For months now I have been fantasizing about a romantic pink wardrobe filled with lacey vintage slips and nightgowns. Does that sound silly? Why? Don't you fantasize about furniture? Surely something must have triggered the image in my mind...a dream or maybe one of the dozens of old glamorous Hollywood classic movies I have loved throughout the years. Either way, I couldn't shake the vision. I searched for the perfect wardrobe. A few candidates popped up on Craigslist but they all slipped through my fingertips until I came across this one. I was the first to call on the ad. I felt like the winning contestant on a game show!
I knew immediately that a few beautiful appliques from The Purple Pear would add just the right amount of glamour and romance needed to start the transformation. I first removed the wooden bar handle that was screwed onto the front of the door. It wasn't bad, but it interfered with my vision.
The appliques were so easy to apply. I steamed them for a few minutes by placing them on a cooling rack that rested on top of a pan of boiling water. This made them pliable enough so that I could lay them flush against the face of the wardrobe. I should mention that the wardrobe was laying on it's back while I was applying the appliques. I added just a little bit of wood glue to the back of each applique before adhering them to the wardrobe. I was able to curve the long floral piece along the top of the door just the way I wanted it by working with it while it was still pliable after steaming.
After giving the wood glue about 24 hours to fully bond the appliques to the wardrobe, I went to work painting the entire piece in Old White Chalk Paint®. I then used Artisan Enhancement's Easy Crackle in several areas to add some extra patina. Once the Easy Crackle had dried, I went back over the entire piece with a custom mix of 3 parts Old White to 1 part Antoinette. Just as that top layer of paint started to dry, the cracks began to appear! After some heavy distressing around the edges, I sealed the finish with Annie Sloan's clear and dark wax. I just love how the dark wax looks in those cracks! Patina perfection!
I finished the inside of the door just as I had the exterior, but the interior of the wardrobe ended up getting a quick wash of an Old Ochre/Old White mixture.
The appliques, much to pretty and special to leave as is were hand painted first in Old White, followed by clear and dark wax and lastly, heavily highlighted with King's Gold Gilding Wax from The Purple Pear.
The pretty pink wardrobe is now in my booth at Camas Antiques, filled with beautiful vintage slips and nightgowns. At this time it is not for sale. I've decided to enjoy my fantasy for a while...plus I have more pretty vintage frocks to add to the selection soon.
This basket of elegant treasures is just awaiting vintage laundry day... Coming soon!
And for those of you who live in my area, here are some details about my upcoming workshops at Camas Antiques! You can register in the store or by phone, 360-834-4062.
Please feel free to email me with any questions you may have: onegirlinpink@gmail.com
Remember that amazing Downton Abbey inspired servant's bell board that Tommy made for my window display in January? It was such a big hit that he decided to make another!
He just listed it on Ebay! What a fun addition this would be to the home of a die-hard fan!
Thank you so much for your sweet visit today!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
Sharing With:
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours
Friday's Unfolded at Nancherrow
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
