Sunday, January 8, 2012

Old World Love

One thing you are going to see a lot more of from me this year, are old world finishes.  I shared many finishes in my last post of 2011, but this look is really my first love.



It has such a warm vintage feel.  The finish I used on this small frame is one of my favorites.  The frame was gold.  Sorry gold lovers.  I love gold too, but I wanted a different look.




I gave it a generous layer of dark grey.  No priming necessary, the finish was very dry.




Next, I slathered on a coat of white gesso.




Then I wiped back the excess until I was happy with the finish.  My favorite thing to wipe back with is an old t-shirt, or something similar.



Mmmmm, love it.  The image is a copy of one of my old postcards.  It's the Fontaine Estrangin in Marseille.



You can eliminate the dark grey step, and achieve a finish like this.







I'm off to create  more variations.  See ya soon.

UPDATE:  If you'd like to learn how to make your own gesso, you should check out the Farragoz online painting course.  I'm an affiliate, and, although commercial gesso works, I have been using the paint recipes from the course, and, much prefer the versatility, and, texture. You can learn more by clicking HERE.


Sharing With:
Remodelaholic: Remodelaholics Anonymous
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
The Shabby Creek Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Savvy Southern Style: Wow Us Wednesdays
Faded Charm: White Wednesday
Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wednesday
Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint
Home Stories A to Z: Tutorials and Tips Party
Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Sassy Sites: Trash to Treasure Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia: Tuesday's Treasures
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Homemaker on a Dime: Creative Bloggers
The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up


69 comments:

  1. You are the queen of finishes! Thanks for showing how you do that one.

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  2. I like it with the dark gray, Rosemary! That image you put in the frame suits it so well. You always find such great frames with detailing.

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  3. So pretty! Your finishes are always amazing!

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  4. Love the oval frame and your custom finish.

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  5. Beautiful! I think that is one of my favorite finishes of yours.

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  6. Even though I am new here, I am finding so much of what you make touching my inner vintage self. I love what you do. Just wanted to say.

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  7. Rosemary I love the finish but this frame is to die for! Just love the details!

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  8. This is an awesome site! Thanks for sharing your gesso technique! I came across this site thru links this afternoon! Would love to win the items in the giveaway!

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  9. I have got to try the finish with the gray under it, love that look. Thanks for all of your great tips.

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  10. Rosemary I LOVE both finishes! Simply gorgeous!!

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  11. I love Old World finishes too. This is one pretty mirror.

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  12. Hi, Rosemary! This is just beautiful! You're making me want to work with gesso! I love this look.
    I have a question. I have a large armoire that I want to have this look. What would you suggest to achieve this look on a furniture piece. I'm considering using chalk paint but have only used it on smaller pieces. Maybe you've done a piece already that you could send me the link to. Thanks so much for your time and for sharing all your beauties!

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  13. Yes you might be starting a gesso craze! I love the look both ways, showing grey and showing the gold.

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  14. I love that you showed how you acheived these looks. They are both gorgeous and look very involved. I see now that it is really quite simple.

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  15. I would love to know your secret to finding all these scrolly frames and pieces of art to transform. You are blessed.

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  16. Hi Rosemary,
    Your finishes are always beautiful. No matter how you do it, it always looks lovely. This one is especially pretty.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  17. it looks amazing with that gray and gesso finish...and it looks so easy-but leave it to me to find a way to mess it up!!!...
    gotta try this soon, it looks fun..
    best,
    maureen

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  18. You know what to keep gold and what to paint. This looks great painted!
    -Revi

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  19. Rosemary, this is such a gorgeous finish! You always do such beautiful work!

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  20. I am glad we will see some more finishes like this! Well done!

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  21. Absolutely fabulous! I am going to have to pin this idea :) it really looks amazing.

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  22. you are very creative my friends you are the Top...

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  23. Rosemary,
    Questions:
    You already know I LOVE all the different finishes you use, but I was wondering....
    Is there a reason you use gesso instead of just say flat paint??

    Gesso is so expensive if doing a lot of things.

    thanks and many blessings
    barb

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  24. love both variations, and i think i'll try the lighter version--tfs:)

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  25. That print is perfect in the frame...so vintage looking....beautiful as usual!

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  26. I like both finishes, but I really like that second one with just the gesso. Stunning!

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  27. Oh Rosemary! I love how this turned out. I am bookmarking for future reference!

    I just love old world finishes and decor. I am a new follower so I can see what you come up with this year!

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  28. This just has a lot of all kinda of goodness here...

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  29. It's perfect. :-)

    Hugs, Diane

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  30. Every single time, yu make the most fabulouys things. Just gorgeous, Rosemary and happy new year.

