Bohemian Vintage Wardrobe Hand Painted in Sante Fe Turquoise & Windsor Blue

Hello, Friends!

Anyone else spending their Summer in 100 degree weather? It's so hot and humid here in Oklahoma City.  I have to almost push myself out to the garage to paint during the months of July & August.

BA-RU-TAL.

I did, however, create a weathered multi colored finish on this vintage wardrobe.  Plus, my hats made their staging debut.

This makes #2 in my newest Summer series, 

Coastal Waters. 

I used all products from the CeCe Caldwell Paints line. The colors I chose are Sante Fe Turquoise, otherwise know as the prettiest turquoise EVER. I also used Windsor Blue and a tiny bit of Pueblo Pepper.  For some reason, using just one color at a time seems disappointing, so for now I'm playing with textures and blending.

In case you're wondering, wardrobes are so much harder to paint than dressers, buffets or chests. There's a whole lot more surface area but also the large flat surfaces are hard to get a good texture on. If you're a painter, you know the pieces with detail are easier to achieve a worn and distressed look.

That red you see is Pueblo Pepper, also by CeCe Caldwell Paints. 

Here is a "before" image.  This piece sat in a store for weeks and weeks.  It just needed a new look. 

Look at that huge copper pot I found last week.  I'm storing this on our driftwood bookcase and filling it with Mexican style blankets.  

I love the imperfection here.  The chippy texture reminds me that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Plus, any chance I can make a mess and get away with it is a good thing for me!

This piece has just sold and will be headed to a new home next week!

If you haven't seen my post on the first piece in this series, click HERE to read.

Hope you all are having a fun Summer!

~~Dionne

See The Old Doors that Inspired this Hand Painted Multi Colored Large Armoire Furniture Makeover

BEWARE!!!

You are either going to L-O-V-E this makeover to pieces, hate it with a big Y-U-C-K, or think I've lost my mind.  That's okay, though.  I've learned and began to believe it's best for me to paint for myself and not for the mainstream.  It's more important to me to create a one-of-a-kind original piece of furniture than to stay in the "safe zone". There are some amazing furniture painters / artists that I admire and aspire to in regards to business handling.

 I, however, am enjoying going my own way creatively. 

This is #5 in my "Doors" series, Part II. This armoire is huge and already had such a great shape to it.  I really wanted to give it a dramatic makeover...mission accomplished. 

See that door?!? 

This is the image from my Doors board on Pinterest that inspired my painting technique.  I created my own color palette but kept it similar to this one.  It packs a punch full of color, charm, and authenticity.

See the drip? Well, that took some courage!
We are told paint drips are bad...felt like a REBEL! It was fun but for anyone that knows me personally, rebel is not a name you'd use to describe me.

Cobalt agate knob tipped in gold?!?! 

Yes, please!!

This piece is currently available in my shop, www.theturquoiseiris.com
I'm making plans for my next series but haven't decided on a theme.  My ideas include a Part III Doors series, a group of makeovers inspired by pastels and gold leaf or a group themed by wildflowers.  

Any suggestions? I'd love to hear them.

I hope you all enjoy your long weekend!

~~Dionne

Hand Painted Mustard Yellow Accent Table Makeover You Don't Want to Miss!

Okay, so it's been awfully dreary and unusually chilly here in Oklahoma lately.  I'm not necessarily complaining but I need some sunshine! Sometimes you have to make it yourself.

"How wonderful yellow is, it stands for the sun". 

~ Vincent Van Gogh

See, now that's better.  Yellow is energetic and happy.  I added the teal because, well, they compliment one another so well.  I think this antique wash stand can be used just about anywhere in your home, don't you?

Yep, that's a little metallic paint in there, again, energetic and happy! Look at how that paint just highlights that wonderful wood grain.  I created as much texture as I could possibly get in there. 

This piece is available on my Etsy website, The Turquoise Iris. Check out my new shop look, by the way.  

This is the image I have pinned on my Pinterest page. I tried to replicate the colors and also the finish.  My goal is to always create a "one of a kind" piece of furniture.  Being original is often scary and I always feel vulnerable every single time I post my furniture makeovers on social media.  I feel so much gratitude for the lovely comments I have received about this series.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

~~ Dionne

Hand Painted Shades of Grey Antique Buffet in Rustic a Finish & Colour Palette, Number II in my Second "Doors" Series

What do you get when you bring home a really old buffet, paint it with five different colors, then distress the paint here and there, finish it with two different colored waxes, add some aging dust and lastly, adorn it with some really pretty mercury glass knobs???

This, I guess. 

Let's just say it turned out better than I imagined.  I had a plan for this makeover, but I hardly ever stick with the plan, mostly never.

Both my husband and my 14 year old said, "You going to fix the top part and remove all these trim broken pieces"?  My son assured me no one will want this buffet. Love him;-)

When will they learn? I agree, it doesn't look new, not even close.  It's used, worn and weathered, and I absolutely love it!!!

This is the 2nd piece in my "Doors" Series, Part II. The image above is pinned on my Pinterest page and I used it for my inspiration. I adore the way the colors fade to one another and the finish has worn naturally. Doors, in general, can either be inviting, mysterious or completely breathtaking.  I think the latter applies to this door.

I used all Heirloom Traditions Paint products for this makeover. This is my second experience with these and I'm in love.  I used Steamer Trunk,  and Oxford for the main colors, both from the Vintiques Series.  I also mixed these two to get a third shade of gray. Quite Coral is peeking out from underneath those two and Ol' Navy is highlighting those fabulous legs. 

I added new mercury glass knobs to complete the look.

I was able to get a little aqua color by topping the paint finish with the Oxidized Patina soft wax. This is a new favorite product of mine, by the way. The Weathered White wax gave the darker colors a more"mocha" look...which is awfully creamy looking, yea!

I am having so much fun with this series of furniture! I'm getting so many encouraging comments all over social media and I'm so appreciative of all of you.  This buffet sold as soon as I posted it! So, the first five and now these two in Part II have all sold. 

What?!?!?! I know, right?

Last but not least, the "BEFORE" photo.  Seventy-two inches of good goodness!!

Hope you all enjoy and I'd love to hear what you think.

~Dionne

My First Time to Use Heirloom Traditions Paint, Furniture Makeover in Navy and Coral

I was contacted by Paula with Heirloom Traditions Paint. She asked if I'd be interested in trying their paint. Well, sure!! I've heard wonderful things about the coverage and the line has so many beautiful colors, too. I chose 'Ol Navy from the Vintiques and Quite Coral from HTP. I also ordered the Oxidized Patina wax,  Burnt Umber Wax and the Ancient Agings Dust. 

Have a look at my result!

I couldn't decide which color to paint this desk so I just used everything, because why not, right?!?!

I brushed some of the patina wax over the hardware, also.

I started staging this piece and nothing I had as far as art worked so I paused...grabbed the brushes full of paint and made my own little floral abstract!  

This desk / vanity is listed for sale on my Etsy shop, The Turquoise Iris.

Thank you for viewing, hope you enjoy!  

Dionne