Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Frenchy Hutch

Dear Sweet Frenchy Hutch,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...



Well, I just do. I do love her!

This hutch was the second piece of furniture I bought with the intention of painting and reselling. It was $75.00. Six months ago. Since then I have been unable to bring myself to paint her. She just sat in my garage patiently waiting her turn. Tucked away, behind several other pieces and broken bikes. A LOT of broken bikes.



The problem? I loved and wanted to keep her. The bigger problem? I didn't need another hutch and really, it didn't work with the table and chairs I had, and the table was a definite keeper. I built it myself when my husband said we needed to "teach these boys manners". He went out of town and I built "The Manners Table". I love The Manners Table. It doesn't work (for bestowing manners anyway), but I love it. Here is the table with the old hutch and chairs.



Besides, the hutch I had was fine. I had just redone it when I built The Manners Table, for crying out loud! But, this one? We had a connection! So, I did nothing. For six months. Until, on my birthday, like a sign from Heaven (que the angels), these chairs popped up on Craigslist. Here was the bridge between my table and the new hutch! They had a sweet little carved basket design, just like my hutch!! Happy Birthday to meeee!




Once I finished up some custom work, it was finally my turn. And wouldn't you know it? I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to do with it. I knew I wanted two colors and something different on the back. I bought some wallpaper thinking that I could pull colors from that. Not so much. Finally, I settled on Chalk Paint in Old White and Coco. Coco seemed just frenchy enough, and I love, love and want to marry Old White.




The first thing I did was pop the back off of the hutch part. Did you know you could do that? Just tap it out with a rubber mallet. It makes painting the inside so much easier, plus, I knew I was doing something to the back, I just didn't know what that was yet.



I decided on Old White for the body and Coco for the moving parts and the top trim. Once it was painted, I did some pretty heavy sanding and distressing. I have always been a fan of seriously distressed. We buy scratch and dent furniture. Things in my house end up distressed one way or another. I would rather do that intentionally and not freak out when someone bumps into it with a skateboard or lands on it while going for a "record breaking catch". We definitely "live" in our house.



After the painting, distressing and waxing was done, I was still a little stuck for what to do on the back. All of the wallpaper I had was too fussy. I thought about stenciling it. Nah, still not right. I tried a few fabrics from my stash when I remembered this one. I am not even sure what I bought it for in the first place, but I was feeling the love! I took it outside and sprayed the back with adhesive spray and smoothed it into place. Easy Peasy! I didn't remove the staples when I pulled the back off so I just lined them up with their original holes and tapped them back into place. Done and done.




I have decided that my style is "Grungy French". A little girly with plenty of boy mixed in.
















The rest of the room is definitely in progress, but not close to done. I'd show you, but what a mess!



I will be partying here this week;


Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

Three Boys Chalk Paint Party

Primitive and Proper

Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday

 Alchemy Fine Living ~ From Trash to Treasure

Friday Redoux

Kammy's Korner Trash 2 Treasure Tuesdays

Savvy Southern Style  Pin It

85 comments:

  1. LOVE it! I am always in awe of people who can really transform things! Great job!
    -Shelley

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh yeaaahhhhh! Meant to be indeedy!
    Your blog totally rocks. I have two girls and just had my first boy. He's only 9 months old, but I'm starting to get the gist. I feel for ya.
    You've definitely got skillz. Love this piece and I'm so glad you didn't part with it.
    I'm a new follower (of course!). Pop over for a visit sometime.
    xoxo,
    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chrystal! This is the most amazing chalk paint transformation I've seen to date! Absolutely gorgeous! I must be a Grungy French chick too - lol! LOVE LOVE LOVE

    ReplyDelete
  4. BEAUTIFUL! You did an amazing job! I'm loving the fabric too. And $75...you just can't beat that! Such a stately piece.

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG! This is gorgeous! Love it! love following and seeing all of your pieces!

    -kennesha
    restorationhouse.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. that is gorgeous! the shape is awesome- and those colors are swoon worthy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looove it, from the colors to your fabric backing. If you get up one morning and it is gone, you will find it at my house!!!! Are you going to paint your new chairs or keep them the way they are? Kim

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awwww, thanks everyone!

    Kim, I think I am leaving the chairs as they are, for now. They are antique and in really good condition. I try to control myself when I can't make it better.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Really stunning hutch.

    May I ask, is that Coco on the legs/base of the Manners table, as well?

    And might you recall what the stain was you used on the top?

    Gorgeous stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It was such a fluke that they matched,I was so excited! The base of the Manners Table is Sparrow by Benjamin Moore in Aura paint (love that paint!). The stain is Old Masters wiping stain in American Walnut. Hope that helps!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I LOVE IT! It is absolutely gorgeous! Great grungy french style.

