Deco Waterfall Vanity Makeover

Now that Christmas is over, 

I can finally blog about a  makeover I did for my client, 

Harry, for a Christmas present to his friend.

Harry picked up this old deco waterfall vanity from a local Salvation Army.
(It's called "waterfall" because of the rounded edge on the top front.)

He also had this little mismatched stool he wanted to fix up for a seat.

 Check out those cool pulls!

He really wanted to keep the simulated woodgrain strips,

but other than that, he left the makeover to my discretion.

 Here's the mirror.

 There were a lot of veneer issues, so step one was wood fill.

 The recipient-to-be  LOVES fleur de lis, 

so I glued a wooden one to the front.

 Next step, paint. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paints in Old Ochre for the base, 

and French Linen for the trim and details.

I added some stenciled designs along the sides of the drawers...

…and here.

Oh yes, this is looking nice
.
Here is how it looks after I waxed, first with clear wax,
and then with dark.

I used Gilding Wax in King Gold to spiffy up the hardware,
(Thank you Patty at Classic Wall Finishes for turning me onto this product!!!)

..and I also used a little to highlight some of the edges.

 Beautiful details now glow from a little dab of the gilding wax.

I think this piece is quite stunning..

Here is the reveal.

Next, the stool….

I found this printed jute rug with flour de lis motif 

that will work great for recovering…...

I painted the legs in Old Ochre, recovered the top,

And added some oversized nail heads along the bottom edge.

And here's where the surprise lived for several months, 

safe and sound in my friend Daisey's garage.

(Thank you, Daisey!!!)

Until Christmas morning...

…when Santa got major kudos!

Merry Christmas!

It makes me happy to know that another old piece out there has been beautified.

Thank you, Harry, for allowing me to help with playing Santa!

Sprucing up the Loft Boudoir for Christmas Guests!

It's that time of year when we get together 

with our dearest friends and family…

Oh, the holidays!

I'm lucky enough to still be close 

with these gals I first met in college……….

 We just got together for our little holiday weekend, 

and since I was having an overnight houseguest (a rarity!),

I was anxious to get the guest boudoir all ready!

The bed is freshly made…

I love this antique flour sack quilt 

made by my grandmother...

 

I've blogged before about the headboard 

I made from a piece of fence I found in the alley…

This color makes me smile.

The guest bedroom in my house is really an open loft

on the 3rd floor…

Over here the windows look out on the rooftop deck.

A shelf holds a collection of old enamelware pitchers.

This lamp I made from a mannequin torso.

I covered a wire lampshade form with fabric scraps

to make the shade.

This bedside lamp, though, seems sort of…

bland...

 Just so happens that a client gave me this 

cast off urn lampbase a couple weeks ago…

 First I taped off the cord and brass parts, and spray primed..

 Next I spray painted in turquoise, 

and added a thrift store drum shade.

Yes, I like that little extra punch of turquoise.

And I think Wilma agrees.

"Nice touch, Mom.

When's lunch?"

Elegant Scrolled Arm Chair Makeover

 I love scoring chairs like this….

because they are comfortable AND easy to redo.

 Back cushion lifts off, and the seat cushion just unscrews.

 So it's easy to get to the frame. 

Here it is primed.

 And painted. 

I used SW Bathe Blue in Semigloss.

 Back inside for the night….

Hmm…let's check out some fabrics...

 Pretty……..

 Oh yes, I think this is the one..

 I couldn't help myself. 

One day makeover!!!!!!

 I used a contrasting striped silk for the cording.

 My intention was to distress sand and stain the frame.  

I think I'll still do that eventually….but there's no rush...

…cuz I'm not sure when I'll be able to pull Wilma off it.

"Yes, mom, this one is just right!"

REVIST: BEFORE

 AFTER:

For sale: $450.

A Quick & Easy No Sew Headboard Makeover

Here's a quick and easy fix for an ugly headboard.

My sister had a dated yellow and blue shirred headboard……

(Dang, forgot the before picture)..

but something like these:

Are you feeling it?

Her's was more straight-lined on the top.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I was there
 and she asked what I could do to spruce up her bedroom.

My first thought was to update that headboard!

So we went looking around in all the closets 

to see if we could come up with something

to reupholster it.

And then….

I spied… 

this..
A perky blue queen duvet cover,
that had this great white graphic..

 I simply cut it in half, 

and slipped half of it right over the existing headboard.

 I didn't even hem it!

Fits like a glove.

And it totally updates the room.

Now THAT'S what I call instant gratification!

Looks great with this painting I did a few years ago, too…

Don't you love it when something works like that?!!!