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Ta DAAH!

I know you're an impatient group, so here ya go!
AFTER:

Now that you've had your fix, I can tell you the story (skip if you're nothing more than an "after" junkie ;) So, after weeks and weeks of what must have been the Rainy Season's last hurrah, we woke up Saturday to the most pristine weather - cool, dry air - not a cloud in the sky. Ya'll know I've been wanting to get my paint on with this French Provincial bureau for some time now... But I also had my dear junk-shop Pineapple Lamp waiting for some love. I decided to tackle both.
First, I needed a new lampshade. Keep in mind there are no one-stop shop Home Depots etc. down here. I had to visit a designated Lamp Store, followed by a designated Paint Store.
At the Lamp Shop, I immediately spied an espresso-colored drum shade I thought might work, but the shade could not be used with a harp - as my lamp had.
Mind you, I was minus one semi-fluent-in-Portuguese husband for this outing, so you should've seen the comedy show that was me trying to gather that:
A. I would need to rewire the lamp if I wanted THAT shade
B.
Yes, they could do it, but not today (Negative - I'm a horribly-impatient Americana)
C.
OK, my husband can re-wire for me, and NO, he won't electrocute himself in the process (Did I look THAT dumb?)
Thankfully, another customer who spoke some English offered to assist. Avery, meanwhile sat patiently in her stroller offering her help by counting the lampshades - in Spanish! Go figure!

So...I got my shade, got a new switch, a
nd a new "business" part of the lamp where the bulb goes. It took me close to 45 minutes to accomplish this task. It took Ben about 15 to re-wire the lamp. He wasn't real thrilled about me "documenting" his efforts...
And got me back a little later by clicking this...
What? You don't sand and paint in your yoga bra, Wayfarers, and circa early-90s gym shorts? Yeah...whenever I start to get a big head and think I'm a "cool Mom," I have these sorts of things to remind me...
So, anyway...had a little multi-tasking going on...

Ready to roll!
Watching paint dry. {dum, da dum...} **It took three coats and about 72 hours to get it just right**
So, another thing about "paint-projecting" down in Brazil is that you are almost required to use oil-based paint - at least if you want a color custom-mixed. I was NOT thrilled about that. It's been years since I've worked with oil, and wasn't looking forward to the fumes and tedious clean-up.
I am now, however, SOLD on it! Check out that glass-like finish? I've never achieved that much lacquedera with latex.
Here's a pic with a bit of the colorful Otomi coverlet I use in that room - see how much fun? I don't intend to leave the vintage poster there - I think I had that thing in my first apartment! What I hope to do is find or make a cool piece of original art to break up the white lamp base/white wall combo.In case you're wondering if I had any inspiration, why yes, of course!Ebay find via Girl Meets GlamourDesk by Jennifer Flanders
It was originally from Shades of Light, but it's no longer showing up on the site...bummer...

As for all the other "accessories," they include a couple of turtle shells (Ebay - not farmed), a PB alarm clock I've had for years, a little succulent pot, and an objet d'art (egg) my Mother picked up during one of her vacay-travels.
As you can see, I'm not a very talented table-scaper - you know it takes a lot of effort to make them look
effortless! I'd welcome any suggestions!
I originally planned to poll you guys on what I should do about hardware...I didn't know if I should change it out to something more fitting the irreverent color, paint the original hardware, etc. but, I cleaned up the brass, and think I'm really digging it...
It reminds me of turquoise and gold jewelry, which I adore!
So, there ya have it!
BEFORE:

AFTER:
Project accomplished!

23 comments:

Carrie said...

They both look amazing!!! I'm loving the brown shade. How did you come to pick that color? Now I am kicking myself for letting that lamp get away, just kidding! I'll have to keep my eye out for another one. Great job!

LIMOM said...

Fan-flippin'-tastic.

Love what you did with the bureau. The shape is traditional enough to not look too far out or too modern painted that amazing color. Fresh, young, energetic....love it.

my favorite and my best said...

YOU! are a rockstar!
blogging about you right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoj

Sarah said...

Wow. Incredible!

Rebecca@Harmony and Home said...

Alison, the bureau looks really great! I love the color and I'm so glad that you pre-tested the oil-based paint for me, so that when I decide to paint my bedroom furniture, I will definitely consider it now. Also LOVE what you did with the lamp base and the lamp shade you chose! You have great taste!

vicki archer said...

Brilliant - totally wonderful use of colour, xv.

jenny said...

once again i had to stop by and look b/c i woke up thinking about how awesome of a job you did. shiny turquoise paint is pretty inspiring. so i probably have a million personal questions to ask you when i go to do this myself. so i won't burden your blog comment page with them. can i email you? also would LOVE some wine time with you! anytime!!!
xoj

Bayou Contessa said...

What a cool project! You have a fantastic ability to see the possibilities in a piece and a great way with color. I love the glossy finish and turquoise color on the dresser. There is no match for oil based paint when doing furniture! Gorgeous!

Erica said...

Gorgeous. Looks fantastic!

corine said...

haaagggghhhhh screaming in awe, delight... and terror. This was one gutsy move but it works! it works!

Haven and Home said...

Looks AMAZING! I am in love with both the lamp and the dresser!

laurie @ bargain hunting said...

FABULOUS! The lamp and the dresser. laurie

Indy Real Estate Girl said...

hmm, i wonder if i paint my not so attractive dresser, that it would look good in the room now. it's either that or it goes in the trash. i could at least test it out. great job, it's lovely!

PS~Erin said...

Wow. That turquoise is so great... I love how you completely transformed it. Great job! The lamp is pretty darn cool too.

(Just randomly clicked on your from Inside The Loop. Great blog!)

maureen said...

Gosh! Those are amazing! I've done a few flea market find makeovers but they're not as flawless as what u've made. Oh & Austin welcomes u anytime....:)

Anonymous said...

Alison,

What you did with the dresser was great! I would have never thought of that color and it is so vibrant that it literally pops and adds a refreshing and eye catching wow! I am always scared of color but the way that you have mastered it gives me some confidence to explore this myself. ~ Wendy Chan

paula said...

oh my, this looks amazing. So happy I found your blog:)

Kwana said...

Gorgeous!!!!!! What a beautiful job.

stewart and james said...

oh my! i just found your blog today and this post has me already totally smitten with you! cannot wait to read more! xx

Under a Green Roof said...

seriously, so amazing! I am beyond impressed!

virginia said...

corine sent me your way...i love turquoise and gold! i'm also laughing at your circuitous route to design love.

i love this image site: http://www.polishposter.com/html/cieslewicz.html

and that particular artist's work.

LindsB said...

How did I not see this before- I LOVE this project!!! So beautiful, the color is just perfect!

Tina Tarnoff said...

I love what you did with the bureau. Love it. Always wanted to do something similar with several of the pieces I own (I particularly love that color), but I'm afraid that my furniture makeover skills are not good at all. Love your blog, found you via Hidden in France. I'll be hanging around here from now on as well!

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