Tuesday, May 3, 2011

l'armoire est fini



So, Saturday was the day I had set aside to finally paint the armoire. Somehow over a breakfast consisting of cereal and magazines, I decided I would paint the entire piece white with pale aqua stripes, and leave all hardware on.



Because the window is a favorite piece, I took my aqua color-cue from the backing wallpaper, which lead me to choose Almost Aqua by Glidden.





The armoire was sort of beastly to paint and I needed to do a paint-run half-way through.



Overall I did about two coats to everything but the drawer fronts and hardware (just 1 coat) and let it dry overnight.



Sunday morning I still wasn't 100% sure if I should add the aqua stripes but then I just had to with the safety net of knowing that if it didn't look right, it could be covered with another coat of white. No measuring for me: I used the paint chip as my guide for width.



I gave a quick, light coat of paint and then carefully removed the tape.



Next it was time to shabbify the hardware with a little nail polish remover on a paper towel. The top pull is the before; the bottom is after a little damp swipe here and there.



Finally, the most fun part: the sanding. When I sand painted furniture it feels very "artisan-like" to me, as if I'm painting a picture because where I choose to sand or how much wood to reveal is so deliberate. It's like adding glitter or frosting a cupcake; it's the most enjoyable part of the process to me.



Once the sanding was how I wanted it, I wiped the entire piece with an old, dry towel to remove the sandy dust. (There's probably a real word for this that I'm just not thinking of!)



While the aqua paint was still open I tried Marie's Paint a Bottle project from the current issue of Romantic Country. And of course, painted a few cans and a wire basket found after scouting the basement.



The armoire was given another full day to dry and then today ...



Back in its place in my let's-pretend-it's-a beach-cottage living room.



I am thrilled with how it turned out!



Loving the painted jars, too!



Now, does anyone make speaker cosies?!

Thanks for cheering me on and hanging on through this long post!

xo
elyse

58 comments:

Karen said...

It looks great Elyse! love the stripes.

Free Pretty Things For You said...

oh.. you are just so DIY-sy!
Love it!! :)
and you have the dreamiest home!

Anonymous said...

Elyse it turned out beautiful!! I bet you have it all decked out just darling on the inside too by now!

I really like the jars and am going over there to see how its done. I have a ton of paint left over from my front room (that's the only thing about mixing oops paint- I tend to mix lots to make sure I have enough!)

Oh I like how you did the hardware too!that is a great idea. I have a petite armoire that I need to paint for this room I am doing- may just leave the hardware on like you did!

Always enjoy your posts!

bee blessed
mary

Oh I am having a giveaway for an enamel sign- come sign up!

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

i think this totally makes your room! and the room was awesome before! i love your distressing job... that is my fav part of painting too! you must HATE to open it... then you can't see those fab stripes! : ) a BIG ayyyyyy to you ; )

Joyce said...

so gorgeous! Love the colors.

Hearts Turned said...

Simply gorgeous, Elyse...perfect in every shabby way! Love it!


Julie

Alison said...

Wow -- amazing!!! What a great transformation. Very inspiring.... now, what needs painting around here???
Alison

stefanie said...

so pretty and fresh!! love it!!!!

Stevie said...

Oh my heavens is it ever Gorgeous!!! Thanks for explaining your distressing process. I love the jars and cans too! Your living room is beautiful! xo

Suz said...

Wowzers...now there is no pretending that it is a beach cottage. It IS a beach cottage. Maybe there isn't a beach, but that is the beaches problem. THIS is a beautiful beach cottage.

Love those aqua stripes!

WinnibriggsHouse said...

Beautiful and that chair beside it couldn't compliment it better!

NanaDiana said...

Elyse- I'll bet that is the biggest treasure you have ever tinkered! It looks GREAT! I love it and the stripes really add a lot of charachter to the piece-it is wonderful! xxoo Diana

GardenOfDaisies said...

I love the pale aqua you used!! Speaker cozies would be a great idea!! I need to hide the ones for my tv.

Little Pink Studio said...

The armoire turned out great! We painted one too, this past weekend. I like yours better. :)
Love the aqua color!
xo, Cerri

Karen said...

