New look for the dining set: A before and after...

With the new custom pieces in place, it was time to update the oak table and chairs circa 1980's. To reduce the excess of oak finish in the kitchen-dining area, we decided to do a distressed black on the table apron and chair backs, rungs and legs. The black helps anchor this side of the kitchen and offers a contemporary look that works well with the new kitchen/dining area colors and custom finishes.

The table top with its lovely grain and the chair seats were left in the original finish to coordinate with the tops on the custom cabinetry and kitchen cabinets.

Custom painted cabinetry...

The cabinets and sideboard pictured were custom finished to coordinate with furniture the clients purchased. The builder applied a pale cream base coat and I did the rest - applying paint and glazes
in succession

to build the complex textured and distressed look. It's labor intensive work - and can be a bit stressful while in process. But the results speak for themselves and the pieces are unique to the homeowners.

Updated Furniture

Dining room furniture needed an update to a more sophisticated look, and the soft, aged black finishes help to balance a very large room. This dining area is juxtaposed diagonally from the large mural over built-in cabinetry seen in an earlier post (Mimi's mural). Hutch (below in old "pecan" country look), table and chairs, display cabinet and hutch were all redone in a more contemporary satin black with light distressing.

Painted finish in a small powder room

This finish began with a deep brown base overlaid with brilliant glazes of red and just a touch of copper (iridescent metallic), and a hint of green to pick up the glaze colors of the custom ceramic sink.