Tag Archives | hand painted

A driftwood-esque dresser with blue glass knobs

By on May 29, 2013 in Furniture Makeover

A driftwood-esque bedroom dresser

 

Nerissa a neutral bedroom dresser with blue glass knobs

Nerissa a driftwood-esque three drawer dresser with blue glass knobs

Nerissa a driftwood painted three drawer dresser with blue glass knobs

Nerissa a driftwood-esque painted dresser with blue glass knobs

Nerissa a hand painted dresser in a driftwood like finish with blue glass knobs

Today I am proud to introduce a driftwood-esque hand painted dresser named Nerissa.

On the surface, this little gem wasn’t in bad condition. Inside though she needed some work. The drawers didn’t open and close very well and her wooden castors no longer rolled (it was more like they hobbled along). So I had a local professional woodworker repair and replace the drawer bases, runners, slides and castors. It’s important for my pieces to be fully restored and functional.

My initial design plan was to paint her in a neutral color. I hit a stumbling block when none of the knobs I had felt right. Thankfully, my husband and I were getting ready to head out for a weekend alone. As soon as I found the vibrant blue glass knobs everything just fell into place. Date weekends are important!

After the repairs, she was hand painted in two different custom mixed colors in a style reminiscent of driftwood. I then gently distressed the piece all over and sealed it in multiple coats of satin poly. To finish off my little “catch from the sea” I lined the drawers with lovely blue and gray circle paper to compliment the knobs. Sometimes opposites attract, but this time I wanted consistency.

Nerissa means “of the sea” in latin. With her driftwood-esque color and the beautiful blue bubbled glass knobs Nerissa makes me think of the sea. A calm, relaxing and peaceful sea.

Since grade school, I’ve been blessed to visit the ocean fairly often. I have fond memories of watching dolphins swim by in the early morning, sand filled bathing suits during the day, and throwing glow sticks into the ocean at night while little white sand crabs scurried over my toes. I don’t know if there is anything more soothing than a trip to the ocean.

I think Nerissa is meant for a beach house or a home with coastal style. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, but she’s no slouch either. She exudes a soothing confidence. I can also see her in a home with varying shades of blues and neutrals. Or maybe you have more vision that I do…where can you see Nerissa?

Nerissa is now available for sale in my Etsy shop.

Meg

A light gray drop leaf table named Freya

By on May 20, 2013 in Furniture Makeover

drop leaf table name Freya from Estuary Designs

drop leaf table named Freya by Estuary Designs

drop leaf table named Freya by Estuary Designs

drop leaf table named Freya by Estuary Designs

drop leaf table named Freya by Estuary Designs

Peony flower arrangement by Estuary Designs

These flowers smell divine!

When I first saw this little drop leaf table I almost walked away. Partially, because she had some scratches that I didn’t want to deal with at the time and because she had a microwave the size of a smart car on top of her.  After we removed the microwave, I realized there was nothing structurally wrong with her, because the microwave was extremely heavy. She just needed someone to embrace her imperfections. We all need a little of that…right?

Now, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to do that until a little later. I stared at her for long periods of time and ran different design ideas through my mind over and over and over again.  Finally, it was just time to get started on her. (Don’t get bogged down with trying to plan things perfectly.  Sometimes just getting started is what you need to do.) I painted her with a light warm gray and then went to town on distressing her and sealed her with a couple coats of wax.  The lady is now a warm neutral beauty, full of character and very hardworking.

Hopefully, with the styling used in the picture you can see that a heavily distressed piece is very versatile. You won’t be limited to one style with her in your home.  Oh, and she enjoys fresh flowers, putting together puzzles, dining in, and get togethers with  family and friends.  Her name is Freya.

She is available for sale in my Etsy shop.

The prints on the wall are free downloadable prints from Danielle Burkleo author at Take Heart.  The flower arrangement done by me. Seriously, friends take advantage of the blooming peonies right now.  They truly smell heavenly and should be brought inside to be enjoyed! 

xoxo

Meg

Furniture Debut: Mid Century Modern Dresser

By on May 13, 2013 in Furniture Makeover

 

Mid Century Modern Dresser before Picture

This Mid Century Modern dresser was a little too orangey for my taste.  The lines and versatility of Mid Century Modern pieces are fabulous, so I had to give it a makeover.

Mid Century Modern Dresser Makeover by Estuary Designs

Look at her now!  You can whistle at her if you want….she won’t mind.  She is a beauty!

Mid Century Modern dresser right side

Mid Century Modern dresser makeover with a beautifully stained top

Can you see the grain on the top of her…I was surprised to find such loveliness under all her junk.  It completely changed the direction I was headed with her…and for the best.  Wouldn’t you agree?

Mid Century Modern dresser with poppy lined drawersHer drawers are lined with this wonderful coral poppy paper I found.  It makes such a nice pop of color when you open the drawers.  I added the gold knobs to give her some more character, but just on the sides. She is a very light tan color which really looks more like a warm white.  She is available in my Esty shop here!

xoxo

Meg