The Before and After of a Cabinet’s Journey

For the last 5 years I have been doing a bunch of projects on a house.

A house that has become very dear to me because of how much I've done inside and outside.

It is a curious place filled with imported architectural items, secret passageways, and terraced gardens.

There are some things I will never touch with paint or a sander.

But there are others that have been beckoning me since day one.

Such as some very dark antique columns on a very dark buffet, with the most exquisite carvings.

Only they were almost impossible to see.

I'd imagine that if I did my dry brush technique, and didn't get into the grooves, that I could highlight the designs beautifully.

Perhaps in a flat chalk white?

I always wait to be certain before I implement my ideas, in this case waiting a long time.

But, seeing as how I am about to begin my 6th year here (meanwhile still having my country house as well), I have gotten a bit braver with my projects.

Case in point, what I did last week.

Ta-daaaa!

I don't know what came over me last week, but I decided that I owed these carvings a better life than they were leading.

(insert impish grin)

I knew that my tried and true dry brush, quick flick of the wrist technique, is what I would do.

Because I literally began dreaming about seeing the carvings better.

As you can see below, the carvings are really lovely.

The only reason I took so long to make this decision is because I really did like the dark wood.

I am one of those rare lovers of dark wood.

The antique columns were cut down to fit on this buffet, and I'd stand there and just admire the floral hand carved workmanship.

I knew they had been pink and lime green before because I could see flecks of paint in the grooves.

I imagine they must have been stunning, in their bright colors of India.

But they had been sanded and waxed ages ago.

Still, they'd sort of beg me for a makeover, and I'd say, I like you just the way you are.

Whenever I am going to paint or create anything I first visualize it.

The more I thought about the carvings in white, the more I knew I had to do it.

Sort of like not being able to stop pulling old puckered wallpaper off of a wall.

And so, I tested one column first, just to be sure I'd like it.

I didn't want to have any regrets.

But I loved it!

I worked fairly quickly because it was so exciting, seeing the designs reveal themselves.

The more I painted, the more beautiful it became, looking larger and grander with each swipe.

I've been doing this technique for over 2 decades, and so I felt very confident about it going okay.

I was overjoyed with the final result, more than I thought I would be.

3 coats of a dry brush technique, careful to use just enough, but not too much paint.

The details of these pieces just amaze me completely.

Here I am below, with my supervisor.

I scrubbed down the piece and then rubbed it with alcohol prior to beginning.

Because I used chalk paint, I really did not need to prime.

I just stare at the columns, and wonder how on earth they were carved so beautifully?

I can't even get over the hand carved chain detail at the top.

I used a little gold paint to lightly brush the drawer pulls.

I didn't think they needed anything more than that.

And then I picked flowers from my garden to celebrate its makeover.

The lightness of it is so refreshing in the house.

I've painted over 20 pieces of furniture and done endless projects in this house.

With each project over the years, it has come to feel like my own little pet.

Like it's a piece of me.

The chairs I reupholstered a few months ago look soooo happy next to this piece.

I will share them soon.

That was another huge project I did.

For now, I am tickled pink with how this turned out.

I knew it would be good, but I didn't know it would be soooo fresh and fabulous.

Amazing what a little white paint and patience can do.

That's really all it was, white chalk paint, and some varnish only for the top.

I'm pleasantly surprised and very satisfied with this project

Who knew it would go so well?

I surely did not.

I do not plan to paint all the antique columns around the house, because they look great with the floors as they are.

But this piece, in this nook, really popped with a little white paint.

I did about 3 coats, dry brushing in very quick flicking movements.

If I think about all the projects I have done at both of my homes, I can honestly say that those are the things that make a place really feel like home.

Several years ago I took out a whole closet in the dining room at the country house, and put a mantel and mirror in its place, with China cabinets on either side.

I also painted everything white, ceilings and walls.

That project felt like this.

Like it was "my" home, even though it already was.

The projects turn it into your baby, and it feels soooo good.

I can't wait to show you what I did to my dining chairs a few months ago.

Now that was an intense project, but this one was easy and very quick.

I love those kinds of projects.

Painless with maximum results.

You'll have to let me know what you think.

If you have anything you've been wanting to paint, I suggest you just go for it.

You will be so happy that you did, and you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

I will be beginning my 6th year of my journey with house #2 (known as Villa Fiore) soon.

Mister Lovee says I should write down every single project I've done.

Maybe I should?

I've painted nearly every piece of furniture in here, that's for certain, and mirrors.

I should have been sharing each project as I went, but I can still share some of them.

It's never too late, right?

 

I am off to kick my feet up and look at my cabinet now.

Thank you for stopping in.

I hope you are doing extra well.

 

Love, Vanessa

See you sooner than soooon!

xoxo