Monday, May 10, 2010

Before and After - Frenchy Stuff Meets Restoration Hardware


I really like French furniture, even the 60's French Provincial furniture. When I was a little girl, it seemed everybody had it in their bedrooms except me. Well, I have painted and sold quite a bit of it the last few years. I've painted many dressers and chests, but I recently found this secretary and I don't remember ever seeing one quite like this.



I decided to try something a little different rather than painting it white or my recent favorite, french grey. Have you seen the new Restoration Hardware catalog? I have just been drooling over the soft neutrals. I recently bought some Restoration Hardware paint called Cappucino. I decided to give it a try on the secretary and a little antique French bed. I painted the trim in a soft white for a subtle accent. Then I distressed a little and glazed them both creating a "patine". Are you ready to see the result?







I would have loved to have had these in my bedroom when I was little. Heck, I would have loved to fill my daughter's bedroom with these when she was little. Granddaughter Sweet Caroline is only 9 months old...her bedroom is already full. So these have made like Elvis and left the building. Now they are on display at the shop!

Thanks to all our wonderful hosts!


29 comments:

red.neck chic said...

Oh my goodness - those two pieces are just GORGEOUS!!! I would have loved those in my room when I was little - and today too! LOL

Wonderful!!! Thank You for coming to visit me!!!

:-D robelyn

Doni said...

Wow what a wonderful idea! You did a great job! My sister had that furniture style in her room, and I went with the dark cherry wood, but I've never seen that piece before...
I'd have never thought of painting that stuff before blogging...it looks wonderful!
Blessings!
Doni

FrenchGardenHouse said...

It looks absolutely fabulous! How great is that, you have totally transformed them.xo Lidy

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love the finish you did on those pieces. Thanks for stopping by and you should be able to see most of my house throughout my blog posts.

The Charm of Home said...

This is wonderful! You did a great job.

Tanya said...

Well, my blog gobbled up your comment, but not before I saw a piece that said you loved that song. Yes, I love my music, too!

These pieces are BEAUTIFUL - I wanted white when I was little, too - probably every little girl did!

Vintage Remixed said...

WOW that does look a lot better. Love what you did with it. I would have never thought to put those colors together. Thanks for stopping by and happy WW.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Wow! Terrific looking. The paint really updates the look. Love the two tone. OMG! the Restoration Hardware catalog! love it too. Jacqueline

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

These turned out wonderfully- love the new colors!

Faded Charm said...

Great choice of color. I love how these turned out and I've never seen a secretary like that. Very cool!

Kathleen

Miss Gracie's House said...

Hey Pam,
I see lots of these pieces too in my furniture painting but never one like that...it turned out *so* cute...love it!
Rene

Amanda at 32˙North said...

Hi Pam,

What a practical piece that drop front desk is! It would work in so many places if you get tired of it with the bed - entry way, even the bathroom as a vanity with perfumes on the desk top and towel soin the drawers - wonderful!

Amanda

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

Are you kidding??? I would like to have them now!!!

cindy-stitches-n-stuff.blogspot.com said...

French Provincial, are you kidding? I have my mothers F.P. dinning set and hutch. It's really not me, but I can't part with it, because it was hers. I love your new look. That is so cool that French is your nooke.

come visit
aunt elsie's

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

This is the best redeux paint transformation I have seen on any blog. It is so lovely!So smart of you to leave the detail white and gold and in the original condition. Full of interest and depth and just the most yummy color... after all, it is cappucino! I need to find that fabulous paint!
This is truely an inspiring post and you are a painting genious! Kudos to you!
Yvonne

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Love your choice of color! I had a set growing up but mine was brown...which I still have. It is in my son's room now just waiting to be painted white and moved to another room!

Raspberries and Rose Petals said...

WOW! Love the accenting colors! You did a great job on these pieces! I would have a hard time parting with them, but I'm sure someone will scoop them up quick and take them to a good home! :)

Happy White Wednesday!
Warmly,
Lori

Debra@CommonGround said...

Oh MY GOSH! This is wonderful, we were just at RH this weekend and I was drooling all over their furniture, you did an incredible job, really yummy!
xo,
Debra

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

They Both turned out Beautiful..... I think I have some furniture to paint, between your Treasures & Debra's, the paint brush is coming out of the Closet....

Crystal said...

Wow I really need some of that paint! I actually have my set from when I was growing up and have been contemplating painting it all. I'm thinking I could use that paint to cover the yellow!!! Thanks for sharing!!

A 2 Z said...

Hi Pam,

I think the grey is beautiful. Thanks for visiting me. I'm a new follower. Thanks for sharing. I will be back to take a closer look at all the great pictures!

Anne-Marie

Bonnie @ House of Grace said...

Great job! I really like your work! I can't wait to read your other posts. I am your newest follower.
Bonnie

Peridots Garden Blog said...

Wow! Love what you've done with both pieces!

Can you believe my 15 yr old daughter has a complete bedroom suite of French Provencial...gifted to us from my sister-in-law...so it is over 40 years old...now since my youngest is "tired" of it...we're saving it for my oldest daughter and my granddaughters! It is so heavy, so beautiful and so perfectly aged!

It's also everything I ever wanted as a young girl...so beautiful...gosh and your pieces further prove how beautiful this style of furniture is!

Thank you for sharing and thank you for visiting my blog and good luck with the Hydrangeas! I'll be back soon to stroll through your blog...so much inspiration in one place...yummy!

Sandy

Susanne said...

I'm with you. What is it about that french provincial furniture that makes us love it so much?!

Raina Cox said...

Hello and thanks so much for visiting La Lamp Shade!

xoxo,

Raina
If the Lamp Shade Fits

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

So pretty! I do love the Restoration Hardware paints. They have a great line.

Barbara Jean said...

I love whites and creams, but what a wonderful change this is!!

Great job.

Thanks for coming by, and for prayers lifted up.
The OCD comes and goes. I'm always grateful for any break I can get from it. =)

Prayers really do help.

blessings

barbara jean

Cottage Panache said...

Love that color...I love that we can mix the many shades of whites...khakis...and creamy light to dark coffee shades. So calming! And Dito on all of the Frenchy Stuff!
Maureen

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

There is so much of this style furniture around in thrift stores, too, just waiting for someone to bring them to new life. Thanks for sharing how you did this on Modern Craftwwoman Monday. Rory