Monday, August 6, 2007

~Monday, Corners of My Home

**I'll get some pictures over the weekend of the whole piece to show you. Thanks for asking. I wasn't really even thinking of it. :) **

In the midst of hurry and scurry, it's good to stop and just appreciate what you have. Stop the thoughts of hunting for the next thing and just be happy for a moment with what already is. That's just my own reminder. I might be the only one who sometimes gets moving too quickly and needs to slow down a bit.

Sweetie Husband and I went to an auction to benefit the local PBS station but hardly anyone showed up due to the lack of advertising. There was no auction, instead they just sold the items that were there for basically the starting prices. We found an old English wardrobe that was the perfect size for our little home.

I'm sure someone who loves original English pieces would not approve of my Frenchy makeover. We added the top piece for a French flair and and added others on the doors with some decorative painting techniques. It turned out to be one of our favorite things we have.

Good glazing takes a bit of practice, but is really pretty simple. The antique glaze on the top of this piece has some red in it (burnt umber) but mostly raw umber. It easiest to buy it premixed if you are not familiar with mixing colors. But the safest way is just to go with a raw umber. Go through the tubes/bottles and look at them. They will all be a different color even though they have the same name.

What makes a big difference when you are doing glazing like this is to go back over the piece and dry brush the lightest shade again, the white or cream. This brings out the highest areas of the carved areas and shows off the carvings.

Hope your weekend was a splendid one.
Donna

19 comments:

  1. I approve of your French makeover!!
    I love it!
    You have a great day too!
    Rosemary

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  2. Absolutely beautiful. I often think of you while I'm envisioning the shelves and bookcases I need for my office. You put incredible pieces together.

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  3. Donna, you are a master painter, my dear. I have always loved this piece..you need to show the whole thing! Incredible makeover.

    I agree with you on being thankful for what we have. It's so hard to get out of the "looking" mode though.

    Rhoda

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  4. Love that wardrobe, Donna.

    It's always good to slow down!

    I've challenged you to a tag. With your glorious talent, I have no doubt you will do a fabulous job! See today's post, at the back porch, for details

    Pat

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  5. I want to see the whole thing - I love it already!

    Manuela

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  6. Simply beautiful! I've never tried the glazing technique bu I'd love to! I feel like it's too challenging! I'm new here and love your blog!

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  7. Oh, please show us the whole piece.
    It must be beautiful from what we've seen.

    ~elaine~

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  8. Looks fabulous...LOVE the french makeover! Show more...

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  9. Donna this particular piece is BEAUTIFUL. You are such a gifted artist.
    xo,
    Kim

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  10. Love English antiques but this french flare is beautiful!
    Weekend was splendid but busy!
    Have a great day.

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  11. Great Score,
    And the proceeds went to a worthy cause! Thank you for your visit. It means a lot.
    I just added you to my blog roll!!

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  12. oh donna...this looks lovely...i wold like to see the whole piece though...where did you get the top piece...blessings, rebecca

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  13. Donna, this piece is gorgeous!!! What a beautiful finish.

    Heather

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  14. Donna- that looks sooooooo good!!!Donna (ha!)

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  15. Donna,
    Love the Frenching up of your splendid find. Like others have said, I would love to see the whole thing.
    Sue

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  16. Love it! This is the season I get itchy for a "different feel" so I can relate! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. I too would love to see a photo of the full piece.
    Yes, I really need to slow down and your mention of doing this is just what I needed to read. Thanks.

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  18. Love your piece, I would love to see the entire cabinet:D Your little shop is great.......I would purchase if I didn't have a back log myself:)

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  19. Fabulous top piece. You are encouraging me to try my hand at glazing. It really does show off the contours, doesn't it. I would like to see a picture of the whole piece, too.

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Donna