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  31. ahhhh, brilliant. there is so much texture you create with your keen eye and creativity!

    michele

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  32. Another fabulous finish! I like the deep grey with hints of white better with this piece. BTW....I wanted to invite you to stop by my blog. We are having an "impossibility" challenge for 2012!

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  33. My only resolution for 2012: Try Gesso. This is lovely!

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  34. Beautiful Rosemary! I like the grey undertone and the gesso over it!

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  35. Hello... I'm 902, your newest follower! OH what you did with paint! I love it. And, gesso...who knew? I didn't, but I do now and will make something really really soon. Thanks for the info...glad I found YOU! Please stop over and follow me when you get a chance. ttyl..xoso Sandy

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  36. Gorgeous Rosemary! I just love this treatment.

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  37. A dark grey undercoat. Who would have thought that is the secret to your beautiful finishes! Thanks for sharing!

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  38. another gorgeous and fabulous share...xoxo

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  39. Beautiful techniques. I never considered gesso for paint finish. My son graduated last May with an Art degree and he uses gesso all the time. I'm so glad to have read you post. Your finishes are stunning.
    Lynn
    www.cottageandcreek.com

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  40. I saw this picture and knew the project had to be yours! Beautiful, thanks for sharing the paint method, Laura

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  41. Looks outstanding...LOVE that frame!!! Thank you for coming to NTT.

    Blessings,
    linda

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  42. Like all 45 comments before me, I love this finish too and I really appreciate your sharing about it. I pinned it and would love to try it too. Feels "do"able.

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  43. Rosemary, I am not a gold lover so didn't hurt my feelings one little bit. I love the look with both the grey and without. Looking forward to more great ideas.

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  44. Just thought ide pop over to see what uve been up to, and as usual im never disappointed. I love the frame....u do such good work. Ive been thinking about a few of these frames for a project, however have ran across any i like just yet.....wish u were closer, lol......Hope ur having a great new yr......Bonnie

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  45. Hi!
    I just found you through Slice of Suburbia.
    I have joined your site, and signed up for your feed!
    Come check me out at: betsyspeert.bloodspot.com,
    I think you'd enjoy my stuff.
    I want to learn more about using gesso.
    This is the longest comment I ever left!
    Great to "meet" you.

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  46. I lied!!!
    I came over from "not just a housewife". Want to give credit where it's due!

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  47. Love how this turned out, so elegant and old looking. Great job!
    Beth
    http://alyssabeth1.blogspot.com/

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  48. I absolutely love that frame, and the image is to die for! I love it.

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  49. I'm so with ya on the old world finishes Rosemary! I love gold and all, but that gold was not a fabulous one and your finish made it so much better! It's really an amazing transformation. Girl I wish I could send a container load of stuff to you to paint for me...I really love your work!....But I'm very thankful to have you as my "go to" for all things aged to perfection *winks* Vanna

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  50. Stunning! I really want to try that paint technique too!

    Jeanine

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  51. All of your finishes are stunning, but I really love this one. The frame is gorgeous.

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  52. Absolutely scrumptious, I think you are a trend setter, I love unique finishes.

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  53. Such gorgeous Old World finishes. Lovely! Deb

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  54. Wow! Great job! This is beautiful. I would love for you to link it at our Fab not Drab party. http://www.ourdiydiaries.com/2012/01/fab-not-drab.html

    Jen

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  55. You ARE the Queen of Finishes, Rosemary. :) I love this old world finish technique, and need to find something now to try it on! Thanks for sharing your tutorial. :)

    xoxo laurie

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  56. Is the grey paint gesso? If not what paint is it?

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  57. Oh I just love this technique. I've had a large olde frame just waiting for this type of redo. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas!! Love all of them!!
    patti

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  58. Wow, just LOVE what you do with Gesso (and everything else! I'm getting ready to try your Chalk Paint recipe (1/2 Gesso & 1/2 paint). Can you tell me, would this require a primer? The other Chalk Paint that I use doesn't so I want to be sure I use this the right way.
    Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your inspiration!!

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  59. This is fantastic. I just pinned your tutorial. So glad to have found you!

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  60. This is amazing! I just bought an old Syrocco mirror today at the thrift store and I'm going to try this technique on it. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you for sharing!!

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  61. Stunning, my friend! Just perfect!

    xo
    Andie

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  62. This looks fabulous! I've never used gesso, mainly because of the price, but I will try it (with a coupon!) because I love how this turns out.
    Debbie :)

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  63. Hi Rosemarie, I'd been looking for this finishes for so many time and finally I found your post, thank you for share with us how you do it. From BsAs, Argentina, Julia C.
    LaSillaChic

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  64. I MUST try this! It looks absolutely awesome!

    Linsey

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