Stumped For Ideas?

There's something you must know about those of us in the furniture flippin' biz...we love a challenge and we love to flex our creativity.  Today's furniture flipper was able to accomplish both of those tasks with this makeover.  Say hello to Jim Conklin of The Furniture Workshop at J. H. Conklin & Co.   Jim recently emailed me with details of a fabulous vanity he had completed.  He describes it better than I can, so I'm turning the blog over to him for today.  Take it away, Jim!

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"We were approached to source and up-cycle a piece to fit in with a bedroom makeover and to serve as a vanity: "something to play on the tension between classical/formal and trendy/upbeat."  When we saw the color board and the wallpaper sample, the ideas started popping - which was a treat because we are usually working to some fixed specification.

The wallpaper kept coming up and a silver-grey leaf pattern in the window shades.  We had just played around with a silver pearlescent finish on these stumps.  The pearl is really cool, because it gets some shimmer in the finish without being opaque - unlike a metal-flake. 

But the piece?  We looked at some Sheraton/Federal/Hepplewhite style pieces, but they just didn't suggest bedroom.  French Provincial looked promising, but kind of typical.   Then we found this...

We knew at once it was the one.  The reeded tapered legs - delicate for a bedroom.  Floral carvings.  Small drawers for vanity type stuff.  The desk was walnut with an old varnish finish.  We got the old varnish off and patched in some missing areas.  The key slots had to be filled and then drilled for knobs.  Imagine opening vanity drawers with only one key.  No good.

Building up the new finish started with a clear coat on the wood.  Someone may want to de-flip this old desk someday and we didn't want the white primer to drink into the wood.  Then came a few light coats of white primer - sanding sealer, actually, with some white pigment mixed in.  The primer gave an even background for a coat of soft grey lacquer. Then came a slightly darker grey glaze that we wiped away very thoroughly, leaving just enough to accent the ribbons and flowers and molding.  Just a bit.  You can see it in the detail picture - like a shadow.  Then a clear coat of satin lacquer with the silver pearl added.  For the glow.  For the wallpaper.


The mirrored top was a hand's down "Yes!"  And the pink acrylic knobs tied to a minor color element across the room."

Stephanie again!  Isn't that a gorgeous piece?  I love the subtle difference in color on the decorative trim pieces.  

You can find more examples of the refinishing and upholstery work that is performed by the Furniture Workshop At J. H. Conklin & Co. by visiting their website.  They are located in the South New Jersey, Delaware and Philadelphia Metro Area.  You can also follow along on their adventures by checking out their Facebook page.  Let them know you saw them on Furniture Flippin'.   

Thanks so much Jim for sharing your wonderful furniture flip!

Dear readers, don't forget to get your flips in!  If you have a furniture makeover that you'd like to share please email me before/after photos and a lot of details to furnitureflippin@yahoo.com .

See you tomorrow!

~ Stephanie