A Painterly Touch

I'm aware that there are many purists among us, who feel that to paint an antique is a most despicable deed. And...I respect that there is such diversity of tastes in the world.

When it comes to painting vintage or antique items, the Yankee and I consider a number of variables, prior to taking that plunge.

For each project we tackle, we determine the steps necessary to enhance the unique features of the individual piece.

Some antiques have suffered such ravages of time that simple refinishing will not suffice. Those are the very pieces we believe to be the ideal candidates for a painterly touch.

We jokingly say we're in the rescue business.  It's not uncommon for us to retrieve items from trash heaps or burn piles, in an attempt to resuscitate them.

If there is even so much as a single breath of life existent in something, we feel compelled to revive it.

I wish I had a before picture of the actual Depression era vanity that we delivered from certain destruction–atop a rather large pile of  trash, about to be burned. 

Just imagine, if you will, a vanity very similar to the one pictured below, but...IN NOWHERE NEAR THAT CONDITION!

Remember this sneak peek I gave you in the post about the Yankee?

That was a peek at our rescue efforts for the once abandoned vanity we recovered. When we found it, the mirror was missing, and the bridge that connected the two sides was beyond repair.  The Yankee cut the piece apart and disposed of the irreparable bridge.

Though one of the sides had some nicks and dings and a few small areas of missing veneer, and two others needed to be replaced altogether, we knew we could totally transform the much neglected castoff.

To most observers, the piece had breathed its last breath. To us, though the breath was shallow, it still existed and was therefore worth reviving.

After the standard thorough cleaning–that was my job–and a good sanding–that was the Yankee's job–the Yankee set about making the necessary repairs.

We are of the opinion that to totally rework a piece–eliminating every little imperfection–negates its vintage character. So, more often than not, we will leave certain minor flaws.

Being the incredibly creative man that he is, the Yankee masterfully designed and crafted new backs from vintage wood.

Once those lovely details were added, I knew we had to adorn the stands with lots of sweet, feminine flourishes!

One of the characteristics I absolutely love about older pieces is the quality of construction found in details like dovetailed drawers.

After the draws were sanded and cleaned, and all structural repairs complete, it was time to decide on the decorative touches.

My favorite part!  ; )

We sifted through numerous delicious appliqués in search of the perfect embellishments.

This lovely three-dimensional rose, accented by a delicate scrolly vine, could not have been more perfect for the backs.

With our creative touches, the frames went through a Cinderella-like transformation.  They're now dripping with sweet little roses and wildflowers cascading down from tiny ribbons.

The pretty, scalloped apron fronts were also gussied up a bit with the cutest curly ribbon appliqué.  It's knot even resembles a rose!

As if all those sweet details weren't dreamy enough, we then painted everything the softest, cottagey white we could find.

That was followed by an ever-so-light distressing, from the top right down to the lovely little turned legs.  It was the perfect finishing touch to amplify the delicate beauty.

The result...total shabby sweetness!!!

And where there was once one ugly duckling...

there were now, not one, but two beautiful swans.

Wonder what other wonderful transformations await at Susan's for...

Let's also show everyone our vanity makeover at Diane's

for

the Shabby Chic Cottage for

and

Domestically Speaking for

then, over to Suzanne's @ Colorodalady for

We'll also show off our frugal find @

and feature our furniture @

Oh, and we can let everyone see our DIY project @

Then, we'll pop over to Cottage Instincts for

and Cheri's for

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Meet the Yankee

When I shared with hubby that I was contemplating periodically adding posts of our family life, he was concerned that people might find that type of post boring. 

He reminded me that one of the major themes I had decided to cover in this blog was the blending of two entirely different decorating styles.  And...did I really want to confuse the issue with too much information?
 
That was a brief conversation we shared just before he left for work—one I pondered throughout the day.

