Prescott 79495

Prescott 79495


We picked up this old telephone table at the flea market a few weeks ago. The finish was beat up but the bones were good and I loved some of the details.


Here's a before picture

I re-finished the top but left it as wood and then painted the bottom in Annie Sloan's Graphite. I then rubbed some denatured alcohol over some of the paint spots to rub through to the wood. A small basket completes the picture.

Prescott 79495 was Greg's family's phone number growing up in Clifton, NJ in the 1960s.

Gotham Reclaimed

Gotham Reclaimed

Okay, so it's a little embarrassing to admit that this nightstand has been used in our bedroom for the last couple of years. It didn't look quite so bad when it was covered with all the wires for Greg's gadgets. And the bobble-head Batman was definitely a distraction. Really.

After a week's worth of intermittent work Greg loves the final result. This was done in ASCP Old Ochre with clear and dark wax. I decided not to take off the handles but to paint over them. I'm glad I did.

I used an English Chestnut stain on the top along with some wipe-on poly.

Here it is again looking so much better. Greg can't believe the difference.

Here's Batman in his new, spruced-up home!

And here's Spiderman on our bedroom window. Am I the only woman in America with these toys decorating my bedroom?

China Cabinet

This blog is about just two of the things that make me happy; painting (walls and furniture) and walking, but mostly painting. Welcome to my  blog!


About a decade ago my in-laws passed along to us their fine china. Having two rambunctious boys meant it went into storage, forgotten for along time. Last year's mini earthquake reminded me that the china was in the attic and gave me the bright idea that I needed a large cabinet I could paint so it could be on display and used instead.


Plus, my youngest son, when asked to get a cup and saucer from the cupboard asked, "Mum, what's a saucer?" Obviously, not much fine dining has been going on around here!


Craigslist and all the fabulous examples of painted china cabinets out in blogland led me to what became this:

Sorry, I forgot to take a before picture as I was so keen to get started. I had ordered some Annie Sloan paint from the lovely ladies Karen and Patty, at Classic Wall Finishes here in New Jersey . I had chosen Old Ochre for the body, Emperor's Silk for the inside and Old White for the highlights. The Old Ochre didn't go with the wall behind it so I repainted it in Pashmina by Benjamin Moore (after a light sanding and some primer of course).

Love the Emperor's Silk against the gold and white.

I used a little of the Old Ochre and Old White for the details. I think I'm going to re-paint the flower in Arles as I just got a sample pot. I had a difficult time with the dark wax, another reason I was happy to give up the Old Ochre and use the Benjamin Moore. I've since learned a thing or two about dark wax from Patty and Karen.

The china looks very jolly in its new home. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks to my husband Greg, a trooper for carrying this huge cabinet. I promise only small projects in your future!