No Magic Mike.. This is the way SHD strips:

Stripping: Not like you think. (this isn't THAT kind of blog)

I had a lovely woman contact me (a fellow blog reader!) about a piece of furniture that she only wanted stripped. Specifically the top of the table. She really wanted the black painted table top to match a beautiful hutch she already had, as well as a buffet she had just purchased. Admittedly, I am not an expert at stripping furniture, staining, and doing a true refinish, but after this table top I feel like I have earned my merit badge.

It was a solid black table top, manufactured and painted in some factory. I have now learned that manufactured spray painting is similar to a million coats of car paint. Not exactly easy to get off the wood. I also learned that 'safety' gear and apparel actually DO matter when using harsh chemicals.

note: paint stripper..... also reads: skin stripper  OUCH!

The main obstacle that I was having with the table had little to do with the table, but rather the Tropical Storm Debby Downer that hung over our house for 4 days. The rain preceding the tropical storm caused for such high humidity that I knew the polyurethane would never dry, and slow drying polyurethane is like a bug trap for ever gnat, and fuzz ball.

 So, inside the table went.

I say all of this to warn you, the photos aren't good, the glare in the house and the legos in background don't really showcase how beautifully it turned out. Nothing to 're-pin' here.

The table had already been stripped and sanded the week before, now it was time for the stain and finish. Note the 'official work space'. The usage of the Sponge Bob washcloth to stain the furniture added that extra 'mom' flare.

Sanded down, this striped hen thought she'd get a closer look

One of the more difficult aspects of the piece was the sides. Rounded edges and awkward sides.

Just incase you didn't catch the thing about being rainy outside, here is what the weather was doing. The red? Yes that is tornados and intense thunderstorms in my neighborhood. Good times!

Letting the first coat of stain dry, I used high tech equipment.

After sanding with 004 grade steelwool, this table ended up stunning. I applied several layers of polyeurithane to water proof it for spills and food. I am really pleased and very much wish I had a better photo to show you of the end result.

When stripping and staining there really needs to be attention to detail. (unlike my painting technique). I loved the challenge and now am ready to fix the old table that belonged to my grandmother. I am not sure why wood working, painting, and changing the face of furniture is so fun for me, but it is. I love it and am looking forward to my next project. A French Provencal dresser. eeks! Makes my heart pitter patter!   More blogs to come!

Lisa*

I know.. I know.. it has been ages since I posted.

We went on a wish trip with our son, who has suffered with life threatening disease who whole life and then Christmas came, and then .. viola, I became one of 'those" bloggers that just fade away.

So since I am new at the whole blogging thing, and since my blogging revolves around physical labor and umm artistic impression, I am sure I get a pass.

Currently, I am working on an enormous piece of furniture. I found it in the back of some nasty garage, of an old bungalo down the street. It was full of tools, vice clamped to the top with grease pooling on the wood. It was covered with at least 5 layers of paint. The molding was missing on one side... but man, I couldn't resist.

I set that puppy up (read.. my husband and another very strong male neighbor set it up) outside my back porch. I grabbed a lawn chair , a beverage, and just sat and stared it for inspiration.

What was I thinking? It is a beast. A monster of a hutch/ cabinetry.

And, I am in loooove.

If, it didn't stink like years of sweaty stinky garage, I would almost just keep it the way it was. (excluding the big black pen mark on one of the doors that read: "NAILS, SCREWS, and STUFF").

It is THAT charming.

A friend of mine had stopped by, saw my contemplation and... bought it on the spot. OK. Problem 1 solved..now, it was all about cleaning it, stripping, scraping, planing, and building molding.  SINCE, I am not furniture builder, I had to call a friend.

And so this is the story of.. the never ending job of "Big Bertha".

Yep it has a name, (and apparently a sex). Big Bertha has been the discussion of many texts and pm's from it's new owner. We have poured over color swatches, and finally found its newest coat.

Bertha isn't completed but will be shortly. When it is completed I will post the mother of all before and after pictures. And gladly send this monster off to it's new home.

Meanwhile, I have been asked to do several projects. One was a bed, and dresser for a good friend, and another was a door to be used as a prop for a local photographer. I have been working on stuff for my own home as well, but that will be another post. 

the door below came to me pepto bismal pink.. this is improved, if you ask me.

 I hope you enjoyed my newest update, and thank you to my new followers, how fun! Spread the word and I promise to not take such a hiatus again. 

Although, that Wish Trip was worth setting me back on my little business.
 