Image Souce: Incandescent light bulb (no labels).svg; YassineMrabet

Then a lightbulb went off in this Southern noggin of mine.  Hey...wait a minute!  Women will make up the majority of the readers of this blog...and WE LIKE DETAILS!

Since the Yankee is a major player in this whole decorating challenge here at the cottage, I'm giving him the honor of being the first to be introduced to you all.

I know, I know.  Southerners are suppose to say ya'll, right?

He is a very hands-on kinda guy and can do just about anything with respect to a home. 

I tell people all the time, "He can build a house from the ground up and design and construct all the cabinetry and furniture needed to fill it!" 

Then he usually adds, "But, I don't do chairs."   ; )

This is a bathroom cabinet he built from scratch for our old house. 

I had found an inspiration picture in a decorating magazine and asked if he would build it for me, when we remodeled that particular bathroom.

Of course, I had my own ideas about some of the alterations that were necessary to make the design EXACTLY what I wanted.  After all, the style of the cabinet had to be just so—in order to complement all the other elements I had chosen for that room.

So, as I showed him the picture, I asked in the sweetest voice I could muster—that's a Southern thing—"Honey, instead of the door and drawer trim shown in the picture, would you make it like that—pointing to an old cabinet outside his workshop?

And would you mind making it a bit longer?  Oh, and I would really like it to be constructed of solid maple, with a warmer colored stain."

The end result...TOTAL PERFECTION!

When we remodeled the kitchen of that same house, I desperately wanted an island—something there had not been room for prior to the remodeling. 

We discussed the features I most desired:  drawers that pulled out from both sides, open shelving on both ends, black paint with a distressed finish, and the feature I desired most...a checkered top.

Bless his heart!  He painted every single square of that top individually—just for me! 

Thanks again, Honey! XOXOXO

Now would you mind indulging me a bit further, as I brag on him a little more?

This is a piece he designed and built for the den of our old house.  I'm using it here at the cottage—temporarily—until he can find the time to finish building our kitchen cabinets.

  Umm, exactly how much longer will that be, Dear?

And he made this cute little bench—with a top constructed from one-hundred-year-old barn wood and old cut nails.

By now, I'm sure it has become obvious that THAT home was decorated in a country primitive style—which suited the Yankee's New England tastes quite well.

Now let's move on to the style that I prefer and some of the projects we've worked on since moving to the cottage, several years ago.

We pulled some old beaded boards out of a Victorian house in our little town—one being torn down to make room for a parking lot. We repurposed the boards

 for projects like these cute storage boxes.

Hmm...

Are you up for a tease?  Good!  The next four images are actually only partial images.  I will share
these pretties in their entirety in future posts.

Sorry!  You'll just have to come back!



This transformation started out with an antique vanity from the 1920s or 30s—well past its prime.

With the Yankee's ingenuity, it was given new life. 

Hint:  What once was one, now two has become.

The Victorian beauty below was in much need of a face-lift, though she still had wonderful curves in all the right places. 

The Yankee performed his magic to give her a more youthful appearance—while maintaining the character that time had graced her with.

And you won't believe the incredible transformation of this tired old buffet from the 30s. 

Many would have given it its last rights and put it to rest on the spot—but not the Yankee.  He lives for this type of challenge!

You can get the full scoop on this particular piece on Monday—when I link to a few other bloggers'

hosted events. 

I told you you were in for a tease!

Hopefully, by this point, you've begun to recognize the challenges I face, while attempting to blend our two distinctly different decorating styles—my Profile gives a few other clues.

Now, please don't let the introductory photo of my Yankee sweetheart fool you into thinking he's a softy.  He is very much a man's man!

You know the type...

loves fishing, camping out in freezing temperatures—outfitted with nothing more than gear for extreme cold—enjoys hunting...

Need proof?

That's him standing in one of the fields of our little farm holding two Canebrake rattlesnakes—that made the fatal mistake of venturing a tad to close to the cottage.

I have to admit; at times like those, I appreciate our differences!!!

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