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Sunday, 3 February 2013

Edwardian dressing table in milk paint completed!

The light is not good today but we dragged it outside for its photo shoot. Let me just remind you of the 'before' (which is not a proper before as the top has been refinished and the drawer bases replaced!)


And now?


It doesn't look too frantic when you see it all together...






 

You don't distress it, the paint just flakes off where it feels like it. There's not a great deal of control or symmetry.


 


 

So what do you think? Honestly? I know everyone is very kind here in the world of blog. But would you really give it room space? Does anyone think I've ruined it? 
Just curious. I really like it. I think it makes a change from flat chalk painted pieces! So I won't be offended. 

You can see more about the painting process here 


   

 
 
 



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43 comments:

  1. Fiona3 February 2013 at 11:09

    I liked it before but I do prefer it now, but I think I would have painted the top too. I think the good condition of it doesn't gel with the shabbiness of the rest. Just my opinion of course, the paint effect is brilliant, well done.

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style3 February 2013 at 11:18

      Yes I see what you mean. I should probably thrashed it a bit and scuffed it up . I worry about painted tops for durablitity reasons. The tops take the most wear. Thanks for your honesty Fiona! x

      Delete
  2. chalkysoil3 February 2013 at 11:10

    It's very handsome and the handles are especially gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the side mirrors. It was a good idea to take them off, I think it looks more elegant without them. ♥

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style3 February 2013 at 11:19

      The side mirrors are gone. I have too many! Thanks Chalky! x

      Delete
  3. Crafty Helen3 February 2013 at 12:00

    Hmm - honestly, it's a tad too shabby for me. Each to their own though, I'm sure you will receive loads of positice comments to outnumber mine. XX

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style3 February 2013 at 12:15

      Thanks for your honesty, I know it's not everyones thing! x

      Delete
  4. Donna3 February 2013 at 12:08

    Oh Emma Kate its beautiful.xx

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  5. JoAnn SweetPepperRose3 February 2013 at 15:21

    I like it!

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  6. gill3 February 2013 at 17:05

    Gorgeous Emma, I'd have it in my house! I would have painted the top as I'm not keen on that sort of look but that's just my personal taste-it's your piece, your home, there are no paint job police as I keep telling myself.The effect looks like like crackle-glaze which I've used in the past when I was into dolls house and giving cheap bits of furniture a makeover. Very effective.

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style3 February 2013 at 17:30

      Thanks Gill! I don't like painted tops unless you can put glass over them and with the mirror bit that's not possible. But each to his own eh? x

      Delete
  7. Jumble Tree3 February 2013 at 17:16

    Oh you are clever! I really like what you've done x

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  8. Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms3 February 2013 at 17:39

    I really like it. I agree with the comments which say that they'd paint the top - I think I would too. Xx

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  9. Sue at Serendipity4 February 2013 at 05:26

    Exquisite just the way it is-we love that look in our shop and truth be told-the pretty finish will wear naturally and not be so pristine soon. I ADORE her just the way she is!

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  10. Emma Kate at Paint and Style4 February 2013 at 07:19

    Thank you Sue! Me too!

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  11. Vix4 February 2013 at 08:45

    I think it's utterly wonderful, the perfect amount of ageing and shabbiness.
    I wouldn't have thought of leaving the top unpainted but I actually really like the effect! x

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  12. Sarah4 February 2013 at 10:19

    I think this is beautiful and you did absolutely the right thing in not painting the top
    (sometimes knowing where to stop is the hardest thing).

    I found a great book in a charity shop called 'Painted Furniture' which has a recipe for milk paint, when I find something suitable to use it on I may have a go at making some.

    One question - I'm assuming it will continue to 'age' and flake so would you varnish or finish it in some way when it looks how you want it to?

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style4 February 2013 at 10:30

      Hi Sarah,
      Thank you! It doesn't actually continue to flake. The flakey areas come off and then it's stable. Then you can wax or oil it for protection. The bits that don't flake are really stuck fast!
      Good luck making your own! Is it the quark method? There are tutorials for this on youtube too!

      Delete
    2. Sarah4 February 2013 at 10:57

      Thanks Emma, I love the look but didn't fancy continuous flaking, glad that isn't the case. It is the quark method that the book suggests - it's possibly one of those things that appear deceptively simple but are tricky to get just right so I'll take a look at youtube, thanks.

