The Coco Cabinet's New Home is the Wind Water Salon in Castle Rock!

Having had it's own makeover, the cabinet will feel right at home in the midst of all the pampering!

If you have the itch for a new style or some spa services to start the New Year out on the right foot... or for fun boutique gifts, go see Jen!  http://www.windwatersalon.com/

Word to the wise... Jen had on some great earrings when she came to pick this piece up, and I believe they carry them at the Salon:)

Up Next...

This End table has such great lines.  I am thinking of doing it in Old Ochre chalk paint and wax.  It will have the same coloring and finish as the Medallion coffee table and the Buffet.

Unless you want a custom color... let me know!

Loving the Interest from Across the Country! But...

Shipping is just so expensive that I have not really figured out how to make it doable and worthwhile for the buyer or for me:( 

What is Dusted with Coco on the Outside with Cream on the Inside?

This adorable cabinet! 

I just finished it.  I used Annie Sloan's Coco chalk paint on the outside, and a mix of Pure White and Old White for a nice milky color on the inside.  Then some distressing and waxing. Now it's ready for a new home.  I love the coco-grayish color.  It's so neutral, yet interesting.  This would be a great accent piece in almost any room.

I love the open wire!

Waiting with open arms:)

Painting is a lot Like Raising Children...

The outcome mainly depends on patience and consistency...and some imagination really helps.

A Chair Worth it's Weight in Gold

This chair is worth  it's weight in gold.  It's an Ikea chair that I bought used several years ago.  I bought it to put in my office, so that my girls would have something comfy to entice them to come sit if I am in here working.

It works.  People plop into this chair.  It's comfortable.  It's usable.  True, it's white, but the slipcover is washable. 

Best of all, sometimes on quiet mornings if I am up early, Elianna will wander down with her sleepy eyes in search of me, find me in my office and request a snuggle.  Even though she is up to my shoulder now, we both fit, and the soft arms of the chair help provide a nest for us to cuddle:)  So actually, the chair is worth more than it's weight in gold!

Over the years, I have come to think about what I want our furniture to accomplish.  I swapped out the cool antique chairs at the kitchen table for redesigned chairs with padded seats... and now we linger longer over dinner.  We recently swapped out one of our sofa sets for a sectional, which I am normally not a big fan of, but already we are enjoying all of us being able to get onto one piece of furniture!

Sometimes furniture really is for artistic purposes.  Sometimes it is for people to enjoy and really use.

Next in the Queue...

I am working on a cabinet with three drawers, and upper shelves... behind open wire.  Very French Provincial, and very adorable:) 

I am doing it in Coco (outside) and a Cream color (inside cabinet).  It should be done in a few days.

I also am hoping to experiment a bit today with stainless steel paint.  I want to see if I can achieve an old zinc type look with it...or not.  I'll let you know!

The Writing Desk is Finally Done!

I have been waiting on the hardware for some time... and it came yesterday.  Of course, nothing is safe from a bit of paint and wax at my hands, so I touched up the hardware a bit and then had to drill out the holes... and voila!  I LOVE this desk! 

Now of course you don't have to purchase the desk and the lamp together... but you should!  They are really yummy together, and check out how the detailing on the harware and the lamp compliment each other!

Set of 3 Wall Frames with Beautiful Paper Prints

These are reclaimed frames that I have done in Duck Egg blue chalk paint, and aged with dark wax.  I added some printed paper that I had on hand that is luscious with the frame color.  This is a fairly easy way to update your space.  You can even use frames you already have. After painting and waxing, simply add a coordinating scrapbook paper... or try fabric!

It Couldn't be Sweeter!

This little antique KinderGarten Chair is originally from Denver's Montview KinderGarten. (Written under the seat).  The base is metal and has been done in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg blue.  There is a sweet little #13stamped into the metal on the back.   The seat and slats are wood and have been done in Annie's Verasailles green. 

I have added a number three to the seat just for fun!

Love those lines!  Makes me want to go for a joy ride in a 57 Chevy!

Antique KinderGarten Chair in Process

 Not so as you can tell at the moment... but this little guy is going to be cute as a bug!  Now, I realize that I post things like that often... being exuberant about how something is going to, or does, turn out. 

