Translating a Dress into a Dresser

A few weeks ago I headed to Hoboken, NJ for one of my best gal pal's wedding shower. She looked stunning in this dress from Anthropologie.

I adored the dress (though I adore the girl who was in it more!), and decided the colors would make a fabulous piece of furniture, naturally!

Last weekend I delivered a piece of furniture to DC and found this dresser to purchase while I was in the area for... $25!! I was so excited because it was a great size and had nice simple details. This is my kind of dresser!

I sanded it, primed it, and painted it with 3 coats of Benjamin Moore's Emerald Isle in Aura paint which is low VOC. I lightly distressed it just enough to highlights its beveled drawer faces and simple details. Then I added cobalt blue knobs from Anthropologie. Ok, scroll back up to the dress, and now look at the dresser...





What do you think? aren't they a sweet pair? Thanks, Jen, for wearing a beautiful and inspiring dress! Can't wait to stand by your side this weekend as you marry Chris. Love you and wish you years and years of love, happiness, and many blessings.

I am linking up to...
Spotlight Yourself at It's So Very Cheri-Cheri I can never get your button to work- sorry!)

Red Streak

After painting that red vanity last week for a custom order, I was in the mood for love... or red, I mean. I picked up this dresser at Goodwill for $40, and I was stoked! I never find good deals at my Goodwill, and to top it off, they don't even have any specials EVER on furniture and housewares. I need to befriend an elderly citizen so I can use their discount. He he... Anyhow, here is the dresser in its before state.

Yes, pretty darn ugly. It was already red, but who could tell under that awful glazing job it had, with the so shiny and sexy gold embellishments. I would say this thing was painted circa 1970's. When I started sanding I discovered that it had been a nice shade of red underneath, so I decided to stick with that and make it red again. It had some weird marks on the drawers that I couldn't sand all the way off, but it still has charm and character! I gave it the same treatment the vanity got, and I added some knobs I had on hand from Anthropologie that are glass and feature a sketch of a frog under the glass. And here it is now... a much more vibrant and up to date version of red!



Linking to...

Federal to Feminine

Last week I picked up this little dresser for $20 bucks off craigslist.


The pros...
- sweet scalloping
- very sturdy and heavy for a little gal
- drawers open and close very easily so it's great for a child

The cons
- brass eagle hardware
- mustard paint with gold flowers
- did i mention the brass eagle hardware?

It was structurally sound, no repairs needed, but a facelift and new hardware were in need to make this old gal shine. With its petite stature, and sweet shape, I decided to make it all out girly. It had been a while since I had painted a pink dresser, so I pulled out a favorite "oops" pink by Benjamin Moore which was also an Aura paint (No VOC). After a couple coats of primer and paint, I very lightly distressed it. I also had some white porcelain rose knobs which were the final touch. Here she is now- primped and ready for the ball!




Linking up with...

I See a Brown Door and I want to Paint it White

Hopefully most of you got that Rolling Stones reference in the title... If you didn't, look up "Paint it Black" by them. You won't be sorry!
Anyhow, what do the Rolling Stones have to do with home decor? Not much, but if you recall I showed you my "master" bedroom last week. I was pretty darn happy with how it had evolved, but those darn ugly hollow brown doors were just nagging at me, especially after seeing the pictures....


everything was soft, white, gray, squishy, and comfy, and then there were those dark spots- the ugly doors. I got to work Friday priming them, and then painted them. It took several coats- all in all 3 coats of primer, and 2 of paint, but they are DONE. I didn't worry about the door knobs so much because I plan to use some of that bronze spray paint and hit them all with that at some point. Anyhow, here is the room with its newly painted doors! Much better, huh? Now I just have to paint the rest of the doors in the house.... ugh! Oh, and before I get inundated.... the duvet cover is from West Elm- the organic cotton pintuck duvet cover.

Gorgeous Antique Sideboard for Sale by My Client in Baltimore Area

A client of mine is looking to sell a gorgeous antique glass-door sideboard. I told her I would post it here to see if anyone in the local Baltimore or Southern PA area might be interested. It is located in Lutherville and buyer must pick up from there. The measurements are 68 across by 43 high by 23 deep. She is asking $500. If you are interested just let me know and I will pass on your info to my client. Thanks!

My Primitive & Proper Pad: Baby Harley's Nursery

Ok, this isn't my room, but I am showing it off at Shaunna's Style Feature Saturday because I think it's a great example of how a piece can really make a room! And because I think Harley's Mommy and Daddy did a fantastic job!

This past winter I met an adorable couple due to have their first baby, a girl. They had come to see this dresser....

Of course, they were having a girl, and I happened to have some pink knobs of the same style on hand, so we swapped out the knobs to make it a bit more feminine. And I have to say, it fits perfectly into baby Harley's (LOVE that name!!) nursery, don't you think? What a lucky little lady she is to have such a great room! Oh, and she arrived on time on 7/7 so already she has luck on her side! I am so happy for the new family!

Yellow Butterfly Dresser

"May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond."
~Irish Blessing

Isn't that quote the sweetest? I found some awesome butterfly knobs at Anthropologie the other day on clearance for $2.95, so i snatched them up. They each feature a beautiful yellow butterfly behind a sphere of glass.

I also had picked up this dresser last week and knew with its simple shape it would be perfect for either a fun design or bold color.

With the butterfly knobs in mind, I opted for bold color, so the knobs could be the center of attention on the piece.
I sanded it down, primed it with 2 coats of white primer (bright yellow is another one of those translucent colors that needs a good base of primer), painted it with 2 coats of an "oops" Ralph Lauren canary yellow, and then distressed it and antiqued it with a dark stain. The final touch was the butterfly knobs. Here she is now, and yes, it is definitely a she- so bright, cheerful, and feminine!