Shabby Chic; Volume III

neenaww

Thanks Emma Kate.

The thing is one of the things I'm varnishing is a glass table top that was very scratched so I have covered it with paper & now I'm varnishing for protection. Seems silly to put more glass on top of glass! I'll keep going! Had to give in today as I was doing it outside & it's too windy!

Fay

emma_kate wrote: »

I love your makeovers Fay! Particularly the shelf. Doesn't orange pine look better painted!

Thank you. Pine sure does look better painted. I've done some bedside tables too but need to put the pics into photobucket first.

steve_2012

emma_kate wrote: »

I don't see why it would weaken it Steve. It looks like a fairly solid construction. Will you drill into the panel and then jigsaw it out? Let us know how it goes!

thanks kate, id thought it should be fine as the centre pole would give strength.
to take out the 4 panels im not so certain what way to do it yet.
they are it seems just sat in a rebate so cutting a cross and then pulling out would be an option but this would mean having to fill the rebate and fit the chicken wire on the back of the door.
or i could cut tight to the rebate and leave the edges in and rub them smooth and fit the CW to the back.
what i really would like too do is actually fit the CW into the rebate but i dont think it will work as it would be very fiddly and the 4 panels on both doors need to have the CW lined up so they all look the same, also they would be very difficult to keep good tension on the CW.
im still mulling this one over.
i have 3 of these at the minute, this one and one other are a commission job ( ark at me, i need a shirt with frilly cuffs lol).
i did a buffet ercol one we sold to this lady a year or so back, and she wants 2 more, one as a tv cabinet.
started yesterday with stripping the handles, top and all the shelves.

emma_kate

It really looks like a different piece of furniture! Did you use wood bleach on the top? Great job.

steve_2012

emma_kate wrote: »

It really looks like a different piece of furniture! Did you use wood bleach on the top? Great job.

i just used wilko stripper, scrapper blades from pound land, wash with eco white spirit, wash with clean water then fine wire wool to smooth and clear wax.
ive used the same method a few times now and it works well, not good enough for a dining table etc but great for dressers, with a bit of work you can get a near glass finish, sometimes they need a bit of fine sanding then fine wire wool.

nimbo

I have a few bits I need to get painted this week - a dresser, craft chair and then a dining set...

The issue is I can't figure out how to remove the backs form the chairs in one piece - does anyone have a clue? There are no screws covered or otherwise and very little give in them...

Plan b is to remove the fabric backs and fill the slots - then just paint them up...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/114012903@N02/

any ideas greatly received...

chalkysoil

I have no idea but I saw this, which might be of use? http://www.chatfieldcourt.com/reupholstering-a-chair/


I redid two chairs this week - just easy seat pads but it was my first ever effort and took me most of two days of angst. I wish I'd made a neater job of the underneath, but didn't give it a thought until too late.

roomontheend

Hopefully someone can give me some advice. I have a four piece 1940s bedroom set, which includes a bedstead. I would like to paint them in a chalk paint or similar. They are current walnut veneer with vanish, they have knocks and scratchs which is not surprising. What prep work will I need to do? Will I need to remove all the vanish and sand down to remove all scratchs?

chalkysoil

with chalk paint you can just dive in. A wash/wipe is a good idea but not essential if you are going for a distressed look, best to get rid of cobwebs, finger prints and old furniture polish. ( I often don't though!)
With that age of furniture there is a risk of stain bleed though or the varnish misbehaving. Find an area to test what's going to happen before you get going. Probably nothing, but it can take up to a day to react. If the white paint looks pink or spotted ( I had one table in tiny blue and red spots) either paint it a darkish colour or use a stain blocking primer.
you don't need to sand unless there is something rough & annoying. If the veneer is seriously missing in places you could fill the holes with wood filler to the level of the good stuff and sand it smooth. Chalk paint usually gives a noticeable texture and absorbs scratches. If you want a smooth painted look like doors and window frames, chalk paint might not be the thing to use. Although using a mini roller, or using the paint a little more diluted helps.

roomontheend

The scratches are just in the varnish really. I will try a test patch on the back of the headboard as if this cocks up at least it will be against the wall. This set was my husbands grandparents and I really love them. They are looking rather worn and a paint would really brighten them up.