Monday, March 25, 2013

FINALLY SHABBY CHIC ARRIVES

Do you remember the line in White Christmas where Bing Crosby says to Danny Kay: "pushing, pushing" because Danny is trying to push him into a relationship with Rosemary Clooney?  Well, I have been "pushing-pushing-pushing" my hubby for quite a while to start turning our furniture into "shabby chic" and to create more of a cottage feeling in our home. 

 Much of what I have had going on in my house goes back to the Jewel Tone Embrace of the late 80's.  At that time it was a love for Victorian and the deep colors of royalty. My kitchen buffet below I bought years back when a darling shop closed nearby and I purchased their golden display piece. Well...change has come:



The color is very light pink.


Back in the late 60's  we learned to refinish antiques it was truly the hard way. You had to use this stuff called "strip-ese" and believe me - it burned like crazy on your skin.  However, shabby chic and especially the chalk paint idea is really easy by comparison.  This is our first shabby chic chalk paint project.  This was the look before which was very Victorian:


  We kept the painting of angels on the inside of the 2 doors and my perfectionistic husband painted all inside the piece and even the back which had never been fully painted.


We watched a lot of tutorial videos over and over on line and then we jumped right in (yes - I painted too!) and did the buffet with chalk paint.  We did settle on Ce Ce Caldwell paints because my husband has a lot of allergy issues.  We painted in the kitchen and there was NO ODOR AT ALL!  This is Portland Rose over a first coat of Vintage White.  I also liked the made in America part as most everything we buy now seems to come from China.    


My husband is willing to redo more of our vintage and antique pieces so there will be more show and tell to come! We have quite a few pieces in process.  I am so excited as I am ready for a new "fresh" but still "old" look.  I can't wait to see those corner curios changed - and the kitchen table and the book case and the tea cart and..........we better get busy.

50 comments:

  1. Your Shabby Chic buffet turned out beautifully, Bernideen! Looking forward to seeing more of your pieces after they're redone and ready for showing.
    I won't be joining you for Friends Sharing Tea this week since I'm still not able to do much in my kitchen yet. Maybe next week!
    Happy Spring/Easter!
    ~ Phyllis

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  2. This is so beautiful, so much better than the original. So gorgeous! Chel x

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  3. How gorgeous! I love both, but mostly the new look. Your buffet turned out beautiful, I can't wait to see more of your great before and afters, Bernideen. I'm so happy to be at your lovely tea meme. Have a good week.
    FABBY

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  4. Hi Bernideen,
    Your buffet looks so much better; good job!
    I LOVE the shabby look and have painted every piece of wooden furniture in the living room. One piece was a walnut coffee table but I love it painted.
    Your bouquet is gorgeous and all the tea things are delightful. Thanks for sharing, hosting, and coming to tea.

    Easter blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. I'm loving your new shabby chic look. It is all so bright and cheerful and look how pretty all your tea things are. Happy Tea Day and thanks for sharing tea! :D

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  6. Hi Bernideen
    Yes, I remember the 'pushing' from Bing. :-) I LIKE your buffet done in white - especially after the decor on top, makes it look very nice - OK, shabby chic. I also remember stripping furniture back in the '70's that had been painted so we could restore the wood finish - guess things do go around.
    There's no way my hubby would start painting everything white but I do like what Carolyn has done, and now you. You must love the new look
    Judith

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  7. I LOVE it! I have to admit my eyes popped out of my head in disbelief when I saw the before! I love the shabby chic so much better, and am working on a piece of my own. You've encouraged me it's ok, after some are mortified that I would think of painting over wood!

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  8. Your tea display is so welcoming today. So fresh and spring-like. I love the new white look. It's very pretty.

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  9. SOOOO pretty! I have a black TV stand that I want to paint and you have given me inspiration. All the china and flowers are gorgeous, too but your pink buffet takes the cake.

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  10. Oh my goodness...what a transformation. I love it and love that you kept the inside panel. So pretty...I love all the teacup holders too. I would love to find a narrow one on the wall for my guest room.

