March 28, 2012

Confortable élégance française...Hint of grey


"Click on photos to refine details"

Up date on guestroom and still working on its rustic elegance...Pretty and Old soothes our soul. This vintage over sized chest of drawers that measures 72" in length x 31” in height works grandly in this small space it adds the right kind of rightness that soothes our soul in creating an intimate space that embraces honest history with beauty…”Beauty that can be found on any budget.”
This French chest was another thrift shop find. Loving the mix of rustic with the refined elegance adds interest to a French brocante home with “objects not quite valuable yet not quite worthless." If a piece of flea market rustic or a thrift shop elegant bargain has potential then all it needs is a coat of paint as I have created here.

When coming across a piece like this you wonder why you would ever buy retail or from a design event. With a shocking tag price for this 6 drawer chest at $71.24 I could not purchase this chest fast enough. That very day I stated to get to work on it intending on taking the piece to my shop space, as the sanding down took place bringing it to a nude enough finish and the paint treatment progressed with painting the past out of it I stood back to admire its evenness taking in its beauty telling myself in an excited whisper this is a chest of drawers to love, and it is my new crush.



My goal was to paint a barely there patina of grey to my white. I painted the heavily carved faces and the chest of drawers with a lime washed technique, a romantic old-world with Parisian elegance giving it a finish that stands out rather than a piece that blends in. I did not want this piece to be cute, but rustic and relaxed with a finish that added gracious results to personal spaces.




An aged patina preserves its history fitting for many uses; a chest of drawers should not be over looked for its use in a bedroom, but a piece like this could be used comfortably as a dining room buffet server with plenty of linen and silver storage. Perhaps used in a formal living space as a sofa table of grandeur grouped with family photos and lamps.




Inspiring a desire to design around old cast offs where the past completes a French rustic home.

55 comments:

Kathy said...

This piece is gorgeous - love the lines and the colors - quite serene,
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!

Burlap Luxe said...

Thank you dearly Kathy "Kathy A Delightsome Life"... It brings great joy to share with passion.
xx
~Dore

Razmataz said...

I so badly need a dresser to my bedroom, however I've not yet spotted it. I won;t buy new, I am looking really for your dresser exactly. Now you have given me an inspiration for when I find it.

Anonymous said...

Oh Dore, you always amaze me!!~
That piece is just beautiful! What a fabulous find and you made it spectacular!
Hope your doing well and have a lovely evening.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Shabby chic Sandy said...

Amazing--a gorgeous remake!

Unknown said...

she's beautiful...absolutely bee-you-tee-full! sigh....

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Dore,

Just got home from doing a little painting myself and got your email and just had to pop on over. First, let me say that I am SOOO with you on not wanting stuff to be "cute." And you did a great job in making this piece stand out in an elegant, but stately way, but peaceful way, if that makes any sense. You and I are so on the same page in many ways. When I look at this piece, especially the photo of it through the footboard of the bed, it actually looks like TWO chest of drawers linked together, side by side! See it? I like how they are linked, like best of friends. That makes them humble, like they need each other, and not so proper, but more real and honest, but yet, together, they are all the more beautiful - sort of how TRUE friends bring out the best in each other but can bare themselves all the same. Didn't mean to get all mushy, but such beautiful, true pieces, treated with love, really shows.

Thanks for the inspiration and showing how "basic" isn't boring! Sometimes, a little "make-up" brings out the best instead of a complete "plastic surgery" hatchet job! :-)

Big hug
Elizabeth

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Dore, this is absolutely stunning. I'm swooning over those gorgeous curves, and you brought out the beauty even more. LUV!!!

All Things Chic 2 said...

Oh my gosh!!!
Definitely a french rustic space!!!
Blessings Lori

Unknown said...

It is a beautiful piece Dore and you have enhanced it with your lovely painting. xx

Ivy and Elephants said...

Oh, Dore! You make the best finds!
This piece is just perfect for a redo, great storage space with just the right frenchy elements. I love the gorgeous finish you've given it, so fresh and new! Now it's ready for the next fifty years! Fabulous!
Hugs,
Patti

Heaven's Walk said...

Oh my gosh, Dore....why don't MY thrift shops have gorgeousness like this????? Wow. Absolutely stunning, sweetie. Your work is just amazing! ♥

xoxo laurie

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Doré ma belle!

