Frenchic "Hornblower" Mirror Frame Transformation

I've been doing another paint job using the Frenchic paint called "Hornblower" which is a dark almost navy blue colour.  This time transforming the frame of a mirror.

I placed a successful bid at my local auction house (it's actually where I used to work), on a lot called "Various Gilt Mirrors", in the photograph I could only see two, on collection there were actually five in the lot, so I was spoilt for choice which one to use.  

I decided on one that was the ideal size to be hung above the fire surround, but it did have an awful gold gilt colour to the frame, which I knew had to be worked on. I painted three coats of Frenchic "Hornblower" on to the frame and it looked so much better, however I was concerned that it looked a bit solid looking!

I delved into my crafting stash and found a little pot of Cosmic Shimmer Platinum coloured gilding wax.  On the back of the frame I tried a small area and it looked great, so using my finger I gently rubbed the wax over the decorative embossed detail of the frame and also along the surface of the raised dots.  I'm really happy with the way it now looks.  The mirror is now hanging above the fire place in the front room.

P.S.  Apologies if you are looking at the odd flooring in the front room through the mirror.  We are waiting for the carpet to be fitted and delivered.  I have my fingers crossed that it will be tomorrow

Frenchic "Hornblower" refreshing a picture frame

In my spare bedroom, I have all sorts of stuff just waiting to be used. Including an assortment of pictures in frames.  The one above is by a local North Wales artist called Leslie Jones, who has used oil paints on slate to make the image.  It's the snowcapped mountains and is so like some of the Snowdonia mountain range we can see from our village.

Anyway, the wooden white washed frame was looking a bit worse for wear.  There were signs it had been knocked and it was also a little grubby looking, so I decided to paint it.

In my cupboard I had the the left over paint from a previous project where I had painted a small side table in Frenchic "Hornblower" which is a navy blue colour.  So I decided to paint the frame.  I'm really happy with the way it has turned out.  I just need Hubby to hang it on the wall now!

Frenchic "Hornblower" - An upcycling furniture project

For a while now, I've been thinking about upcycling a few pieces of small furniture items I have around the house.  I managed to click and collect the Frenchic items I'd ordered at the weekend, so it was time to get cracking. 

I opted for a dark blue Frenchic colour from their Lazy Range, called "Hornblower" as I thought it would work well in my craft room, as generally everything is light in colour in there.

I started by scrubbing the little square side table down with a sugar soap solution, to take of any dirt and dust that had gathered over time.  Once dry, I then lightly sanded the piece and then gave it another wipe of sugar soap solution and rinsed off leaving to fully dry.

I was apprehensive to start painting, but as I didn't really have anything to lose by doing it, I went ahead.  The first coat wasn't good, I was expecting better things.  The second was a lot better and just to give a full coverage, I gave it a third coat.  I added to coats of the "Finishing Coat solution" to preserve the paint work.

I'm quite happy with the way it's turned out.  I have a further two items lined up to paint, which I will post about here once they're done.  I think this could become addictive... I'm already looking at my utility room kitchen cupboards with a view to a freshen up paint finish!