Divine Theatre: March 2015

Friday, March 27, 2015

Brightening the Entry

I didn't even know I was going to do this project until I was up on the ladder with my paint brush!

It took about an hour to gild the five and a half foot tall trumeau mirror I found on Craigslist...

...and it made all the difference in the world!

I just had to share!

Again, I use a stiff bristled artist's brush

Rub N Buff, Gold Leaf.

I use a drop of lavender essential oil to keep the gilding wax fluid. It is also very soothing!

I didn't want too much color for this small space. It could be overwhelming.

The angels are five feet tall. The commode and the mirror take up over nine feet of wall space, to give to some perspective!

The entire vignette, except for the angels, cost less than $300!

Yes, the mirror, the candle sconces, the iron urns, the crowns and even the commode...

Craigslist photo on left and the finished trumeau mirror on right.

I used multiple layers of color and washes, beginning with Martha Stewart Vintage Decor Chalk Paint in Cloud, then washes of white and black acrylic craft paint. I just played with the finish. You really can't make mistakes! They just add to the patina!

Originally, I painted the mirror a solid grey. Often, I will do that to better see the shape, so as not to be distracted by color.

It was pretty this way but the gold leaf pulls the mirror into the entire room.

Don't you agree?

It really brightens up the space and makes the entry very welcoming!

Raise your paw if you approve!

Thanks, Tallulah! She's always so agreeable!

Andie

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Bob's Your Uncle!

Bob's your uncle!

It is a British colloquialism similar to the term voilà!

Plus, it's fun to say!

Bob's your uncle!

It sums up this experience rather well...

My family fell in love with this piano when we saw it on Wisconsin Craigslist!

So much so, that we asked the gentleman who was selling it if he would take payments. Not only did he allow us to do so, but he also gave us two bottles of raspberry wine that he made himself!

Yay! Wine!

A year later and the piano was ours!

If anyone in Illinois needs a good piano mover, let me know!

I had contemplated painting it, as I have mentioned here in the past. However, it just didn't seem right.

Though it needed...something.

Instead, we drank the homemade raspberry wine and pondered...

...and pondered...

A year passed.

I tried to ignore the big brown blob in the Music Room, yet it mocked me.

It was beautiful but it could be so much more.

Should I paint it?

White? Grey?

I turned to Facebook for inspiration...

So many creative friends there. Surely, someone had something?

I was right!

Upon the advice of a friend, I merely gilded the foliate details with Rub N Buff in Gold Leaf.

That's it! It cost less than $5.00 and an hour of my time!

I also wiped the piano with lavender essential oil and rubbed coconut oil on it, then buffed it.

Today, I will paint the wings and wire them to hang above the piano.

The gilded piano stool looks as if it were made for this piano!

The tutorial for the stool can be found here.

I have to admit, this piano was intimidating but it just may be my favorite makeover!

I used a stiff bristled brush to get the gilding paste into the details.

Rub N Buff retails for approximately $5.00 per tube. I used 2/3 of the tube. A little goes a long way!

Be certain to use a small amount at a time, as it dries out quickly.

Like Frosty the Snowman's hat, the paint brought the piano to life!

Happy Birthday!

And there you have it!

Who's your uncle?

Why, Bob's your uncle! Of course!

Andie

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The Cheshire Blogger

I have decided to pretend I have not been an absentee blogger. As a matter of fact, I am going to behave as if I was here the entire time.

Furthermore, I was hoping you wouldn't mind playing along.

Do you want to see what I have been up to?

Front entry hall, take 497!

You may recall that this is what it looked like this past Christmas.

It looked like this for about 2 days.

Then it looked like this for about a week.

The scale was off.

Also, since the wall is one side of a narrow hall opposite the library, you had to crane your neck to take in the entire vignette.

The chest is 3 feet tall , the angels are five feet tall and the crest is another 3 feet tall!

The ceiling is 18 feet from the floor!

The chest itself is only five feet wide. I cannot use a longer one because then I could not open the front door. Apparently, we have to let people and pets in and out....and "no, we can't just use the back door", according to Handsome Husband.

Since when is he such a stickler for formality, I ask?

To give you an idea of we have to contend with. The Library is to the left.

I have a set of narrow double doors and a spiderweb transom to replace the builder's door and sidelight.

Soon, I hope!

The stars aligned and it happened!

I found this over five foot tall mirror on Craigslist. It was right down the street from my house! I could have walked there.

I was inspired by this paint finish, found on Pinterest.

Nine layers of paint later...

This is, perhaps, the 17th incarnation of the front hall. It never felt quite right...until now. I think. Well, I'm pretty sure. For now. Maybe.

The angels, as you recall, are 5 feet tall (including candles), to give you an idea of the perspective.

The entry leads to the Music Room. It is to the right of the Library.

The chaise was also found on Craigslist, as was the secretary, the mirror, the curtains and the statue. The tapestry panels were purchased from a friend . I met her through Craigslist too!

The rug is from ebay. It was a steal!

The Mora clock is in the hallway, outside the room. It isn't really a Mora clock. It is a Craigslist clock painted to resemble one!

The room is far from finished, but I thought you might like to see it.

This room was the catch-all for all my errant "stuff". It really was shameful.

View from the Music Room into the front entry hall. The fauteuil on the right is one of a pair I found on Craigslist. I painted the upholstery with Annie Sloan Old White.