...Fun With Fabrics

I have had some fun playing with different mediums and textures when it comes to painted furniture. I've seen others use paper and thought to myself "why can't I use fabric?". Well why not? I am a designer and fabrics are one of my favorite items to shop for. The first time I attempted to put fabric on a piece of furniture it went a little like this...

My Script Chest 

Before... The brown monster (yes I ditched the hideous hardware!!)

The chair that inspired a chest...

In progress... 

After!!! WOW what a transformation complete with crystal encrusted hardware!

My Script Chest was such a hit that I decided to do a second fabric piece. I originally purchased another tall chest to do my fabric technique on, but never got around to it (My clients always come first). Then one day, this Bombay Chest fell into my lap and while brainstorming what I wanted the end result to look like it hit me... FABRIC!!!

The Contemporary Bombay Chest

Before... 

As I walked the aisles at one of my favorite fabric stores I saw this geometric patterned fabric and it was exactly what I had been looking for to turn this bombay chest from drab to fab-ulous!!

In Progress... 

After!!! I added a pearlized glaze to top it off!

Fabric is a fun medium to use when you want a pattern or design on a unique piece. I wonder what will inspire my next fabric piece.... Share your fabric furniture pieces with us! We love to see what our readers have created! 

Till next time...

 

... Before & After: Antique Paris Egg Chest

Today's Before & After was inspired by Annie Sloan Chalk Paint color Duck Egg. 

I have always loved the color Duck Egg from Annie Sloan Chalk Paint; however, every time I found a piece  I thought was perfect it just wouldn't turn out like I had imagined. This happens from time to time with ASCP colors because the pigments react differently to various species and grains of wood, especially as they age. So, I set out to perfect the color on this particular piece because I was determined to make it work. I can be a bit stubborn.

This was the first time I saw the piece:

I was instantly drawn to this piece because it was similar to a family piece I had done a couple years ago. This type of piece can be used as a chest or buffet, and if you know anything about me and my style, I just love pieces that I can constantly move around my home (It keeps things fresh). I love the geometric pattern on the front of this chest, and decided when brain storming color ideas that I really wanted to play up the lines and age of the piece.

{Family Piece I painted a few years ago- my very first experience with chalk paint}

The age of this piece was very important to me. I love history and love to make an antique piece look like a perfectly aged part of the home, pristine with history. So, by layering colors (Duck Egg being one of them) and then distressing the piece, I was able to reveal these deep layers and create the desired aged look I was going for.

The close ups do the piece and the colors more justice.

It looks like the piece had been painted numerous time and now the final layer is peeling away to reveal the history of this beautiful piece. It is such a fabulous look and is even more stunning in person.

The last step is the hardware. I always try to keep the original hardware, unless it is just dreadful and then I will reluctantly hunt for something more suited to the piece. When using lighter paint colors I tend to want to lighten the hardware color so it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb. I felt like this piece need a little hint of glam, so I pearlized the hardware with a silver glaze to finish it off.

Till next time....

Good by Uhaul... Hello Trailer!

It was about time I invested in a trailer of my own. I've been renting Uhauls for too long and it can be quite a pain. You have to reserve a time to pick up the Uhaul and then make arrangements to return it on time. Life is unpredictable! What if I get caught up at a market and don't want to rush home to return it? 

{Unloading a trailer can be hard work- you always have to have a little fun!}

Well, Uhaul finally gave me the push I needed to buy one of my own. I recently had a rather unacceptable experience with a neighborhood dealer that made me think twice about renting one again. Short story: The neighborhood Uhaul dealer could not seem get their internet to work and over an hour later refused to rent me a Uhaul. Thus leaving me Uhaul-less running around town trying to find a Uhaul to rent on a Saturday so that I could drive all the way to Beaumont, TX to pick up a load of furniture. I would like to note that Uhaul's district manager did call me to apologize, but that didn't make up for the 2 hours of my Saturday wasted tracking down another trailer.

So after much deliberation and research, here she is! My brand new 6' x 12' "V-Nose" Trailer! It was a bit tough to get excited over a trailer, but I'm sure I will be very happy to have this hunk of metal next week when I need to pick up a piece that doesn't fit in my SUV! Now all she needs is to be wrapped with my logo - I've always wanted to wrap something and now I finally have something wrap worthy!! 

I think the new trailer needs a name too, any suggestions?

The Dreaded Crackle and Bleed

One of the main reasons I use ASCP is because it requires no prep work. But every once in a while I have an older piece that will "crackle" and "bleed" through the first coat of paint. 

Don't worry there is an EASY solution to this dreaded problem.

An example of Natural Crackle:

{This piece has been prepped with 1 coat of Shellac}

An example of Natural Crackle that bled:

{This piece has not been prepped with Shellac or AE Topcoat}

An example of bleeding:

{This piece has been treated with 1 coat of AE Topcoat}

Why does the paint crackle or bleed? 

When you paint an antique/vintage piece, the wood can naturally cause the paint to crackle. When the paint crackles, it allows the original stain to seep into the paint, thus creating the dreaded crackle bleed. Another reason bleed can happen is if you sand a stained piece. When you remove the stain sealer, you remove the protection, thus allowing the stain to seep into the new paint.  

{http://www.rustoleum.com/MSDS/ENGLISH/308.PDF}

One Solution:

When I first started painting, colleagues would recommend Shellacking the piece to seal the paint and stain before painting a second coat. Shellac is a great way to prevent this problem from coming back on the second coat, but its not my favorite option. 

Why don't I like Shellac, you may ask?

1. Shellac has a VERY strong odor, you must shellac outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

2. Shellac turns painted surfaces yellow, even though its considered "clear."

3. After applying Shellac, you can not wash your brush in the sink with soap and water. To cut the             Shellac, you must use paint thinner, which is a chemical.

4. When applying Shellac, I found that the product bubbles, thus creating more work.

............................................................................

This is a piece I shellacked to prevent crackling on the second coat {see below}. 

As you can see the surface has a yellow hue.

What I recommend to prevent Crackle and Bleed:

Artisan Enhancements created this wonderful product called "Clear Topcoat." This product is amazing!! Not only is it a fabulous topcoat {even over wax}, but it is the best sealer for the dreaded crackle and bleed.

My secret weapon for applying AE Topcoat is MOD PODGE's application brush. This brush is 4" long and has a thin line of bristles. It smooths out the topcoat and doesn't leave brush strokes or bubbles behind. I love this brush for large flat surfaces.

I just finished this sweet set for a little girl moving into her "big girl" room. I used ASCP and finished it off with 2 coats of Artisan Enhancements Clear Topcoat for added protection. As you can see the white paint is still white and doesn't have a yellow hue.

Share your Crackle and Bleed revival stories with us. We always love to hear from our readers.