      Delete
  13. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]5 February 2013 at 13:48

    I quite like it - and I am hard to please re painted furniture! I have almost sobbed seeing some art deco walnut on ebay that someone had painted - the wood was beautiful to start off with. Mind you they had painted it green!
    x

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  14. Unknown5 February 2013 at 14:22

    I think you have done an amazing job it looks much better than it did before and less old fashioned and heavy looking. Its not my cup of tea but im more vintage retro but it looks fabulous well done, dee x

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  15. Little Nell5 February 2013 at 15:38

    I think I agree about the allover shabby treatment, but your hard work has really paid off. (Popping over from Ta Dah! Tuesday.)

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  16. Curtise5 February 2013 at 16:57

    Can I really be honest? Err... I like wood. Unpainted. There, I said it - please don't hate me and still be my blog friend!
    It isn't that you haven't done a really good job, you clearly have, and given that it's your piece of furniture to go in your home and fit with your taste and style aesthetic, it seems really wrong to say anything other than well done! I am intrigued by the whole process of how people decide on how they want a piece to look, and how they then go about achieving that. I tend to the leave-it-as-it-is school, so I'm really the wrong person to be commenting!
    Email me to tell me if I have thoroughly offended you and I will grovel loud and long.... xxxxx

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style5 February 2013 at 17:34

      Haha! No Curtise, I'm not offended. I know this is not to everyones taste! I think most people probably don't 'get' this look! This is extreme hardcore shabby chic!
      I personally don't like wood. It's either brown or orange and those colours don't float my boat.
      I appreciate your honesty. If everyone says ''that's really nice'', you never really know if they're just being polite.
      I bloody love it and I'm cool with differing opinions, that's why I asked! xxxx

      Delete
  17. Anonymous5 February 2013 at 19:31

    I do prefer plain clear waxed wood as I like to see the natural grain. But that doesn't take anything away from the magnificent job you have done, it looks truly beautiful. I love how the paint has flaked off naturally as I often find that some 'shabby chic' is pristine. I like that you have no control over what the paint wants to do.

    I am against the grain as I love the plain wood top, as you say it will take the most wear and tear and I think it makes the paint effect stand out more as it creates a nice contrast. I would love to see it in a bright colour, I do love coloured furniture.

    Fabulous job xx

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style5 February 2013 at 19:39

      Thanks Rebecca. It looks great in bright colours too! I read a lot of American blogs and they all seem to do this wood top/ painted base. Perhaps it's too forward thinking for the UK. ;) It's also practical as it's more durable.
      xx

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  18. Vintage Tea Time5 February 2013 at 20:13

    I really like it - and I like that you've kept the top plain. I'd buy it / give it house room! x

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  19. Unknown5 February 2013 at 20:35

    I like it. It looks properly aged, not some 'faux' attempt at ageing, so for me it just looks very dramatic and as though it has loads of history. I could see it being very at home in a rustic old farmhouse or a Victorian villa - or even in a period drama!

    I've never used milk paint and didn't realised it 'self-flaked' which would be good for someone like me who isn't brave enough to do the full on chippy look! Well done x

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  20. Between Blue and Yellow8 February 2013 at 21:08

    This is a stunning piece of furniture! Great work :)

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  21. Shabby Sweet Tea8 February 2013 at 21:27

    Wow! I have got to try milk paint asap!! I heard it just chips and cracks where it wants to. So neat!

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  22. Daena from Bad Rabbit Vintage9 February 2013 at 00:04

    I love it. I try to leave the tops of things natural, too. It feels richer to me somehow.

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  23. Dragonfly49 February 2013 at 05:28

    I think it is stunning! I would totally keep that piece! I'm just so scared to leave it up to the paint. But I will totally have to try it now. I wish I could find a dresser that cute to paint!

    Karen

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  24. Homeroad9 February 2013 at 13:20

    I think it looks awesome! Does the paint keep chipping or do you wax it or poly it when it is done chipping? I love the look and I don't think it is ruined, it is better by far!
    Susan

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    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style9 February 2013 at 14:02

      Thanks for your comment! No the paint doesn't keep chipping, it chips where it chooses and the rest is adhered really well. The loose bits flake off and then you can either wax or varnish for the protection of the rest. x

      Delete
  25. Peggy~PJH Designs10 February 2013 at 02:09

    You have done a beautiful job and its the "thing" now to stain the top and distress the rest. So glad you shared at Transformed Tuesday. Hugs, Peggy

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  26. Anne10 February 2013 at 06:27

    I love it! Wonderful work.
    Anne

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  27. Unknown12 February 2013 at 06:48

    That's very beautiful dressing table and the handles are especially gorgeous. I think you have done an amazing job it looks much better than it did before. You have done wonderful job. I love the shabby chic furniture.

    Regards
    Nathan
    See more here

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  28. Patty Lunz24 March 2013 at 05:20

    These are fantastic! Just what I need before the cold weather hits.

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I love to hear your comments!