    If you get a chance, stop by and link up to my weekly Chalk Paint linky party.

    www.ShadesofAmberInc.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love it! What a steal at $75! You did a gorgeous job!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Absolutely gorgeous!!! I wouldn't part with it either! Not @ least until you get your next beloved piece that you turn into a "Masterpiece"! Tremendous job!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love it! I was planning on doing mine in those same colors - you sold me!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the fabric! What an inspiration piece. Definitely a KEEPER! I'm a new follower. Marie

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love it!!! You did an awesome job on this piece and what an attention to detail covering the back of the piece with the fabric. Bravo!! I'm sold, and a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful! I've decided I love "grungy French". Can't wait to see the rest of the room. Guess I'll have to become your newest follower! :)
    Fran

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the grungy french thing! Your hutch is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful! Love the term "grungy french"!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Absolutely and seriously beautiful. It's not a style I use in my home, but I could be persuaded after seeing this. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Yes please! I can see your style becoming the next popular style! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is gorgeous. Love the two colors. Thanks for sharing it at Wow.

    ReplyDelete
  23. fabulous!! this would be such a great addition to my blog party. I hope you'll stop by!

    ReplyDelete
  24. WOW....I love this. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Found your hutch on Perfectly Imperfect! I love what you did with it. I am your newest follower.
    www.shabbytochicqueencreek.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh, Mercy! I LOVE the fabric you added to the back! And the whole piece....fabulous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Popped on over from Prefectly Imperfect... I am drooling over your hutch. I can't wait to see it all together.

    Loving your blog and now your newest follower. You do find the nicest pieces and your makeovers are to die for.

    Hugs, Deb

    ReplyDelete
  28. came over from 'shades of amber' & all i can say is "WOW" i love, love what you did with this piece! i took a chalk paint class & didn't think i would ever use coco, but seeing your piece has changed my mind. thank you for the inspiration

    ReplyDelete
  29. This truly is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen. I am in love with it! Oh how I wish I could find one just like this and redo as you have. Was the black metal piece inserted there in front originally. It is perfect with the fabric. WOW! I found you through Perfectly Imperfect and now I must Follow you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This thing is amazing! I love everything about it. Especially its size. HUGE! And your color choice, again...A-MAZ-ING! A new fan and follower here.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I cannot express how much I love this piece! Truly gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh my goodness. So beautiful! Do you recall the wall color in your dining room? I love all of the colors. ~Claire

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks everyone for your kindness! You make me happy on the inside!

    Claire, the color is Halcyon Green by Sherwin Williams. It is my favorite Blue-Green-Gray :-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gorgeous! I am your newest reader :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. beautiful!!
    Thanks for showing how you did the backing. Mine has an icky (IMO) mirrored back that will soon change ;)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow!! Love it!! just found your blog and im so glad i did, this hutch is so beautiful. I really wish i could stumble upon some classy pieces like this in the uk ;)

    Katie from Lilly and Boo

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sweet Jesus that is GORGEOUS! Where ever do I find me one of those? I love the backing you put inside and the finish is extrordinary! I am now your newest follower =) I would be honored to have you link this up to my VIP party today =) http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/11/vip-party-36.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. Beautiful, no wonder you didn't want to sell it. And how lucky for you to find those sweet chairs. Can't wait to see the finished room.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh and I forgot to mention, I am the mother of six sons so I totally understand where you are coming from when you say you buy scratch and dent!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wow. Love it! I am inspired...and a new follower ...

    ReplyDelete
  41. Beautiful, just beautiful...

    I feel the same way. I have a hutch that works fine but I just can't seem to decide what color it really should be. I see so many "french" style ones on Craigslist but I pass them up. I love the two tone you did on this one.

    You have a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I Must Say I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!! Your Hutch Gorgeous!!! Can I ask where I might find that fabric?
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  43. It is very beautiful! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Chasing Whimsy, here is a link for the fabric on the back http://www.housefabric.com/Orchestra-Charcoal-P5314C171.aspx hope that helps!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Awesome! Was the wire grid in the middle part of the original piece? Its the icing on the cake!

    ReplyDelete
  46. The grid was part of the original piece, lucky me right?

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love the fabric on the back! And the chairs to go with...awesome!