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  11. Oh, my! You and your husband did an awesome job! The buffet turned out perfect: it still has all its wonderful carving details, yet it looks so much lighter now! Beautiful display on it as well.

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  12. You and hubby have been busy! I love the new look of your buffet. Your beautiful tea china and flowers look so lovely on your buffet. I remember well zip stripping most of my furniture in the late 60's and 70's. What a job! Paint is much easier! Looking forward to seeing your other painted projects! Thank you for hosting and have a wonderful week.
    Hugs....Nancy

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  13. Amazing!!
    The buffet, the teacups, the flowers... incredible taste.

    Thanks for sharing! :D

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  14. OH MY GOODNESS Bernideen, what a transformation! I LOVE it. You and your sweetie did an awesome job on the buffet. It looks so fresh and bright and cheery.
    Thanks so very much for hosting your party. xo

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  15. I forgot to mention that I did antiquing way back in the day, Bernideen. I haven't tried the new chalk paints yet, but thank you for your recommendation on the brand you chose.

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  16. Love your buffet! Such an amazing transformation!

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  17. I love the transformation Bernideen. It looks so fresh and pretty. I can't wait to see the other pieces and your tea setting is gorgeous.

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  18. Oh Bernadeen! It is gorgeous! Such a great transformation and the color is perfect!

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  19. Hi Bernideen,
    Your sideboard turned out WOW! I noticed in the middle photo of your blog banner that we share a love for the same Sadler teapot (I've shown my on my newest post). And, we have the same teacups in that new rosy beauty! Easter blessings in a cup! Wishing you a joy-filled holiday.
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  20. It turned out beautifully! I love it and the pretty china on top of it.
    I am honoured that I was your inspiration.

    Carolyn

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  21. Your Sunday post of the Pansies was beautiful, what an unusual shape teapot. Love it.
    But what is terrific is that hutch, what a difference it makes. I used Chalk paint in the summer, in fact I made my own, then drove a long way to buy some and really not a lot of difference-except mine kept drying out. Did four pieces and will do more this summer when I can paint outside. Furniture at auctions is bringing next to nothing, but if it's painted -makes a big difference. Have a happy Easter and God bless...

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  22. Since pink is still my favorite color this "new" piece would be ideal for me! It looks wonderful with your pretty pieces displayed on it! You also inspire me, so please do share when you have more finished things.♥♫

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  23. Your refinished kitchen buffet turned out soooo nice! I love the little 4 cup and saucer holder. I have never seen one that small! Ideal for a small gathering. Nancy http://cozythymecottage.blogspot.com/

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  24. WOW.....what a transformation! It looks fantastic!!! Great job. Love the little teacup stand on the right. HAPPY Easter- thanks for hosting. :)
    Shawn

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  25. I think you and your husband made a great improvement on the buffet. I especially appreciate you telling us and showing pictures of how you transformed the buffet. Thank-you for hosting this tea time !

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  26. Hi Bernideen!
    Oh...What a beautiful transformation. Your buffet is so lovely and so very shabby chic. You chose such a dreamy shade of pink.
    Thank you for sharing and for hosting this delightful party.
    Happy Easter, my friend.
    Carolynn xo

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  27. tout est absolument très beau
    votre buffet est une très belle
    réussite
    bonne journée sur une tea time
    tendresse
    edith
    puis-je mettre une petite vignette
    vous pouvez le faire également
    sur mon blog
    je n' ai pas de thème précis
    à très bientôt

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  28. That is a gorgeous transformation. I love that you saved the angel images. And also that you put the pale pink over white. It looks amazing in your hall there with all your beautiful china on it. You had quite the vision when you first bought that piece! Well done! How exciting to be freshening up your home. Best wishes!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  29. Well done Bernideen & co....a marvelous job! I LOVE it! Your deisplay is wonderful too. Glad you have one of the same teacups...actually I see lots you have that I do as well. Obviously wonderful taste! :) Thanks for linking your lovely new tea look to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  30. Yay! Wonderful change. Breathes new life. Good for you. It now shows off your pretty china so beautifully.
    xo Ruthie

