French Linen China Cabinet {Asheville Furniture Painter}

Just finished this 1930's vintage mahogany china cabinet in French Linen with clear and dark wax.

I love to paint dark pieces of furniture, especially mahogany, because when you sand the chalk paint back there is such a contrast with the wood and paint.

The detailing of the furniture really shows through.

I have also learned to shellac these pieces because if you don't the red tannins will bleed through.

Every.

Single.

Time.

French Linen has  become a favorite of mine lately.

It does help that gray is a hot seller right not.

After sanding china cabinet for over an hour to get the surface really smooth I waxed with a mix of dark and clear wax.  

Even though I love working with Annie Sloan waxes and paint I am not a purist.  I have been using Johnson's Past Wax and mixing it with ASCP Dark Wax lately and I kinda like the results. The bonus is that it is not nearly as expensive.

Fortunately this piece had all the original hardware and the scroll work on the glass doors was in excellent condition. This is a good thing, because honestly,  the scroll work is a PAIN in the rear to paint.

To add more character to the finish I used a small paint brush to paint dark wax into all the corners and crevices.

Hope you enjoy it.
This piece is available for purchase.

Family visits Asheville

My sister in saw Susan and her family came to visit Labor Day weekend so of course we had to go downtown to experience the Asheville vibe. Friday night was spent going to the drum circle and walking around to people watch. The "statue" above was pretty cool, she remained completely still and when someone made a donation she played the snare drum.

My boys had not been to the circle yet, not quite sure what they thought about it.

 

Giggling Susan...finding that she had to be a little creative when sitting down on the rocks in a skirt.

Susan and her husband Mike. She has just passed the half way point of her chemo therapy for breast cancer and really seems to be doing amazingly well. Her positive approach is impressive. I watch and listen to her and wonder if I could have the same approach.

On so many of the streets of Asheville there will be groups of people playing instruments, singing, juggling etc. The little girl above was belting out the music and was so cute.

Asheville is known as Beer City. We decided to go to Pack Place and have a barley pop. The kids played a game that I cannot remember the name to save my soul. Driving me crazy trying to think of it. Anyhoo.. Susan and the kids had Root Beer Floats and the rest indulged in fare of the local breweries.

Carter and I have a game we play by saying I love you....wonder if he remembers my reading this book to him when he was little?

And the Biltmore. Asheville is not a visit without a visit to Americas largest private owned home.  We are watching Downton Abby and the similarities are kind of cool. Can you imagine growing up in this home? There would be some seriouse hide-n-seek going on.

Chad and Sam have the same smile going on, must be the braces.

Susan sporting the blond today.

The grounds of the Biltmore are so beautiful but it is a lot of walking. we really should have gone early in the day so it would not have been so warm.

We then went over to Antler Hill Village and Winery.  Carter was enjoying Cedric who was George Vanderbilts St. Bernard.

There was music on the lawn at Antler Hill



Really enjoyed having them at our home for the weekend. It was fun hanging out, talking and eating. Lots of eating.

Asheville Drum Circle with Friends

My childhood friend Shawn and his wife Georgine came to visit two weekends ago. They were in Charlotte for the weekend and made the drive to Asheville to see me. (at least that is what I am telling myself)
Shawn and I grew up as next door neighbors from the age of 6 until we graduated from high school.
Well he graduated a year ahead of me. He's OLDER than me. Much older than I am.
We grew up in a community of about 300 people, if that many. It was the rockin town of Knife River, MN.
We did Luther League together and went on retreats to Camp Vermillion in the Nisswandt's decrepit VW bug. Confirmation together with Pastor Reppe. Had bonfires on the beach of Lake Superior. Played spin the bottle behind the church. Played kickball at the Rec Center. Played cartoon tag in my cousins back yard. Swam in the river at the Chup pond. Basically ran amok and had a blast doing it.
But we had not seen each other in 26 years.
When you don't see someone for a long time like that you wonder "How is this going to go?"
It was so wonderful to see him again and to finally meet his wife and hear about his FIVE kids, four of which are girls!
For them to make the effort to come to Asheville meant a lot to me.

While they were here we went to see the Asheville Drum Circle. Every Friday during the warmer months they meet in a park in the downtown. Anyone is welcome to join in.
It's eclectic.
It's a little bazaar.
It's wonderful for people watching.
Very relaxed and a great way to get a feel for the Asheville vibe.

If you make it to Asheville for a visit it is worth doing.