Before and After : Double Pedestal Dining Table

I was so excited by how the Java Gel stain looked that I decided to use it again for this dining table! It came with two 18" leaves, and was absolutely enormous all together! (Well, compared to my work space, for sure!!) I stain with the leaves in if at all possible to make sure that the color is consistent. Then I took an Xacto blade along the edges to separate them before putting on the final coats of sealant. The body was painted in Annie Sloan Duck Egg and Graphite washes, distressed, waxed, and antiqued with dark wax. This may be my favorite neutral, yet beautiful, cool color combination!

The table top has General Finishes Java Gel stain followed by a layer of Antique Walnut to add some vintage-inspired variation. I love how the color looks beautiful, but so different, when the same table is set on two different floors (Pergo and concrete). Which look do you love more?

Before and After : Vintage Highboy Chest with Ombre Drawers

I have wanted to try some new-to-me details lately, so I took a foray into Ombre! This vintage French Provincial chest of drawers was beautiful, but had some broken trim at the bottom that we removed, puttied, and sanded smooth. Then I painted the body of the dresser in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paloma, and poured some out into a sealable container. I added about two tablespoons of Old White to the Paloma, blended well, and painted two coats on the bottom drawer. I continued this until I had painted two coats on the top drawer to create a subtle gradation, and used the lightest color to highlight the floral detail as well.

I loved the end result!! I also did a small touch of sanding for just a hint at a shabby chic finish. I wanted to preserve the beautiful vintage feel of this chest of drawers. I adore the serpentine front as well! Note: I have seen Paloma described as a neutral taupe / gray color, but I found it to have a cool, almost purple undertone as well. It was beautiful, though, and I'll also be excited to see what it looks like with dark wax the next time I use it! This was a Project Pair with a Bombe style chest of drawers that is using Paloma as the under-layer beneath bold, modern metallics :).

Before and After : Antique Federal Revival Style Buffet / Sideboard

I absolutely adore when I get to play with new ideas and colors! I have been dying to try the gel stains from General Finishes, and my mother in law happened to be at a woodworking club at Woodcraft and offered to pick some up for me! We had found this beautiful Federal Revival Style buffet / sideboard at a fantastic price, and knew that it would be a phenomenally beautiful piece once.. well.. revived a little (pun slightly intended). I used General Finishes Java Gel on the top and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite on the body for a sleek, chic, beautiful look!

Graphite has cool blue undertones to the charcoal gray, so I elected to use dark wax as well to add a warmth and natural variation to the piece. I put the slightest bit of sanding on to highlight the curved front and fluted leg details. And, well, I think it's GORGEOUS! (Also, I'm thinking I might just pull down the "For Sale" sign and redesign my dining area to include it!!) What do you think?

Before and After : Vintage Coffee Table and Chair for Donation Project

I realized that I have been so busy, I haven't put together any Before and Afters for a while! So I'm thrilled to share some of my favorite recent projects with you. First is a donation-based project in collaboration with Red Chair Workroom in Austin. They redesigned a space for a deserving family and gave them a bright spot of color to see throughout their day! The vintage coffee table and chair were painted with Annie Sloan Pure White chalk paint and sealed with Pure Earth Paint's Diamond Coat in Gloss to give it the shine the designers were looking for. The Before and After is below - can you believe these are the same pieces? The upholsterer did a great job on the chair as well.

I feel blessed to have been able to contribute in even a small way to doing good for a family that could use a little sunshine! Thank you for including me in your Revolution Redesign project! I am honored and look forward to working with you again in the future.

Before and After : Antique French Chest of Drawers / Side Table refinish in Emile and Old White - with Tutorial!

This beautiful antique French chest of drawers was a custom project for a client that has incorporated a few other For Love of the Paint refinishes into her decor, and it's always such an honor to be able to create something together as a collaboration! The piece was previously painted white, but we were not sure of the age/product used, and since it was chipping and peeling we decided to lead test then sand down the chest entirely to ensure adhesion and a smooth look. We selected Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White, Emile for the top, and a 1:1 blend of Emile and Old White for the inset details and drawer trim.

Here's the full Before and After!

Click below for the full tutorial!

Artist Highlight up on RedDoorLane.com!

 As many of you know, I have been pleased to be able to work with the artisans at Red Door Lane this year, and enjoy collaborating and learning together on this journey! They have just begun an Artist Highlight series - read the guest blog post here that shares some of my life, designs, and inspiration!

"For those of you with whom I have been blessed to work previously, and also for those of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure to meet, I’d like to extend my gratitude for your interest in both this shop and in our inspirations as artisans! For me, there is nothing quite like the way I feel when I am working with my hands… I love to be with my family, to create, and to restore! I am also a wife and mother of two beautiful children, a lover of art and laughter, and a yoga teacher."

Click here to read the rest of my story over at the RDL blog!