Happy New Year and One Week!

Happy 2014! I hope your year is getting off to a fabulous start and I hope everyone had a wonderful December holiday. It seems that the late Thanksgiving made it a challenge for all. It was frantic for me since this was the first time in about 20 years that I worked a "day" job and didn't take Christmas week off or have down time to get all the extra Christmas cheer completed! And my Mom treated me and my sister to a long weekend in NYC! It was awesome! I was hoping to post about it last month but would it be weird if I post in a few weeks? So of course, my apologies for no Christmas cards and no baked goodies. I'll do better next year!
I know my blogging is still taking a back seat but I'm finding that working full time and doing some weekend "Painting the Town" and "Savard Studios" Etsy stuff is about all I have time for. I do think I will find a better balance in the coming months so please just bear with me. I truly love all of my jobs and I would love to even post about my new career in medical devices. Would you be interested in hearing about that?
I'm still slowly working on my master bedroom makeover. I had to change direction a bit but I'll post on that later.
I've been working on some painting jobs but nothing too extravagant. I do have a few fun painting projects coming up and will be sure to post those too. I have some furniture makeovers as well and am hoping to do a showcase of furniture before and afters. This piece sold on Etsy and it is in process.

 It's a simple makeover but it will be gorgeous! I was tempted to keep it for myself!
This dresser is also in process.

I'm planning to do a simple white with cut glass knobs.

I found these knobs on Etsy. I'll leave the option to the buyer to have it distressed for a cottage look or to polyurethane it with a high gloss finish for a laquered, hollywood regency look. Which style would you choose?
I really miss blogging and interacting! Please nudge me occasionally to remind me someone is anxiously awaiting a new post! Stay warm!!

Lacquered Furniture - Black Armoire and White Console

I hope everyone had an awesome Easter and I hope you are finally enjoying some warmer weather where you are. I enjoyed some down time but am back painting full speed ahead! Here's a few completed pieces that are shipping to Vermont this week.
I'm sure you've all seen the lacquered furniture that is becoming increasingly popular these days. I had black lacquered furniture in the late 80's. Black is popular today but the bold, bright colors are really trending. I recently had a request to lacquer a few of  pieces I had in my Etsy shop. One to transform into a white console, the other piece to transform into a black armoire. I thought they turned out awesome.


Vintage White Lacquer Console with Bright Gold Hardware

 

Black Lacquer Armoire with Bright Gold Accents

I let a trusty cabinet guy spray lacquer them for me. The client wanted bright gold hardware so, I transformed the existing hardware with gold leafing. I used a metal spray primer and hand applied the leafing adhesive using a small brush. They do make an adhesive spray but I find it a bit messy. You can also use gold metallic spray paint but in my opinion nothing compares to the sheen of leafing.

Bright Gold Hardware



Bright Gold Chunky Hardware

They really are stunning! And what a transformation! What do you think of the before and after?

Vintage Console - Before

Vintage Console - After

 



Vintage Armoire - After

Vintage Armoire - Before

Here's some bright lacquered pieces I found on Pinterest.

These pieces are definitely eye candy! What do you think about these green lacquered cabinets?

You know how much I love gilded pieces... Check this out! Gilded and ombre! There is a piece in my future that I will be doing this on. Maybe pink faded to black or aqua to navy?