It has not stopped raining for the last few days and Oh how I miss the sun. I don't know about where you are but it is just dark and gloomy "I just want to stay in bed in my pajamas and read for days" kind of weather. It is also the kind of days where I find myself really deep in thoughts about where I am in life and where do I want to go from here. I am finally at a point in my life where I am really happy with what I am doing creatively. For the last few weeks, I have started to curate a little collection of my works to sell on etsy. It will be small to start out with. There will be a dresser, a pair of gorgeous French wing chairs, a mirror and maybe a bed. Every single piece, of course, has been re imagined and re purposed. One thing I have to keep reminding myself is to take it slow and make it perfect. There are so many exciting things happening and wonderful people who will be taking this journey with me and I can't wait to share all of that with you when the time comes. For now I have no set date on when the online shop will be opening but I wanted to share with you my very first piece of the collection. Do you remember this little dresser I shared with you awhile ago?
I love its shape and details but it just wasn't "me." I wanted this piece to feel more glamorous but feel both masculine and feminine at the same time. So here it is.
I used MMS in typewriter then a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® in Paris Grey over that. After what seemed like hours of sanding it to get the look I want, I went over the whole piece with clear and dark wax. Of course, gilding for all the details.
A piece likes this is all about the details.
It is such a statement piece that all I needed was a stack of old books to decorate it.
I took these pictures in my work room which you can probably tell from the dust on the floor that it is still a work in progress. Can you see what I am working on in the mirror? Hopefully I can share with you my work room soon.
I am a true believer that almost anything is possible. Of course it all has to start with a dream.
Love,
Victoria
Linking up with:
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/
http://www.findingsilverpennies.com/
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.cedarhillfarmhouse.com/
http://www.frenchcountrycottage.net/
http://missmustardseed.com/
It's gorgeous. I'm so excited for you. You are so talented! xoxo
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteFirst I want to wish you success and enjoyment in your soon to be debut on selling through etsy. Second ... This piece is fascinating Victoria. The finish is really interesting, to me appears like a worn beautiful old silk velvet upholstery. I think you will have a difficult time parting with this beauty!
xoxo,
Vera
Thank you, Vera. I am taking my time doing the pieces right now. You are right about it looking like old fabric. I have this really old silk dress that looks just like this now.
DeleteBrilliant. So happy you are following your dreams, Victoria!!! Like Vera mentioned above, I don't know how you could ever let this one go. It is much too beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lin
Thank you, Lin. I have to let things go now because I have no more room in the house. : )
DeleteVictoria this is just so lovely. The grey is mysteriously rich and deep. I think it may be a favorite of yours! I wish you blessings as you open your etsy shop. I hope you will come by and visit my Sea Cottage blog too...I am still posting there till the end of the year but so appreciate your follow of my new Seawashed Living. Christmas tidings xxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerrie. I will be over to visit you at your sea cottage blog too. I hope you are enjoying the holidays with your family!
DeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteYou go girl. I am so excited for you. This piece is gorgeous. Good luck.
Kris
You have the most amazing eye and vision for what a piece can become, Victoria! And then you implement that vision perfectly. This piece is stunning....absolutely gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Love, love love this piece Victoria,
ReplyDeleteI had a piece in my front room that was black and dusted with old grey's, I stripped it down and have often regretted not leaving it black, and now seeing yours it really has encouraged some black again in my home.
Are you planning to keep this one, I know I sure would.
Xoxo
I'm here if you need any help!
Dore
What a gorgeous piece that is and your makeover is incredible! I don't own any black furniture but that would definitely draw me in! You truly are so talented and clearly a perfectionist who takes care in every little detail. I wish you tons of success in your new venture...maybe open a stand alone shopping website along with your Etsy. I've never owned an Etsy shop but I've heard it's good to have your eggs in several baskets:)
ReplyDeleteStay warm...sending you some Florida sunshine!
Thank you so much, Victoria! I don't own any black furniture either but I have been itching to use more darker tone colors. I have plans to get a new blog design and a store to go with it but it will all takes time. Thank you for your sunny Florida sunshine! It actually was bright and sunny today!
DeleteVictoria, this piece definitely has your stamp on it, even with it being black. It's so beautiful. I don't think you will have any problems selling your pieces. Good luck with Etsy.
