A New Look on an Old Wrought Iron Bed

I completely changed the look of my antique wrought iron headboard by adding a coat of paint. These beds are a classic fixture from the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of which are still around today, as mine was rescued from a thrift store. It was missing a spindle so I chose to remove the other leaving just the center and then added some faux wildflowers that tie in with the flower motifs. Originally white, it's now a light metallic gold.
When refinishing, I used a piece of sandpaper to scrape off imperfections to create a smooth surface. A little acetone goes a long way when removing remaining layers of paint. Spray paint outdoors on a dry day or in a well-venitalted area. Apply thin coats in back and forth motions to prevent drips. Instant gratification :)

A Cool Find

As I continue my search for unique pieces to add to my sister's house, I found and fell in love with this oak cabinet with lead-glass panels. All of twenty-five bucks from a thrift shop, it's quite a find for a piece of old-world glamour that belongs off every kitchen --to have drinks placed upon or to store plates, pictures or any of your favorite things.

Guessing by its' original patina, this piece was made quite a few years ago. And like most furniture of a bygone era, was crafted with quality. I didn't have to do much but give it a good wipe of a rag and Murphy's wood soap. Its original wood charm shines through. I reinforced the antique glass with a little glue, just to be safe. And voilà... a new life and purpose to a beautiful piece of vintage furniture.

My First Rehab Project

I just finished restoring my first piece of antique furniture and it was the most rewarding thing I've done in years. Who knew this abandoned old wooden dresser on wheels I picked up from a hole-in-the-wall antique store would clean up so nicely? It's safe to say I've just fallen in love with the art of rehabbing. This all started a few days ago, after my older sister hired me to do her furniture shopping while she and her husband get ready to buy a house down here in Florida. I mean, it's the least I could do while she freezes AND works her ass off for the Post (NY) while I'm down here living one day at a time soaking up the sunny sun. I'm in school for interior design, so how could I say no? I live for this stuff.
I plan to do more restorations in the future, so in order to keep track of them all I've started this blog. I'm no expert, but I grew up learning from my Dad who's pretty handy and is a stickler for doing things the right way the first time.
Here's what I did:
1. Find a quality piece of wooden furniture. The thing is, furniture was made to last in the 30s 40s and 50s. It wasn't until recently that it was barely-made and only falls apart to be bought again. That's why I love antiques. They hold so much history and beauty and a lot of them are still in good condition today, and could last for years to come with just a little TLC.
2. Clean it up. Grab a warm rag with dish soap and wipe away any old lady or storage locker-like smells. In cases like mine, there's some lovely drawer wallpaper that's more than likely falling apart but tricky to get up. The easiest way to remove it is this enzyme wallpaper stripper goo called DIF. Paint it on with a brush, let sit for 5-10 minutes, and it practically scrapes off for you.

 

3. Sand, sand, sand! The most work you're going to do is prepwork, but after that it's all down hill. Start with the coarsest sandpaper (150grit) and work your way in the direction of the grain and finish off with a super fine grit. Do this and it will be smooth like glass. Clean loose grit with a warm rag and dry off.
4. Prime. Use a tackcloth (found it in Sherwin) to remove any dust and leftover grit. Then add pre-stain.
5. Go balls out! Pick a stain and lather it on towards the grain. I chose ebony and added some fun knobs from Pier1. I think it turned out pretty amazing... you be the judge!