Details

I love details. Big and small.

I love gimp trim and paint colors. Polished nickel and unlacquered brass. Hand-blocked linen and paper lampshades. Cotton woven rugs, aubusson pillows, caned seats and the like. I happily study the online shelter publications {Lonny, TradHome, Rue, High Gloss & Matchbook}, and when Traditional Home makes it's way to my mailbox I'm down-right giddy.

Gazillions of little details were custom ordered in my former life. And while I don't flood anyone's inbox with very specific purchase orders any longer, I still love custom details!

Last weekend I created a little construction dust. Some sandpaper, primer and flat enamel mixed with a LOT of elbow grease, followed by three coats of Minwax Special Walnut breathed new life into an old favorite. This piece of furniture was a gift from Courtney and my parents, a piece I'll love forever.

Here's the before. Pretty, isn't it? It has lovely carvings and a is very nice scale. The doors are beautifully shaped, as are the legs, the hardware intricate with a soft patina.

French Country Buffet {before}

And here's the after! It took about two days {maybe six to eight hours total hands-on time, but some drying time was necessary between coats}. The finish is actually egg-shell to satin, but my flash insisted on going off, so it looks shinier in the photographs.

So, there you go. Grand-total was $26, the cost of primer, three new paint brushes and two packets of sandpaper. And I owe Greg a new undershirt {needed something soft for applying the walnut stain}. Feels like I got a brand new piece of furniture!

I hope to have another major paint project finished in a couple of weeks. Benjamin Moore HC-105 is going to have a big impact in my house. More on that soon . . .

Back to the summertime . . . There's a big old pile of chlorine-soaked towels begging for my attention!!