old town alexandria – Re-Design In A Day (The Store)

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.

The top stain had worn off so the top looked really dull.

By sanding and staining the top, you can now see the beauty of the wood. It is gorgeous!

For 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,

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!

I 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.

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

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).

Re-Design In A Day is at Maggie Jane’s Brownstone

Uncategorized

My furniture and accessories are available at maggie jane’s brownstone. maggie jane’s is “a vintage French urban chic boutique” located at 913 King Street in Old Town Alexandria, VA. The store has 9 nine rooms filled with amazing items including painted furniture, paints (featuring CeCe Caldwell Chalk & Clay products, and Paint Couture), jewelry, scarfs, purses, soaps, lotions, silver, candles, glassware, doors, windows and so much more.

It’s a great place to find gifts for you, your home, and someone special!