For the record ... furniture before
Sat, 17 Sep 2011 8 Comments 
I spent this morning moving some pieces into the bedroom to see what works. Needless to say I washed the floor again. The room is quite large and allows us to have a sitting area at one end. This will change with time because we have no bath upstairs and this end of the room will eventually become an ensuite and walk in robe. Of course that is waaaaaaay down the track as we wait to save up the money for this part of the project.
On to the furniture. I wanted to keep a record here of how things started out and how I worked on bits and pieces. The waterfall dresser is an art deco piece we picked up Newmarket Lifeline thrift store quite some time ago. We have had a couple of pieces of the chipped veneer replaced and I still need to stain and refinish it. I love doing this sort of hands on work. I'm hoping this is my project for next weekend. The leather chair is one of a pair of Robert Dunlop Tanderra chairs from the 70s. I like to mix up my eras. The screen is the rear side of a student piece I bought at auction when I was in design school. The other side is very elaborate with veneer and perforated metal but I think for the moment this brushed aluminium side is a good foil to the rich caramel colours that are starting to develop in the scheme. You can see to the side one of my 40s plywood chairs found on eBay. I have restored 2 but I still have this one and another to danish oil. The seats I covered in vintage bus roll fabric. Finally a small love seat in flame stitch fabric. The fabric doesn't work colour wise in the room and is in bad condition anyway. I see an upholstery project coming on. I have a couple of striped kilims I'm thinking of recovering it in.
Of course there are rugs to go in and art for the walls. The fabric for the curtains still has to be bought then made up. Lamps need to go in. I have a fabulous brass 5 arm arc light that might just be perfect for the corner beside the love seat. Jewel like colour will be added in small doses through accesories and the art although most of the art is black and white. You'll just have to wait and see it develop over time with me. And I still have to show you the bed end of the room!
Reader Comments (8)
Jo,
All your hard work is going to be richly rewarded. The room is going to be beautiful and I adore the black/caramel thing you've got going on.
Lin
It really does look fantastic. Love the love seat too. I'd recommend an upholsterer but the guy we use is so unbelievably slow. xx
Thanks Lin and Anita. I can't believe it is all systems go at last!
P.S. Anita I found a sugar bowl to go with the plum arabia jam pot (and another jam pot minus the lid). Putting it aside for your next visit :)
Looking FAB!! I love different era furniture mixed together too. Makes it more interesting and truly "eclectic".
Jo, I have to admit the black walls look amazing with the cherry (?) floors and the caramel woods. I was skeptical about the black walls (I prefer white) but it's all what you like and not about trends.
That screen is incredible. The metal/wood combination is one of my favorites in design.
I enjoy working (and making my own) furniture, etc. as well; it is very satisfying. Great work! These vignettes you are showing are such a tease! Can't wait to continue to see more of your truly original home. Thank you for sharing.
Sue the floors are cedar that have turned that colour over 150 years. I LOVE them.
Jo, your home is looking so amazing! I love the choice of dark paint and I am really digging your furniture. I love the metal screen. Thanks for sharing, it's so fun to watch it come together.
Man that is some luscious floor. I love it. And that is one hell of a vanity if I ever saw one. You've got awesome stuff to work with! and It's turning out really nice!