4.12.2011

Dresser and Mirror turned...

sideboard with chalkboard.

Okay, so this is your chance to run...run as fast as you can and STOP reading this post right now, IF you think it is positively disgraceful to paint a piece of antique furniture. Don't worry, I won't be offended...I was even having second thoughts myself for a few minutes seconds before I actually did it. In my own defense, I have absolutely no emotional ties to this piece of furniture...I bought it at a garage sale, therefore it is fair game in my book.

First I will refresh your memory as to what piece it is that I am talking about:


I found it while garage saling with my two daughters.  I had a vision...one that I am not sure they could see, but they played along as if they could.  I have this one little wall in my kitchen dining area that has been a thorn in my side, forever.  It only measures 44 inches wide, so obviously whatever I put there could not be very big...then I found this little jewel.  Ahhhhhh, 36 inches....perf!

I could totally see a chalkboard in place of that mirror...I just had to figure out how to do that.  That part actually turned out to be quite simple...more about that in a minute. 

Here is the finished piece: ("click" on pics for better view!)



As you can see, I opted to sand the top and just stain it...love how that turned out.  The rest I just used Valspar Black Satin spray paint...whoa, did I just hear a "gasp"?!  Why spray paint, you ask?  Well, I'll tell you...I used regular paint, rolled on, for my hutch and to be honest, it was somewhat of a nightmare.  It took forever for that "tacky" feeling to go away, and I just wasn't going there for this project.  Believe it or not, it only took three cans of paint, I didn't think that was bad at all!

After I painted it black, I used an old cloth and some Odorless Mineral Spirits, to rub off the black so that the brown would show through.  I am sure you won't find this technique in any "how-to" book...probably not the way it should have been done, but it worked for me!  I gave the whole piece a few good coats of satin Polyurethane.

About the hardware...I actually liked the ones that were on it, and with a little lovin' they would have been perfect, except for one little problem.  Did you notice on the first picture?  Probably not...I bought the thing and I did not notice till I went to take the handles off.  Here, take a better look:



Yep, that one little handle is different.  I know that for character's sake, I could have just left them, but it was something that was going to bug me so I went and bought new.  I purchased these made by Martha Stewart (well, I doubt SHE actually made them, but whatever) at Home Depot.  Those handles are just screaming for some type of vinyl wording...I just haven't figured that out what that would be yet...any ideas?

Last, but certainly not least is the chalkboard.  My idea was to just turn the mirror part around and work on the back so as to not ruin the mirror itself.  That didn't end up working out.  Enter Plan B...you know that I have just recently discovered MDF, right?  I mean, I knew it was around, I had just never worked with it before...this stuff ROCKS!  Anyhoo, I went to Home Depot, probably about my tenth trip for this project alone and had the guy cut me a piece of 1/4 inch (?) MDF the exact size of where the mirror sits.  My plan was to just put Velcro adhesive on the back of the MDF and the front of the mirror, so that I could easily remove it if and when, I ever wanted to.  It ended up not being necessary because the fit was tight enough that it stayed on it's own.

At first I tried the spray Chalkboard Paint, but I just could not get an even coverage....arrghhh!  You guessed it, back to HD (these people have to love me) to purchase it in paint on form.   Ahhhhh, much better!  Now, I wish I could take credit for coming up with the chalk holder idea...but I cannot do it with a clear conscious.  One of my absolute favorite blogs to follow is called My Repurposed Life and can I just say, Gail is AMAZING!  Give that girl a piece of scrap wood and she will build you a house!  Anyhoo, she made the cutest little standing message boards and used a Scrabble Tile Holder for the chalk...genius, right?


I picked my Scrabble game up for $2 at a garage sale, and still have three more holders for future projects, lol!

I purchased the knife, fork and spoon from where else, but Hobby Lobby...my all time favorite "go to" place for chatchky's.  Because I have 10 foot ceilings and this little piece only measures about 62 inches tall, I needed something to fill more space.  I thought these worked perfect!

So one more peek...see how well it matches my table (and believe it or not, I already had the stain):







Another ABC (Anything But Cookies) Project complete. Whatcha' think?!

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15 comments:

Kaci * Little Piles Everywhere said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

This is awesome. I have a small space just like that. I have a chair there now that is a thorn in my side...this is the perfect idea. Thanks for the inspiration!

Becky said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates
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Becky said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love it.. Looks much better than when you bought it..

MG said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Well, I am an "antique" person so the idea of you doing anything other than cleaning the original piece sort of made blood run cold.....

BUT, because I know and adore you, I kept reading. LOL

I have to say that the scrabble tile chalk holder IS an absolute stroke of genius!!

And the rest of the piece....

looks adorable! I love it. It's perfect in that spot.
But still.......
I don't think that I could ever, EVER do it. ;)

But since you did. I can enjoy yours. Now I'm off to click on each picture and do some more enjoying :D

MG said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Love the vignette in the cake dome :D

I need to shove something in mine! LOL

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Perfect! I am okay with paint, especially because it looks fab and the furniture is being enjoyed. What a fun idea with the chalkboard. Very impressive!

LeeAnna said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

What an adorable piece! You did a great job with very creative techniques. I love it!

Decor & Harmony said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love it! Very creative looking forward to seeing more :)

Wendys Hat said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Great job! I love it!

Tania Pelletier said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love this makeover! The mirror to chalkboard is such a great idea!

Tania

Mimi said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

What a great idea! This turned out so well. The spray paint looks like it worked great! I'll be keeping my eye out for something like this.

Sue@creativetryals.blogspot.com said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

That is so neat! I love the makeover and what a perfect spot for it!

gail@My Repurposed Life said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

Oh my gosh Terri! I love everything about this piece (even if you DID paint antique furniture)
love that you left the top stained.
The whole corner is just perfect!
Me? build a house? I think you exaggerated a little bit my dear! BUT, thanks for the shout out nonetheless!
"catching" this project for SURE!
gail

myomyohi said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I too have a lot of antique furniture and I'm glad you had the courage to paint it. You inspire me. It looks awesome, fits the spot perfectly, and matches your table. A+ job.

Karajeanne said... Best Blogger Tips[Reply to comment]Best Blogger Templates

I love that you just went for it with spray paint and just let the happy accidents occur! That's how my best things come to be. It's gorgeous BTW. Love it!

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