Let me tell you a story about this next piece. I was at a tag sale recently in a house that had never been changed in any way since, at least, the 1950's! And I mean that in a not so nice way! In the basement there was furniture that at some point years ago had obviously been standing in or flooded by water. Yes, I should have run screaming MILDEW and MOLD! Or most importantly, put on a mask and rubber gloves! But, I didn't. I saw these two chairs that had once been very beautiful and valuable and a 5-drawer dresser that had great possibilities! I went back later when everything was half-priced and told myself if they were still there, I'd get them! Well, I needn't have worried - NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would want those moldy, broken-down pieces! After I loaded everything up, I couldn't wait to get home to scrub down in a hot shower! YUCH!
The first piece I worked on and finished was the dresser. I didn't take 'before' photos - take my word for it, it was BAD! The bottom quarter of the wood was rotted from water damage and the drawer was in pieces. After numerous scrubbings with bleach water, and thoroughly dried out, I started tearing it apart! I cut the dresser down and rebuilt it to a 4-drawer height.
I salvaged the bottom front piece and re-attached it to the newly constructed bottom to maintain the design. The 4th drawer had to be rebuilt with new wood. The original back was cut to size and painted with 'Kilz' inside and out before putting it back on.
The new sage green paint on the dresser instantly gave it a FRESH look. It was enhanced with leaf stencils and a couple of birds in a faded taupe color. I had seen the saying - "in dreams she could fly" - and thought it was an ideal addition for a bit of whimsy!
Ceramic drawer knobs in an antiqued sage color were found at a garage sale and add a touch of class! I love it when everything all comes together!! Just like it was planned - ah, ha, ha, ha!
Hard to believe that this formerly broken down, 5-drawer, mold-covered dresser could be re-stored into a pretty and useful piece of furniture! It's waiting to be swooped up and taken into a loving home. Can't you just picture it in YOUR home??
I clicked my red sequined heels................it didn't work!
What happened to the chairs? Well, after I stripped off the GROSS fabric, peeled off old stuffing - one chair had straw filler - and removed rusted springs, they got a multi-wash-down with bleach and a few days in the sun to dry out.
This chair had been upholstered with a tufted back in a blue frieze fabric. Years of neglect and water damage had taken it's toll. The chair is now painted an antique white. Then I cut a new seat to replace where the springs were and cut 2" foam for the new cushion and back. It's still a work-in-progress!
What fabulous curvy legs! The detailing is so beautiful. It's such a shame that this chair was so neglected and would've gone to the landfill if I hadn't come along to the rescue!
I can't wait to get it completed - it's going to be quite a transformation!
The smaller chair is a true antique. It looks very similar to the Eastlake style. It was in such bad condition that I decided to paint it up with a FUN, BRIGHT color. I found a very colorful seed sack to use as the seat and back covering. It's going to be SO FUNKY COOL!
Great detailing! And look.......porcelain rollers on the front legs! Very ANTIQUE!
STAY TUNED FOR THE END RESULTS!!
Enjoy the bounties of Fall!
I WANT THIS TRUCK!
