From Plain Jane to Pretty in Teal (SOLD)

Teal is everywhere these days. From fashion to furniture, it’s the must have color this season.  So I decided to take the plunge and try CeCe Caldwell’s Thomasville Teal and see what the rage is all about. My test subject for this project is this “roadside rescue” my husband found. It’s a plain Jane dresser with good bones. For me, “good bones” means its solid construction, it’s functional and has lots of potential!

Say hello to “Plain Jane”

CeCe Caldwell has a great blue/green paint called Thomasville Teal.

Thomas meet Jane!

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After a few coats of Thomasville Teal, “Jane” is still looking plain. It’s like she has on a pretty dress but no accessories to complement her dress.

 

So, I added some accessories. The numbers add character (like a scarf ) but the black is to subdued. She needs some bling!

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You can always count on gold for some bling. And, it really pops against the teal.

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After a little bit of distressing and some gold knobs (earrings), Jane goes from plain to Pretty In Teal!

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I could see this in a nursery with sweet little baby clothes, or for a toddler just learning to count, or as a lingerie chest in the master bedroom. The possibilities are endless!

Dresser Before                                            Dresser After

Have a great day!

Gray Wash Pine Dresser

Sometimes you get a piece of furniture and you can see the natural beauty of the piece just below the surface.  That was the case with this pine dresser that my friend Meghan’s father handmade.

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The top stain had worn off so the top looked really dull.
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By sanding and staining the top, you can now see the beauty of the wood. It is gorgeous!

IMG_2597For the body of the dresser, I layered on several colors to create a worn weathered look.  The first color I used was CeCe Caldwell’s Omaha Orche,

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Followed by a Pittsburgh Gray color wash. To create the wash, I mixed 1/2 cup of water to 2 tablespoons of paint. I love that you can still see some of the graining and it looks like the paint has worn off over time!  

IMG_2605I am really happy with the final look. My goal was to maintain the history and integrity of the piece while making it fresh and current for a 21st century home. It’s now available at Maggie Jane’s, located at 913 King Street in Old Town, Alexandria, VA (703.706.0411). This versatile piece would fit in any room in the house. Nice small scale for a foyer; an awesome wine bar; side table or bedside dresser.

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Here is a collage of before, during and after. Enjoy!

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Antique Wardrobe (An American Beauty)

A long, long time ago in a far away land, a closet looked like this……..

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I found this beautiful piece of furniture on the curb, destined for a landfill:(

It’s a quality piece with original details and plenty of storage.

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This old girl has seen a lot in her lifetime and it was time to give her a 21 Century makeover.

Several coats of CeCe Caldwell Vintage White paint brightened the dull/worn finish. Behind the mirror is a secret compartment!

IMG_2075Original hardware plus vintage style glass knobs added some bling! Attached to the pink bow is a skeleton key to hid your treasures!

IMG_2075 And, behind the vintage Cottage Rose pattern fabric is the closet area.

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Say hello to “An American Beauty”

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This piece is available at Maggie Jane’s located at 913 King Street, in Old Town, Alexandria, VA.

The transformation is amazing, literary from trash to treasure! Go find your decorating style, and change your world!

BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER

“Tiffany” Blue Dresser (SOLD)

I have had this dresser for many years.  I love the….

dresserfront Bowed front

dresserfeet    Beautiful Claw Feet

 

1006141015 and Large Drawers!

So, what’s not to love? Well, maybe the color. Right.

I decided the dresser needed a color that would highlight the beautiful features and add a feminine vibe. So, I mixed various CeCe Caldwell’s paint colors and created a color I call “Tiffany Blue”.

I layered on the “Tiffany Blue”, added touches of Martha Stewart Metallic gold for highlights.  And, here she is….meet “Tiffany”.

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And since there is always a surprise inside a tiffany box……

insidetbdresser I lined the drawers with this gorgeous wrapping paper (from Innisbrook giftwrap). I love it!

 

Antique Writing Desk (SOLD)

When I saw this antique writing desk at a friends house, it was headed to the dumpster. I could tell…..

 

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The piece had “good bones”.

 

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And hidden under layers of dust was….

 

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Great craftsmanship and functionality.

 

 

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The first step was to paint the outside in CeCe Caldwell’s Vermont Slate. True to its name, the color is dark gray with hints of black and blue. After a slight distressing, the original golden wood tones peaked through.

 

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I painted the inside and the sweet cubbies CeCe Caldwell’s Chesapeake Blue. For contrast, the removable writing board was painted Vermont Slate. The french chair with orange upholstery and the orange tray add pops of color.

This piece is available at maggie jane’s brownstone (a vintage French urban chic boutique) located at 913 King Street in Old Town Alexandria, VA. 703.706.0411

Pentagon Table with Marble Top

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This table has a great marble top and a beautiful tulip shaped base but the dark stain (left picture) made it hard to see these features. To highlight the beautiful detaiIs, I used CeCe Caldwell’s Pittsburgh Gray, then distressed along the shape and lines.

This unique piece would be lovely in a foyer, living room or bedroom and is available at maggie jane’s brownstone in Old Town Alexandria, VA.