Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A Painting Binge

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I’ve been on a painting binge.

I am not someone who particularly likes to paint. I’m an impatient painter. (That may be why I haven’t painted any of the walls downstairs. I know it will be a big undertaking.) Spurred on by my wish to brighten up and pull together our bedroom and the knowledge that Don will be home next Monday and I’d like to get everything cleaned up by then, I’ve been painting like crazy.

My dresser. Long story short: I found it on the street in Cambridge well over 20 years ago. I enlisted the help of a friend and we carried it 4 city blocks to my apartment building. Then up 4 flights of stairs. It had the same sort of dark stained wood that the kitchen island had when I first brought it home. I painted it gray. Somewhere along the way during our time in San Diego, I painted it yellow and added green knobs.

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I was tempted to keep it this cheery color but after many years, the paint was cracked and the yellow, which is brighter than this photo indicates, just didn’t go with the newish color scheme. I love this piece. The drawers stick, they don’t quite close, but who cares? The details are charming. And it was free.

Here it is, newly painted:

dresser1

The aqua is the same shade that we used in our downstairs bathroom. Antigua Aqua latex in an eggshell finish by Benjamin Moore. The drawers are painted in the same color chalk paint, Old White, that I’ve been using on the other pieces.

dresserknobs

I switched out the knobs.

dresserleg

I love the legs.

dressermccoy

I have two of these McCoy bowls. One is downstairs. The bird’s tail needs to be reglued. It keeps falling off.

jewelryholder

Years ago, I bought this hook at Anthropologie. I have a C, as well. I can’t find the C, so D for Don has become my necklace holder.

jewelry

The dresser is right next to the piece I repainted last week – the one that holds our big old television. Right around the corner from that piece are some of my eggcups.

eggcups

dresserandcherubs

It all started with this French Cherub painting I bought four years ago from my favorite shop in the world, Vignettes. It became my color inspiration.

You can see that we have a true attic bedroom – sharply sloped ceilings, smallish windows. It presents a big decorating challenge.

There’s more. I’ve painted our bedside tables. I’m contemplating what the heck to do with Don’s dresser. A photo will be forthcoming with a request for your suggestions. All of that will be tomorrow. The finishing touch will be off in the not-very-distant future when I finish our quilt.

I’d get rid of the Berber carpeting if I could but Don likes carpet in the bedroom. Since I make most of the decorating decisions, I figure he deserves to have carpet.

I’m also repainting the cabinet in the studio.

Then I’m done. Except for Don’s dresser.

Tune in tomorrow for more.

Happy Tuesday.

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Comments

  3. Claudia, You did a fine job on the dresser. It look new. I love the egg cup collection. I am sending well wishes for Don. I wish you peace to get through this winter. xoxo,Susie

  4. You are such a good painter, even though you say you are impatient. I love the aqua and white and clear knobs. I am going to pin this for when I get ready to paint this summer. You are an inspiration Claudia! I love your egg cup collection. I enjoy your blog vey much!

  5. Boy, have you been a busy little bee! You have gotten so much accomplished. Good for you!

    Stay warm.

    Judy

    • I’m on a tear, Judy. And I’m shoveling snow, deicing and dealing with winter besides! I suppose I’ll collapse when Don gets home.

  7. Hey there pretty lady,

    How lovely that dresser looks now, although I liked the yellow, too. If the drawers are still sticking you can rub a candle over the edges where it sticks, or apply some vaseline……the candle wax works best.

    Hugs,
    Meri

    • The yellow was pretty and the dresser was that color for about 15 years. But it just didn’t look right with the rest of the room any longer. I’m glad I have photos of it in that color to remember it by.

  10. Wow 4 blocks and 4 flights of stairs! Claudia, you inspire devoted friendship. I love what you’ve done with the dresser. Great colour scheme. J

    • I’m just determined to use it all up. I can’t say that I’m crazy about it. It IS easier to sand if you’re looking to age something. But that’s about it. TOO EXPENSIVE for what you get.

  13. Yes…those legs…they make the dresser! Love the colors…so fresh! Your egg cup collection is so sweet. What is that tallish thing next to Don’s pic? Love that McCoy bowl…it’s that magic color…I have that attraction to aqua, turquoise! Anxious to see what’s next! ;)

  14. Claudia I love the colors you used on the dresser! I look forward to seeing the bedroom completed. Love your egg cup collection! I have egg cups and need to find a shelf to display them on. You have some amazing vintage cups that are so cute!
    hugs, Linda

  16. The colors are beautiful together and I really like the knobs you’ve chosen. You are one busy lady. :-)
    Blessings,
    Betsy

  17. Dear Claudia,
    what a wonderful dresser, I really would love to have one equal in my home. It is beautiful in the aqua and creame colours.
    Dear, your packet is on it`s way since yesterday,-no way I could just keep a thing ,you used so much time creating.
    Hugs from Dorthe

  18. Hi Claudia!! You did a great job with that dresser!!! I love the aqua and cream together and the aqua does show off the fine features of the dresser. I also love that adorable McCoy bowl with the small bird. So cute!! I envy you having the energy to get all these projects done!! You have accomplished so much in a short time!! Enjoy the rest of your day!! Francine

  20. I love that sweet aqua! And the McCoy bowl. I don’t paint much anymore but love the smell of paint and everything looks new against it. Of course some things also stand out like a sore thumb when you paint and that leads to another project! I bet you’ll be very busy during this time before Don comes home. Will you be cooking up his favorite foods?

