Category: home decor

Mid-century Modern up-do

On By lindaIn custom painting, home decor, Painted Furniture, Uncategorized8 Comments

My sister called me recently because they’d been out looking for a new dresser with her adult son. They weren’t finding what he really wanted – never mind the fact that most of it was made of pressed board – so she decided to call me to see what I had. The only dressers we had in our stash at the time was a set of MCM chest and dresser – solid wood. We went back and forth about sizes, colors and what we could do. I sent over several Pinterest pictures of what my dressers could look like with an up-do.

He settled on the 9-drawer dresser. Trust me, it wasn’t pretty and I wasn’t sure if a young adult could understand my vision but we got it all worked out and I began the project.

I started with my usual prep of a thorough cleaning inside and out, removed all the hardware and legs then lightly sanded it all down. Now I could really see what I had to work with. The top needed some wood filler due to the fact it had been scooted around upside down on a garage floor. Once the filler was dry the dresser got another sanding and cleaning. I have no pictures of all of that because it was pretty darn cold outdoors and I just wanted to get it done and indoors.

It’s the first time I’ve worked on MCM and managed to save the look of most of the wood. It was also my first time for working with Benjamin Moore’s Advance in a satin finish as well as Minwax Gel Stain. I’m pleased to say I would use both products again without hesitation. The gel stain was so easy to apply and it covers a host of imperfections.

The dresser is all done now and ready for pick up next weekend and I must say I am very pleased with the final product. It’s solid and pretty darn heavy and it’s been updated with a modern twist for a very nice young man.

If you’re local to Livingston County or the Lake Orion area we would be happy to give you a quote to freshen up a piece of furniture for you. We also have our pieces for sale in The Vintage Farm House in Holly.

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Farmhouses and wildflowers

On By lindaIn custom painting, home decor, Painted Furniture, Uncategorized1 Comment

What’s with this weather this year? I’m waiting for it to warm up just a tad so I can get out in the garage and get going on some new projects. Rachel is having the same dilemma. We’ve both been painting what we can indoors but then I have to sacrifice the living room and even though the old guy doesn’t complain about it I know he’d rather not have furniture sitting around on drop cloths. What’s a furniture flipper to do?

29510879_2157446414484571_3985685348218575703_nI’ve been working on small paper-crafting items and signs for the new booth space Rachel and I moved into in January. We have a great space in The Vintage Farm House in Holly that we just love. Lots of wall space for those hand-crafted items and plenty of floor space for our furniture. Rachel has found the cutest metal signs and décor that we’ve added as well. Be sure to visit Holly and check out our new shop in The Vintage Farm House soon. We’re usually out there on Wednesdays or Thursdays restocking so stop and say ‘Hi’ if you see us there.

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Rachel and I were kicking around some thoughts the other day and decided to change the name of our business to more reflect how we operate nowadays. How do you like ‘Salvaged Wildflowers?’ We use so much color in our salvaged furniture pieces that sometimes our booth looks like a field of wildflowers – of course, we could sometimes refer to ourselves as salvaged wildflowers too! When we wrote it down we knew it just fit!

We’ve made the changes on our Instagram and Facebook page, but Facebook wouldn’t approve the new name so we have started a brand new page! Please visit our new page – Salvaged Wildflowers – and give us a like and leave a comment. Hope to hear from you soon – and if you know where Spring is please tell me!

 

 

Booking custom painting orders for 2018

On By lindaIn custom painting, home decor, Painted Furniture, Uncategorized2 Comments

You know that piece of furniture that serves its function, but every time you walk by it you just wish it would go away or that you could somehow hide it? Maybe its the sturdy little side table that is just the right size to sit next to the sofa but the color is so off? Or the china cabinet that just looks so very dark? I can fix that!

I’m getting back into custom painting and scheduling orders for 2018. Can you believe 2018 is right around the corner! After the holidays is the perfect time to freshen your home furnishings. I can help you fall in love with your pieces again!

Let me break down what goes into custom painting your piece. We usually begin with you contacting and sending me photos and dimensions of the piece or pieces you want refurbished. We’ll go back and forth with a few questions so I can get an idea of what you’re looking to have done – Pinterest photos are great helpers for this step. I’ll then send a preliminary quote (this may change once I see the piece in person). Quotes can sometimes change due to repairs, finishes, etc.

When everything is agreed on, the furniture can be delivered to me and contracts gone over and signed.

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This custom job begins with two dark side tables and one TV console.

This is where my fun begins! Before I begin any painting I thoroughly inspect the piece and fix any repairs that were agreed on. Each piece is then thoroughly cleaned and lightly sanded and left to dry overnight. Primer goes on it the next and its left to dry overnight, then lightly sanded and cleaned.

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These pieces have been cleaned, sanded and primed.

The day after that the piece gets its first coat of paint. That coat also sits overnight to dry and is lightly sanded and cleaned the next day. Then the second coat gets applied and left to dry. I’ll add a third coat if need be the day after that.

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This piece has its first coat of paint.

Once the paint is dry, any specialty finishes, such as white-wash, glazing, distressing, etc., go on next and its once again left to dry overnight. The final step in this process is to protect the piece with a wax or liquid sealer. I really prefer to keep the pieces for another few days before they’re picked up because I know as soon as you get the piece home you want to use and decorate it. Paint and sealers usually take about 28-30 days to fully cure to the point of them being able to be used, so its best to put the piece in its place and just sit and admire it for a few weeks before putting it to full use.

It should be noted that painted furniture is no different than unpainted. It can be prone to nicks and scratches, just like any other piece, from toys, pets, wet glasses, hot coffee cups and everyday life. I always recommend the use of coasters and placemats. But, mind you, a painted piece of furniture properly finished will hold up just fine and look pretty while doing it.

Contact me through a private message on our Facebook business page for a custom quote or to have your questions answered.