I surprised myself with a surprise ending that I did not see coming....but you have to read to the very end!
Every year when the weather starts to transition from hot sunny days to cooler temperatures and wispy breezes.....I experience a shift in my furniture creations as well. I tend to choose palettes that are moody and colors that are rich and shadowed. It's as if I feel the need to tone down the vibe and settle in by the fire with a blanket and cup of coffee... and I want my furniture finishes to represent that same mood.
And so I present... my moody floral Bombay style armoire!
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Before: White Boutique Display gets a *NEW* Look
This gorgeous Bombay shaped piece was originally an identical pair of armoires with doors that were connected by a desk. The doors and desk were removed about 7 years ago so the pair of shelves/drawers could be used as display cabinets for a local boutique.
The boutique recently called and let me know they were ready for new displays and asked if I'd like them back.
So this is the first of two....that I added to website as an available piece.
Design Plan: Moody Shadowed Bombay Armoire
I used a new transfer called My Favorite Bouquet to pull my color palette from.
I am not a huge lover of purple.....so I opted to pull this deep and "coppery" mauve from the depths of the florals and matched it up with Desert Rose from the Silk line by Dixie Belle Paint.
I also chose to go with two grays that I see when I look at the shadows cast by the florals on the transfer....Hurricane Gray and French Linen.
Supplies Used
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Bombay-Style Armoire is Ready for a Moody Floral Look
I did not sand off the previous paint job (that was done by me) of the stripes and dots. I knew most of the drawer fronts would be covered by the transfer anyway.
So after a good clean with White Lightning....I was ready to go.
Blending a Base Coat in Gray
I painted the entire piece in a base coat of either French Linen or Hurricane Gray...depending where I was on the piece.
I knew the side panels would be left as just two-tone blends of those two colors.
The front would be mostly Hurricane Gray...but I did do a blend on the stacked drawers and lower drawer just in case I changed my mind about the transfer.
Using the Big Daddy brush for these blends was a game changer and if you follow me on FB you will see that I offered a 2+ minute video on just how to achieve this blend.
In the Inner Cabinet I used the Gorgeous Desert Rose!
This color, Desert Rose, is just fantastic!
I call it a natural looking pink.....that reminds me of the deep pinks and coppers you see in the rock canyons when the sun is setting.
I applied the majority of this color with a roller and the coverage was amazing!
The My Favorite Bouquet Design Transfer itself is Stunning
It draws you into its dreamy colors and gives off a fresh and romantic vibe.
It was VERY easy to apply to the stacked drawers. BUT.....applying it over the mixed up curves of the Bombay drawer was anything but fun!
PRO TIP: Do not use large transfers over Bombays that are both concave and convex at the same time.
What I mean by this is the lower half of the drawer may curve inward while the upper portion of the drawer is bowing outward....and then these curves immediately shift as you make your way across the drawer....and let's just say it was a struggle.
At no fault of the transfer or even my application technique....it was just NOT good judgement to use it on this type of topography.
I was able to get it on with no tears....but with lots of wrinkles that I decided to embrace by giving it a worn and vintage look.....with heavy sanding!
I just rubbed and rubbed until it looked a little worn down as if it had been around a very long time!!!
I did this to any transfer pieces that you see......used a heavy hand in sanding.....removing color even.....going for a vintage vibe!
Flexibility is key in creating and the more you are willing to accept what is happening and grow as you go......you will be a better artist in the end!
I am VERY happy with this vintage flair....and because of this I did something else that I didn't have planned!
Black wax!! Oh how I love you!
But first....before black wax....I alway top coat in a satin clear coat.
I do this to keep the black wax from being too "grabby".
It's a game changer for those of you that are fearful of using such a bold wax. It allows you to apply it with confidence and remove as much as you want with a damp cloth or wipe if you don't like it. If you don't use a top coat.....good luck removing it!
So top coat in satin and allow to dry completely.
I used a small craft brush and added dark black wax to every crevice and trim piece....top, bottom and both sides!
I used the French Tip brush to blend out the black wax and take it to that "winter is on its way" moody level!
I applied it to the edges of the transfer as well.
Black wax was applied everywhere.....except over the Desert Rose...I left that pink pure.
I have a long love affair with black wax.....and this is why!
I just love the depth and life it added to the piece.
For another Bombay style piece of furniture with a fun finish, check out my distressed texture tutorial!
Now for the Surprise!!!
It was missing something.
When this happens I usually just pull up a chair and sit and stare at it....imagining all the things I could do to it...until something really jumps out at me.
For some reason.....I imagined going rogue with a gold metallic spray can!
I was imagining graffiti style.....but I reigned myself in!
But then I thought about "over spray".....that look that you get when you accidentally spray an area you didn't mean to....it's a mistake....yet you kind of like the misty look.
I wanted overspray....in all the right places!!
So I picked up a rattle can of metallic gold.....shook it up.....took a deep breath and just started misting this piece on every curve!
I didn't get a single video or photo of this happening....because it was impulsive!
I had no plans to do this and once I started I couldn't be bothered with filming!
But I love this look so much.....I have not doubt I'll be using it again....and I'll grab photos of this rogue spray technique next time!
The Finished Look: Moody Floral Bombay Style Armoire
I am SO happy with this final touch!
It is absolutely perfect to me!
It gives the look of a slightly tarnished metal when the light hits it just right!!
Even Matt really likes it and that says a lot!
A top coat was already applied......black wax has been applied....and now spray paint....so this piece is sealed up and ready to shine!!!
I absolutely love this unexpected color palette.....and I believe the transformation was well worth the effort!
One down and one more of this same piece to go.....in a completely different finish!
Stay tuned! In the meantime, this one is available for purchase...
More Inspiration:
I pulled a few blogs from past projects that came to mind when working on this piece! I hope you can use them to draw inspiration for your upcoming project. Here are the additional designs for your inspiration:
Gilded Age Armoire - bright bold blended armoire with stunning design transfer
Neutral Whimsy Grunge Bombay Chest - harlequin and stripes on this beautiful transformation
Key Stencil Armoire - I don't often use purple but here's another one that really pops
And of course, you can see NINE of my favorite design transfer ideas HERE and my Bombay Chest Design RoundUp HERE
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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