Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Cafe Tableau




This was another of those moments that the vulnerability can take you by surprise.  I had this little table envisioned for a bit and found the perfect person to build it for.  I drove out to a town east of Denver out in the rolling hill country where the bus stops every few blocks to drop off a kid near their little ranch property.  I had no idea the country was a stones throw from the city. My friend had driven in truck loads of old barn wood from his parent's Nebraska farm. I picked out a few to fit my liking, and knew I had a big long board for the sides at home I had picked up at a home demo site.  Also, picked up an old dolly and screwed her wheels off to be used for a better day.
I am often surprised that I'm still surprised my projects can be so frustrating with the varying sizes, depths, and bends of an old piece of wood.  They are not perfect, which is precisely why I end up preferring them.
Anyhow, I worked on a time crunch for a birthday and popped this sleek baby out. Will continue to be in awe that the Creator would allow us to participate in co-creation. To envision and carry out.  To labor over and delight in another's enjoyment of it. What a gift.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Bonjour Buffet

What a prize to find! You'd have thought I had won a contest when I snatched this little treasure up! I kept grinning all day, dreaming up the possibilities of her outcome. The detail and shape to her are simply exquisite and dear. I originally planned to just shoot for the two toned white shabby finished product, but after applying this coat of paint, I realized she needed just a hint of color.  I love the muted grey with green undertones.  I kept most of the original hardware and cleaned her off with a good coat of poly.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Stately Vintage Desk

Before:
 
After:


 

This was an old lawyers desk that someone had tried to spruce up with a little can of spray paint.  I was happy to envision a new face that begs for a philosopher to pull up a chair, breathe in the scent of an old library book, and muse upon explorations yet to be discovered. 
One of the many perks of this piece is the spacious drawer storage.  On the left is a hidden double drawer that can function as a file cabinet.  The back is finished as well so as to offer the option of pulling that desk out from against a wall.  The three paneled leather top is still in tact, with a little of the silver paint residue, which I quite like to give it a well loved look.  All wood, the trim on the top gives it a little extra pizazz.  I painted it a two toned grey and washed it with a dark walnut stain wax.  Completed with original brass pulls this is a unique timeless desk.