Ça fait longtemps que je te vois; j'espère que tout va bien?

Ton art est sublime. Les meubles chez toi sont magnifiques et la simplicité est si riche, à mon avis! BRAVO, quel COUP DE GÉNIE! BISES, Anita

Seawashed said...

I absolutely love what Elizabeth said. Ditto ox.

You really have been busy. I spotted some new birdhouse creations in one of the photos. When I see your furniture I see the labor and many many hours you give to transform into the beauty it becomes. I really don't know how you do it. Amazes me. I do not have the patience for such. But we all have our gifts...this is yours.

Burlap Luxe said...

Anita ma belle amie soul, je vous remercie d'avoir honoré de votre beauté avec une visite à mon lieu de création.
Je suis bien, mais fatigué, comment allez-vous?
Je suis ravi de voir la chambre que vous créez autour de votre chaise belle restauration, quelle page est-il sur?

Merci mon cher ami, un week-end de toutes les choses inspirantes.
Amour,
xoxo
Doré

I have the new catalog Restoration do you and what page is the chair on, I bet it is one of those tattered stripped down styles! am I right?
Cannot wait to see the beauty you are creating for your peaceful Music room.
xoxo

Fishtail Cottage said...

oh, wow! gorgeous! love that lamp too! xoox

Kate said...

Dore Oh my goodness I cannot get over how simply stunning this piece is. Your talent is just breath taking. A true master piece my friend. Hope that the spring season is filled with blessings and a time of renewal for you.

Much love
Kate
xoxo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

MA BELLE!!!! BONJOUR!

Voilà le lien pour voir ma fauteuille:

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1679283

C'est "Marseille chair" et je l'adore. J'y m'assois pendant que je blogge!!!!!

Merci pour être venue mon amie. Je t'embrasse tendrement, Anita

My Shabby Streamside Studio said...

I love it. From tacky to terrific.

xoxo

Sandy

Maria Vicente said...

Lindissimo, adoro.

michelle said...

Another beautiful creation dear Dore! You have worked your love and magic into this beautiful chest of drawers.
xoxox

La Brocanteuse said...

But of course I love it! And yes me and Pauline will both
add this to our homes! I am so surprised every time I
read at what good prices you are able to find such beauties in America...good for you, and it could not have found a better home to be given a new lease on life!
Love to you
Colette xx

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hello Dore...I just love it when you describe your newest work of art. I could almost close my eyes and picture it before I see it. This beautiful dresser was a frugal find but your loving touch has made it a priceless piece to treasure forever!
Thank you for sharing!

La Brocanteuse said...

just to let you know..Pauline's garden is on, hope you like.. inside will follow later
..still editing. Col x

Laura Venosa Verbena said...

I'm back...beautiful piece...great find. Love your special refinishing touches...oh the restoration hardware catolog is the best. I posted some pics on fb last week. You need to take a look you will love. Hugs.

Amy Chalmers said...

Dore this is one beautiful restoration! I love it and you have made this an heirloom piece to be handed down in the family. Tres Bien!

Christel said...

Dear Dore, another beautifully altered piece of pure sophistication. This piece holds so much drama.It quietly screams "look at me!" It always amazes me at how you can look at a tattered and discarded rumpled piece, and turn it into a classic, elegant, timeless treasure. Simply stunning! xoxo Christel

Momentos Vintage said...

Me encanta como ha quedado ese mueble. Muy bonito

WhiteWhispers2u said...

That is a stunning piece of furniture and you made it even more so.Great find!
I am back from the beach and finishing up the painting in the last unit the Pink Pearl, makes me very happy.Now just all three bathrooms left, when I get to them~Cheers Kim

Revi said...

Hello, Sweet Dore,
I love this piece, as I love everything you do! You have such great style. I always enjoy visiting and seeing what you've been up to, because I know it will excite my senses!
-Revi

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

My dearest Doré,

Merci pour être venue m'offrir de mots si tendres et sincères; je suis contente d'avoir fait mon choix pour un chemin inconnu, mais NOUVEAU. Le système d'education manque quelque chose très important:

LE RESPECT POUR LES INSTITUTEURS. Comment se fait-il qu'on fasse toutes les résponsabilitiés pour 52 élèves?

