Recently our daughter painted an old dresser and suddenly George understood why I had so long wanted to paint our kitchen dresser. It's nothing special, just an item of furniture which I bought, with my own hard-earned money just a few months after we married, almost 40 years ago. In fact I bought two, but I'm not planning on painting the larger one, I like it exactly the way it is.
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This is a photograph of the kitchen as it used to be, things have been changed around a little since then, but you can see the dresser on the right. The nicest thing about it is the leaded glass doors.
Here it is now - still waiting to have the doors and drawers returned, but you get the idea. I love that gentle splash of colour, it really lifts that corner of the kitchen. Staying in the kitchen, but just the other side of the doorway, is an old bureau.
It is very plain, ugly, but oh so useful. George hates it, would happily chop it up for firewood!
It calls to me - I can hear it begging me to paint it. How can I refuse? I know exactly what I shall do with it - a few coats of a soft blue/grey/greenish colour for the whole thing, and then the fun can begin.
I am going to indulge myself, do something I have wanted to do for a long time.
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| Beautiful wallpaper by Gracie Studio for Aerin Laude |
The funny thing is that a few months ago, when I was sorting through my craft cupboard, I almost decided to throw away all my paints, I honestly couldn't imagine myself ever picking up a paintbrush again.
I'm looking forward to seeing the finished bureau. The dresser looks great - a coat of paint makes all the difference! I wish that I was brave enough to do something similar with our kitchen doors. Jx
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, How lovely to see you back. The trouble with this painting lark is that I now go around the house looking for items to paint. Best get the bureau started first though! Good luck with the kitchen doors - it's the first few brush strokes which are the most difficult.
DeleteGlad you didn't throw away your paints and brushes. If we have been bitten by the art bug, we have the "disease" forever.
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline, I think you must be right, and i would have missed out on a huge amount of fun, too. Once an idea forms it really takes hold in my mind and won't let go, I know you understand what that is like.
DeleteHow long do we have to wait to see the finished job? Not too long I hope.
ReplyDeleteHi Cro, So far all I have managed to do is sand the bureau. It has been cold and mizzling all day, so I've had to do dull and worthy jobs indoors. I want to give it three good coats of paint, resting it for a day between each coat...then the fun, and the 'eeek' moments will begin. I can't wait.
DeleteI love the new look, Elaine. I have painted and decorated furniture before...it is quite rewarding. Keep us posted on the outcome....
ReplyDeleteHi Meggie, I'll be sure to do that. I'm looking forward to seeing the dresser reassembled, drawers and doors back in place, I just need my handyman to see to the hinges, etc. I have a very plain television cabinet, an old and very dull desk, a pine shelf set...all crying out for a lick of paint. watch this space!
DeleteJust found your blog and happy I did. Your kitchen...looks like a real, gets used, is loved, family filled kitchen. Adore it. In the US we have this awful trend where those with lots of $ remodel their kitchens for big bucks but make them so perfect, so cold and sterile they fear using them. No cooking, no family meals just for show mainly. Yours is the kitchen of My dreams!
ReplyDeleteHello Donna, Lovely to meet you! You are absolutely right, it is the heart of our home. I really hate being isolated from everyone when I cook, so we decided to make the kitchen into the main living area and it has just evolved from there. It works for us - although I often think that I should have chosen a darker floor to hide the doggy paw prints. ;-) I hope you get your dream kitchen soon.
DeleteLove your kitchen Elaine, Its beautiful. Your cupboard fits in well now.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting.. a great idea to paint flowers and birds
will be watching for the finish.
val
Hello Val, I'm really excited about doing those birds and flowers - but first I must do the more boring work. My immediate feeling is to do something very exotic and colourful, but my sensible head is saying that I should keep it delicate and 'quiet', after all, i don't want to shock George....I have my eye on several other pieces of furniture which could do with a lick of paint, perhaps I'll do something really wacky on one of those.
DeleteWhat fun, I love seeing what people come up with. Changes are good don’t you think? Looking forward to the results.
ReplyDeleteHello Doc, The older I get, the more I enjoy change. It is fun to ring the changes and after all, the worst that can happen is that I do a duff job and have to strip it all off. I'll post the results.
DeleteYou've been bitten by the bug :- ) I haven't found a cure yet!
ReplyDeleteYour dresser looks lovely, and I'm sure the bureau will look magnificent. I have my Dad's bureau and it's exactly the same shape as yours.
Hello Scarlet, You are absolutely right - and you are partly to blame! You do some wonderful make overs; I'll be happy if I can achieve anything near the results you get. The bureau belonged to a favourite uncle of mine, which is why I refuse to let it go. I think it dates from the late 1960/70's.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the bureau when it's finished!
ReplyDeleteHello Jan, I have completed two of the base coats, one more to go and then I can get started on the fun painting.
DeleteI am so excited!
ReplyDeleteHello Joanne, So am I! My fingers are itching to get started.
DeleteThird time of trying... here goes:
ReplyDeleteThrowing your paints out. What were you thinking about lassie?
LLX
Hello Linda, It was a close called thing. The good thing is that the creativity mode has found me again, it's when I am at my happiest.
DeleteDear Elaine,
ReplyDeleteisn't it like a miracle wand to swing a paint brush (well, more than once - I know it is work) and get a whole new look? Did I get it right that after laying a foundation you will paint in the style of the wallpaper on it? I'm so interested to see the results!
By the way: a question I wanted always to ask: in your header I see beautiful pink flowers (resembling a bit Paeonias - but the leaves are so different, and the height, and so near the water - what are they?)
DeleteHello Brigitta, You are right, I am going to attempt something I haven't tried before and that is to paint in the style of the wallpaper. I will paint branches, flowers and birds, attempting to do them all very delicately. It will be fun to try. As far as the flowers go, I believe they are roses which have been left to do their own thing by the stream. I love that pretty pink amongst all the greenery. Enjoy your weekend.
DeleteSorry! In my comment on your more recent post, I muddled the dresser and the bureau! Can't wait to see the results of your painting. (Oh, I really LIKE that cat cookie jar!)
ReplyDeleteHi Mitch, No need to apologise, it was my fault. I'm trying to only give a glimpse of the bureau until I have finished painting the birds and flowers on it. The cat was bought by Owl, many years ago - isn't he wonderful? ... the cat, not the owl, well the owl is too, but you know what I mean!
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