Audrey Hepburn Wardrobe

Audrey Hepburn is a favorite by all and when I first started blogging I painted a dresser with her on the front. It probably is my favorite project I have done. It got tons of views and comments. All because I hand painted it.

You see that is why I do what I do. i love one of a kind pieces and even when you paint something again it is never the same as the original.

When I opened Dreamingincolor store, I knew she had to grace the room. 

I had been given a vanity a long time ago from my sis and painted it to sell. Now when I got the store she gave me the matching wardrobe. As I debated what to paint on her I decided it had to be Audrey Hepburn!

Blue Vanity {Hand Painted}

Funny when a busy weekend ends, I look forward to the week days. The house is quite and I have time to get projects done. The joy of working from home.

I usually paint something because it is relaxing. I haven't even had time for that lately. So today I opened the blinds and let the sunshine in. Then....grabbed a paintbrush and some Annie Sloan decorative Chalk Paint.

The color Provence. Pure white for the details.

I have painted vanity's before this blue and yellow one was a favorite.

Most of my painted furniture goes up for sale. Some stay a little longer because I become attached. I never realized I have always wanted a vanity. Till now. After I purchase a new bedroom set, I began to paint the vanity and fell in love.

I hand painted it to give it my little touch. Something that fits me for my bedroom. I even put my monogram on it.

Please Continue to read...

Wooden Box

The problem with painting is you want to do it to everything you own!

I don't paint everything in my home but I have to say it gets tempting.

I know someday this will all be "out of style" and all us "painters" will be "strippers". LOL (no not that kind)

I bought this old wooden box because I knew painting was going to make it better! At one time I am sure it was loved but now it was crying for help.

 

I really loved the carving on top of this but you could hardly see it.

 

I painted it lemongrass yellow and highlighted the carving in grey. 

 

I distressed it but it was still to plain for me. 

Then the inspiration came from a tin I had.

I love the little bee on the front of it.

So with more grey paint I painted the front of the box.

I distressed the image and highlighted the carvings on each side. Much better!

This was a huge improvement to me!

What do you think?

Before

After

  

 So now you can use it as a small table, a bench, and storage box! The best part of this is the storage.

Stay tuned for a giveaway! I will finally post tomorrow!!

http://whipperberry.com/

Antique Vanity-Redo of a Redo

Funny how things make a full circle!

Fifteen years ago my precious niece was born. (Remember my post of her here.) My sister eventually turned her nursery into a big girl room. She wanted something different and found two beautiful antique pieces. One was a small wardrobe and the other was a vanity.


She wanted my help with her project.We stained it with green and white washed over that. I then hand painted little flowers on the front of the drawers.



As the years went on the little vanity took some abuse. She was very worn and my sister sent it to the garage.


Till the other day....


She gave me the vanity to redo again. Yes gave! This time it is mine for the store. (Hurray! Good sis!)

 

It came like this. Taken apart for new life.

The drawers are dove-tailed and very sturdy. The hardware is original and beautiful with a white wash to show off the details. They will stay.

 

The mirror is in perfect condition!

I decided to keep the green/grey drawers and brighten the outer piece up. I painted it with Martha Stewart's Ducks Egg.

Over the years the color faded to an almost greyish hue. I didn't have the heart to paint over everything. I wanted some of the story to shine through. I left the drawers as they were. I distressed them more though. Am I too sentimental?

 

I sanded it more and stained over everything.

 

 

Love the scalloped edge!

 

I can't wait to see it with the mirror attached. I will update when I set it up at the store so you can see the real finished product!

Before

After

It is just waiting for some vintage bottles to adorn the top.

I think I have a project to do!

Let me know what you think!

Another thank you to Eisey Morgan for the feature of my Audrey Dresser! 

I never get tired of saying Thank You!!!

No I haven't forgot! 

I am just thinking......Coming soon..... a Giveaway

Audrey Hepburn Dresser

Why can't there be more people like Audrey Hepburn in the world? She was beautiful inside and out!


She is inspiring too! With times changing, she was an image not to be forgotten. One word....CLASS!



I thought of her the day I bought this dresser and brought it into my home.


It had a 1950's feel with the square, flat look and peg legs.

But I was perplexed with how I would transform this piece. As an artist, I don't really like doing things the same. It gets hard when you are painting a lot of furniture. I sometimes ponder at it way too long.


This was one of those times...

I decided to go with a chevron print since I hadn't done that yet but it seemed like so many have, so I started thinking outside the box again.


If you follow me I tend to stray away from the norm. Sometimes good Sometimes bad I don't know.
What I do know is I have to feel it! My art is all about the way I feel at the moment.


So when I decided to go with color, I thought Tiffany Blue and Black.

The colors are striking together. It also keeps the 50"s feel I was going for.


I sat in my living room staring at it for a day and decided to hand paint a figure on it. It couldn't be any figure. It had to go with the feel of the piece.


I thought of the movie Breakfast at Tiffanys. I guess because of the color. Audrey Hepburn had to be the one I painted.


This decision wasn't easy. Painting a face of someone popular is hard because it has to be just right.
So I chickened out. I did. I am not proud of that. Till the next day.


I waited till the next morning and jumped into it thinking I could always paint over it.

 

I have to say it was hard to do. I think it was because I wanted it to look perfect.

It wasn't perfect but I loved the way it came out. No painting over it! Yipee!

It was hard to paint the image with the drawers at a curve. I don't think it mattered because you are drawn into her eyes.

It changed it from an ugly before.... to a 50's Mod after!

If you like the ideas in this blog I would love for you to follow me. I promise it won't be boring around here! I try to mix it up a bit!

I would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment!

Painted Dresser

This was a hard one for me. This dresser belonged to my husband's grandfather. It was in bad shape when I painted it the first time when my daughter was a baby. It looked good back then (19 years ago)in her garden inspired nursery But now it has seen better days! The paint is chipping (not in a good way) and actually it looks like it has yellowed. It has to go! ......tear

Back then it was hard to find decorative knobs so I made my own out of wooden bunnies.



I started sanding the piece and I was liking the paint underneath showing through so I decided to keep it.

I painted the draws in Martha Stewart's Ducks Egg and the outside Glidden's Black. I already had the paint so I went with it.

I knew I wanted to distress this and let the old paint shine through so back to sanding again.

I just love the look of this!

I knew I was going to change out the knobs so I went to Hobby Lobby. They were having a 50% off sale on the knob and since I needed 16 of them I thought that was a deal. Unfortunately they only had nine. So my after picture will have to be updated when the special order comes in. For now you will have to imagine them there. I can't seem to get away from the crystal knobs. I just love them!

This is before:

This is the after: Updated 3/22/11

Also I have been featured again this time on Sassy Sites for my toy box redo!
Go check it out! Less than $60

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