    • No! He’s the cook, Dewena, and I can’t wait to have him cook our dinners. He’s a much more interesting cook than I am. I bake.

  22. Hello, Claudia

    You have been busy! I repainted my dresser earlier this year and filled in the holes for the hardware as I was switching it; the knobs I used look to be the same as yours. There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to give things a lift.

    You mentioned the drawers stick and I’m wondering if a bit of sanding and/or rubbing some candle wax over the edges might make them slide more easily.

    -Karen

  23. The dresser and other pieces look wonderful! Don will be surprised. Can’t wait to see your new quilt on the bed. Don’t work too hard and watch the paint fumes.

  24. Hi Claudia,
    I love, love, love the paint combination on your dresser and would suggest that you do the same on Don’s dresser.
    Isn’t it amazing what one can accomplish when one doesn’t have the daily routine to interrupt the flow of creativity.
    I can’t wait to see your finished bedroom.
    Take care,
    Vanessa

    • I don’t know – I’ll post a photo of Don’s dresser tomorrow. I don’t like things to be too matchy-matchy. It might just get a coat of cream colored paint. Not even sure if it’s worth doing anything to but throwing out in the trash.

  25. The dresser looks beautiful! I love the color combo and the knobs are just perfect. I like the detail, I would have hung on to this, too. Your egg cup collection and necklaces hanging on the “D” add such a great personal touch.

    I’m not sure what your little bird dish is made out of, but I have a ceramic dish that had a piece break off and was told to use regular old Elmer’s Glue and it worked great.

    Six more days!

    XO,
    Jane

  27. Claudia,
    I love what you did with the dresser….I wouldn’t have thought to paint the drawers white and the aqua is so pretty. You have such wonderful taste, it’s always fun to see photos of your cottage. So excited for you :O)

  28. Hi Claudia, great paint job on the dresser. Love the color. I had so many plans of what I was going to do while my husband was away for a week on a business trip and I barely did a thing. Sounds like you are in full makeover mode over there. Best wishes, Tammy

  29. What a find that dresser was – just think the person who left it outside doesn’t even know the life it’s had! Of course unless they happen to read your blog. Wouldn’t that be something? I love the new paint job and I love all those little egg cups! Sweet! Ann

  30. The dresser looks beautiful, Claudia! The white and aqua and clear crystal knobs really lighten the room a lot. And those turned legs really are lovely. I’ve pushed, carried and pulled my share of furniture down the street on trash day so I fully appreciate those ‘found items’ we have throughout our homes! I love your bedroom. It looks so cozy! And as I said before, you’ve inspired me to take a 2nd look at my old dark wood buffet and decide whether cottage white paint is in its future…

  31. I agree with Vanessa ~ I’d paint Don’s the same color combo…really pretty and fresh. I admire all your furniture painting. To me, that’s much more tedious than painting walls. My husband would probably wish I felt more like you as I paint the walls different shades every year. If I lived near you I’d come over and paint your walls as I’ve run out of mine for this year;-) Enjoy your “new” beautiful fresh attic bedroom!

  32. I really like the two-tone paint job you did on the dresser – you’re right – it’s awesome with all it’s details. I have a cute little “Princess” dresser, it has a tilting mirror and pretty legs. But it’s upstairs and it’s gorgeous oak, when I re-do a guest room up there, it will be center stage. Enjoy your week.

  33. Looks WONDERFUL!!!!! I have sloping ceilings upstairs too…..can’t have any TALL pieces of furniture!
    Can’t wait to see it all put together when you are done. Between shoveling and painting you’ll be collapsing soon, lol! Maybe just Hand Don’s Dresser and a Can of Paint to Don when he gets back :)

  34. Hi Claudia….I’d say you’re passing the time til Don comes home nicely. Your dresser is lovely. It’s soft colors remind us that Spring is near. Your egg cups are amazing..What a beautiful collection.
    Have a happy and fruitful day, my friend.
    Blessings,
    Carolynn xoxo

  35. I need to paint my daughter’s dresser…I just might do it in two colors. Thanks Claudia for the awesome tour!
    Blessings, Joanne

  38. I love the way you’ve transformed your little dresser, Claudia! I just painted an old dresser that is very similar to yours, but I went with a solid cream color to go in the guest bedroom. Your dresser has the prettiest carved detail on the legs!

  40. Wow Claudia! You’ve been busy! I love the power of paint and really enjoy painting furniture. Walls not so much. Love, love, love the way you painted the dresser! The 2 tones add so much depth and interest to the piece. It really makes the details stand out. I absolutely love turquoise, duck egg blue or anything in that color tone. Boy will Don be surprised! I love your McCoy collection and love the bowl on the dresser. I’ve seen McCoy pieces and they are pricey! I’m sure you’ve collected yours over time.

  41. Great painting projects completed – I’m guilty of having several awaiting…..and awaiting in the wings, and the cans of ASCP to boot!!!!
    Don will love what you’ve done around the cottage.
    Safe travels to him on the return journey.

    Love, Mary

    P.S. Didn’t know you collected egg cups – they’re fab.
    You didn’t tell me if you want me to send you my copy of The Paris Wife before I left on the trip! Still available – let me know dear.

  42. Oh Claudia~ I really love how your dresser turned out. That aqua is so soft and beautiful, and the detail on the legs is gorgeous!!! Great job!
    oxo,
    Jill

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