Oh Elyse it looks great! I think it looks so much better.
What does the family think?
I'm thinking of doing a few side tables, but I think my family might kick me out if I do...(hehehe)
NOT FAIR!

Have a great week!
Karen

debi said...

Ooooooh! I need to paint me some bottles! I keep seeing that everywhere and still haven't done it.

I love the armoire! It looks so fresh and pretty. It's a perfect match now to your cozy, beachy livingroom.

Just throw some vintage doilies over those speakers! hehe

Theresa said...

WOW Elyse, it is sooooo beautiful! GREAT job, I LOVE it! Lots of work to get it all painted, but you nailed it my friend!

HUGS!

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi Elyse!
It looks really fabulous...and I love the stripes. Your living room really does have a beachy feel to it and think you did a great job! :)

SLR said...

well done! love the stripes and that you used the paint chip for the width...i hate to measure things! such drudgery. your living is gorgeous and the armoire looks perfect in it! oh, and great tip with the nail polish remover on the hardware...thanks!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Elyse Sweetie...
How absolutely divine is the armoire all finished. I love the aqua stripes added to it, and yes I too find that the sanding part is one of my favorite things. I have never been an artist as far as painting a picture, but I have such fun when it comes to creating with furniture and paint.

I love the jars as well. How delightful they look with the basket. The perfect touch my friend.

Now about those speakers. Seeing as how you are looking for a beachy theme? I would look for a couple of those beautiful aqua colored beach bags that the speakers would fit in. You could even tie a couple of scarves around the handles to close them, and the bags are generally that straw type fabric so it would allow the music to flow through. Just a thought sweetie.

Hope you have a beautiful evening. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

As always, you've outdone yourself! So swoon worthy, way to go Tinker. I love it.
Hugs~

koralee said...

So lovely my friend....I knew it would be..and I have been meaning to do those painted jars for a while now...must take your inspiration and just do it!

Hugs. xoxoxoxoxo

Jill said...

Oh Elyse, it couldn't be more perfect! I love it so much!

Hugs,
Jill

{oc cottage} said...

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, witchy-poooooooo!
Love it!!!!

m ^..^

All That Jazz said...

It looks really great Elyse!! Hee hee, speaker cosies! You are funny. I often wonder in some of the homes featured on blogs, where is the real stuff? Like T.V.s and stereos and junk mail and dirty dishes??
;-)
~michelle~

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hey Elyse, your "new" armoire looks perfect in its surroundings. Aren't you glad you dove right in over the weekend and got it done ??? !!! I want to try the painted jars. I have tons that I need to do something with.

I saw a blogger in, I think Texas, who was crocheting doily covers for the spare tires on the backs of vehicles. You could contact her and I bet she could whip you up some cozies for your speakers. HA!

Best wishes for the day. Tammy

Mylise said...

Beautiful relooking ! "L'armoire est finiEEEE", sorry you have forgotten the "E" !!!! L'armoire est finie et elle est très jolie....

Unknown said...

Lovely photos like always! Thanks for the borthday Wishes!
Daisy~

Claudia said...

Hey sweetie,
it looks renewed, fresh and perfect in your beachy living room! Bravo!

xo
Claudia

Anisa said...

Fabulous! Totally ties the room together. Thanks to you and Comiccon.

Sky said...

BRAVO! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Betty said...

It turned out so pretty and I love that aqua paint!! I am such a chicken. I love painting my furniture but distressing it with sand paper scares me. So even though I love the look of the distressing, I don't do it. How far do you live from me? LOL

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

l'excellent travail qu'il est beau ♥

Passionate for White said...

When you originally posted that you were going to paint your armoire I was like...what? no! But now...WOW...looks great - very beachy!

Unknown said...

Loving everything Elyse! That armoire is gorgeous, I love the colors you chose and the part exposed. Your room is enchanting. I love that phrase magazines and cereal breakfast.

You are amazing.
Karen

Jeanne said...

The armoire turned out great Elyse! That was quite a job to paint that whole thing, but the results are well worth it.
xo
jeanne

Maureenie said...