ReplyDeleteMary @ Orphans With Makeup
This has to be the most beautiful piece I have ever seen. You are a genius.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sissy!
DeleteJust beautiful, wish I lived near you! Congratulations on your new venture, I know it will be a huge success.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna. I am taking one step at a time but I am so excited to do more pieces.
DeleteSo very gorgeous! Beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jann. : )
DeleteVictoria. I believe God double blessed you with the gift of knowing how to make a great piece even greater. The vision to see something never yet seen before. The "before" dresser was simply gorgeous but the "after" is simply divine. My issue is I can duplicate something I have seen from a picture in a magazine or a showroom floor -- but unlike you , I cannot create something from my imagination . I appreciate and admire your work so much. The daybed you did was another favorite of mine. Big BIG things are in your future . Thank you for sharing your talent with us. God Bless !
ReplyDeleteDear Diane, Thank you so much for your kind words. What I learned as an artist is to look for my inspirations from places other than furniture. Paintings or fabrics or even flowers give me the best inspirations. My daybed is one of my favorite projects too. : ) I have a couple of ideas in mind that are on the same scale as the daybed. We will see how they will turn out.
DeleteThat dresser is magnificent! You are so talented! Can't wait to see your etsy shop..congrats on following your passion. I am searching for a perfect french chair so I can't wait to see yours....
ReplyDeleteSharon
Thank you, Sharon. I am just starting with the chairs now....one little staple at a time. : )
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! You are so very talented! I pinned it to my patina board.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gigi. I got my inspiration for this patina from how the chalkboard looked in the before picture of the dresser.
DeleteW O W you did a BEAUTIFUL job! I LOVE IT!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ronda
DeleteThis piece is absolutely STUNNING!!! Well done! You have a gifted eye for sure, thank you for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Thank you so much!
DeleteLove all the layers and colors Victoria! Another winner for sure!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Victoria! LOVE it! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a statement piece! It's gorgeous. Wishing you all the best for your future plans!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Camille!
DeleteNo, no, no! Victoria, keep this one, sell of something else in its place, it's an amazing statement piece that can move into any direction you want it to in your designs style. It's really a great piece to store in, and it would even look great in a dinning room area.
ReplyDeleteI know you can paint another piece, but everything about this pieces is so your look, and it looks sensational with your day bed.
See you soon,
I am getting ready for some simple Christmas designs around my place, and trying to find a great piece I can work on, as well as get some sewing done.
Keep up the beautiful work, it's really paying off for you.
Xx
A Joyeux Noël
Doré
Your own shop, oh how exciting, Victoria! Your launch piece is just gorgeous and sets the pace for all the work to come. Lovely, I wish you much success. Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Patti
Beautiful, Victoria. Wishing you success in your new endeavor!
ReplyDeleteThere is no one like you.
ReplyDeleteI guess I am a snob but, though I like the furniture most people paint, I do not love it. Though I admire it, I would not want it in my home.
Your work has a soul and it would be welcome in my life.
xo
Andie
I sent a comment but not sure it went through. I was wondering about the technique you used to paint your piece. It is extraordinary and I would love to use this technique. Then entire piece is off the chart beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHello! I am sorry I didn't get your first comment. I painted the piece with MMS type writer...I think three coats then I painted a layer of Chalk paint in Paris Grey over it. Then I use a sand paper to sand down the gray to get that chalk board look. A coat of dark wax and clear wax over that. Good luck!
DeleteI know that this is from last year but had to comment and ask some questions as well. First off, this is the most amazing piece I've seen in a long time! Second, I LOVE MMS typewriter! When you applied it, did you have any crackling and peeling like you do with milk paint or did you use bonding agent? If you did not use bonding agent and you had crackling and peeling, did you leave it and paint the chalk paint right over it then sand? Final question....the gold???? What brand and was the black and grey under it? It just looks so perfectly aged. Many thanks in advance for your help! Oh, did you ever open an Etsy shop? If so, what is the name so I can check it out. If you're not quite there yet, I wish you luck in your endeavor!
ReplyDeleteHi! I was just wondering how you did the gold?? It is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHi! I was just wondering how you did the gold?? It is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful piece I would like to try to replicate it on a piece of furniture that I have. Can you tell me how you did the gold? Did you use gold paint or gold leaf? If you used gold paint what kind did you use?
ReplyDelete