Studio Furnishings

What do you think of this piece of furniture I wonder? Are you like me who thinks it is beautifully mellow and full of character and history and deserves to be loved and cherished? Or are you like J who thinks it is a right ol' hunk o' junk and is only fit for firewood?

A few months ago, we were returning home from an outing one Sunday lunch time and out of the car window I spotted it. It was sat outside a local restaurant near where I live, and it caught my eye instantly. Later that day, on a complete whim, I walked down to the restaurant and boldly went in to ask about it. I asked whether by any chance they might be wanting to get rid of it (it was standing beside the bin), and the reply was music to my ears. Yes, they said, do you want it? You would be doing us a favour, they said, we'd rather you took it and saved us the trouble of putting it into landfill. Landfill???!!! Shock horror!!!!! No no no no no, pleeeeeease let me take it, I will love it and cherish it and give it a good home.

So with some help from lovely friends, this wonderful piece of old furniture came to rest in the Attic24 cellar for a while, and gradually as time allowed I set to work on it. The top was badly stained and covered in what looked like a restauranty mixture of black coffee, red wine and melted candle wax. I gently scraped off the surface layer but it was still badly stained, so I sprayed it with a strong bleach/mould removing cleaner and scrubbed it right into the grain of the wood with an old toothbrush. Left to dry over night, it came up remarkably well. Still retaining it's age and character, but looking a lot more respectable. I gave the door and drawer fronts a good clean with some sugar soap, but left them pretty much untouched. Now for the inside.....

This old piece of stained paper was lining the shelf inside the cupboard, and as soon as I saw it, it reminded me of Liberty tana lawn. As you may remember, I had just had some real success with Mod Podging my memo board, so I thought I could do the same sort of thing with the cupboard and drawer inners. Oh yes! I could line them with Liberty tana lawn, why not?

I have to tell you, I loved buying this fabric. I have always wanted to buy some of these fat quarters but had never had a project in mind until this. They come from a local shop and are heavily discounted, due to some very slight faults in the print in places. But they were perfect for the job.

Just perfect.

It was pretty good fun....

....mod podging drawer bottoms is sooooooo easy. Cut the fabric a few centimetres larger than the drawers, give it a thorough covering of MP (first the drawer bottom, then a thin layer on top of the fabric to seal it). Then once it's all completely dry, the excess is easily trimmed with a sharp craft knife.

I did each drawer in a different fabric, plus used three different fabrics for the cupboard shelves and inside of the cupboard door. Do you like the handles? They are ceramic. Isn't the whole thing completely charming?

Of course, I had no doubt that this amazing piece of old furniture would look incredible in the studio. It looks as if it has always been there.

The old oak book shelf sat on top was a great buy from a local eBay seller, and will eventually be used for displaying lots of pretty goodies.

The drawers just make me go weak at the knees and every time I visit the studio I can't resist opening them to take a peek.

This humble piece of furniture has made me very happy indeed. You can see my basket up there too look, it cost £5 from a local second hand shop.

It's quite large, measuring 32cm across the bottom and about 40cm across the top. I want to keep yarn in it, so decided to make a liner for it to stop the yarn snagging.

I made a basic circle to cover the bottom.....

.....then simply stopped increasing to make the sides go up (much the same as my bag pattern). I added in some increases towards the top edge to make sure it was going to be wide enough....

...then I simply stitched the lining to the basket. Yeah, honestly, it really was that simple!

I just sort of made little stitches through the gaps in the the basket work, every few centimetres or so to secure it in place.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, it looks good?! And er........ta dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really got into those colours, so sweet and pretty and fresh. Even the neutrals are pretty I think.

It's a lovely yarn to work with, a DK weight 50/50 cotton/acrylic mix called "Cotton On" by James C Brett. I bought mine online from here, but I know many online yarn retailers sell it. It's very reasonably priced, and delicious to work with, very warm and soft and pretty.

I've been making something else with this yarn too, which I hope to share with you very soon. I'm having a little struggle on the edging of this Other Thing, but almost there. I think you're going to like it.

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Comments

[PapanPineWood]

The clothes decoration really enhance the beauty of wood furniture. We always improve our way to do it better for our custom made furniture. Your post inspired me!

