Before & After~ forgotten treasure

I am always amazed at the beauty you can create with a brush, a can of paint, and a little time.  It makes me happy to transform a piece for a friend or client that has sentimental value so they can enjoy it in their home.  My most treasured things are those that have been passed down to me and that have memories attached to them.  (I suppose that’s how hoarders are born!! Ha!)

Please excuse my dark cell phone pictures.

A few months back I was asked to refinish a dining room table.  We talked about decor and changes she could make in her home to make the most of her space and fit in the furniture that she had purchased without realizing that it would be a tough fit for her room.  As we chatted, her husband mentioned an “old dresser in the basement, maybe you want it?”  Not one to turn away from gifted furniture I said sure.    I could see the potential immediately, but more importantly, the sentimental value.  This had been a grandmother’s piece and I couldn’t imagine them parting with it!  I said as much, and they said they didn’t have anywhere to put it.

Upstairs we went, rearranged a few things, measured and… a perfect spot for it.  They were both excited about it and so as soon as I delivered the table back home to them, this came home with me.

Look  how pretty she looks with a few coats of Old White on her!!

I did spend a little more time than I normally would on prep for this piece.  The varnish on top had cracked and bubbled from age and neglect and needed a good cleaning, stripping and sanding to get down to the natural wood to prepare it for a new finish.   I used General Finishes Gel Stain in Java for the top.   Love this product.  The color is so rich and it is a dream to work with.

We chose Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White. A light creamy white that works well with other neutrals.   Lightly distressed and sealed with AS clear wax and then a mix of clear and dark to highlight.  The hardware was original to the piece.  It cleaned up beautifully.

Hope you’re having a great week!

~Lynn

Salvaged Nest

I have always had a passion for “home”.  Wherever I have lived, I would rather be there than anywhere else.  Surround me with my people to love on and the things that bring me joy and I am a happy girl.  The key there is that you want to create, in your home, a reflection of you and your family, a place of comfort that welcomes those you love, and is also functional and works with how you live in your home day to day.

After quite some time of friends and acquaintances asking for decorating advice, paint help, and some years of refinishing furniture pieces, both for my own homes and as favors to friends and family, I have decided to launch my own little creative outlet and see where the path takes me.

And so, Salvaged Nest is born!

Whether you need a little help finding your style, re-arranging what you have or an entire new design for a room let me help love your home!  Whatever your budget, creating the perfect home doesn’t mean everything has to be “perfect” or expensive.  In fact, my hope is to help you learn to first use what you have and be creative to surround yourself with meaningful things that portray your style.

My first love is as a furniture stylist, but I am happy to consider custom work, whether it be furniture, cabinets, staging & design assistance, or personal shopping for your home.

I hope you’ll follow along here while I show my before & afters, and, if you’re local, any inventory or pieces I have for sale!

Lynn