One Shelf - Two Ways!

It's amazing how refinishing something changes the whole personality of a piece.  

My friend, Valerie, was looking for a shelving unit 

to put in her dining room to display her platters and other dishes. 

I was looking for the same type of shelving unit 

to use for my fall and holiday displays at the store.

We each purchased one of these shelves and set to work refinishing.

Valerie removed the top scalloped board to give the shelf a more streamlined look, in keeping with her style - such a great idea!  Self - customized!!

Then Valerie painted hers a creamy light green to match her wall color 

and added a dark glaze over the paint to give a subtle antiquing effect.  

Valerie wanted a refined country look!

Now she has a beautiful shelf which enhances her white dishes 

and makes them pop on display!

I painted my shelf with Annie Sloan's Emperor's Silk (Red)
chalk paint. . .

 and then finished with dark wax to really bring out the details
in the rough finish wood.  The dark wax settled into the grooves
and pits, and added an antique look to the shelf.

I wanted a cozy hunting cabin look! 

Now I have a display shelf in my space at Fabulous Finds that will take me from the warm colors of fall to the reds and greens of the holidays! 

Even though both shelves started the same, 

they now have their own personality and style

to match the needs of the rooms in which they hang.

Isn't that what decorating is all about?!

Before & After: Beachy Cupboard

 

Sometimes I have things that just don't seem to find a home, even though I think the piece would be perfect for someone!  This cupboard was one of those pieces!

Now, I thought it was great in my space when I did a Halloween display - the cupboard held all sorts of little pumpkins, scarecrows, owls, etc.  with the red interior I thought it would work in a country home or boys room - but maybe it was just too 'sorcerer'! 

With the Twilight movies so popular you would have thought this would be a hot item! 

But noooo!  I had this item for too long so it was time to do a makeover!

Maybe it was the star - so i decided to take the star off to make the design more neutral. But the cupboard looked really plain so I went in search of something and found a seashell embellishment and decided to transform the cupboard into 'Beachy'

I painted the inside an aqua color that is so popular right now and painted the outside in Annie Sloan's Old White chalk paint.

I added the seashell to the outside -Voila!   I'll be bringing this beachy cupboard to my booth at our Annual Nicolaus Labor Day Parade!

It can hang on a wall or sit atop a table and It has so much to offer in terms of display space - perfect in a bathroom to hold little perfume jars or lotions - 

Or maybe in a bedroom to display a cherished collection!

I hope it finds a loving home!

I've linked up to http://snapcreativity.com/show-and-tell-linky-092612/