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Friday, May 29, 2015

The transformation of the"throw away" Winter Lake Buffet and my Intern Krista


Awhile back a young lady named Krista contacted me and asked if she could be my intern.  I was in shock and honored that someone one would like to be my intern, and I of course said yes!  Krista is in finishing up college and plans on enrolling in design school after she graduates.  She is also a professional photographer and I had met her at one of my "Home Decor" sales I have at my house when she was looking for props for photo shoots.  We started talking and hit it off and she would come by to borrow things for props when she needed them.  We developed a friendship and she took our family photos during the holidays.  I was honored when she asked if she could learn about painting and decorating from me as an intern.  We have been working together now when we both have time for a few months.  
       The reason I bring Krista up is that this buffet was one of the first pieces we worked on together.  I had found an ad. on CL about some furniture and so Krista and I went to check it out.  This buffet was in BAD shape and was basically a throw away piece from the seller, but I fell in love with it and had to have it.  The seller wanted it gone so badly, that she had her son delver it to my house that afternoon!  
Before:


I could see that the piece was well built and had lots of potential,  but would be a LOT of HARD work.  
The top was peeling off and needed to be removed.  I asked Krista if she was up for the challenge and she said yes.  We removed the layers of veneer by using a spackle knife and a hammer.  We tried the damp cloth and hot iron method, but it did not work, so out came the tools.  By holding the sharp spackle knife at a slight angle under the edge of the veneer and tapping it with the hammer, the veneer slowly and painstakingly came off! During the middle of this removal I was really wondering if I was crazy for taking on this project!  
After the top stuff was removed, we sanded it down and started on the front. 

We removed more veneer, but decided to just go with the character of the pieces and paint over some of the issues.  The other issue we had to fix was that the inside of the cabinet was  missing some of the drawer supports.  Finally we were ready for paint!  I pulled out Winter Lake by The Urban Rooster and since the buffet was so dry it soaked the paint up fast.  I thought the details were gorgeous and wanted to high light them, so I got out white paint and hand painted the details.  After distressing the piece, we sealed it with dark wax and tung oil.  

( photo disclaimer here-I was planning on taking good staged photos for the blog, but with my move in to my new remodel I just do not have time.  These photos are just quick ones snapped so Krista could show her friends her first piece.) 





Great details 

Such a pretty Blue! 



How gorgeous is the hardware?




I have worked on many BAD pieces of furniture, but this was one of the worst pieces I have taken on.  I am glad it turned out as pretty as it did! 

Linking up with:
frommyfrontporchtoyours
commonground

38 comments:

  1. You did such an amazing job fixing that piece. I love that blue too. It is chic yet masculine.

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    1. Thank you Victoria-I love the blue too and it was worth the work to bring back a gorgeous piece of furniture!

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  2. A beautiful transformation of colour, detail, and striking appeal!

    Happy weekend!

    Poppy

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  3. Gorgeous, as usual. You have an amazing eye...and you have an intern now? You are a regular little cottage industry now!

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    1. Thank you Kim-I know how cool is it that little me has an intern! Now I suppose I should get a shop or something.

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  4. Wow. What a find and a transformation. Love your stuff!

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    1. Thank you Tabitha-it was a big project , but worth it!

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  5. I love the color and your work is amazing :) It's got to be a blast to have an intern too, as in fun :)

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    1. Thank you Deb.-Krista is a great young women and we have fun together!

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you Rose-it is a major transformation!

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  7. A-MA-ZING!!!! I am speachless! what an awesome job you did!

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    1. Thank you Cristina-it is a pretty buffet that is useful now!

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  8. Holy smokes, what an amazing transformation! I would have run from that piece with all the work it needed. Gorgeous color, too.

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    1. Thank you Marigene-When the piece was delivered I did kind of want to run away!

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  9. Wow kudos to you for seeing the potential in that poor neglected dresser. Talk about giving a piece a brand new life! Beautiful work Darrielle and Krista!
    Marie@The Interior Frugalista

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    1. Thank you Marie-it was a lot of work but working with Krista made it fun!

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  10. Visiting from Over 40 Bloggers....that is a fabulous make over....I admire great craftsmanship and those who can restore pieces.

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    1. Thank you Donna-I knew the piece had good bones and just needed some TLC.

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  11. Wow, this is probably the best save I've ever seen! If the former owner could see it now! Krista is learning from the best. Fabulous job!

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    1. Thank you Betsy-it was one of the worst pieces I have picked up!

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  12. Wow. A lot of people might have walked away from that one. Good job!

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    1. Thank you Yvonne-At first I thought I should have walked away too!

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  13. I've said it before - you are an artist.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Thank you Amalia-sometimes I actually feel like an artist too!

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  14. Love the way you accentuated the details on this buffet to turn it into a real beauty!!
    Mary Alice

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    1. Thank you Mary Alice-this piece had some beautiful parts that just needed some help!

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  15. It turned out great, a really interesting piece with lots of details which you have brought out with the lighter paint. A real transformation!

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    1. Thanks-it is an interesting piece that needed some loving!

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  16. Kudos to you for taking this one on! It's always fab to see a true trash to treasure story. Well done!

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    1. Thanks Linda-this was a bigger project then I usually take on, but I just couldn't see it going to the dump when it could be pretty again!

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  18. Replies
    1. Thank you very Much-it does look 100% better now!

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  19. It turned out really lovely! You did such a nice job of high-lighting the carving details, showing off the character of the piece so much better than when it was just the natural wood. I wish the woman who wanted it gone asap could see it now!

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