Ikea Table Re-furb and a Word about Briwax

So, I didn't know this table was an Ikea table until I had to tighten a bold, and realized I needed the Little Ikea Bold Tightener Thingy, which HubbyDoc so conveniently had in his tool box. After minor adjustments and lots of sanding, I ended up with this:

 (Sorry for the blurriness. The camera had just come out of the AC into the lovely, steamy miasma*)

I'm loving the different drawers on both sides.

This is my attempt at an artistic shot. You know. The "diagonal approach".

Now, there has been a lot of blog activity lately concerning making your own chalk paint vs. buying it, CeCe Caldwell’s vs. Annie Sloan, cost, latex vs. chalk, etc. And, I’ve seen some comments presented in a vituperative* manner…over PAINT. Sheesh!

So, if you disagree with me about what I’m going to say, be nice! I’m not getting paid by anyone to endorse anything. Just sayin’.

I just recently bought some Annie Sloan clear wax, mainly because I wanted to see if the effects would be any different than when I use Briwax.

Final verdict? I didn’t like it any better. I used it on the Queen Anne table that I re-furbed, and it applied just like Briwax and buffed just like Briwax. The only real difference was that the Annie Sloan wax doesn’t have noxious fumes, and the Briwax can get a little stinky.

And, the Briwax is about $9 cheaper per can.

Bottom line? I’m saving my AS wax for when it gets cold outside and I have to wax inside this winter.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Here's how I transformed this piece:
1. I sanded the top, using a palm sander, to remove the sheen and top coat of whatever they use. I made sure that I sanded the whole top down to the bare wood.
2. I used a base coat of ASCP Emperor's Silk.
3. I painted on a coat of ASCP Old Olive.
4. I brushed a coat of Antique Mahogany Briwax on the Old Olive and then buffed.
5. I sanded some random areas to reveal the Emperor's Silk.
6. Then I did the really fun part. I rubbed several coats of the Briwax on the sanded wood top, revealing the lovely wood grain.
I hope this inspires all you Froggers to transform something just plain useful into something useful and pretty.
Fondly, Tami

*words learned while helping my daughter study for the SAT.
I'm linking to:
DIY by Design 
Primitive and Proper

Damask Design Chair with Matching Pillow

Hi, Froggers! It's 9:10 PM and I JUST sat down for the day. I'll keep this brief.
Here's the newest addition to my space at Building Character!
As I often forget, there's no before pic. Just imagine an ugly dark green thing with a very dirty fabric on the seat. I stripped the seat (that just sounds wrong), re-padded it, and covered it with our trusty ol' drop cloth fabric.

I painted her with ASCP Old White, but she needed a little something more, thus the damask design from the Graphics Fairy. I cut the threesome in vinyl, weeded out the "inerds", placed it on my chair, and very lightly stenciled with a dry brush.

Here are the designs up close, with a little distressing after waxing with clear Briwax.

When I sanded it, a beautiful shiny gold color showed up. Yipee! It was under the ugly green stuff. Yup folks! It doesn't get better than that!

Of course, it needed a matching pillow. I made this with a drop cloth, cut the design out of Grafix craft plastic, and stenciled with a VERY dry brush. Pouncing only, Peeps!

I was kinda tickled with the twosome.
And now, I'm making some popcorn and watching Parks and Rec!
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking to:
My Simple Home Life 
Feathered Nest Friday 
Miss Mustard Seed 
My 1929 Charmer Blog 
Craftomaniac
Under the Table and Dreaming
Sumos Sweet Stuff 
Between Naps on the Porch 
DIY Showoff Parade 
House of Hepworths 
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Somewhat Simple
The Brambleberry Cottage
The Southern Institute
Funky Junk Interiors 
Primitive and Proper 
Sisters of the Wild West