Gretchen found this cool set of chairs at an auction, and they remind me a bit of an abacus. I don’t really know how to use an abacus. Who does? Proper use of abacuses (abaci?) really isn’t a necessary life skill these days, I guess. It sounds more like a spell from Harry Potter. Abacus calculatus! The spell that does your math for you!
Annnyway, before we wander off track any further, check out what Gretchen did with this set, and the beaten up mahogany table she picked up at the auction as well. Super cute. See more on her blog Gretchen’s Garage.
And wait! There’s more where that came from. Kind of! Because this dresser didn’t come from the auction, it actually came from the basement of Gretchen’s father-in-law, who had apparently been hiding it in shame. Gretchen worked her magic and made it shine again, and I love how the scalloped detail really stands out now. Check out her blog to get a better look at that refinished maple top, HERE.
The Ugly Lamp Contest is coming soon! Submit your ugly lamp to me at BetterAfter@live.com by August 10th!
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8 Comments
Anonymous
July 26, 2012 at 5:50 PMLove the combination of stained top and painted base…just finished a desk like that and it is beautiful…I’ve never painted a stick of real wood and refurbing the top helped take the sting up of taking a can of spray paint to walnut veneer!
Jen
July 26, 2012 at 9:05 PMWow – you’d swear they were different pieces it’s such a change! I’m totally in love with white paint right now…once you get over that 1st twinge of painting wood you can’t stop yourself LOL
suzyq
July 26, 2012 at 5:59 PMYou know I do this for a living – and still it never ceases to amaze me what paint can do – NEVER lol
Gorgeous makeovers!
Ashley
July 26, 2012 at 6:24 PMI love the re-vamped dresser! The scalloped edging is really cute.
Cheryl in Texas
July 26, 2012 at 7:02 PMI love the table and chairs. I need to refinish my own oak set and hope it will come out as beautirul as this one did.
Emily
July 26, 2012 at 8:36 PMThose pieces turned out beautiful love them!
Stephanie
July 26, 2012 at 10:54 PMThose are really gorgeous! Both of them!
I like how the scalloped trim on the one piece just seems to “pop” now.
Great job!!
Antonia@Voodoo Molly Vintage
July 27, 2012 at 12:28 AMGretchen you’re my new idol! Bringing that table and chairs to that stage takes HARD work….. and you’ve nailed it!!