The tea trolley is transformed …..

Hello all

Do you sometimes start things then change your mind half way? The dated tea trolley I shared in the last post needed a transformation.

I have very intention of using it in our lounge as a sewing trolley over winter so I wanted it to be traditional enough to fit in but also something that was lovely as well.

I started off with the intention of Annie Sloan's Emperor's Silk paint covered with Graphite to give it a deep colour.

However,  once I painted the Emperor's Silk over the trolley, it looked bright & vibrant.

I decided against painting it all in Graphite as I loved the Emperor's Silk colour. However, I decided to so the trim around the top edge, including the flaps, in Old White to give it some definition. I was sure that the white would wax to a softer colour.

I also added some white details to the turned legs as well as the drawer details to bring it to life. I was not sure how that would look but I know enough about the paint now to know that I could paint over it if I was not happy with the results.

GO BOLDLY was my mantra for this project!

The top was first given two coats of Emperor's Silk red paint, then I used a kebab skewer to draw the lines on the top before adding some random markings of Florence which is a bold green colour.

Once all was dried, I painted a coat of Graphite over the whole top. The Emperor's silk & Florence dabs gave a deep, light catching colour under the Graphite that improved with the dark wax. It shimmers in various light & gives depth to the top.

The dark carvings on the drawer & details were improved by the use of Old White. It waxed to an old wood type colour; the dark wax emphasised the shape of the details. Old White on the turned legs gave an interesting touch, a sort of distressed look even though it had been painted over the red.

Once dark waxed, Emperor Silk takes on a deep, aged look that is very pleasing ….

I always have a moment of panic when I first put the dark wax on because it comes on very dark until it is rubbed in & buffed. This is the look that panics me ….

 The dark wax really gave depth to the top of the table ….

I love how the dark wax aged the Old white & toned it down to a weathered colour

 This is the detail with wax on ….

The completed project - ready to be put into use as a sewing table over winter & smart enough to be used for drinks or anything else that is needed.

What do you think? Would you have gone as bold as I have? Thank you for stopping by & for taking the trouble to leave a comment.

Dee ~♥~

Transforming a dated tea trolley table into ….

Sometimes life takes on a momentum of its own & everything goes on the back burner for sanity.

Such has been the last few weeks with an ageing relative of 90 needing help with some life changes.  It came at the same time as many of my students needed support with their annual evaluations as they are mainly 'elective home education' students that I have a major influence on their studies & can make sense of the systems to which they are accountable so I had to be there for them too ….

However - life has now settled back into  my predictably busy pattern again & my half term this week has been a welcome respite.

Our clocks went back last weekend & my thoughts have turned to long winter nights which are already drawing in.

I have every intention of spending more time sewing - hand sewing, gentlework type activities that can be done while watching TV.

However, we all know that such activities need a machine at times,  loads of fabrics, threads, scissors & the likes which makes it quite a messy activity.

While browsing Ebay, I came across this dated tea trolley with lift up side flaps & immediately had an epiphany - that would work so well as a craft trolley that could be wheeled out of sight if needed.

The top was as bad as the photos had shown so I just knew it needed Annie Sloan chalk paint to revive it to something useful & beautiful.  Our lounge has a large Rectory Red wall so I immediately had the idea to use 2 favourite colours & then lightly distress it.

I have used Emperor's silk on my desk & so I decided on that as the base coat with graphite over then distress back to show some of the Emperor's silk for depth, with a dark wax into the details too.

I wiped it down then applied the first coat of Emperor's Silk to it & it immediately looked nicer with the details standing out. Emperor's Silk always looks pink until it dries but because I have used it before, I did not panic at the colour …

Rain chased me inside so it is partially done but I am looking forward to the next steps.

I am sure it will be a good winter sewing table which can easily be used in the lounge if needed.

What do you think?  Are you in favour of bold colours & do you have a portable hobby?

Thank you for stopping back in - please look in soon for the completed trolley

Dee ~♥~