Last week I dropped off a cabinet to the shop. it was a pretty, antique, two door console with cabriole legs. There were original wood casters on the legs. I had been working on it awhile. Except for the top, it was in very good shape. I sanded the whole thing because the finish was very dry and flaking off.
I stripped all the veneer off the top and did some repair to the interior floor.
I decided to use Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Flow Blue. One of my favorite colors.
Be prepared for very poor pictures! it was rainy quite a lot and I couldn’t take pics outside, which I normally do. So the awful flourescent lighting in both the garage and the shop are making everything not as pretty as it should be…oh well…
Here it is in the shop. I removed the top veneer as I said, then sanded it smooth and was happy to find it had a nice, planked top with interesting digs, holes and scrapes!
I brushed the bare wood with wood conditioner and used some Minwax stain in Early American to even out the tone a bit.
Then I finished it off with some MMS Antiquing Wax in the digs and scrapes and MMS Furniture Wax overall…three coats in all. The top is beautiful….
The interior was in good shape and after some cleaning and light sanding of rough spots, just needed two coats of MMS Hemp Oil to bring out the pretty tone of the wood.
I decided to use the French Bee in the laurel wreath graphic from The Graphics Fairy….I have a major girl crush on Karen…..
If she ever let me look through her drawers, I would…..drawers of vintage paper that is…..
I used the Gel medium (or Mod Podge…whichever) method to transfer the image. I like to cut close to the image so it doesn’t look so much like a decal.
Here you can see the pretty color…two coats, unwaxed at this point.
After letting it sit overnight, I rubbed off the paper backing with damp fingers.
Here it is almost all done…….
See that little end of the wreath lifted in the bottom right?
I had to go back and glue and press it down and stop removing the backing until that part dried……
I tell you…if anyone knew the traumas we furniture people suffered, they’d pay us more…….
So, I waited……..and worked on other things……
I waxed the rest of the cabinet instead. This is one of the awful pictures. But it represents the color so much better than the pics from the shop….the lighting there is very yellow and you really can’t appreciate how pretty it is.
Before I waxed the first coat, I gave it a coat of MMS Hemp Oil. The Hemp Oil deepens the color in a uniform manner and is great when you don’t want to use the Antiquing Wax….which I did not. Then, after letting that soak in for a whole day…..(using the Hemp Oil is a bit of a slower process) I waxed for an extra layer of protection. You could use another coat of Hemp Oil instead, but I was too impatient for that. It takes awhile for it to really soak in. I had been fussing around with this cabinet for two weeks and I wanted it in the shop last weekend.
I sprayed the lion head hardware…which I am sure was not original, with Rustoleum’s Hammered Bronze…another one of my favorite shades. Then I scuffed it with some sandpaper to reveal just some glints of brass.
It’s really pretty…too bad you can’t get a good idea of how nice that Flow Blue color is…..
OK photographers….do I need a filter when I take a shot in the shop?
It all looks so yellow…I know there’s a way to fix that!
I'm Lorraine. I have a love for home & design and I enjoy sharing that passion with others. I'm so glad you're here to join me.
email: missflibbertigibbet@gmail.com
Beautiful piece, Lorraine! I love that shade of blue. I like that you left the top as a natural wood, too.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions recently posted…The Creative HomeAcre Blog Hop
Yes! I love the paint/natural combo! And I’m really digging the lions. They totally roar. 😛
-andi
Andi recently posted…windows and sliders and doors…oh my!
Beautiful shade of blue! Never thought of using the hemp oil on the inside…great tip.
Tina recently posted…Painting Upholstery w/ASCP- My Little Chair and Friends
Beautiful! I did a small table in Flow Blue with a natural top, as well—love that combo! Glad you decided to post something….we missed you.
kirby carespodi recently posted…What I found appealing…
I love this Lorraine. I am getting ready to try the Mod Podge transfer on a table I got at the DAV. Hope it turns out as nice as yours.
That table is so beautiful Lorraine…and the transfer is gorgeous…you did such a fantastic job..
Shirley@Housepitality Designs recently posted…Rainy Days and Mondays…Prepping to update my Home Tour
Lorraine, it’s beautiful. Great design.
Rosemary recently posted…Sharing is Beautiful
Love the lions! The paint stain combo is great! You did a good job. :o)
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces recently posted…How to Reupholster & Paint a Rocking Chair, Part 1
This is stunning! I know nothing about painting furniture and have never tried milk paint. The finish you got is amazing and I really could tell what the color looked like. This piece should run right out the door!
Ann recently posted…You Raise Me Up Free Printable
Okay-Ms Lorraine- That is absolutely FABULOUS! You did a wonderful job and I would snap it up in a heartbeat! xo Diana
Nana Diana recently posted…Three Sheets To The Wind
Oh I love the color Lorraine! The bees are just the right touch too! So glad to see your post! Yay For you!!!
ooooo….that’s pretty! Your pictures are good enough that i can see it’s beautiful! Nicely done, madam!
Jean recently posted…Somewhat Quirky and Bel Monili
So lovely Lorraine! The graphic is perfect too! I’m excited, because it just so happens that I have a sample of that color I do believe!
Danni@SiloHillFarm recently posted…INSPIRATION CAFE SERIES – BASIL, BASIL, BASIL!
Nicely done, it brings a classic detail on the project. Good job!
I absolutely love this project considering the cabinet was outdated. Overall I couldnt tell the differences, it’s beautiful and love the color pallets you’ve chosen to bring the whole kitchen together. Thanks for sharing.