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  31. Absolutely beautiful Bernideen!... I just love all of your pretty floral teacups and china... wishing you a Happy Easter this Sunday!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  32. Hi Bernideen, I love the new look. It's so fresh and spring. I've been thinking lately of painting all my dark wood antiques white but can't bring myself to do it. I suppose I still love the dark wood. Lol. I'm glad you kept the little angel surprise inside the door. How special is that? I've linked my post and hope it's ok. I'll go back into my blog and add a link to you. :)

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  33. I can't believe the difference Bernideen! It's just gorgeous! No stopping you now!

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  34. Your buffet turned out beautifully! I'm tempted to paint some of my furniture also. Thanks for the inspiration! Love all your pretty vignettes and the flowers are gorgeous! Have a lovely week!

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  35. Hi Bernideen,
    Congratulations for this change. It turned out wonderful. I am not a big fan of shabby chic but your buffet looks really great. The soft pink makes a wonderful background for white lace and tea cups. And it looks in the room fresh and crisp. What a fun to change the furniture this way. Thank you for sharing and for hosting this event. Have a Happy Easter Time. Best greetings, Johanna

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  36. Oh I just love what you did to the buffet. I mentioned to my husband for the first time this past weekend about paint our wood and black brick fireplace a soft white and he was adamant that it stay wood color. You give me hope now to keep bringing it up and finding pictures to show him how it would look. It just gives such a clean fresh look, a little at a time.

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  37. Your buffet came out so perfect. I have always wanted to do that. I have the perfect piece, too. Thank you so much for sharing this re-do with us. Blessings, Martha

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  38. I think you have a career in furniture refinishing! I do remember those earlier years of using the "smelly" stripping methods. This looks do-able and I have a wardrobe that is begging for a transformation--wish you lived close by, XOXO

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  39. Wow, what a fantastic piece. Your redo is gorgeous. Great job!!

    Jocelyn @ http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  40. You have a wonderful buffet and by adding the pale pink chalk paint it is truly lovely. The beautiful china and decorations are perfectly displayed. Thanks for sharing and have a happy Easter!

    Pam

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  41. Oh my gosh Bernideen, she is a beauty! I love her so much more now. I too want some changes. Our bed is dark wood and I want to paint it. Haven't ran the idea past hubby yet. He had a hard time understanding why I wanted our kitchen island aqua blue. It was beautiful wood, but my kitchen was just too much wood. He likes it now that it done. I have an old hoosier cabinet that I am going to put in the basement. It's oad with white enamel trimmed in blue. Thinking I might want to paint it. Guess I'll have to wait and see.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  42. Beautiful! I love the pink! Also, White Christmas is one of my favorite movies, so nice reference!! Thanks for the kindness you left on my blog today! I appreciate you stopping by. :)
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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  43. Dear Bernideen,

    What a wonderful tea post. Such a pretty tea vignettes along with your amazing Shabby Chic buffet. It turned out so beautifully... Thanks for sharing and also for hosting "Friends Sharing Tea".

    Have a marvelous and blessed Easter dear lady.

    Cheers, hugs and blessings from Wanda Lee

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  44. Your buffet looks amazinly beautiful...it turned out great. Happy Spring Easter with love Janice

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  45. wow- what an impressive transformation! Lovely!
    I love how you kept the little angel surprises inside!

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  46. Wow, Bernideen, it looks terrific - LOVE It! Beautifully done and very Shabby Chic!
    Thanks for hosting,
    Kathy

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  47. Wow! The pink is beautiful and it actually shows the lines of the pice better. Beautiful. Patty/BC

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  48. So lovely! Beautiful transformation, Bernideen :) Easter greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

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  49. This is just beautiful Bernideen! I love the transformation! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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