Traci Niese | paint

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Arles, cigar stand, dark wax, DIY, do-it-yourself, makeover, paint, plant stand, planter, shabby chic, vioets

Vintage Cigar Stand Turned Planter

My dear neighbor, Karen, recently moved and gave me a few pieces of furniture to paint. One such treasure included a vintage cigar stand. If you don’t know what a cigar stand is, its a piece that men would literally use to ash their cigars into. It once held an ashtray insert that could be cleaned out and reused. Her stand no longer had the ashtray insert. But, it was interesting nonetheless. However, the question became – what to do with this piece – as smoking cigars indoors has kind of gone out of fashion for many.

Before I had an answer to the question, I painted this piece with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in a buttery yellow called, Arles. I love this color when it gets a healthy dose of dark wax. It has such a pretty aged appearance that says, “I’ve been around for a while.” Perfect for vintage furniture!

So, it hung out in the garage for a while whiles I was considering it’s new purpose, until my mother in law gave me this pretty little pot of violets – which fits perfectly into the ashtray opening! Of course – a plant stand!

I love the bright blue-purple flowers against this yellow color – what a gorgeous contrast!

September 11, 2012/0 Comments/by Traci

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, bench, box, distressed, dresser, for sale, French Linen, Old White, paint, transformation, wax

Items for Sale

Scroll down for a running list of items currently for sale. If you are interested, please email me: niese.traci@yahoo.com or call 717-424-8788. Currently I do not ship. It’s pick-up only, please.

Thanks for giving my beloved work a new home!

French Country Coffee Table – $125

Bombay table newly painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre and Graphite, with clear and dark wax. Lovely legs! 45.25″ wide x 23.5″ deep x 17″ high (from floor to top)

French Country End Table – $100

Bombay table newly painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old Ochre and Graphite, with clear and dark wax. Lovely legs! 23.5″ high x 25.25″ wide x 16.75″ deep

The Hayden – Vintage Desk/Vanity Table – $175.00

Vintage desk or vanity table painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White with a base coat of French Linen. Drawer fronts also painted in French Linen. Distressed and aged with dark wax, and sealed with a top coat of clear wax. 40″ wide x 29″ high x 17.5″ deep

The Surprise – Storage Cabinet/Chest – $150.00 -SOLD

Heavy duty storage piece with 2 doors, an interior shelf and drawer. Painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paloma and Old White. Aged with dark wax and sealed with clear wax. The doors open up to reveal aged, decoupaged decorative paper. 25″ wide x 30″ high x 15″ deep

The Ida – Tall Vintage Accent Table – $75.00

Beautiful table gets a paint job with ASCP in Versailles with light distressing and clear wax. The round top is 13.75 ” in diameter, and it stands 31″ tall.

Pinky – Accent Table – $60.00

Little accent table painted with ASCP in Scandinavian Pink, distressed and aged with dark wax. Sealed with clear wax. 23″ high x 13″ wide x 13″ deep.

Vintage Shutters turned Memo Board – $20.00 – SOLD

Painted with Old White and dry-brushed with French Linen.

Pedestal Table with 4 Chairs and 2 Leaves – $450.00 – SOLD!

Painted with ASCP in Duck Egg Blue. Distressed and sealed with clear wax. The top has been stripped, sanded and stained a light walnut color allowing the grain to show through. Sealed with polyurethane.

Shaker Style Peg Rack – $15.00

Painted with ASCP in Versailles. Distressed and sealed with clear wax.

Shadow Boxes – $25 for the pair

Small and large shadow boxes, ready to hang, are painted with ASCP in Old White, distressed and aged with dark wax. Sealed with clear wax.

Bird Prints in Distressed Frames – $30 for the pair – SOLD

Lovely bird prints framed in newly painted wood frames. Old White, distressed and aged with dark wax, and sealed with clear wax.

Decorative Glass Dome with Newly Painted Base – $25.00 -SOLD!

Previously an old cheese serving tray, this gorgeous glass dome gets new life as a decorative table ornament with a painted wood base in ASCP Old White. Distressed and aged with dark wax. Sealed with clear wax. (Not to be used for serving food)

“The Ericka” – Vintage Mirror in Arles – $75.00 SOLD!

