Creating a new Metallic Finish on Accessories

Found a new product I love!!!  I discovered it as a great solution to re-do some home owner's things for a recent make-over that required silvered finished accessories.  They had several gold finished and wrought iron pieces in the room.   I wanted to re-use the pieces but the finishes didn't match the new decor, so I needed a way to transform them.  This is where Rub'n Buff came in. 

The product is a wax rub on gel.  You can use it on frames, antiques, crafts and home decor.  Works best on porous surfaces.  It's a blend of wax, metallic powders and pigments that creates a metallic finish.  You only need a tiny bit and it has amazing results!  It comes in three finishes - Silver Leaf (the one I used), a Gold finish and one called Patina.   I bought the gel at Michael's, it was about $4.

The biggest item I re-did was the mirror to go over the desk area.  Here's the mirror before, the inset was a dark red and the outside trim was a high sheen gold.

Up close the look of the mirror before.

I put down a plastic tarp and then used blue painter's tape to tape off the inside of the mirror itself to not get any gel on the actual mirror.

I gently sanded the frame with a light sandpaper block to rough up the finish a little to create a porous base.  Yikes!! is all I can say - as I did this it made the inner part with the dark red become a bright red!  In the end, it didn't matter as the gel covered it all - WHEW!

Use the gel in a well ventilated area - it does have a bit of a smell.  Use gloves when applying the finish.  I put a teeny dab on my finger tip.  It's better to start off light and then have to apply additional coats if you need to.  I gently rubbed it across the top of the relief.  I didn't want it to be totally covered, but rather wanted the metallic finish only on the raised part of the frame.

Here's how it looked after I just did the center part.  I thought the gold had too high of a sheen so I decided to do it as well.

Here's how it looked with the whole frame done.  I went over all of it with a soft cloth just to wipe off any excess.

Here's the finished mirror.

Here's the finished mirror in the room.  It looks perfect and only cost a few dollars!

I also used the gel on a clock that used to be bronze.

And on an armoire that I re-finished.  I didn't want to replace the hinges as it might have damaged the wood, so the gel was a perfect solution.

I'll be using the product again on some things around my own house and future clients projects.  By the way after these projects and a few others, I still only used about 1/4 of the tube!!

Fun shopping at Rink Gallery

Over the Christmas holiday, we did A LOT of driving!!!  We went thru 4 states - Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa.  We had great weather and a great time visiting family.  Hope each of you had a joyous holiday!!! I am looking forward to a fantastic 2012.

While in Oklahoma staying with the in-laws, I happened upon a fun shopping excursion - Rink Gallery.  Housed in an old ice skating rink, Rink Gallery is a collection of suites with vintage, antique and re-purposed finds. You can find vintage signs, antique chests, old records, framed art, memorabilia, funky accessories, refinished furniture and everything in between.  This is MY type of place!  I love shopping in places like this not only because of the history and nostalgia of looking at old things but the inventiveness of folks in how they upcycle these items into something current and fresh. 

Here are a few pics of my shopping trip, too much great stuff to take pics of it all.  You will just have to check it out for yourself!

 I loved this shelving - would be great in a playroom with baskets for each nook.  Attach a little chalkboard tag to label each basket {legos, barbies, etc} so the kids can put their own toys away!

I LOVED this side table!!! I really, really, really wanted this table.  Did I say I loved this table???  Where would I have put the table for the car ride home with all our luggage in back?  Strapped to the roof was not an option....sadly....but I did consider it...for a minute or two.

 This vintage bowling team picture cracked me up! Wouldn't this be a fun addition to a gameroom?

 Loved all the color of this space!  Especially the bright and graphic painting technique on the back wall.

This high-gloss, blue tray table was so cool! Fun and funky!

  I couldn't walk away without buying one of these.  An old bike wheel, re-purposed as a photo holder with clothes pins to attach your favorite photos, notes, cards, memos, etc.  It has hanging hardware attached to the back.  Love this idea!  

And of course, I am always on the look-out for my favorites - silver and pewter pieces.  I had to have these -  love the curves, shapes and patina. And since I love all things in turquoise - had to nab the wire tray too!!

If you are ever in the OKC area {Bethany}, check out Rink Gallery.  Great way to spend an afternoon browsing.....and buying!

3200 N Rockwell Ave
Bethany, OK 73008

(405) 787-7465

  www.rinkgallery.com

Ta-Da!

Remember this chair?

Here's the chair as an EH reinvention.  It took way longer than expected.  I had to wait on more trim to come in ~ but it was worth the wait.  See more about how she looked before. 

And this is how she looks now.

I went with a brown suede-like fabric that I had leftover from a previous project and a peacock colored trim.  Love this trim - such a great color.  Also, I used square decorative nails in the corners for a little extra detail and to secure my corners.  OK ...on a side note, I need a much better camera.

And on the back...surprise!!  I tried something different and added a small leopard print on the back for contrast.  This was another fabric I had leftover from my mom's upholstered chaise. 

I love how it turned out! What do you think?

Ta-Da!

And for the big reveal...

Before

                                                                            

After

                                                                    

Here's the finished product from my yellow Thomasville 1973 re-do (previous post).  I love the way it turned out.  This looks great in my office and will be functional storage for paint and fabric samples!

I gently sanded the whole dresser with my sander mouse and a light grit sandpaper.  Wiped the dresser clean.  I then applied a generous coat of primer with a sponge brush.  Don't worry about the brush marks at this point, just make sure there are not any drips or clumps.  I waited several hours and then did 3 coats of the paint color with a good paintbrush. Waiting until each coat is thoroughly dry in between.  I finished the top with several coats of clear coat for protection since it will get a lot of use.

I used Martha Stewart's Araucana Teal from Home Depot.  I got the color in a Satin finish with primer added in.  I love this light, bright and cheery color.   Don't you think it looks like it has smiley face now??  It's so glad to no longer be the yucky yellow!

And here is a close-up of the handles.  I used Rustoleum's Oil Rubbed Bronze paint and primer in one for these.  Not only did it change the color, it added some texture as well.

Stay tuned for the reveal of my Louis XVI chair - it has been a fun project as well.  Totally changed my mind on the fabric - it is turning out great!

French ...Ooh, la, la

Imagine the thrill when I was doing research on a newly acquired re-sale shop chair to find that it looked very similar to a Ballard's chair.  Here is the Ballard's chair called Louis XVI...eh...starts at $329.  

Louis XVI style has fluted, slim, straight legs usually topped with a square box with carving inside.  The style usually has classical motifs like colums and is never free form. 
My "new" chair is in great condition. 

When purchasing a gently-worn chair, I always check for its wiggle factor.  You know, does it wiggle and shimmy when you sit on it or push on its back? This one was strudy as an ox!  The upholstery had definitely seen better days and was in a weird shade of peach.  I would find when striping the upholstery off (a million tacks later), that the cushioning was still in tact, in great condition and had an even loft.  I plan to paint the wood a gray color with glazing on top.  I'm on the fence about the upholstery...either the Amy Butler floral or the Chevron.

Can't wait to see how it turns out - will post the after picture when the project is completed!