Shabby Chic; Volume III

emma_kate

Hey everyone, long time no speak!
I was meant to be doing NO DIY WHATSOEVER in the Easter hols but today I snapped and put a tongue and groove back on an old dresser. Trouble was, it looked very new. I tried darkening the new pine with strong tea. It failed. I added a drop of black acrylic paint to the mix and I'm pleased with the result.

before

emma_kate

during

emma_kate

after
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It looks a lot more original now. Happy Easter.

chalkysoil

I've now found 6 vintage mirrors for the hall wall (one was inherited) cost so far £12.50

Emuchops

Hello, I want a retro/shabby chic style kitchen bin-at least 30L capacity and must have a lid to stop my dogs raiding it. I quite like the traditional style 'dustbin' ones, but they cost a fortune ready painted, and looking at buying basic dustbins to paint myself, they all seem to be massive-about 90L.
Has anyone seen smaller basic metal dustbins (not the tiny ones), or does anyone have upcycling ideas for making a new and unique kitchen bin?
Many thanks,
Dawn.

Pipkin

It's not quite a dustbin style, but Dunelm Mill have a quite retro looking kitchen bin at the moment, in either cream or blue..Will go look for a pic

http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/mint-candy-rose-collection-30-litre-pedal-bin-384121

It comes in pink or mint, sorry.. I know that Matalan used to do a similar but more rounded version in cream, which was gorgeous.

jumblejack

The final finishing touch to my quirky hall table is now complete thanks to a car boot find yesterday.

Woohoooooo



http://pinterest.com/pin/425168021044663108/

jumblejack

chalkysoil wrote: »

I've now found 6 vintage mirrors for the hall wall (one was inherited) cost so far £12.50

Loving your style!!!!

I only have 2 mirrors in my hallway. I love yours!!

Cacran

supersaver1000 wrote: »

Wow, great thanks. It's great to find a source of reliable advice, part of my problem is knowing where to start as there's so much advice out on'tinterweb.

Have just put on a coat of Wilko* varnish and it's drying already and yes you were all right it is fabulously smooth. I will put on a second coat as recommended for durability. Can't wait to paint the other 5 and get the fabric to cover the seats. That may have to wait until May bank hols as I have some 'work' work to do and a job to apply for and some visitors this weekend but I'll see how it goes.

Just so happy that they look so lovely and so far have spent only £48 which will do 6 chairs plus a load of other stuff. Fabric should be no more than £30 and they will be like new chairs. A lot cheaper than buying new ones which was DHs suggestion. I will have to sand the table top down at some point and then varnish it and I plan to paint just the legs. Then will move onto decoupaging my chest of drawers (then DDs furniture next). Oh and the sideboard in the kitchen - am going to be very very busy!!!!:eek::eek::o:o

Oh and I've just remembered I would like to buy and shabby chic a new wardrobe rail/drawer and my dark wood corner units. Those will be last _- do you think dark wood will have come back into fashion by then? :-)

Oh and I mustn't forget the lampshades I need to make a la Jumblejack's Pinterest page - which is brilliant btw

I have just done a few bits of chalk painting. Like you, I find the finish a bit rough and vulnerable. I asked a lot of questions about wax, on here. Tried to wax a piece with some lavender wax polish as I had that in the cupboard. It made it a bit pinky, so would not recommend. I have a feeling that waxing may make the paint a bit yellowish. I prefer the bright white. Did the Wilko varnish colour it at all? What exact varnish did you use? Was it matt or shiny? I have just done an Ercol chair and don't want to spoil the colour with wax, really. I like the effect of Shabby Chic stuff in other peoples homes, but in my own, I don't like the blemishes and worn edges.

chalkysoil

habitat £28 plus £5 delivery




£35 Argos


Like these?


I'm using 1980's smallish plastic bins poked in a corner as what with recycling etc the rubbish is getting complicated!