When I am excited about a piece of furniture, I usually have something in mind and can't wait to get it home and get started. This was one of those pieces. I think I was cleaning it as it was being unloaded from the truck.
I painted the legs with a coat of Chalk Paint in Old White and then layered on some Country Grey and Paris Grey with Pure White pounced on in spots. I wanted it to look like layers of paint had been applied and were chipping and peeling away.
As I came around the final corner, feeling rather proud of myself for finishing so quickly, I noticed a sticker on the underside of the table. Crap... It was a container import sticker. From France. Seriously? I had just painted an antique, imported French table. Trying not to kick myself, I looked up the name of the shop in Dallas this piece had been shipped to originally. Horrible idea, just by looking at the website I could tell that this was a place I would never be able to shop. The only pricing I could find on the website was this line from their "about us" section "We have vast selections and styles of armoires ranging in price from $3,300 to $24,880". I thought I might be sick.
The consolation? The finish on the top was not in great condition. It had been badly lacquered and was visibly chipping. After I stripped and restained the top, it is beautiful again. The grain and pattern of the wood is spectacular.
If I knew then what I know now, I might have left the apron and legs as found and just refinished the top. As it is? I love it! I think that the carved details are yummy and I love its clunky little feet. They remind me of platform shoes. Which I do not wear. They don't really go with my paint splattered sweats.
For a little while, this table lives in my dining room. I love having it here, it makes me feel fancy. Which I am not :-)
Linking up here...
Welcome to The Shabbiest Chick! My name is Chrystal and I am the happily married wife of one, and mother of four ~ all boys! I live in The House of Testosterone. I am passionate about my family, my home and coffee. I love to restore and recreate, taking the old and giving it a new life as a future heirloom. Come along with me, but grab a paint brush, we've got work to do!
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Wow! What a fabulous find! And I love the paint job you did on it. I always prefer finding out about the piece after I've made it what I want it anyway. I like your's better painted.
ReplyDeleteFran
Thanks Fran! I really do love it painted so I guess it is a bit of a blessing that I didn't look first!
Deleterainbow drive here: No you made it your own... It needed updating and it is now so much better...
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHey, you've got a high end piece of furniture in your house that is customized to your liking! What good is a pricey piece if it's not your style?! Great transformation!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vickie!
DeleteHow cool from
ReplyDeleteFrance!
I think it's lovely
Love it! I would totally go over a sticker on accident. LOL. ARe you in KC????
ReplyDeleteI am! I live in Lee's Summit and have a space for my treasures at Restoration Emporium in the West Bottoms. I have been following your blog (and loving it!)for a while and keep trying to get out to The Red Apron. Once school starts...haha, story of my life!
DeleteThe table came from France which is so cool but better yet you created your own signature on this masterpiece. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks so good. I would have painted it even if I did know its potential value. What matters is what makes you happy. I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! The top is unbelievably beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI live in Dallas and have been to the Whimsey Shop many times but could never afford to buy anything!!! You are very lucky!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love what u did to it!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! That would absolutely happen to me! Well, the "finding the sticker later" part, not so much the "stumbling upon a French Antique" part :) But I would still be happier to find out later, because if I knew ahead of time I wouldn't paint it either. Kind of like buying a house where someone already painted the big, wide woodwork white. I would be afraid to do it myself, but so happy someone else already did!
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful! It never would have looked as good if you would have stained the whole thing, give yourself a break! Newest follower! Would love to have you follow me back @ dwellrepurposed.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks
Andrea
Stunning table! You did an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteIt was meant to be, it's absolutely beautiful the way you've painted the skirt & legs and restored the top. I have a pecan inlay table with matching chairs that my parents bought off a designer showroom in CA in 1940. I keep debating whether to update by painting the skirt & legs, wondering if I will ruin the value if I do. You've given me one more reason to paint it.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that! Regardless, your table turned out absolutely stunning! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteHello there! Did you ever deal such a position when a complete stranger has robbed you online and took your articles? Can't wait to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteWhat method did you use to remove the lacquer? This is really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering what you did to achieve the flakiness in the paint?
ReplyDelete