Weathered surfaces, like weathered faces, tell some interesting stories. Maybe that’s why I like them so much; I like stories. And I like things that evolve over time, although that conflicts with my inner need to get things finished. So, this recent project created some interesting dilemmas. What started as a quick furniture rearrange, ending up evolving into something unexpected. Quick and simple became something else entirely!
I’ve had these storage cabinets for several years. I found them at an import chain, and they weren’t expensive though they are sturdy wood construction. They were hand-built, and I know this ~~~ not just because that was the description on the tags ~~~ I know this because of these 20 drawers, each one will only fit in its original slot. Note to self: DO NOT mix them up or you will regret it!
Anyway, after shuffling some furniture around last year, the cabinets landed in different spot ~~~ and I was never really happy with the results. I liked the spot and the cabinets, but not the look. It was functional, but just kind of blah. I tried a bunch of different small and large add-on’s but nothing clicked. For an easy update, I changed out the original drawer pulls for a variety of pulls I found over time ~~~ again I liked the idea, but it didn’t create much impact.
And the color palette ~~~ 12 colors that are happy together
I decided to add a top, thinking it would bring the spot together and give a place to perch the coffee cup on my way out the door in the mornings. I really wanted a stone slab top, but after searching for a while the only thing I really loved was too expensive.
Here’s the BEFORE with the new drawer pulls ~~~ not bad ~~~ just missing something?
Messy work in progress ~~~ for much too long. Hey, it was supposed to be something quick & simple?
Here’s the AFTER ~~~ it’s something now 🙂
One Saturday in a fit of piqué, out came the painting supplies. Once I started sanding and painting there was no going back. Having learned the hard way once before not to mix up the drawers, I decided to paint a few at a time. I found some pictures of weathered paint surfaces that I liked and started creating my versions. Thinking I would knock this out in a couple of weekends ~~~ how long could it take to paint a few drawer fronts?
Every weekend I would promise myself to find a way to finish it up, but the paint had to tell its own story and took its own sweet time! With no good spot for this kind of project, coupled with the fact that the cabinets sat just past the entryway, I had to overlook the mess everyday for waaaaaay too long. Finally, it seemed to be done and I packed up the painting supplies for the next project.
Oh, and I ended up adding a top after all. A generic piece of wood shelving with a nice nautical twisted rope molding, ten layers of paint, and a LOT of sanding between colors. I found the mermaid hook at one of the fall art & crafts festivals. She’s very sturdy and can hold a scarf or a sweater…or one of the endless parade of bags that seem to need to go out to the car.
And the mermaid hook ~~~ the finishing touch
I didn’t have an end in mind when I started, but I like the end effect. It changes with the light during the day, and does in fact offer a drop zone for my coffee cup or anything else that won’t hang on the wall mounted hooks in the entryway.
The photos don’t really give a good view of the finished project. The space is small and there wasn’t a way to get a good angle or good lighting for the photos. The paint reminds me of old beached row boats, sun bleached piers and outdoor shutters on fishing shacks. The mermaid just makes me smile.
My inner “get it finished” self had to deal with my “what’s the hurry, let’s hear the story” voice. But they ended up getting along after all 🙂
One problem ~~~ I still want a stone slab top. Now with the time invested in the project, I don’t so much mind springing for the cost. I just hope it doesn’t start me down some other project path. Maybe I’ll wait a while and see how this story ends?
Bluwatergal
