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Thursday, March 3, 2011

A Crusty Chair and Recent Thrifty Finds

My awesome client brought me this chair and said "I want it crusty looking...the crustier the better". Huh. I've done distressed and weathered, but hadn't done anything "crusty" prior to this. It has a gorgeous shape, but (and of.course...no "before" pic) had a shiney, marbley, dark cream finish. It was yuck...but it did have nice crackles in it.

I had to muster a lot of courage to start working on this...I just didn't know where to start. I sanded and primed with Kilz grey primer. Then I dry brushed a mistint grey I'd picked up. Then I dry brushed again. Then I sanded through so some white peeked through. Then I used some grey water based stain. Then I used ebony stain all over and wiped it off. See...I told you I didn't know how to do crusty...but this is how it came out. Keep in mind the seat will be reupholstered by a professional:








And here are some recent finds that I am suuuper jazzed about!




A pair of antique chairs: $1.99 each
Black occasional table that needs lots o' wood glue: $2.99
Fantasticly ugly, but sturdy coffee table: $6.99
One chair missing a seat: $10 (I know, more than I usually pay, but I loved the shape)
Mirror: $3.99
Fun, springy fabric (2 yards) $3.99
Pair of pulls: $.99

Total: About $33

Doing jazz hands as I'm writing!

~Allison


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22 comments:

  1. Cassie BustamanteMarch 3, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    ok, now it is my turn to be insanely jealous! :) great finds!

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  2. ChrissieMarch 3, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    What awesome finds! I love that fun fabric. The chair looks great. I cant bring myself to call it crusty, but i love it!

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  3. jandjhomeMarch 3, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Awesome finds. I wish I had the space to store stuff. My husband is ready to call the Hoarders show on me.

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  4. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.March 3, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Oh, I love that chair and all your thrifty finds!

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  5. A Vintage VineMarch 3, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    The title of this post really got my attention! The chair is beautiful..wonder where she is using it? All those finds...can't wait!!!!BTW your garage is cleaner than mine!!!

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  6. AnonymousMarch 3, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    What a bunch o' bargains! And the chair is lovely. I'm doing the spirit fingers for you too :)

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  7. the old white houseMarch 3, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Wow you found a lot of great treasures to make even more beautiful! Your gray chair is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! xoxo

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  8. JenniferMarch 3, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Visiting from My Repurposed Life. I LOVE thrifting. Went today actually. Looks like you scored some great finds!
    Jen

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  9. JulieMarch 3, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Stopping by from Tidymom! Jealous of your finds. I have a hard time seeing potential!

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  10. SusanMarch 3, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Awesome findS!! I love the chairs!

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  11. JodieMarch 3, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    You did a terrific job on the chair. You are a girl after my own heart, I love finding treasures and bringing them back to life! I am a new follower and look forward to more of your makeovers. Would love to have you stop by for a visit sometime.

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  12. Nicole@thiscreativeadventureMarch 3, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Really great grey color on the chair. Can't wait to see what you do with all your fun finds!

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  13. AngeMarch 4, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    The chair looks fantastic! I must give that a go, just lots of dry brushing, sanding and stain right?
    What a wonderful collection of projects you have to do . I especially love that mirror.
    Angex

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  14. BrandiMarch 4, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Crusty chair no more!! You did a "fantabulous" job Allison!! Love the gray on the chair. It's nice to play with different colors and change it up a bit!

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  15. AnonymousMarch 6, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    I love the chair and the finds. Looks like you are going to have some fun.

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  16. UnknownMarch 6, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    HI! found you through the follow along! new follower here ^^)

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  17. WhisperWood CottageMarch 6, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    That looks like some great vintage fabric! Is is marked in any way with a name? There's a great Scandinavian fabric designer that I came across a few years ago. That fabric reminds me of the fabric I found.

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  18. A Little Bit of City LifeMarch 7, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Found you from Making The World Cuter's follow along although I've been checking out your blog for quite some time! You are amazing! I'm a follower now, so see you soon!

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  19. LynnMarch 7, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Hi, I found you from Just a Girl. I love what you have done with your finds. Beautiful transformations. I esp. love the $5 sideboard. I would love to learn how you "distress" your pieces. Do you have any tutorials or plan to add some?

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  20. Courtney ~ French Country CottageMarch 7, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Hi there- The chair came out beautiful!! I love the finish you have given it and the color is perfect! Your new finds look like they are ready for some love- can't wait to see how they turn out! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  21. Here On Crow CreekMarch 7, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Great finds!I love finding cool things and dragging them home. Its soooo fun!!

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  22. gail@My Repurposed LifeMarch 9, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    great job on the chair! I love your finds! all good stuff. That mirror is my favorite! I made one like it last year! :)
    gail

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Thanks for commenting! My heart goes pitter-patter!