Friday, 21 April 2017

Find that Special piece....!

4 drawer sideboard needing TLC...

It's that time again to Find those Special pieces....!


Now the fine weather's here it's once again time to find that project piece....!
Ample multi Drawer Storage








Whether it's for painting, distressing, for decoupage or renovation








Find where most, (but not all), of my 'Special Items' can be browsed at ease....

Louis Style Sideboard or Buffet

Leather top table waiting for renovation...
 - the enjoyment starts by clicking on my link.



American Style Rocking Chair with excellent mechanism

Edwardian Tub chair needing upholstery or just a cushion??
Writing Bureau...

7 foot wide 8 level storage...
...and another




All items featured were supplied by London Road Retro, UK.




All items featured were supplied by London Road Retro, UK.







See more at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/londonroadretro 


Enjoy 20% off your next purchase ....







Thursday, 20 April 2017

Sideboard or Buffet ...?


A contemporary sideboard design displaying Victorian elegance

The Victorian era saw the increased spending on elegance and ornamentation - all this generated by the Industrial revolution during Queen Victoria's reign, (1837-1901).

Interiors were noted for their orderliness with houses divided into rooms - with public and private spaces clearly divided.

None more so than the dining room which was the second-most important room in the house. This room showcased the often elaborate and ornate Sideboard or buffet - these being most often the focal point of the Dining room.



Plates and crockery Storage?
Cutlery storage?

The sideboard had the practical function of serving food as well as providing storage.

Typically, at waist height, consisting of cabinets and cupboards and one or more draws.



 This simple design has carried through to today with separate units being produced as one single item, housing shelved side and central under storage and top drawer. (As above).

(For the None purists out there, the words Sideboard and buffet are much the same thing.

However, if the item has short legs or a base that sits directly on the floor with no legs, then it's a Sideboard.    If it has longer legs then it's more likely to be called a Buffet).


Even more storage...!



All items featured were supplied by London Road Retro, UK.









All items featured were supplied by London Road Retro, UK.

See more at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/londonroadretro/

Enjoy 20% off your next purchase ....

Monday, 17 April 2017

Arts and Crafts...Simplicity

A pair of Oak Late Victorian Arts & Crafts chairs 

The Arts and Crafts movement was truly international, representing the decorative and fine arts that began in Britain and flourished in Europe and North America between 1880 and 1910.




The Practicalities of a drop-in seat






It stood for traditional craftsmanship and practicality, using simple forms and often used medieval, romantic, or folk styles of decoration.




A style that still fits in today with more Ultra Modern and contemporary designs....


An Oak Arts & Crafts High back side chair


It advocated economic and social reform and was essentially anti-industrial in its simplicity.



All chairs featured were supplied by London Road Retro, UK.

See more at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/londonroadretro/

Enjoy 20% off your next purchase ....

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Hepplewhite Style...

Georgian style (carved) Shield-back  Parlour Chair Design

George Hepplewhite chairs in particular were of a shield shaped back with Hepplewhite chair designs also featuring straight legs and elegantly carved and shortened armrests. These clearly differentiating His designs from his two more traditional contemporaries.

Hepplewhite gave his name to a style that is characterised by light, elegantly and ornately designed pieces. No Hepplewhite furniture is known to exist today.

Hepplewhite shield back designs were all without carvings and received ornamentation from either paint or inlay details used on the chair.

Hepplewhite was considered one of the big three designers and furniture makers at the time, along with Thomas' Chippendale and Sheraton and Hepplewhite designs have influenced ever since..


Georgian Splat back Chair.


Traditional designs of the time by Messrs Chippendale and Sheraton were of a more traditional 'Splat' back design.


All chairs featured were supplied by London Road Retro, UK.


See more at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/londonroadretro



Enjoy 20% off your next purchase ....

Sunday, 9 April 2017

Edwardian Simplicity...

Edwardian simplicity

The dawning of the Edwardian era brought with it a change to a more simplistic, practical design. At the same time there was a lot more social travel and exploration which introduced yet more exotic designs from China and India.

Arts & Crafts
Hepplewhite Style



Edwardian Splendour

A Drop Arm Sofa showcasing the change to more simplistic, practical designs of the Edwardian Era


 The Art Nouveau style continued to be popular, with Mackintosh leading the way in building and furniture style.





Typical features from this era included the egg and dart pattern seen on many ceilings as part of the coving.


Saturday, 18 March 2017

Farmhouse Table - Simple up-cycling. Part Three: The Finish.

So, the final and some might say the most exciting part of the whole thing - Finishing.

But what to choose? Paint? Varnish? (Surely not). Natural?

For this particular table I chose to paint the legs and underneath generally with Laura Ashley Pale French Grey, painting straight onto the prepared and perfectly keyed wood. Nothing wrong with that - the paint's made for it.

Alternatively you could primer and  undercoat first if you wish but there's really no advantage to doing this as all the extra under-paint will not add any additional lustre to the Chalk based top coat.

When the paint is dried (and you may need a few coats especially if you have not given the tin a good stir) - you can coat with a clear wax, letting it dry and then buffing - This is what brings out the additional lustre!.

The top has been taken back to the bare wood and then treated to as 50/50 water white wash mix before being 'dragged off'.

Dark Wax is then applied to produce the distinctive Verdigris tint you can see in the photo.

Once dried, the top is then clear waxed to bring out the Brown tint in parts of the now exposed wood grain.

The base and legs are painted in Pale French Grey Using: Laura Ashley.

The Dark Wax is by Rustoleum.


Thursday, 16 March 2017


Having found somewhere suitable to make a right old mess, (and get away with it), we can start the preparation.

I like to get the table top right down to bring out the grain of the wood - and I do this whether I'm going to paint or wax or varnish the finished item.

,,,,and at this early stage too, I really haven't fully decided on the final finish, (unless it's a customers; then it's pretty clear)!

Use a good quality paint stripper and a scraper, following the instructions closely, or hand sand.

On this table top, I went straight past GO and used my belt sander, which brought out the grain nicely.

Whichever you decide on, always sand in the direction of the grain, (not cross ways), and this will start to bring out the grain.

For the drawer front and Knobs and the rest of the table legs etc, use sand paper in hand and hand sand, taking your time and exercising a little patience. You'll get there. Don't worry.

Test a lighter grade of sand paper first and not rubbing too hard. You'll soon get the hang of how much pressure to apply with different grades of paper.

If you've got something to rest the up-turned table on, you'll find it much easier to work on the legs and underside when they're at a comfortable working height. Quicker too!

Well, as they say - "Thant's all Folks" - For now.

Look out for My third and final blog on up-cycling a simple Pine Farmhouse table