Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Twins and Inspiration

Remember when I said that quite often the inspiration for my redesigns come from things I own. Well, such was the case with these fraternal twins. Fraternal, because if you look closely, you can see that the detailing on the drawers are different.


A couple posts back, I showed you a doorstop I purchased at an estate sale.


Now look at it with the twins.


The twins started with this factory crackle finish.


Too spastic, desperate, and literal for me. They also had those swoops I don't care for.


So, after toning down the swoops with filler, I primed and painted them a soft blue.


I actually considered just sanding them a bit and calling it a day, but my doorstop taunted me.

So, how to get from soft blue to iron doorstop, hmmmm...

I applied champagne gold to give them a luminous quality.


Not far enough.

I went over them again with my dark brown brews and wiped it back.


Better.

I used the original hardware, because it fit in with the iron feel. As I started sanding back the finish, my doorstop began to appear.


Detail on doorstop.....


Detail on twins.....


Notice, you can still see the crackling, but it has more of an aged over time feel.



Thanks for the inspiration.




Gotta go, an enormous load of furniture awaits.

See ya soon!

43 comments:

  1. I love your work1 I've looked at many of the projects that you have posted and I love them all- newest follower!

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  2. what was that I said about being neighbors?

    pssst ... then I could snoop over the fence and be first to see that 'load'


    everybody needs a set of twins!
    I'm in the garden all day ...

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  3. Love this piece! You are rockin the projects. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. fantastic transformation!
    love your reference to Fraternal twins as I AM ONE -a twin brother, a big subject on my blog, hehe...

    Karen

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  5. Lovely transformation!

    Happy WW,
    Judy

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  6. The twins are gorgeous! Love it!

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  7. Beautiful! Love the layering you did to create the finish you liked. Visiting from Homemaker on a Dime.

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  8. The gals must be doing a happy dance now that you have made them look so beautiful! Bet you can hardly hold them down!

    Great job!

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  9. the one I am working on is just a single...to be shown next week. Just signs today. Love your twins and your inspriration. :)

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  10. Definite improvement for the twins!!! Love them!

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  11. those are beautiful, rosemary!!! great find!

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  12. Hi, Loving those twins! You did and amazing job on those beautiful finds. New to your blog and looking forward to your next post!
    Happy 100th White Wednesday...
    Debbie

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  13. Ooooh wow! They look fantastic now! I love how the more subtle cracking turned out!

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  14. the "follower" link is finally working! Yeah! I'm your newest follower! :)

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  15. whew!!!!

    can't lose those followers

    I'm back up, too
    whew

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  16. well, they were back ... then poof ... gone again

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  17. Seriously drooling over my keyboard. I.Love.Those........

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  18. Oh, and what's that champagne gold stuff??? Me must know!

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  19. You're a magician Rosemary! So sooooo much better! That huge faux crackle wasn't working at all. Now they look "right" And that doorstop is fab! Vanna

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  20. To answer all my email questions about my luminous paint, champagne gold is a metallic paint with a bit of a mushroom look. You should be able to find it at the craft store.

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  21. Hi - visiting from the Shabby Chic Cottage linky. This is a great transformation, nice job!

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  22. Gorgeous! More is definitely more in this case!

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  23. These are gorgeous and would be perfect with my bed. I sure wish you lived closer. Thank you for joining my Open House party.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  24. A beautiful set of twins! Just gorgeous!

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  25. They are beautiful! I hear the passion in your post for the love of redoing furniture. I have the same passion to and will paint anything that stands still for very long. lol
    Have a wonderful day!

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  26. Very lovely transformation...I like the technique that you used on the twins. Have a great day!

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  27. It is all so beautiful and inspirational!! Thanks for stopping by!!

    ~Trisha

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  28. Love it - and...what a change! Thank goodness for a spot of inspiration!
    Enjoy your weekend!
    Karla & Karrie

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  29. Such a beautiful transformation! I love that it has depth and dimension :) Thanks for linking up at the CBPH.

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  30. what an amazing transformation! They really DO look old and naturally distressed. Great job, Rosemary, you're a paintin' fanatic!!! xoxo Debra

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  31. You are quite the talented lady, Rosemary! And I'm with you on contrived finishes, too - for instance, the original crackle on the nightstands. It has to look natural, or it has to go!

    Thanks for linking your lovely creations to the party each week. I look forward to seeing the ugly ducklings you transform into beautiful swans. ;)

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  32. Very lovely! It looks so much more natural now.

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  33. Thanks so much for leaving a comment on my bench post. I absolutely love these "twins". You did a great job with the finish. What an exciting, fun job you have...I will be keeping an eye on what you will transform next! take care

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  34. Hey! Following you through the linky parties. Great transformation-so much better. Nicely done!

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  35. (Came via "Between Naps on the Porch" .. Susan).
    Beautiful transformation and a wonderful blog.
    -Brenda-

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  36. Just fabulous. I love the little bit of blue peeking thru. Great post on how 'not to quit' until you get the look you want.

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  37. Rosemary - add these to the fabulous list of makeovers! Gorgeous work as always - I love the metallic too. Hope you found lots of goodies this weekend - I can't wait to see what is next! Thanks so much for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party - I greatly appreciate it. I have featured this Sunday. Have a wonderful week.
    ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  38. I am your latest follower. Funny thing is.... I have clicked on several of your projects in the last few weeks and had begun to recognize your wrought iron header!! You think I would have gotten a clue earlier just to follow you already!! lol The Twins looks awesome.

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