Well done! I like it.
I think I will work on my armiore this coming weekend after seeing yours!
i like the painted bottles too, I just might have to "copy" those!
Blessings!
Rhonda

Jen Kershner said...

I absolutely love it! Those aqua stripes just MAKE it. Now hop on a plane and come visit me. I have lots of furniture we can paint. I'll feed you and take you shopping and make it worth your while!

Jessica Rodarte said...

I knew it would do very well in your hands, Elyse!
It's beautiful!

Patti -Truly Tattered said...

Hey Elyse, Long time no talk to! It is Kim from Fille-de-Fleur! Now I have a new blog Truly Tattered. I love the new piece you did. Great job and the jars are SOOOO cute! As usual your talent is shining forth!
Kim

birdie blue said...

love it, elyse. it turned out perfectly!
i especially love the blue 'painted' glass jars.
you've got skills, girlfriend.

have an excellent mother's day.
xo
~molly

Anonymous said...

What about covering the cloth part with a cozy, cottage-y cloth?

Love the armoire!

Erin :)

Unknown said...

Swooning...the color, the stripes, the jars! LOVE it!
Oh and I think YOU should make speaker cozies. I will be the first in line to purchase!
xo
Roselle

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh my goodness Elyse! You did it! It looks so pretty!!!! Good for you sweetie!

Wishing you a wonderful and
Happy Mother's Day!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Terri said...

Just Gorgeous Elyse! I love your house...so white and cozy. Happy weekend to you! Terri

KatCollects said...

Oh my gosh, BEAUTIFUL!!! I am in love with pale aqua, it is my favorite color right now and I am drawn to anything that color. I have to find out how you did the jars alos, love them. I so wish I wasn't afraid to paint furniture. Your home is beautiful. I am wishing you a very happy Mother's Day.
Hugs,
Kathy

Kellie Collis said...

These are lovely! It was a gorgeous transformation! Have a wonderful weekend, Kellie xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! It really brightens the room up!
Happy Mother's Day, Elyse!
~ Zuzu

Unknown said...

Hi, I've been checking in for a while and looking forward to seeing the finished article. Am not disappointed, it looks gorgeous! So fresh and beachy!

Nicki x

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Elyse...Just look how sweet that turned out!
Love, Love, Love it!
Would be very at home here in my space too!
I'm just sayin....Ha!
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...

Anonymous said...

OMG it is stunning! WOW really amazing! And I LOVE the light aqua stripes. And your documentation of the project was so wonderful! I loved this post!

I am so glad you mentioned what article the painted jars where in, because I purchased a gazillion issues recently, and I loved that project, and did it on some of my bottles, but when I went back to see where the article was I COULDN'T FIND THE ISSUE! LOL

Thanks so much for sharing your project with us! xox

Deborah said...

thanks for your sweet comment on my blog :) I love your blog, your house looks amazing from the photos and I love what you did with the paint job!

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

Laura said...

I love it. It looks perfect. :)
LOL'd at the "speaker cozies" remark.

((Hugs))
Laura

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Great job, Elyse! It's so satisfying when a project is complete. You could make speaker cosies, but I wonder if hubby would think the sound is affected. That's exactly what my husband would have said. Hmmm? Some time ago, I made a cover to hide our ugly gray and black printer. Do you think we could make large flat screen cosies? My husband would never allow it if he had to remove it every time he wanted to watch tv! LOL.

d e l i g h t said...

What a sweet, creative and interesting blog you have. So glad I found you. A new follower. I invite you to visit my blog.

Sandi said...

I LOVE IT Elyse!! You did a fantastic job!!
Hugs~

Catie @ Catie's Corner said...

Hi Elyse, First time visiting your blog - I found you on The Lettered Cottage's DIY link. Love your style!! Gorgeous!! You mentioned wanting to cover your speakers. My mom painted the speaker cabinet and covered hers with lovely fabric instead of that black stuff they come with. They almost look like a piece of art. Just an idea... ~Catie

Arabella said...

It is so gorgeous and looks beautiful in your beach cottage style room. So glad I found you today! I'm visiting from The Lettered Cottage and hope you're having a great week.

Hugs,
Marie