Elise (Before & After)

How was everyone's weekend?  Hope you all had a good one!  I have some pretty exciting things brewing but you're going to have to wait a little bit before I can share.

Okay, so meet Elise:

After

Isn't she pretty?  When I saw her at an estate sale in Scituate, I knew I had to have her.  This is how she was looking when I met her:

Before

I know some of you are going to tell you love her dark, but she had a little damage and you all know how much I like to lighten things up!

I started washing her down and then followed up with two coats of clear shellac.  Then, I got out my Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey. Thought it was fitting for this pretty lady.

After the paint dried, I wiped certain areas with a wet rag to remove some of the paint without damaging the wood:

Close up of distressing

I also used some fine grit sand paper.  Then finished up with two coats of clear wax and a little dark wax to add to the distressing.

More distressing

I love her scalloped, delicate details:

Here's her back side.  Almost as pretty as the front, right?:

Isn't that lovely how the wood curves.  They really don't make furniture like they used to.  I did clear shellac to seal the wood on the back, too.

I can't resist showing you a close up of this great silver tea pot my Mom found for peanuts.  I don't think they knew at the store that it was silver.  I particularly love the B and that it was by Benedict Silver - my hubby and son's middle name.

Benedict Silver Teapot

Well, there she is.  Back in the day, she was a lovely vanity, which I'm sure she'd love being again.  I also think Elise would be lovely in an entry way with a big chunky mirror and a basket underneath, there to welcome you as you come in.

After

What do you think?

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