Cherry Dining Set in Azure Blue

I've never done a dining set in such a bright color before. Two years ago, when I all I could sell was furniture in black, white, or tan, this would have been sheer madness. These days, it seems the brighter the better. I totally support this; if you're going to buy painted furniture, go for color!

Clearly the photo shoot setting leaves much to be desired, but I wasn't feeling the lighting in my workshop either. We're all going to be adults about this, and pay attention to the dining set and ignore the horrible snow. The set of six matching chairs are solid cherry, antique, and some of the best I've ever seen. I unmarried them from a table that needs work and paired them with this superb vintage cherry dining table. The paint surface is a pale blue under a custom mixed azure blue, with distressing to show both layers, and then a dark wax to finish the job. The seats are covered in a goooorgeous upholstery fabric with just a hint of opalescent sheen that you can't see in the pictures.

The table also comes with three leaves, two in matching cherry, or if you want to get wild, the third one is painted and distressed to match the chairs and table base.

A Long Cherry Dresser

This is the matching piece to the tall dresser I showed you a few days ago. That tall dresser has already been spoken for, and is going to one of my favorite furniture collectors (Hi Amy!).

It's sometimes fun to break up a set, as a little tweak here and there can make a huge difference in the outcome of a refinished piece. For this wonderful cherry dresser I sanded, stained, and sealed the top since it's just magnificent, and needs to be celebrated. I painted the case in a custom mixed warm medium green with just a hint of olive called 'Vineyard'. The painted surfaces were then distressed and finished with a dark wax. I ordered the vintage brass cove drawer pulls online because I had a very specific look in mind and wanted just the right thing. I adore the final result, but I'm a sucker for green, and so surely biased!

Antique Dresser Turned Kitchen Island

I hadn't done an antique dresser turned kitchen island in a while, but when I saw this piece, I knew it would be perfect. I painted the case in a cheerful custom blue with a little green undertone named 'Bluebird'. I changed the drawer pulls out for vintage brass ones with a little more oomph. I left the birds eye maple center panel on the drawer unpainted, and instead sanded and sealed it, because it's so pretty! I removed the bottom two drawers and added pine shelves that match the new top. Finally, I finished it on all four sides. It's a great storage and counter top solution for a country kitchen, but would also be fantastic as a flat screen tv stand!

An Antique Tall Dresser in Mint

Oh why not a bit more mint. It's such a lovely color, after all! This is a color I custom mixed that has a little more yellow, and therefore warmth, than your typical mint. I've named it 'West Haven Mint'.

The tall dresser is one of a pair I picked up off craigslist a week ago. I added a pine top to balance the lines a little, and swapped out the drawer pulls for sweet wood knobs stained to match the top.

A Cherry Tall Chest

Hot off the presses! I just finished photographing this dresser about twenty minutes ago. You'll have to forgive that I photographed it in my workshop. The driveway is an ice skating rink right now, and carrying a large piece of furniture across it would be all but suicidal.

The chest of drawers is vintage, I'd say from about 1970 or so. I replaced all the hardware and painted the piece in a blue green inspired by araucana eggs. The piece is solid cherry, and I sanded, stained, and sealed the top to show off that pretty wood grain.

Cross Posted With:

Top Picks: Garth's Americana Auction

One of my favorite auction houses is hosting a fantastic Americana sale on March 12th and 13th. It's blistering cold outside (-3 by last check), so while I wait for my workshop to warm up, I thought I'd share some highlights from the auction. You can and should view the entire catalog online here.

The brilliant gold paint graining on this late 19th century century table is like a shot of pure sunshine. 

A wonderfully decorated wallpaper box with an image of an early building.

This cheeky mid 20th century copper weathervane gave me such a chuckle. Did she actually hit the chicken that's behind the car?!

In a small-easy to fit anywhere size, this mid 19th century stand still packs so much punch!

For the crafter- a late 19th or early 20th century hardware cupboard. A sweet little drawer for anything and everything!

A deep blue that's almost teal and wild decoration make this 19th century dome top box a star.

I've already got one watch form trade sign- but this one makes me want two! "Watch Hospital" is adorable.

Two of a set of six stunning early 19th century paint decorated chairs. They're so bright and fresh, and would look absolutely outstanding gathered around a rustic farm table!!

I love the blue green of this 19th century box. It's so rich and deep, and reminds me of the color of the sea in the summer.

This little folk art corner stand is my top pick of the sale. The early blue paint has faded into a fascinating ombre. The drops along the apron and the scalloping along the base give this piece an irresistible energy.

A Shaker cupboard in the most amazing shade of yellow. 

I can never resist a banner weathervane!

This ethereal early 20th century gouache on paper is so beautiful. Reminds me that spring might someday actually arrive.

A lovely pair of mid 19th century French portraits. The detail of the gown is what caught my eye. The portraits are dated 1842, and this gal is ever so stylish. Her sleeves have not yet given up the fullness that defines costume of the 1830s, though the ruching at the sleeve caps and lowered armscye will remain popular throughout the 1840s. The fan pleating across the bust, which gathers into a deep V that you cannot see in this painting are purely an 1840s detail. With photography in its infancy, these portraits are at the tail end of the height of folk art portraiture.

I so enjoy a bright impressionist landscape

This Wallace Nutting trestle table has such a fabulously modern form. It's almost Mid Century Modern in style. 

An English Ironstone Pitcher with a great nautical theme. 

Yet another boldly painted blue blanket chest. The large scrolled feet on this one are so incredible.

This antique pie safe has the nicest washed back pine surface. I was at a client's house last night and she had a chest in a similar surface. I'm a fan!

This over the top Classical dining table stopped me in my tracks. Look at the crazy pedestal base! I love it.

And finally another two beautiful impressionist landscapes. I'd like to fill my entire house with ones like these.