    I did a china cabinet similar to this, but my goto is wallpaper instead of fabric. I also almost always add a new back as these pieces tend to have either pressboard or cardboard backs. I just think there's no reason not to, and generally the backs are in poor shape, or have absorbed an odor anyway.

    solongfarm.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Found you on Better After - and WOW! That is an awesome piece! Great great work! I'm your newest fan!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Ohhhhhhhhhhh you pulled this off WELL!!!! LOVE IT! Love the grungy french term - haha. I would just LOVE for you to share this over at Trash 2 Treasure Tuesdays on the Korner. http://kammyskorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/trash-2-treasure-tuesdays-8-and.html

    ReplyDelete
  50. Omg!!! I love the color and what u did to the china cabinet i have almost similar to this piece but my problem is the inside has a mirrored i don't know what to do to it ..now i saw your blog i think Im gonna do mine ..any tips about the mirror inside ? surely appreciated ..thanks !!

    ReplyDelete
  51. The mirror is most likely glued to the backing. You might be able to pop it off by just prying it. Otherwise, you could take the measurements of the backing to Lowe's or Home Depot and they can cut some 1/4 inch plywood for you and you can just replace it. Hope that helps! Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Great, I love what you've done.Could you please tell the name of the wax you used? I live in Europe, so I guess it would be difficult to find it, anyway.
    Isabella

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hi Isabella, For this one I used Annie Sloan's clear wax with a bit of her dark wax on the Coco sections. I know that it is available in parts of Europe, so you may be in luck!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Sixty comments and you don't need another but this story is just too good. I adore her just like you.

    ReplyDelete
  55. That is THE prettiest hutch I have ever seen. Big statement. But true. A-M xx

    ReplyDelete
  56. Wow! The hutch is gorgeous. You did an amazing job in transforming it. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I totally love this but it is making me want to paint our china hutch and I don't like to paint furniture alot. But this is FAB! Come do mine too. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  58. Of all the furniture renovations I've seen all year, your hutch is at the top of my list! Always enjoy seeing your creations, you are truly gifted!

    ReplyDelete
  59. STUNNING WORKMANSHIP!! I LOVE THIS PIECE & PAINT!! INSPIRATION IN A CAN!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Ok, I'm droolin'! Excuse me while I go get a tissue :) JUST FAB, FAB, FAB!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Wow! Such a great transformation! You did an amazing job on this hutch. I love the color choices and the fabric on the back is just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  62. This is absolutely the most beautiful restoration I have seen. I have some furniture ready to redo (bedroom), but am having to get past the fear of beginning.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Jodie, I had the same fear when I started! I didn't buy anything expensive (less than $50) and figured that I couldn't make it worse than it already was. Just try it, its really so much easier than you think! Let me know if I can answer any questions for you :-)

    ReplyDelete
  64. this..is...stunning!! love it, just saw it on best of 2011 from Better After ;)

    ReplyDelete
  65. This china hutch is so beautiful! I just started furniture transformations. I'm a beginner and just like you did.... I try to find pieces to "copy" for inspiration and just to guide me. I just bought ASCP last week and the first two colors I purchased were Old White and CoCo... and the clear wax. I wanted to buy all of them (lol) but they are so expensive! I decided to experiment on my coffee table before I moved onto my first piece I purchased on Craigslist.... and I was wondering if you could help me with some troubleshooting....

    The wood was very dark so I had to use many coats of paint. I started with the Old White and then decided it was too white so I layered CoCo (watered down)... decided that was too dark, so added more Old White - then waxed. I'm trying to sand it right now and I'm having the hardest time. All the wax/paint just sticks to the sandpaper and it doesn't sand well - AT ALL. Did I put too many layers or something or put the wax on too thick? I was so excited to distress it and it is SOOO not going well.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Joelle ~ my guess is that there is too much wax on the piece. Even though Annie Sloan recommends waxing before sanding, I actually sand before I wax. It is definitely messier that way but it sands and distresses so much easier. You might try to take off some of the wax with mineral spirits on a rag and sand it then.

    Hope that helps! Great color choices by the way :-)

    ReplyDelete
  67. Love the hutch. I featured it on "My Favorites" today!!! Stop by and check it out!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Just found you on Pinterest & I adore this cabinet & the paint colours & the fabric - YOU ARE A ROCK STAR!!!!!! New follower here :)

    ReplyDelete
  69. Wow! Beyond gorgeous. I know it was loads of work, but it's spectacular!
    Another new follower. :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. Is the brand of chalk paint Annie Sloan? GORGEOUS project :)

    ReplyDelete
  71. If you were to ever sell... what would be your price?

    ReplyDelete
  72. I am inspired with this , I do shappy Chic and distressing anyway and now I have all new ideas plus a new paint . thanks Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  73. So Beautiful and very inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love this hutch! The curves and basket are adorable. The chairs match perfectly! Thanks for sharing!

    Char @ His & Her Restoration

    ReplyDelete
  75. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Such a great look. Did you also paint the chairs? I would love to see them.

    ReplyDelete