IMPOSSIBLE.

Alors, l'aventure COMMENCE!! MERCI POUR TON AMITIÉ!!! Anita

Wild Oak Designs said...

It is amazing what a little paint can do! Loving it!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

Burlap Luxe said...

Anita,
vous êtes tellement accueillir mon cher ami, avec Dieu et l'amitié tout est bon.

xoxo
Dore

June said...

What you did to this chest of drawers is PURE magic Dore! It is a stunner!

Roberta said...

This is such a great piece for any room Dore! I have two similar that I painted white; one in the living room (my tv sits on it) and one in the dining room that holds lots of treasures and doubles as a buffet in my tiny cottage:) You can see them both in the latest issue of Romantic Country magazine.
Beautiful finish on yours! I can see why it didn't make it to your shop, ha!
Roberta

virginia said...

My heart beats with yours. We are the fortunate souls who loose our hearts to forgotten furniture. It's not just about before-and-after, it is about the thrill of the hunt, the dream of creating something wonderful from something someone had cast aside. Virginia

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! This is absolutely beautiful. You have done an amazing job!

POWDER GREY said...

Another great find. Another great finish...

BonjourRomance said...

Well done Doré; you took a diamond in the rough and created a treasure with your distinctive touch. So enjoy my visits here.
a bientô^t,
Mimi

Karena said...

Dore I adore this chest/ dresser; this finish is actually to me quite elegant rather than rustic. can you tell me about the liming finish?

I hope you will Come and enter my amazing Cross Bottle Guy Giveaway! (from Artie of Color Outside the Lines))You will love it!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells said...

Great skill and patience. If you run out of projects, I have a whole house in France that needs attention and furniture!
Have a safe and happy Easter.

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

I adore this piece,with it's simple elegance...the finish has captured my attention. You've got a special touch to achieve such a magical transformation.

Sweet wishes,
Sara

LizlovesVintage said...

Love the hint of gray!!
Have a wonderful Easter with your Family!
xxx Liz

Jo Farmer said...

Beautiful work, as ever... Happy Easter

Jo x
Eliza Interiors & Design

Jenni said...

Hello Dore~

Your new dresser is beautiful, and I love how you painted it, with gray undertones. It looks lovely where you have placed it, too, and the room looks so calm and peaceful!:)

I hope you have a wonderful and very blessed Easter! :)

Blessings,
Jenni

Rae said...

You did a lovely job on this piece!
I found one very much like this one of yours, it's in my art room painted boho, I have been wanting to redo and yours is the closest to what I was looking for...well done!!
I came over by way for Kerrie from Sea Cottage, I love your blog and now I'm following along!!

Maison Beldecor said...

Hi dear Dore,
thanks for visiting my blog.... I am impressed by this great and wonderful chest... Hope you had wonderful Easter days with you family.
Sweet wishes and many greetings from Germany
Bine

Dina said...

Oh my goodness!! I completely understand why this is your new crush! And you brought out the best of it! Wow

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

What can I say Dore, your work is breathtaking! Takes me back in time. Your masterful hands have done it again.. I cannot wait to see the next piece..Love your music, makes me just want to curl up with a good book.So peaceful...

I was so touched by your kind note you left for me.. Yes, moussie is on a long journey.. I hope she has a safe travel..
Wishing you a beautiful week.
fondly,
Penny

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Ma chère Doré,

It was SO LOVELY to see your comment come in yesterday. Thank YOU for your kind friendship and beautiful inspiration. I am working on my theatre for more productions in the future!!!!!! BE WELL, ma belle!! Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

DORé!

I too long to sit side by side with a DEAR FRIEND to create nothing but grace and beauty. THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY; so many loved ones are so busy these days, but a visit is always such a BLESSING for us all. Happy Sunday creating and being beautiful my friend. Anita

Vintage Home said...

oh my nothing short of stunning..you are so right what is retail?! This is magic!
Happy the guest that visits & rests in this delightful room!

Unknown said...

Love the how you have transformed this. Very Beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

LOVELY PICS:) I really like your blog and I want to follow but I dont see twitter or facebook in here??

If you want some swedish decor inspiration, you can check out my blog:)
Have a great week.

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)

PS Your children are beautiful:)