Those of you who know me know that I am also prone to praising my own cooking!  It truly isn't that I am looking for any recognition.  It's just that I am more like a kid:  I get really, really excited when creative projects turn out well.  And I have deep enjoyment of good food and beautiful things:)  So, please bear with my exuberance.  I love sharing these processes with you!

I am doing the chair in Annie Sloan's Duck Egg blue and Versailles green. 

There is a sweet little # 13 stamped into the metal on the back of the chair!

Pieces Finding New Homes!

I am thrilled with the interest that people have been showing for my pieces on Etsy. I have had my first sale via my Etsy shop!  Alas, I am not sure that it is going to work out, as the buyer did not notice that I list for local pick up only... and they are in New York... and I and my finished pieces are in Colorado.

I have another interested in buyer that I am checking on shipping for on another piece... and it would be for her first new home.  I love the thought of the table finding it's new home under such fun circumstances!

La Grande Dame!

The French term, La Grande Dame, indicates a highly respected woman of a certain age:)  Grande also means large.  La Grande Dame is both!  Originally made by Fortune Lamp in 1971, La is 40.5" in overall height, and the base alone is 30.5". 

Fortune lamp made beautiful, artistic lamps, and La is no exception.  She has been redesigned (originally bright gold, silver, and black... see my previous post titled Big Mama:) in the following ways:  1st coat Annie Sloan chalk paint in a mixture of Cocoa, French Linen, and Old White.  2nd Coat Pure White chalk Paint.  3rd Coat clear wax.  4th Coat equal parts clear and dark wax.  This paint finish is delectable with the detailing on La, lending interest and subtlety to the colors, while remaining neutral in overall tone.  La is like a good piece of jewelry, substantial and interesting, yet understated.

The shade is original, and is in very good vintage shape, with just a few minor flaws... but no tears.  The only alteration done to the shade was to add a decorative trim that ties in the base colors... and hides the somewhat tacky looking 1971 trim with gold detailing.

La Grand Dame is now searching for her chateau! 

La Grande Dame is Done!

f.k.a. Big Mama

She is done, and is fantastic!  She will make her debut tomorrow. 

The Guest Set in Versailles Green... Just in Time for Christmas!

Watch...

Look there!
On the horizon, is that
not the rising of the Sun?
Watch.
Wait for it's coming.
The Light of the World.

                                                                          Susan Groce

Luggage Rack Preview...

The luggage rack should be done tomorrow.  What a great set.  You might want to get this one... I may never do a luggage rack again... it is super time consuming! 

The more planes there are on a piece, and the more detailing, the more time it always takes.  Something like this has a very high number of planes to surface area ratio:)

BTW:  The straps will be a cotton cream. 

Adorable Antique Telephone Table in Versailles Green

This cutie is done in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Versailles... which is a lovely muted green.  It is distressed and waxed.  I am currently working on a luggage rack in the same color... should be done today or tomorrow.  Together they would make a great set to add charm to a guest room.  Of course, this little cutie would look good almost anywhere in the house!

Check Out my new Etsy Shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ReclamationDesigns

BTW...

A pair of vintage lamps by this company sold for $2,500.  But don't worry, I won't be charging that much!

http://www.swanklighting.com/lamps/ceramic-lamps/marbro-company-vintage-ceramic-lamps-green-and-gold

Almost Ready for the Unveiling...

Here is the tall gal herself after a second coat in Annie Sloan Pure White, followed by a coat of light wax, and then an application of a mixture of equal parts light and dark wax.  Oh My!  What a difference a makeover makes!  I'll post more pictures when I have the shade on, and in better light.. just couldn't resist letting her show off a bit tonight:)

Big Mama Goes to Charm School...

Here she is after a coat in a light gray tone. 
Looking so much more demure now!
More of her makeover to come.

Right Now I Call Her Big Mama!

I set my coffee cup by this lamp to give you an idea of scale.  She's big!  But, just wait... I have plans for her:)

Serendipity Medallion Lamp

Serendipity Lamp $65

This cutie has a reclaimed and hand painted metal base in graphite/black,
with a new, hand painted burlap shade.

The Gray Lamp is Done... and the Colors are Yummy!

