I have a lovely little shop opposite where mine is called The Real Deal in Finnieston and I am always picking up pieces from them. Its too hard not to when I can see all their lovelies from my window!!
As soon as I saw this chest I knew it would scrub up lovely!
Once I had wheeled it across the road I knew I was right. No repairs necessary on this one. It sat on my to do list for a while and then I was contacted by a woman who needed furniture for her beautiful French holiday home. She wanted a romantic rose covered look and this chest was perfect for it.
I chose Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint for this one as its just soooo lovely on old pieces like this and perfect for creating a french romantic look.
The varnish was nearly all off this piece so I know no prep was necessay and the client was happy with chipping anyway so I didn't even clean this one!! Any other paint and the opposite would be true but its the grime oils and waxes on old furniture that create the chipping and add the the aged look with milk paint so I just went ahead and mixed up my paint. I did 2 coats of Marzipan and let it dry ( about 20 mins!!) then I used Miss Mustard seed Wax in places around the edges of the piece and did a coat or Mora, I then repeated the wax step and did 2 coats of Grainsack.
Next I took a very fine grit sanding pad and sanded all over the piece going harder on the edges to let the original wood show through. This method created layers of paint colour and a truly antique look.
These colours are tonally similar but you can create more dramatic looks with contrasting colours.
Next to add the roses I created the design using photoshop and vintage rose images then printed them in reverse onto an A4 sheet using a laser printer.
I used Fusion Mineral Paint Transfer Gel to transfer the design onto the top drawer. I then sealed it all over with 2 coats of Miss Mustard Seed Hemp Oil and returned the original hardware. I also used Hemp Oil inside the drawers and on the handles, it revives old wood and metal beautifully. Here is a pic showing the difference and a close up of one showing how it brings out the character of the wood again.
And here is the finished piece, perfect romantic French furniture!!
Get The Look.......
Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint here
Fusion Mineral Paint Transfer Gel
here
Miss Mustard Seed Clear Wax
here
Miss Mustard Seed Hemp Oil
here