Salon Station Makeover Madness

I recently did a big project I’d like to share with you.

I met Leighanne Bice, the owner of Elite Salon in Clanton, AL and she asked me about tracking down and painting some salon stations for her salon. I said “Sure!” and went to looking. My first thought, in search of that many matching pieces, was to possibly find a hotel that was redecorating, which is easier said than done. I went to a couple of spots and then got super lucky at Prattville Pickers. They had 11 matching large end tables from the Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National that was being renovated. SCORE!

We added wood, brackets and legs. This was a chore, but they turned out great. I was really pleased with the results!

More prep. Leighanne and I discussed color schemes and settled on gray with black glaze, gold drawers and mercury glass and clear glass knobs. I put on a coat of primer then used Thunderous Chalk Type Paint from Heirloom Traditions custom mixed with a bit of Vintiques Chantilly, also by Heirloom Traditions, to get the shade of grey Leighanne wanted and went to painting.

After one or two pieces I knew my back was in for it so I ran up to Home Depot and got this little (magical, life saving) Wagner Home Decor Paint Sprayer for $79.97 (no compressor needed!). I thinned the paint a little and we started spraying. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this paint and thinned with water by 10%, it sprayed like a dream. Leveled wonderfully!

Drawers galore! And then Jet Black Spray Wax by Heirloom Traditions in the crevices for detail. I love the richness that JBSW adds!

Getting closer… Adding knobs.

Install day! I located these on April 16th and delivered them on May 3rd and I’m thrilled with the outcome! It was a big job but so satisfying.

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

La Gringa – Chest of Drawers

La Gringa – Chest of Drawers

In 1927 (Oklahoma born) New Mexico cowgirl, Miss Vonceil Viking won a $25,000.00 wager when she rode her horse, “Broadway” from New York to Los Angeles. She told a reporter she was making the ride, “so as to prove the hardiness and courage of today’s American girl.”  She later appeared in several early silent movies. I came across this fine picture of her and used it as inspiration for this piece.  I went with the more muted colors (which is not the norm for me) in CeCe Caldwell’s Paint line of Miss Viking’s blouse, fringed vest and skirt getup.  Thank you for looking.

Miss Vonceil Viking, claimed her name, Vonceil, “is a Cherokee Indian word for of the sky.”

Set of Dainty Side Tables

A set of dainty little tables painted with Shabby Paints Peacock and then topcoated with their Vax and Hazelnut ReVax. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this line. The coverage, color and texture of the paint is fabulous and the Vax and ReVax are amazing and very user friendly. Bravo Shabby Paint! I’m hooked. Dimensions: 29″H x 16″W x 1″D. For Sale.  Please email me at theevelvetglove@gmail.com for price and details.  Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

Dining Room Makeover – Custom Job Pictures

These are pictures of pieces I did for a lovely, fun and fearless client.  I’m really happy with the outcome.  I love someone that’s not afraid of color.  Thank you Julie for allowing me to help with this project.  🙂

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Antiqued Silver Glam Nightstands

Bring elegance and drama into any room.  Set of 2 Nightstands/End Tables with 3 spacious drawers. This finish obtained by layering various shades of silver and glazes to evoke a warm antiqued silvery glow. These pieces reflect light and sparkle like fine jewelry for your home.

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Juicy Hues – They’re good for the soul.

Juicy Hues – They’re good for the soul.  Bright, Bold and FUN – Drop-down Secretary Desk painted in Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint  – Mustard Seed Yellow along with Cece Caldwell’s Spring Hill and Emerald Green and distressed.  Dimensions are: 31.5″ Wide x 46″ Tall x 15″ Deep.  Depth is 29.5″ with drop down open.  Desk has 3 large drawers, 2 small drawers, one cabinet and tons of compartments which are removable if needed.  Would be great in a bedroom, office, kitchen or even outside by the pool to store Red Solo cups, plastic ware and serve drinks on or perhaps could be used for gardening supplies and as a work area.

Jimmy Buffett – 1973

Grapefruit
A bathin’ suit
You chew a little Juicy Fruit
Wash away the night
Yeah you chew a little Juicy Fruit
It’s good for ya soul.

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Frenchy Grunge Table

Lot’s of ornamental detail.  Table is painted in a beautiful turquoise then Distressed and Glazed in a Deep Whiskey Hue to Grunge it up real good.  Dimensions 30″ Wide x 22″ Tall x 21″ Deep. 