The base is a reclamation and Hand Painted in a light grey chalk paint, and then waxed.  The cream center really sets off the gray... which is light and warm and almost has hints of blue and taupe in it.

The shade is entirely new, and done in custom fabric. 

It is a very fine linen look, but a little more refined. 

It looks beautiful with the base both lit and unlit.

 

Voila! (And it's available for $95.)

I will post later about the process of recovering a shade.  Bon Nuit!

Getting a Little Giddy!

I am working on two lamps that are going to GORGEOUS!!  The one is a grey and cream combination, and I am done painting it.  I found the best fabric for the shade today... elegant and yummy.  Of course, doing the shade is much more challenging that painting the lamp, so it will have to wait a few days.

The other lamp is going to have a black (with some dark brown hints) base with a tobacco fabric shade, with a thin black piping... and I am thinking of adding a luscious big black bow to dress it up. 

Sneak Preview of the Writing Desk...

This Writing Desk is a fabulous Reclamation!  It is solid wood (I believe Ash, but wouldn't stake my life on it:)  It is simple, yet interesting with the detailing.  It is one that looks good from all angles, and so can be placed in a 'free standing' position in the room if you desire.  I decided to do it in a fairly heavily distressed finish, in a light grey.  I just ordered the hardware, so stay tuned!

Great Discovery.... I Call it the J.R. Watkins Finish!

Loving all things natural as I do...holding to the philosophy that nobody is smarter than God... thus, if God thinks we should breath oxygen, perhaps we out not breath solvents.. (OK, in the interest of full disclosure, there are limits to certain natural products.  For example:  If you are going to do some public speaking, skip the all-natural deodorant and just go for the hard stuff!)

I am digressing... back on track here.  Sometimes when working with Annie Sloan's light and dark waxes, I want to tweak the finish after the dark wax coat.  There are ways to do this, such as applying a bit more light wax over the dark wax and rubbing hard with a fresh cheese cloth.  Or, there is the very effective, but very smelly, non-lung and earth friendly option of taking it off with mineral spirits.  But, as I am prone to doing, I wondered if there is a more ntaural way.

Some time back I stumbled across the happy realization that J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care Dish Soap will take wax off of your hands and brushes if you rub it in before applying any water.  So, today, that set my little earth-mother heart to thinking.... if it will do that, is it possible that it will take a bit of the wax of of the piece or furniture I am working on (which at the moment is a great writing desk!)? I grabbed my bottle and cheese cloth... and the results are in... Yes!

The difference is not huge, but is visible, and is taking the top of this desk to the more subtle look I was hoping for.  Purrr. 

Bonus: You do have to rub pretty vigorously, so you get your workout in at the same time:)

Look at this beautiful effect...

This next one is the "before".  Notice the difference in the degree of blending and subtlety.

This entire effect and finish (of the first photo) has been a result of the 1.  First coat in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White.  2.  Second Coat in a mixture of equal parts Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen and Old White (which makes a yummy, light warm grey color)  3.  A coat of AS Light Wax  4.  A coat of AS Dark Wax  (working in small sections and rubbed off quickly)  5.  Using ultra-fine sand paper to remove some of the paint and wax  6.  Rubbing the surface vigorously with fresh cheese cloth and the Watkins Dish Soap.  It now feels like silk, and has a gorgeous aged look!

Intricacies...

The Medallion Coffee Table was fun to do.  It took some effort though.  The more intricate and the more winks, the more interesting the piece usually is when it is done.  The details and the winks do require more time and effort... but are well worth it in the end.  Reminds me of people:)

There was a crack on one of the edges of trim that I could not see until the first coat of paint was on due to the wood grain.  Enter Wood Filler, which I have a cantankerous relationship with!  As of now, I am convinced that the key is to let it dry... but not get rock hard before you sand it.  Some of what is so low stress about chalk paint is that you can just continue on from there... and I did!  Sanded the wood filler, and kept on painting.

There are some cracks in the legs that it would have been a shame to cover!  They are part of what gives this piece it's Old World, Shi Shi, Casual Charm.  The Annie Sloan Dark Wax really brings of the beauty of those 'winks'. (see my post on winks:)

Wishing You Had a Gorgeous Set of Legs?

