maggie janes brownstone – Re-Design In A Day (The Store)

Yes, You Can Paint Fabric (The Painted Chair)

My friend Sarah and I found this chair in someone trash last year. Can you believe someone was throwing this out! And yes, I checked for critters and I left it on our porch for several months to be extra sure there were no uninvited guest.

I love the juxtaposition of the formal Queen Anne style with the casual corduroy fabric.

Rolled arms, nail head trim and cabriole legs–need I say more?

Since I have “no” sewing skills my original plan was to get new fabric and have the chair re-upholstered. Well, the cost for re-upholstery was not in the budget, so I decided the paint the wood and the fabric. Yup, paint the fabric!

Basically, I sprayed the chair (one section at a time) with water to get the fabric wet but not dripping wet, then applied the paint with a brush. Here’s the chair after one coat of CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White.

Here’s the chair after the 2nd round of spraying and painting.

After the final round of spraying and 2 coats of CeCe Caldwell’s Simply White.

I only painted the front of the chair and here you can see the contrast between the front and side. I love the two-tone effect. The wood got a mix of CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White and Simply White. The cushion will be covered in this fun yellow and white bird print fabric.

And here’s the chair in our family room. I think it looks amazing. We love sitting in the chair because it feels like soft leather.

Here is a collage of this project from start to finish. So cool!

Thanks for checking out my post. Happy Decorating and Happy Spring!

Nicole

Kitchen Reno-Part 2 (The Wall Came Tumbling Down)

My Kitchen Renovation

After months of planning, demo day finally arrived. Our kitchen contractor (Enrique Bonilla of Bonilla Home Service in Alexandria, VA) arrived bright and early to start renovations and after a few hours…..

Two rooms became one,

cabinets came out,

and walls were taken down to the studs.

And after a few weeks, new drywall went up,

new flooring went down and a dark jacobean stain was applied.

My next post will feature the finished kitchen but here is a sneak peak…..

Cabinets, lighting, back splash and storage, oh my!

Thanks and Happy Decorating!

Classic/Fresh Vintage Cane Barrel Chairs (SOLD)

Painted Furniture

Some designs never go out of style. These cane barrel chairs from the 60’s are just as fashionable today as they were over 50 years ago. Yes, these chairs are over 50 years old! The quality and craftsmanship of the chairs are undeniable. The caning is still intact and the velvet seat cushions are in decent condition.

But, I believe they can look ever better.

So, here is one chair after a coat of CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White paint and some distressing. I love the paisley ikat fabric but not with this chair. Maybe I should try a different fabric?

Maybe a jacobean pattern?

But, in the end………

I repainted the chairs and and chose a completely different fabric for the cushions. Two coats of CeCe Caldwell’s Vintage White for a fresh look and a classic blue/green toile pattern fabric.

I am really happy with the final outcome. These chairs are ready for a new home!

Thanks and Happy Decorating!

Love, Nicole

Modern/Glam Buffet & Mirror (Sold)

Painted Furniture

One of the many things I love about my job is the ability to create “one of a kind” pieces.

For this project, I decided to combine design styles from different decades. This process can be tricky because the styles may not “play well together”. Example: imagine combining the skinny jean concept to a leisure suit. Scary, right! Lucky for me, my two styles play well together because they are united with a common thread……paint!

This buffet is a classic piece from the 60’s. It’s solid construction, in great condition with ample storage. The bowed front and curved details are beautiful but the dark stain makes it look old and worn.

I chose a color from the Paint Couture line called “Calm”. The color is a white/gray/blue combination. I painted/distressed the bottom, then sanded and stained the top (jacobean).

The Hollywood glam gold mirror is the perfect compliment to the buffet but the gold is too shiny. ( That’s my dog Gomer in the mirror….it’s he cute!)

Two coats of “calm” tones down the gold and a light distressing allows hints of gold to shine through.

And here is the buffet and mirror in the store.

2 design styles + 1 paint color = Modern Glam

Happy Decorating! Love, Nicole

Available at Maggie Jane’s Brownstone (913 King Street) in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

“Tiffany” Blue Dresser (SOLD)

Painted Furniture

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

Bowed front

Beautiful Claw Feet

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”.

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

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

Baby Blue Dresser/Changing Table (SOLD)

Painted Furniture

I found this piece at a cute store called Haywoods Variety (https://www.facebook.com/HaywoodsVariety), in a small town on the Northern Neck called Urbanna, VA. I grew up in Urbanna so it fun finding this piece in my home town. To give you an idea how small this town is, there are no stop lights!

Anyhow, when I saw this dresser I immediately thought it would make a great dresser/changing table for a nursery.

With two small and two large drawers, I knew there was plenty of storage space for diapers, onsies, lotions, etc.

And, the top is large enough for a changing pad for the baby.

OK, I realize it’s hard to imagine a baby on this dresser, but trust me its going to look great!

So the first thing I did was get out the sander and sanded the top. It’s looking better? Right?

I then painted the drawers a color I call “Baby Blue” It’s my custom mix of CeCe Caldwell’s Blue Montana Sky and Simply White. The trim and sides where painted in CeCe Caldwell’s Simply White.

I stained the top “Jacobean”, waxed the entire piece with CeCe Caldwell’s clear wax and the transformation is complete!

This piece was available at maggie jane’s brownstone but a sweet couple expecting their first child purchased it for their nursery! How cool is that? SOLD

Antique Writing Desk (SOLD)

Painted Furniture

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

0927141542 — The piece had “good bones”.

0927141542b — And hidden under layers of dust was….

writingdeskbefore — Great craftsmanship and functionality.

writingdeskafterwm — 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.

writingdeskopenwm2 — 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

Pittsburgh Gray Antique Cabinet (SOLD)

Painted Furniture

You had me at Hello! When I first saw this antique cabinet, I fell in love with..

(BEFORE) — the amazing trim and antique hardware

ballclawfeet — the beautiful and delicate ball and claw feet

0908141308 — and the well worn top with lots of potential!

kaufmantop — After sanding and staining, the top is shiny and gorgeous!

(AFTER) — And after cleaning, painting, distressing and a satin finish top coat, the cabinet is stunning! The jacobean stained top is a nice contrast against CeCe Caldwell’s Pittsburgh Gray and the gold metallic trim!

kaufmancabinetinside — The inside is just as beautiful as the outside. CeCe Caldwell’s Pittsburgh Gray was also used to distress the inside. There is plenty of storage space for dishes, linens, barware, books, etc.

This piece is available at maggie jane’s browstone (a vintage french urban chic boutique) in Old Town Alexandria, VA (SOLD, the couple that purchased this plans to use it as a bathroom vanity).