Good Morning Sunshine!

It's a gorgeous morning here however, it was one of those mornings where most of my family had a hard time getting out of bed.  My little Cowboy was up and dressed before I even drug myself to the coffee pot and Sugar Bug almost had to be pulled to the car by her little pink toes.  So, I am having one more cup of coffee, catching up with you friends, and then it's off to work on some projects that have taken me far too long! 

Today's list of projects will include some stripping...the 40ish PTA attending mother type that is...and I REALLY hope this will be the last of it on these two particular pieces!  I guess I'll also work on some laundry, paint some mirrors, upholster another vanity bench, and run a few errands that I've been putting off all week.  Does all that sound too familiar to really be interesting?  Sorry-just keeping it real!
Okay, so pictures of another project recently finished - a french provincial coffee table.  This was a fabulous find and when I first brought it home I really just wanted to get rid of the hideous 70's cream with gold fleck's paint, sand the top and stain it darker, and call it done! 

However, after it sat a few days, I noticed two deep gouges in the top.  No amount of sanding was getting those puppies out with damaging the rest of the surrounding areas so paint was my best option. I sanded, cleaned, primed and then painted the base in a deep navy and the top in my latest personally mixed creamy white.  I then dry brushed the creamy white all over the base.  I sanded everything smooth and then heavily distressed the base and the outer edge of the top.  I glazed the bottom in a dark walnut/glaze mix and the top in a dark walnut wax.  I love the aged look on such a classic french provincial piece!

Time to get to work.  I hope it's a fabulous day wherever you are. 
Lisa

French Provincial Dining Table and Chairs

I am trying to get back on track with  blogging.  LOTS going on around here lately.  In addition to life with kids, husband, dog, school, sports....Artichoke Alley has expanded to include a sister business, The Back Alley!  Artichoke Alley will continue to offer vintage and antique treasures that have been refabbed for today's families while The Back Alley is going to focus on providing furniture, accessories, and salvage items awaiting the makeover opportunities!  We have been very busy trying to get both Artichoke and The Back Alley refreshed and full of irresistable treasures!  We also hope to make some changes to this little blog and our Facebook page..plans in the works!  Thank you for hanging with us as we make all these changes.  THANKS!

With all that being said, I thought I'd share one of our recent projects. This table and chair set was divine in it's time but...as the gold velvet upholstery and gold flecks indicated, it was time for a make over!

After removing the cushions, the whole set got a good scrubbing.  I then primed twice and painted the whole set in a gorgeous cream that was a mix of several almost empty cans of cream, taupe, and whites.  The color of the paint is not too far off from the original (MINUS the gold flecks) but makes everything looks fresh, clean, and ready for a whole new life! 

Although I loved the color, I wanted to add a very light antique glazing for some extra depth.  I kept it light and mostly just let it settle in the cracks and crevices and slighter alter the color in some of the high spots.  And to finish it off, I used polycrylic on the table top for extra strength and portection. 

Then it was time to tackle those gold babies...Not too long ago I found a bolt of Waverly linen fabric that is very traditional and beautiful; the perfect compliment to this French Provincial set!

I seriously debated on keeping this one! 

Have a fabulous day!
Lisa