I found some of Vicki's past creations that she has done.

Although this looks like one of those lamps you would buy in old shop Vicki actual made this from scratch.

It was used in our shop for a long time in the window and was lit at night.

Then one day just before the fire Vicki brought it home, which was very lucky as it would have ruined by the smoke and soot.

We had many inquires to buy it while it was in the shop and to have them made up although Vicki never had the then to do them at the time.

This little fellow below is one of Vicki's many bear creations, some of them were from patterns by other people although most of them were totally Vicki originals. I will find some more pics or take some more pics of things we have around the house and post them latter.

Hi all,

This is my next project, its a lightweight pine dresser which Vicki has had for some time.

I plan to Shabby it although I'm not sure of the details yet as I usually decide these as I am going alone.

What I'm going to do with it when it its finished I don't know. We have no space for it in the house and I have a solid English Oak dresser that I am going to white wash lined up for the kitchen.

Me and Shabbily Restored

Hi all... This is my first ever Blog thingy so be gentle.

After much encouragement and persuasion by the love of my life, my beautiful wife Vicki (Shabbily Romantic)I have finally have a Blog to talk about and share the furniture I make and restore.

Vicki also loves the Shabby Chic/French Provincial style and has come up with many creations over the past years. Vicki has created some lovely dolls, bears and general crafts that would rival any one's.

I will find some pictures later and post them because I know she wont post them on her blog because she wont think they were good enough.

Vicki taught me some of her craft when we were first together years ago and I even ended up in the local paper after designing and making my own Golly Wogs.

At the same time I discovered that I really enjoyed making and restoring furniture.

The first major piece I did was an old workshop table. My Mum was throwing it out and I saw that it still may have some life in it yet.

After removing a bodgy plywood top I found it had a beautiful old hard wood top with lots of character holes and dents in it.

I restored it "Shabby" leaving the top in a raw colour and painted the bottom half pale green using a little crackle paint.

It now resides in our lounge room.

The latest restoration I have completed is a old curved top dresser that survived the fire at our Cafe we had.

1st I had to wash all the soot I could off it, dry it out and then sand it all back before painting.

The problem with this piece is the smell I have found that anything porous absorbed the burnt smell in the fire.

The only solution is to paint it and seal it in which meant several coats of an off white acrylic and a good coat even throughout all the inside. I also added some pale yellow highlights.

2nd is the fun bit of distressing the paint by sanding back where I want to see the wear. Not so much on this one as you can see slightly in the pic.

Lastly is installing the scented draw liners and giving it a coat of wax to seal it good and protect it.

Next post: The latest projects.