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Viva la Viola – New Orleans Purple Vanity and Chair Set.

Viva la Viola –  Vanity/Desk and Chair Set.

Fashioned in the Memory and Sassy Style of my Sweet Granny, Viola “Vi” Griffin Hawkins –  Born in DeKalb, TX on April 7, 1926.  She will forever be remembered in my mind as my Disco Ball Granny, because of her wonderfully sparkly wardrobe and equally sparkly personality.  When I was little I loved to sit in her closet and stare at her scarves, pocketbooks and shoes.  She had everything from glittery gold and silver house slippers to bright orange and green metallic slingback heels.

“She would always say ‘the rain went down the river’ (when it looked like it would come a down pour but didn’t rain or it was predicted to rain but didn’t).  Her favorite color was purple, but she loved any bright colors and it showed in what she wore. Even her costume jewelry was bold and bright. Granny loved to dress up.  She had that WOW factor!!  She loved watching The Gaithers on TV.  Her favorite Gospel songs were ‘The Old Rugged Cross’, ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Amazing Grace’.  She loved hanging out with ‘The Girls’. These were a group of ladies (Eva, Thelma, Evelyn, Joyce, Bobbie) she went to church with and they often attended church sponsored events together, shopped together, and had get-togethers at each others homes, ate and played Nines, Spoons and other games. She loved playing Yahtzee, Wahoo, Canasta.   The most memorable thing about Granny was her upbeat attitude and smile, especially at the end of her life. She showed stamina, strength, and resolve in the face of blindness, heart trouble, kidney cancer, and pain.” -Rona Hawkins Grider.

Kidney Shaped Vanity/Desk and Chair have been painted in eye-catching CeCe Caldwell’s New Orleans Purple, Glazed in a Deep Whiskey Hue, Distressed and Waxed.  Appliques in Gilded Gold.   Chair cushion has been recovered in a patterned gold velvet  fabric.  Dimensions: 37.5″ Wide x 29″ Tall x 21″ Deep.

April 7, 1926 to May 11, 2009

Grandpa Hawkins

Granny and my Daddy

Thank you Aunt Rona for helping me with Granny’s history. 🙂

My Aunt Rona, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 🙂

Life Legacy – Obituary

Viola Hawkins, 83, of Hooks, TX, died Monday, May 11, 2009, in a local hospital. She was born April 7, 1926, in DeKalb, TX. She was retired from Red River Army Depot and was a member of First Baptist Church, Hooks. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Hawkins and a granddaughter, Lisa Hawkins. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Bonnie Hawkins of Ashdown, AR; one daughter and son-in-law, Rona and Jerry Grider of Wake Village, TX; three grandchildren, Nicole Hon and her husband, David, of Texarkana, AR, Kelly Hudson of Little Rock, AR, and Lori Preece of Vernal, UT; three great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 2 pm Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Chapelwood Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roy Ford officiating. Burial will be in Chapelwood Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, Hooks, Building Fund.

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Graceland Blue Over You – Vintage Henredon Nightstands.

Graceland Blue Over You – If you’re an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you’re not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible.

A pair of Vintage, Henredon French Provincial Nightstands inspired by and painted in my FOREVER Color Crush a.k.a. ELVIS’  BLUE VELVET CURTAINS (trimmed with Gold Fringe.  God Bless America and God Bless Fringe.) that hang at the top of the stairway and in the Dining and Living Rooms at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.  Nightstands are then glazed in a Deep Whiskey Hue, distressed and waxed to a velvety sheen.  Hardware and detail is finished in my favorite Gold.

Vintage Henredon DuBarry Custom Folio Two Collection Nightstands.

Before & After

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Damsel in Distress – 5 Drawer Chest

Damsel in Distress ~ 5 Drawer Chest. This piece is a bit wild & rowdy but charming and full of panache. Painted in an parade of colors including turquoise, mustard seed yellow, white and a of couple others, then heavily distressed.  Fronts of drawers are vivid and feminine. Chippy harlequin pattern on each side using Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint in Mustard Seed Yellow.

(Wood Lovers Look Away) – Before and After

 I received an email from Marian aka “Miss Mustard Seed” letting me know she added my Damsel in Distress to her Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint Website – Inspiration page. Thank you, Marian. Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint is one of my favorite paints to use.
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