Executively Executed

 What do you think of when you hear the words "polished", "mahogany", and "brass"? You can almost smell the cigar smoke from here, right? It's such a manly, sight this desk:

It would be right at home in a high level executive's manly-man den, wouldn't it? I'm sure that man would have a better word for his private office, and there would be no need for a sign on the door that says "Men Only" because no woman in her romantic heart of hearts would want to enter! Unless, of course, there is some primping involved with some CeCe Caldwell's paint!  

Painted by the Über talented Pam Lawrence!

Now this is a desk I could fall in love with! All it took was some Seattle Mist paint on the drawers, top and sides, some (less than 1/4th of the can!) Vintage White on the trim and the brass drop pulls (that's riiiightt--just paint right over that glaring yellow metal!).  Cece's Satin Finish was used for a protective-sheeny finish.  To tell you the truth, it had me when I saw all those fabulous drawers!

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A Tale of Two Sitties

Once upon a time, in the land of My Inventory is Low At Room With A Past, there was great flurry hovering around consignor Pam Lawrence. Pam was a happy and energetic woman, but when faced with the great luck of being a consignor whose inventory was dwindling down to the bare walls in the middle of the busy December sale, she became flustered and worried. "What will I do when there is nothing left for my lovely customers to purchase?" she nervously wondered. Luckily, Pam remembered "The Twins" she had ferreted away for just such a time.

"The Twins" came to Pam as unwanted, under-loved and most certainly dingy, but sweet orphans, swathed in a raggedy stained cloth.  "Please madam, may I have some love?" they groveled at her feet. Pam scooped them up and took them home, giving them a warm storage room in which to stay.  Time passed as Pam began working on her other projects that came first on the list; a dresser, a china cabinet and a dining table and chairs. One after the other, the twins saw them being transformed under her hands and moved out of storage, into Room With A Past,  looking quite fabulous. 
 

Then one day, Pam (having run out of things to sell in her space at Room With A Past) rushed into her storage room with a can of CeCe Caldwell's Vintage White & a paint brush in one hand, and some new fabric & staple gun in the other. A calm, but determined look was on her face as she feverishly worked away on the two chairs. In no time at all, the chairs were transformed from "Dingy" to "To Die For"!

"Look at me, look at me!" the two chairs exclaimed after their paint had dried and clear wax was being applied. "I'm a whole new chair!".  Pam hooked her arms through the frame of each chair and off to the store they went!

They each were staged in Pam's space and in no time at all (about a half hour, actually!) both chairs were snapped up by their new owner, and they all headed home together. It just goes to show, if you have a can of CeCe on hand, you've got the power to transform your world!

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Sittin' Pretty, Pretty Quick

It's the holidays and we're all rushing around with plans swirling around in our heads and sore & tired tootsies. Have a seat? Don't mind if I do! But um, eeww! Let's see if there's anything we can do about freshening up a little bit around here before the guests arrive:

It's a good enough looking chair to behold, to be sure, but that old dingy fabric with the spots and stains has got to go!  What's a quick remedy? 

Q: how about a store bought slipcover? 
A: besides requiring one more trip through the cross town traffic, they never really fit right!

Q: how about we just PAINT IT?
A: sure, in a perfect world, it would be that easy!

Enter the perfect paint for the job:

Seriously? Seriously! Get out your CeCe Caldwell Paint of choice and go to town on that chair. Even the fabric? Yes, especially that fabric! When it's all dry, follow up with the Satin Finish. And. You're. Done.

Pam Lawrence and CeCe to the rescue!

You've got a durable finish on a cute new place to sit. Now if finding the perfect Christmas gift for my mother was that easy, I'd be one happy woman!

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Light Up Your Life

I love this idea shared by my cohort at both Room With A Past and Paris Flea Market, Pam Lawrence.


It's a very old light sconce made of brass,  now tarnished. Yes, it looks just fabulous as is with its darling angels and faceted crystals hanging from the bobeches, doesn't it?

But if your taste is more sweet, rather than grand, why not change your fixtures to match? Pam used a little CeCe Caldwell Vintage White paint on a cheapo brush, and just dry brushed lightly over all that wonderful detail, making it really pop!

 

Even this little guy loves the way it turned out! But the best thing about this simple project? Pam didn't use any wax (because the fixture is up on a wall--who's going to be touching it?) and if she ever decides to go back to the tarnished brass finish--she can! Just a few swipes with a damp cloth will take off the chalk & clay based paint!

I hope I've enlightened you (oh, how corny!) on yet another way to transform old into new!

For more creative transformations, visit these link parties: