Wednesday, June 9, 2010

French Armoire

When I saw this ragged looking armoire a few weeks ago I just about started hyperventalating! It was SO perfect, and if the paint wasn't in such rough condition I think it would have been nice to just touch it up in a few spots.But it was a little too far gone.

My favorite movie is Marie Antoinette, and at the moment I am also reading a biography of her that I am really enjoying (random fact: Marie Antoinette's first child, Marie Therese, and Wren share a birthday exactly 230 years apart). So I have been inspired by the colors and style of the time and wanted to make this armoire feel like it was just plucked from a Paris flea market.


I am really happy with how it turned out~

I did a mixture of grey and cream, but the black really popped through in the distressing.

I also glazed it afterward to really feel old and a little dirty (I know you are going to ask me how to do this, but I promise I will be sharing this and more in an upcoming e-book!!).


I have another armoire sitting in the garage as well, and if this guy finds a new home quickly I might just reproduce the same look so I can love it a little longer, specially because I've currently turned the dining room into a lounging area around this armoire.


Au revoir mon Chere!

33 comments:

Little Lovables said...

pretty, I like the two toned look, it's enough for some character without looking odd

Monique said...

Lovely!!

Holly.. an E-book!!! Wonderful!! Put me down for five. Just kidding. But I will definatly be purchasing one!

1 Funky Woman said...

First off what a great find! And second that color is so fantastic! That is exactly the color I want for my living room wall. What were the colors that you used!

Amazing job, I am truly drooling!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

It cam out beautiful!
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Stevie @ Sincerely Stevie said...

I am drooling. It's so gorgeous!!!

A Diary of Decor and Fashion said...

Love it. Just when I thought I needed to add color to my home, I go and read your blog and I want everything white again.

April @ The Painted Cupboard said...

STUNNING!!! Absolutely perfect!. I wish I lived a lot closer :(

*I am thinking more and more about transforming my whole house to white!

Amy Moore said...

I love your blog and have yet to write until now...you mentioned Marie Antoinette. Favorite movie of all time. Funny enough I just started a blog (literally two days ago)and she is one of my inspirations. Please visit and tell me what you think. Intimidating world, this blog land is, and you do it so gracefully. Thank you for the daily inspiration!

Amy
livingladuree.blogspot.com

Kelsey said...

OH.MY.GOSH!!!!! That is so gorgeous! GREAT job!!! Keep it and treasure it forever...u NEED to keep it!

Unknown said...

It is beautiful. The square fronts are perfect.

Unknown said...

The first thing I thought when I saw it in my dashboard was "I bet she painted it white" ....and you totally proved me wrong. I love the gray and the two-toned affect. Amazing job!

Kim said...

I just adore your work , absolutely amazing and inspiring! I made youe headbaord and it came out lovely - getting ready to repurpose one of those old brass chandeliers, paint it white and perhaps add some crystal pendants, not sure yet. Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love the contract between the colors. I've got a few pieces in my garage that I have to finish and then find homes before I can start a big project. You are always such an inspiration! Thank you.

christine, just bella said...

Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette is one of my absolute faves. I could watch that move on mute it is just so beautiful!! I just finished reading 'Abundance' the story of Marie Antoinette... is that the one you're reading?

The armoire is beautiful, what's the inside look like?

Dagi Mara said...

Es ist einfach perfekt! Der Schrank ist super geworden! Die Farbe gefällt mir sehr gut. Und wie der Schrank sich in deinem Zimmer präsentiert ist einfach grandios! Beautiful!
Benutzt du Lack oder Acrylfarben?

Liebe Grüße
Dagi

Unknown said...

So pretty! I love the shape and what you did with it. AWESOME!!

Amanda said...

holy loveliness! i mean, some things are so pretty there are no words. this piece is that for me.

sidenote: i'm never, ever a fan of brass or anything of the gold-ish sort. but those sconces, with all that delicious white, are just stunning.

always inspiring you are. :)

Lotusphx said...

GORGEOUS!!!!!!

MrsKBJ said...

Very pretty Holly! You should keep this piece, it looks so pretty in your home.

Kacey said...

It's seriously gorgeous! I've been wanting to do a piece very similarly with grey and white but kept pushing it to the back burner. Now I'm inspired!

Kacey

D&D said...

WOW THAT IS AMAZING!!!!

Paint Me White said...

Hi Holly, Whow love this piece. You are going to be bombarded with questions now on paint colours and techniques. Great job and a really lovely piece. Head over to my blog and see the armoire that I recently did. Sandy x

Unknown said...

Magnífica transformación, quedó precioso.
Love it.

Hugs
Charo

Lovely Little Nest said...

This is gorgeous! I love it!

You are truly talented.

Anonymous said...

ok holly! after i saw this amoire i starting hyperventalating too! because i have a very similar looking amoire that i painted black! i have been wanting to paint it a soft cream or gray color! and here it is! it looks wonderful! i am just wondering! did you have to do anything to the black paint before you started with the lighter colors? this girl would be ever so greatful for some help! thanks!

A well Loved Home said...

Holly,
It is absolutely beautiful! OMG - I've been faux painting for years and this is the best. An E-Book is an excellent idea and I will be the first one in line to purchase it. Sue@awelllovedhome.com

Playing Sublimely said...

oh dear...just dreamy! i too have painted one similiar, with cream and white harlequins across the front :).

Alisa D said...

I think this is my favorite piece that you've done (so far anyway). Gorgeous work as always!

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

This looks beautiful! Love the gray and cream and glaze!

Pudel-design said...

Yes, it is perfect!

bethchien said...

turned out stunning!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Now that is amazing-

sandy toe

gillar girl said...

I love this color combination--it is so light and fresh. You did a beautiful job! I want to redo Ashlyn's room in this sort of palette and how I wish we lived closer to each other so you could do a headboard for me...

 
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