This unique Medallion Coffee Table should be just the ticket!  It is solid wood, and will create a beautiful one-of-a-kind spot to gather around and share good conversation with good friends.  (It coordinates beautifully with the Medallion Buffet!)

Wax On, Wax Off...

I love the consistency of Annie Sloan's light and dark waxes that go with her chalk paints... they go on like butter!  Being the earth mother that I am (you can take a girl out of the Northwest, but you can't take the Northwest out of the girl), I just ordered some completely non-toxic wax that I am also looking forward to trying. 

I will let you know how it goes. 

In the meantime, the coffee table with the center medallion is done.  I did it in Old Ochre, so it complements the Medallion Buffet really nicely.  I have also finished a lamp that is in tones of warm cream and a warm, light grey... yummm!  I am currently working on a solid wood writing desk in the same colors.  Photos to come.

So many things to paint... so little time!

Medallion on the Coffe Table

This very unique coffee table is almost done... I just need to polish the wax, and then I will post it and it will be available tomorrow.  I LOVE the medallion, and the scrolled legs:)

The Real Reason I Spend so Much of My Time Painting...

It's because I just look so darned cute in this mask!

Ok, so I look like a creature out of Star Wars,
but I am allergic to some chemicals, and it's too cold to paint outside!

The Medallion Buffet is Ready!

This beautiful buffet is done and ready for sale!  It is a solid piece.  Originally by Bernhardt/Hibriten. 
It is done in Old Ochre chalk paint.  The photos do not capture the depth of color... it's gorgeous!  There is one shelf on each side, and the two drawers.  18 x 31 x 74.  This a perfect piece for a dining room or living area, and one that can be kept in your family for decades.  $395  reclamationdesigns@gmail.com

The Hardware Arrived!

It's like getting a birthday present in the mail!  It's perfect for the piece:)  I will post better photos tomorrow when it is light out, and when I get screws the correct length for the lower doors.... and then it will be done!

Winks...

Reclaimed things almost always have what I call winks.... that little nod acknowledging that this is something from a time gone by, and a reminder of it's life before.  I like these winks from the past.  They provide markers and continuity, and are part of the story of the life cycle of the object.  They lend character to a piece, like well earned crow's feet add depth to eyes.

I am also a bit of a perfectionist.  This morning I am doing battle with a wink that is too impudent to leave unadressed. I am really pleased with how the buffet in Old Ohcre is turning out!  Just one thing is bugging me.  One corner of one door drags just slightly when I shut it.  So I got out the sand paper.  No.  Now the rasp.  Not so much.  It feels like a stubborn, mischevious child.  Of course it could just be that the door is solid wood and nearly two inches thick;)  Wink.  Back to it!

This Year's Christmas Ornament

Each year at Thanksgiving, we make Christmas ornaments, usually in the company of dear friends.  I can't take credit for either this year's idea or design.  My oldest daughter found this cute idea on Pinterst. 

They were easy to do, even for the little ones!  First cut copper wire (I used 20 gauge.) and turn back one end so that the buttons don't come off as you work.

Next, get your buttons together, and cut ribbons for the bows.  String your buttons on.  Have fun with the colors and sizes!  When your ornament is the size that you want, twist the wires at the top to close the circle and create a top loop for the wire hanger.  Then tie your bow and and voila!  Super easy and cute!

And here they are!  Making ornaments together each year gives us something to remember our celebration of what we are thankful for by.   It is also is creating a stash of ornaments and memories that the girls can one day hang on their own trees. 

It's Going to be Gorgeous!

Just a few finishing touches to go, and this beautiful buffet will be ready for a new home!

Just Saying...

It ain't nothing for a girl to get up and get our her power tools, make a missing piece of trim for a beautiful old buffet, wash up and get to church with earrings on by 11:00am :)

Sad, but True...

I am going to have to say goodbye to my 99cent brush, and after all we have been through together!  A buffet, a nightstand, a chair, and half of another buffet.  Well, I guess the little guy couldn't last forever.

French Medallion End Table with Marble Top $95

This beautiful little end table is done in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Arles, with an aged effect, and fun little caster wheels.  28"L x 18"W x 23"H.  It will add a special touch to almost any room of the house, with it's warm, buttery, yet neutral gold tone offset by the cream marble top and medallion.  reclamationdesignsgmail.com