[Linda Ball]

What an amazing find and well-done rehab job!! Was made for that room! I've embarrassed my family numerous times by rescuing curbside orphans and given them a new lease on life in my home! It's amazing what a can of spray paint can do to rehab an abandoned wooden chair!

[Sookey]

Hello
I've just read about the droopy tulips :))
If you put a 2p coin into the water they will stay straight and then gracefully bend just a little after a week or so :))

I love reading your blog and am a big crochet fan after being taught by my Grandma when I was small, a long time ago I hasten to add :))

Please continue to keep us updated, makes me feel happy :))

[Bobbi]

Love the basket liner!

[Tina-Marie Hamilton]

I just got caught up on your blog (I am an English teacher who just finished grading 120 research papers), and I saw this post. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this piece of furniture. Since I live in Virginia, USA, I don't get to see too many pieces like this. I have some that I bought, after much saving, for $500 each. You were so right when you saved it!
Also, thank you for your lovely blog. Many years ago, when my Dad was stationed in England,we lived in a village. We returned to America when I was 9, but your blog helps me relive those memories. Thank you!

[Dawn Potts]

What's MP?? Which you used to stick the fabric in the drawer!

[Lynn]

I Love it !! Of course your will make it look Fab !!

[Kristen]

Oh my gosh, there is no end to the inspiration I find when I visit here! Wonderful, wonderful job on that lovely old cupboard. Brilliant. :)

[Janis W]

Right place, right time and an idea for the dresser. So now you've cheerfully re-loved it! Glad to know you're pretty much up to speed with life too.

Along with many others I'm lifted by your talent for sharing the small things in life and colourful projects.

[Jamie S]

Awesome...and I'm absolutely jealous!

[Linda Mason]

Wow Lucy, you are amazingly creative, so happy you rescued the cabinet I am sure you will spend many happy hours looking at it in your beautiful studio, very jealous lady here, love you blog and your ta da's, always put a smile on my face, so thank you.

[Eddie]

I like you thought how beautiful the dresser looked and I perfectly understand why you would want to take it home. I was very surprised that the fabric in the drawers but it looks wonderful. Love it.

Eddie's Room on Facebook come on over for some crafty ideas and conversation :-)

[Angela]

What a fabulous cupboard ... to think it was heading for landfil. I love what you did with the fabric to pretty up the insides :)

[curvywitch]

What a fantastic find - definitely green with envy but it looks so at home in your studio. What a lovely phrase that is 'your studio'.

[Kjersti]

Love the basket!

[Tuutiki]

Dear Lucy, well done! Old things are beautiful. We should let them live. They have soul. I believe that in your cupboard are hidden many stories. Maybe fairy-tales. And the cupboard will tell them.
Me and my husband have saved some old pieces of furniture. They live with us and we love them.

[Jennie]

I can't believe anyone would throw that beauty away!
You did fabulously by it- you're a hook-er and a hero! :)

[Deb Piette]

Your sideboard came out great- it's just beautiful, both inside and out. I have to say I love your site, also. Your projects are so inspirational! But even more so is your attitude towards life- I want to thank you for waking me up and making me realize that beauty and peace can surround me if only I open my eyes and heart to it. There has been far to little of both in my life these past 3 years since I got sick. But no more! Thank you Lucy!!
BTW- what happened to your photo?

[Carole Williamson]

Hi Lucy,
I love your sideboard and you've done a great job of restoring it well done. Also I love your basket lining. I went on a carpetbag workshop a few weeks ago and made a handbag!!! I'll send you a photo by email, if that's ok.
Take care
Love Carole from Rossendale xxx

[Nicolette]

What a beautiful room. I love your wooden cabinet and bookcase. Great idea to use the fabric and mod podge for lining the shelves.

[Rachell]

J was wrong - it's lovely! The studio looks like somewhere I'd like to visit and curl up with some crochet, knitting, sewing.

[Maria]

Love, love, love it Lucy. Love everything about your precious little studio - it looks like a place of real peace.

[connie]

Lovely, lovely piece of furniture! It adds a lot of charm to the room. :) As always...love the crochet!

[Beth]

That piece of beautiful furniture would have cost an arm and a leg out here in Australia....seriously!
Love what you have done with it.
x

[kim]

How could the resturant owners have not seen the potential in your lovely cabinet? Well done you for rescuing it, it looks great! x