A Rookie Refinishing

I've had a demilune table hanging around
for a couple of years, waiting for cosmetic rescue.

On Sunday, after Howard and I picked up an

adorable, chubby little bombe' chest in rough shape,

that honestly looks as if it just tap-danced out of a Disney movie,

I decided that this was the week I'd get brave.

***************************************

The half-moon table came to us through the kindness of Craigslist.

It lived for a few years in our dining room,

making itself useful and earning its keep.

I always thought it was begging to be painted black.

But a couple of months ago, I painted it in Paris Grey chalk paint.

Oy, what a Fail.

The details on the carvings just got lost, muddled in the pale paint.

I didn't even take a picture, because blech.

Which brings us to Thursday of this week, and a can of my favorite

Ralph Lauren Bone Black paint, a little bottle of Martha Stewart

Faux Finishing Glaze, a small bottle of metallic Copper acrylic craft

 paint because there was no brown in the house), and nerves of steel.

I've never done the antique-y glazing thing.  Or, honestly,

any type of glazing except what goes on flourless chocolate cakes.

Method?  Mixed some copper paint in with some glaze.

Brushed it on, swiped it off, and it looked okay.  Still, a little pale.

To the copper glaze left in my Red Solo Cup, I added some black.

More detail popped out, making me happy, and I finished off

by painting the tabletop in the Bone Black.

Voila! the old demilune table has a glam new look.

After 20 minutes of washing glaze and paint off my hands

(what, gloves?), I tackled the squatty little bombe chest.

I saw it on Craigslist last week, and it called my name.

It was pretty beaten up -- lots of scratches and dings, and

some sort of thick gooey sticky gluey dark stuff had dripped

down its front, and in under the two drawers, and hardened.

Who could resist?  Love at first sight.

Some Restor-A-Finish by the Howard Company, some elbow

grease with fine grade steel wool and rags, sanding, a bit of

Old English Scratch Cover, and a final moisturizing with

Feed 'N' Wax, and she was ready for her closeup.

She's dainty; only about 20-inches tall.

And seriously, don't you want to see a cartoon face on her?

Well, actually, this small piece is really lovely, and good quality.

Mahogany. You cannot believe how heavy she is.

She wears her weight well, though, don't you think?

Both the demi-lune table and the Looney Tunes chest

will go into the antiques booth today.

I hope someone else will also fall in love . . . Cass
What are your weekend plans?  Howard and I are
heading to Connecticut, and a big country auction.  Yay!

**********************************

It's Friday, and there are some Linky Parties to attend.

     

Potpourri Friday at 2805 . . . click here!

The Thrifty Groove hosts Thrifty Things Friday, so go ahead and click!

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Friday is up and running ... click it!

At French Country Cottage, click for Feathered Nest Friday.

And at My Romantic Home, it's Show and Tell Friday.  Click-click!