Dining Room Hutch Makeover

Projects are what get me thru the winter months.  The cabinet you see here is a two piece unit. The top portion is large curio cabinet with glass shelves, mirrored back, I will show you this redo later, its still in the garage.

Anyway, I took them apart, and sanded the bottom portion down heavily.  I have never really loved this piece as it was, but I've always thought it had really nice lines, and if I could decide on a finish, it would probably be a beauty when I was done. 

So a few weeks ago began tackling it. 

I was planning using the same aluminum leaf on it as I used on the turquoise tray show here now sitting on top of the hutch base.  After everything I read, it said to put a base coat on, before you apply the sizing liquid. 

I decided to apply a metallic silver coat, that way if the aluminum leaf didn't cover all the areas it wouldn't be a noticable as it was on the turquoise tray. 

Here is a shot after the first coat. I propped the piece up on wood blocks, as I didn't have anyone to help me move it.  The plan is to get the carpet ripped out this winter and put in handscrapped hardwood floors. So if I get any drips, well that's just more motivation to get the carpet ripped up! ;)

Change of plans.  As I applied the base metallic coats I began to like the way it was shaping up.  I did four coats of silver metallic inside and out.

Then I took 2parts raw umber and 1part glaze and stir well.  I wiped this on and then right back off, using cheese cloth.  Its important when doing this step to do it in one long  motion to cover the area you are working on.  That way the glaze doesn't bunch up in areas.  If this does happen, just lightly swipe over the area so that you remove it, without having to reapply to the whole area.  The raw umber just tones down the shine a little and in my opinion makes it look more opulent, like real silver.

I really LOVE the way it has turned out.

I feel like now its the special sparkle in the room. Just a little something to make the room seem like its celebrating us when we are in it! :)

The next project I'm contemplating, is gilding the chairs.  I'm nervous about doing the edges around the fabric, but after working with the leafing I think it is totally doable. If I mess up its ok because I really want to get rid of them anyway! ;)  

Doesn't the new hutch look perfect in this holiday setting. I'm also now in search of an 80" glass table top. Oh the plans swimming in my head. ;)

By the way, the metallic silver paint that I used on the hutch was a 16oz $4 bottle from Michaels in the craft section. It goes really far.  The glaze I already had on hand from various other projects. So this basically cost me $4 for the paint, $10.00 for the crystal handles I choose, and well I didn't even crack a sweat - its cold here you know. I still may add handles for the bottom, haven't quite found what I'm looking for, so I will just keep my eyes open.  I actually kind of like it just plain without any additional bling.

Very inexpensive way to turn this into something I now love!

Silver Vase

More silver leaf. I love the vases that I'm seeing in all the magazines.  I picked up this clear glass vase for a buck from the dollar store, and used few sheets of Aluminum leaf  inside of it, and voila I love the way it turned out!

Vanity Tray Redo

I decided to repurpose this turqoise plastic tray that I used for an "Easter Basket" so long ago.  Since I'm into the silver finishes, I decided I would try my hand at gilding.  I had help my dad Gold leaf a large floor to ceiling mirror when I was a young girl, and remember it to be a tedious yet very rewarding process.  As much as I love silver, I decided to use Aluminum leaf, because it never tarnishes, and the finish is a little brighter, which works great when you want to tone it down with a little raw umber & black glaze. 

 Here is what I did. I put the sizing liquid on it, and let it set up for 12hrs.

From everything I read, I knew it was a messy project. So I got a garbage bag and cut it open, and began.  As  you can see the silver/Aluminum is very thin

I bought a book of 500 sheets. They actually go quite far, i only used the first pack (25sheets per pack) to do the entire tray and still had 5 sheets left in the pack.

Carefully layout each piece onto the already sized surface. You can smooth out with a paint brush, or use your hands. I like to use my fingers as I felt like I had more control.  My surface had small edges, handle cutouts, and lip where the plastic went in and out, using my fingers I was able to use more of the leafing in these areas without wasting it.  I used a brush at the end to smooth the areas.

Here is the finished result.

I love it!

Metallic Cabinet Redo

I love some of the mirror furniture finishes out there. I have always been a silver girl at heart.  I also have comtemplated many times what I could do to my vanity to update it, until I replace it.  I have been considering moving walls, and now and addition which has kept me stuck from doing anything. The floor which I want changed, the vanity, the sink, the closet, etc.  If I knock walls down and or do an add on, it seems so pointless to make any kind of real changes right now.  I also have been wanting more storage, so I decided to just buy a unfinished wood cabinet that I could paint and get some of the creative urge out of my system. 

So I went to Lowe's picked up a cabinet, then I went to Michael's and picked up a bottle of silver Metallic craft paint, 16oz.  and the creating began.  You just can't imagine how much I love doing stuff like this. 

I forgot to get a before shot, but just think of a completely unfinished cabinet, and here is the after...

I wish that it was a little taller.  I would like to rip those bright vanity lights down, but I really have no idea how to do electrical work, so for now, i'm leaving them alone.

I added this decorative paper on the front in 12x12 squares to cover the "unfinished oak wood grain" that is so prevanlent in cheap unifinshed cabinets from the store.  It picks up the other colors in the room and just gives it a little pop.  Remember its just a temporary fix until I can make the real changes I'm wanting to do, and for now I'm loving it! :)

VANITY BEFORE

In fact, i loved it so much that I decided the next morning to tackle the vanity.  Since it was laminate I thought I better sand and prime it.  Because of that prep work, the finish turned out darker, but equally stunning. 

VANITY AFTER