I am about to do a series on "How to..." This is my part 1 to that series. Helpful Tools

Of course I have my Handy Dandy Sander.

I use this on flat solid surfaces. Before I paint, I always go over each surface with my sander. It helps get a 'grip' to the paint. You don't want to be lazy and just slap paint on wood. The oils, finish, whatever coats the item can cause your new paint to bubble or crack. (hey and that isn't always a bad thing - just sayin')

I never sand with my Black n Decker when doing detail work. I ONLY use my handy dandy- sponge sanding block.

BIG TIME helpful hint: have you been to the Dollar Tree recently? Well.. helloooo painting supplies! They have some great scrapers, sanders, and other tools there. Nothing like saving money on items that really don't need to be high quality.


2nd favorite repurposing/refinishing 'tool' is this:

Scent oils. Antiques often have an ummm stank odor to them. You know the blend between musty, moth balls, and that 'old' smell. I ALWAYS, even on newer cleaner pieces, put this scented oil drops in each drawer. I choose vanilla. Why? because I have it. You can do any scent in your furniture. They sell items like this at Bath and Body Works, Bed Bath and Beyond, and other similar stores.


More helpful hints coming over the weeks, so be sure to 'follow' my page. Hey and if you feel so inclined, share it as well. (my follow button is hidden at the bottom of the page or some other obscure location).

Happy painting, sanding, and refinishing!

Lisa 

Speaking of commissioned pieces, this weekend I was asked to take this very 90's armoir and bring out the charm in it. Both the client and I were very pleased with how it turned out.

BEFORE:

After:

I love paint.

This project was really fun, and now I am working on a custom piece for this same family. I will be working with a brand new tool.. the planer.  I did make a mean bird house when I was in middle school, so this should be pretty interesting.

Currently I am selling:

Little Red Writing Desk.  (precious precious!)

Cute? The boys were using it for homework, but we all agreed that sprawling on the floor just works best for their wiggly hineys. :)

Asking  $60.00

Technical difficulties... I was having a problem with my computer. BUT that doesn't mean I wasn't busy creating some really special pieces.

It is so exciting when I find an old piece that is tossed to the wayside, unwanted. I love that I can sell it as a new piece, restored and refinished. The drawback is that I don't have a studio or a shop (currently) so I can only do a few pieces at a time. This leads into the exciting opportunity of getting commissioned to do pieces that already are owned by people. I have been hired now by several different people to work on things that they either love but are just not updated, or want to make into that 'special' piece in their home.

A friend of mine has the most incredible sense of style, she had some really stunning chairs that she wanted yellow. Ahhh.. color! I love when people aren't afraid! She also had some bar stools that she wanted me to refinish so they could match her decor.

Here is some of that commissioned work:

 I sanded and stained the seats to get rid of that yellow pine/plastic color that bar stools normally have.

My friend was very pleased with the outcome, as was I. I should have taken before photos, but the 'after' speaks for itself.

During my computer hiatus, I also refinished (and sold):

..... A leaded glass window panel converted to a lovely coffee table. I loved how it perfectly matched my 'rooster on a stick' (as my 6 year old calls it). I have another one of these tables in the works.. If you are interested send me a comment! :)

That's it for now.. I think that next layer of paint is almost dry, so the floor to ceiling hutch is calling me back to work, but I will update tomorrow with a few other items I have worked on for some friends.

If you have anything you would like to be refinished, let me know, send a comment after this post or send an email.

Lisa

The something 'not so old' (but high quality) Ethan Allen end table has turned out as beautiful as I could have hoped. Solid wood similar to a butcher block top just couldn't be painted over. It did need some intense sanding so the wood was the center piece not the thick varnish.

I think the white paint accents the feminine scalloped details at the bottom. I hope you love the 'peek a boo' end table as much as I do. $75.00

OK so it doesn't have to be old. Some more contemporary pieces have a long lasting quality to them that can be retouched and made to look loved, and worn and distressed. Bringing something that may be a little out dated back into something you would love to have in your home.

Currently I am working on a great end table that is solid wood from Ethan Allen. Best part about this end table is what is inside. Or what WILL be inside when someone buys it and crams it full of all the things you want no one to see.

I am calling it my 'peek a boo' table. As a mom of boys I can imagine all of the papers, bey blades, books, Lego's that can be hidden from view in this cute end table. And yet again, it is another one of those things that I would like to hoard keep, but my tiny dwelling won't allow it.

Sooo.....introducing the 'Peek a Boo' table:

Stay tuned.. the AFTER photos are coming.