abstract the mossy green lilly pads on the table tops. Whenever, painting on the top of a table, I think about how best to protect the finished artwork. I accomplished these through sanding, painting, and marbleizing techniques. They were then sealed with an oil based polyurethane glaze. Luckily, Marca had glass tops cut for added protection.
I love the how the green orange and blue tie into the room. Next up is the blue and white mantle that I will be marbleizing!
We are looking for a swatch that will bring in a little gray and white.
Which one do you like best and why?
This is the story of a chair.
It belonged to my neighbor, who had purchased a whole set, but upon her big move she left this lil’ beauty behind.
I’m sure some of you are thinking “I own this chair!” , and it is a popular type of Windsor loop-back reproduction commonly sold at Target amongst other places;) So, I decided to try my hand at stenciling and making this piece a little more one of a kind.
Another inspiration to revisit stenciling came from a Storque article on surface designer Lena Corwin.
Here is what Violet looked like after I stripped and sanded all the white paint off of her seat.
Not too shabby! I like the look of her with the oiled and sanded natural wood. Ahem…you may also notice the amethyst curtains that I hand dyed this week!
Next, I cut flower shaped stickers from contact paper. I did this by tracing the design onto the contact paper, then applying them to the seat of the chair.
This method of stenciling can be used to create a wall mural too.
To do this yourself, you simply need:
I decided to let the natural wood show through the surface, so I didn’t need to do a base coat of paint.
I am pleased as punch with the final results.
Ain’t she a beauty?
If you have similar stencil projects you’d like to share, send over the pics to hilary.hahn@pinkpianos.com.
Next Monday, I will be sharing the work of a talented artist along with an interview here!
Until then, XX!
Is it shallow to love a sofa? Wait, don’t answer that.
Everyone keeps telling me that there are other fish in the sea…
The Hutton just calls to me. The perfect shade of light turquoise, soft tufted velvet seat cushions, soy based filling, double wrapped cushions, ebony stained legs, Made in Virginia by (gasp) furniture makers…help me I’m sinking in!
Another sunny day! Makes me want to bask in the glow of this farmyard. Picnic anyone?!
I’ve been serving up the Shaker style lately and adoring the simplicity of the lines and the natural beauty of the wood.
These next pieces remind that well made furnishings are sometimes best when left with the bare bones carefully polished.
Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy
A room in the city. A table on castors for the urban shaker.
Image Courtesy of CocoandMe
A shaker bench infused with the classic windsor rod back stands alone or pairs nicely with a few throw pillows to soften it up.
What I like most about the Shaker’s is their craftmanship. Their philosophy about quality which defies the IKEA mentality where everything is disposable and falls apart quickly (don’t get me wrong, I do still shop at IKEA). Shaker furniture is and was made to stand up to the test of time. This bench found at ShakerStyle featuring tenon to socket joinery.
Later this week, I will share a sofa obsession of mine that I spotted this past weekend at the Room and Board showroom. It fits in perfectly with the quality over quantity philosophy that I am fixated on!
As promised here’s a peak at what I’ve been sewing at home. Et Voila!
This pillowcase is for the Designer Tag Sale in Orange County that I’ll be participating in this weekend. Details below.
Another big reveal…drumroll…is this little side table.
I named her Marlene. I hadn’t planned on naming her, but this one just struck me.
She looked very different before. I also found this shade of beige light and totally appealing.
Today while shopping around for other vintage side tables to redo, I found these alabaster candle holders on 1st Dibs.
Green and beige can look pretty sophisticated side by side. More on that soon.
Since, I have been rounding up desks for current design projects…I thought what better place than to share them here?
A few ideas for writing desks from classic to modern. What I find great about these pieces is their differences.
Top left is a French antique writing desk that I found on Ebay. A local Carpenter at the Little House of Nude furniture said he could make one to match. Below, the white Anne secretary desk from Ballard Designs, is ultra affordable and could be painted or fancied up with a new pair of knobs.
The middle column has by far the most bohemian feel. The top Flatiron desk from Restoration Hardware is a touch Spanish, one part modern and so minimal. Center stage, the new Hollywood desk from Room Service, is the epitome of retro modern cool. What I like most is the legs. To the bottom pic, a Lucite console table from Cb2 along with nesting tables could definitely double as a desk for a Guest Room anytime.
The last column is for all of you mid-century modern lovers. From the top Cb2’s Swoop Desk, Russell Pinch’s Walnut desk with a leather top, and lastly another fave by Room Service, the Palm Beach desk.
I must say the Russell Pinch desk really got my attention. After a visit to their website, I’ve been dreaming about their super fluffy comfy looking sofas pictured over there. Go have a look!
Tell me which one do you like best and why?
This weekend I’d like to charm you with an oil painting by Janet Hill of a Farmhouse interior. Along the search for Farmhouse lights, I found these little beauties over on her blog.
I became really excited when I noticed that she has an artist’s shop and lives in Stratford, Ontario, a place I used to visit as a teenager to watch their summer theatre festival. It is such a quaint and artsy town, it is no surprise such cozy interiors are found nestled along the Avon river. Summers there are so romantic.
If you love vintage fabulosity, then definitely check out Barb’s work over at Knack Studios.
Her new lights shown here are made of armature are right up my alley. Barb’s studio is located inside an artist’s colony in Greenville, South Carolina and I love the flair and southern grace in her work.
I am always interested in seeing what she will come up with next.
Have a sweet weekend everyone!
Lately, I find myself looking at the feet of chairs. I am taking a class in the history of Furniture Design, which should explain it. By the end of the semester, I will even choose to design my own furnishing and build it. Theoretically, this should be simple. I spend lots of time re-surfacing pieces of furniture in my studio.
Presently, I am drawn to learn about the history of these pieces. What makes a Queen Anne a Queen Anne?
I am told it is the fanciful quality of the chairs and architecture. The romantic lines. The soft curve on the shoulders of the chair. Not to mention the slub feet, a.k.a. the flat bun foot. Here, Pottery Barn did some colorful reproductions.
I enjoy the sophisticated colors! I could picture these in a traditionally styled home.
A later cabinet maker and furniture designer of the Georgian period (King George’s era) was Thomas Chippendale. His sketches for ornate pierced back chairs are pictured here.
Personally, I am more a fan of his Chinese influenced designs. I found this pair of Chinese Chippendale side chairs on 1st Dibs and I wish there were enough to seat around my dining room table. Yum-my!
The bright orange really pops and I love the simple coolness of the bamboo-style legs. Although, during this period the legs were most likely made of satin-wood or mahogany.
When searching for him, don’t forget to include the word “chairs” or you may be surprised what you will find!
You may have seen the ever popular West Elm version of these classic beauties.
I hope you kicked back and relaxed for this brief history lesson. I will be doing a Facelift on a chair later this week.
May you be inspired to notice all the little details in the furniture you live with.