Vintage mirror, ready to hang, painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Arles with Old White dry-brushing, distressing and clear wax. Dimensions when hung in Landscape: 33″wide x 21″ high

“The Chloe” – 6-Drawer Dresser in French Linen – $300.00 – SOLD!
This beautiful 6-drawer dresser was transformed with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen, with 2 coats of clear wax and light distressing. The drawers are dovetailed, and the dresser was constructed completely from wood. The drawers are made with wood-cut tracks – no metal. I am not an antiques expert, but my guess is that it’s pretty old. The brass drawer pulls are exceptional, and are original to the piece. Dimensions: 45″ high x 36.5″ wide x 19″ deep

“Little Ben” – Child-Sized Bench – $60.00
This small Amish-style bench, perfectly suited in size for kids, was painted in Old White Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, with clear and dark wax. It’s got an aged patina, and heavy distressing. Dimensions: 33.5″ wide x 25″ high x 13″ deep

“Sad Sally” – Accent Table – $25.00 SOLD!!
This poor little table has a crooked leg, and a slightly bowed top, but with a beautiful new coat of paint in Annie Sloan’s Duck Egg Blue, those imperfections only add character to an old piece. Shabby chic for sure! Dimensions: 15″ wide x 29″ high x 15″ deep

“The Buster” – Display Box – $20.00
Buster is a small 2-door display box, perfect for highlighting your collection of miniatures. The outside is painted with a base coat of Annie Sloan’s Old White, and topped with French Linen. It’s been distressed and coated with clear and dark wax, for an aged appearance. The inside is painted in Duck Egg Blue.

“The Diana” – Stenciled Lamp – $100.00 SOLD!
This fun, working lamp is painted in ASCP French Linen. The lamp shade was stenciled in the same color paint. A lovely companion to The Chloe dresser!

“The Annie” – Frenchy coffee table -$125.00 SOLD!!

This beautiful, curvy coffee table was painted with a base coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paloma (warm grey/taupe color with a hint of lavender). Old White was dry brushed over the legs and base, and then aged with dark wax. The top was accented with french damask and vines, distressed and clear waxed. Lovely carved shell and finial designs.

“Miss Lovely” – Bench and Pillow – $450.00
This bench project included a paint and upholstery transformation. I gave it a new tufted seat, and painted the frame in Old White, with clear and dark wax, for an aged patina. I also made a coordinating little pillow.

If you have a piece of furniture you would like to discuss, please contact me. I am happy to come out and take a look and provide a quote.

April 26, 2012/0 Comments/by Traci

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, distressed, Duck Egg Blue, Old White, paint, table

The ugly duckling turned swan

Two weeks ago while scouring a thrift store for things to paint, I spied a sad little table in a corner. It had a slightly crooked leg, and peculiar top – that looked perfectly straight from one angle and slightly bowed from another. It was scratched, dinged and frankly, ugly. Take a look.

But, it was just five bucks. Into the truck she went, and home she came to a paint job.

The ugly little ducking still has a crooked leg and bowed top, but isn’t she looking more like a swan now? Speaking of ducks – it’s painted with ASCP in duck egg blue, over old white, with clear wax. And a touch of distressing here and there. For just $5 and a little paint, it makes a cute little addition to a small space. Wouldn’t you agree?

April 12, 2012/0 Comments/by Traci

clipart, craft, Crayola, Easter, Google, paint, Vera Bradley

Bunny “Ears” Craft Project

My son came home from preschool with this darling Easter project that I just adore. You can easily do this at home, with printed bunny clip-art you can find online (just Google ‘easter bunny clipart’), or by drawing your own rabbit. Then buy non-toxic craft paint, or even washable Crayola kid paint, and have your little ones rub it on their feet – most likely in their opinion the best part!

Step in the paper, and there’s your bunny ears! In my 4-year old’s case – giant jack rabbit ears! (are those size 1’s not the biggest feet you’ve ever seen on a kid his age)

I decided to take some beautiful wrapping paper, and make a frame for his project. This paper is from Vera Bradley, which I scored for 50% off. Otherwise I wouldn’t have bought it. I’m too cheap to spend $15 on a roll of paper that someone will just wrip off a gift – that breaks my heart to see expensive paper just tossed in the trash.

So here, we measured with a ruler, cut and taped to the backside. Saxon’s grandparents are going to love this!!

Happy Easter everyone!

April 7, 2012/0 Comments/by Traci