Shabby Chic; Volume III

emma_kate

con1888 wrote: »

Hi all wondering if you can offer any help.

My late gran has a mahogony dressing table with a huge mirror that I love. Except it doesn't go with my decor, in my bedroom my furniture is oak and the walls are blue and cream.

Can I do anything with it or should I just pass on having it?

Sounds like a keeper to me! If it helps, I have just stripped the top of my mahogany dresser, re stained it walnut as I wasn't diggin' the red tones, white washed over it with watered down greyish emulsion and a cloth, varnished it so now its got that kind of weatherbeaten wood look that might fit in better with your scheme. The rest I'm painting with my beloved zinsser and emulsions and distressing...
If it all goes wrong you can paint the whole thing but it might be nice to have a wood top?

emma_kate

hellokitty08 wrote: »

Thanks for pointing that out. I notice they chose wrapping paper and used some glue called hod Podge. I will keep that in mind as a possibility.

Has anyone here acutally tried this process? or any other?

I've only done it with spray adhesive. If you just spray the back of the paper its sort of re postional until you're happy. Spray both surfaces and it sticks forever! Haven't tried the mod podge but I've done big decoupage with pva and was blighted by bubbles...

Hmo, that's lovely!

con1888

Thanks for the advice, it is actually pine and not oak in my bedroom.

I haven't put the paper up but when I do I am thinking of decorating in a kind of sea-side theme so hopefully can get it to go.

Is there any way I can turn mahogony into pine coloured no? Would it need to be white?

emma_kate

con1888 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, it is actually pine and not oak in my bedroom.

I haven't put the paper up but when I do I am thinking of decorating in a kind of sea-side theme so hopefully can get it to go.

Is there any way I can turn mahogony into pine coloured no? Would it need to be white?

Once its stripped you can stain it any colour but you will have the pinkish tones coming through and as pine is pale that might be an issue. Can you do some tests on the parts that can't be seen? You could also use a wood bleach once its stripped but I have never used this. I pressume you can use a stain over that. Could you cut a new pine top for it and paint the rest like hmo did with her desk? Most timber stores will cut a piece to size for you. Then you can use a router on the edges for a professional look.
Or paint the pine stuff! That'll keep you busy!

con1888

Could try painting the pine, it would look nice white but would be a MASSIVE job and take me ages.

Might see if painting the dresser white but with pine handles and maybe a pine top like you say.

It isn't this one but is very similar..

thriftwizard

Just to say, I use Mod Podge quite a bit in making items to sell. It's not quite the same as ordinary PVA; it's a fair bit more expensive and a whole lot better - a very well-behaved & capable glue! And as a top coat, it's unbeatable, especially the Hard Coat version, which gives you a surface that resists water & is wipeable. One of those things where it's worth paying a bit more, IMHO!

hellokitty08

Its been a busy few days searching for the right items to do up my dressing table. So far I have lucked out on finiding any pink gloss, but have homebase to try tomorrow as they seem to be the only place that have some.

I got a couple of wallpaper samples today and I am tempted to go mod podge (i think Hodge Podge is a kids range, I am onbvioulsy confused!) Can I put it on Wallpaper? I might get some wrapping paper and do a trial first see what works out best.

I did manage to get some wood primer paint today so hopefully going to get started on that tomorrow.

I want to make sure its all durable and last a long time, so I dont mind spending a bit extra. After all the dresser only set me back 99p!

Thanks for all the advice. ;-)

Oscar_the_Pug

Hi hellokitty08

What a gorgeous dresser - it's a beaut! I hope you don't mind me saying this, but using gloss paint on furniture is possible, but it's very difficult to get a decent finish (and as you've seen it's difficult to get hold of it in non-neutral colours).

In my experience eggshell paints are more forgiving, and you could always apply a varnish after if you want to have a glossier finish.

I'd do yours in a sage green or soft blue - but that's because pink wouldn't really go with my colour scheme!

pjran

hellokitty08 wrote: »

I have just come across this thread and i am hoping that you might be able to offer me some advice.

I am on my second furniture project and lets just say the first one was a bit slap dash, but I want to do the second one to the best of my ability. I brought this,



and I want to transform it to something marvolous. I want to line the draws but I am so confused about what to use. I am paiting the dresser bright pink in a gloss paint (reccomendations welcome) however I dont know what to line the draws with. Do I need sticky back plastic, vinyl wallpaper, or something else?

(I am terrible with a sewing machine, so fabric lining is out)

If any one has any expereince lining draws and can offer some inspiration i would be very grateful. :j

Good luck,

Pj

pjran

con1888 wrote: »

Could try painting the pine, it would look nice white but would be a MASSIVE job and take me ages.

Might see if painting the dresser white but with pine handles and maybe a pine top like you say.

It isn't this one but is very similar..

I love the classic style of this dressing table, just beautiful.

How do you post photos on here please?