Beautiful 1940's dresser with rocker mirror

This dresser is a stunner - it's a 1940's, solid-wood number with gorgeous mill work and a great rocker mirror!  While the original dresser wasn't bad, it needed some love to make it brought back to life.  I chalk-painted this in a very forgiving linen colour and took the top down to bare wood, making sure it was buttery-smooth; but I left peeps of the darker stain in the beveling for extra character.  The gorgeous wood-grain beneath all that varnish was worth the work to expose it!   It has 4 spacious drawers with the original, ornamental fixtures; and the drawer interiors have been chalk-painted a robin's egg blue and sealed so clothing or linens stay fresh.  What a beauty - she'd look great in any bedroom!

*  *  *

Before:  in great shape, but in need of a facelift:

After - a lovely transformation!

To purchase any item on the blog from furniture, to housewares to photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com or in the comments section and I'll be happy to look after you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook!

Gorgeous queen-sized four poster bed

I came across this 4-poster bed while I was on the hunt for a hutch to refinish.  It was hidden in the back of a second-hand store still in a box and covered in dust.  The design on the top of each post was what initially caught my eye; and once I had the bed pulled out, I could see that it was quite a lovely shape and in decent shape.  It just needed some refreshing to make it stand out.  

I added a wooden decal to the centre of the headboard to add character, and several coats of grey-beige chalk-paint later along with some dry-brushing, distressing, and waxing, this beauty-queen (see what I did there?) was ready for a new debut.   I think you'll agree that the stunning shape and beautiful details make this bed unforgettable!

*  *  *

Before: good bones, but lackluster and boring:

After: a great transformation!

To purchase any item on the blog from furniture, to housewares to photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com or in the comments section and I'll be happy to look after you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook!

White and dark-stained 1930's waterfall dresser

This solid-wood dresser mixes two different styles that I enjoy: shabby-chic and depression-era styles.  I chose to blend these styles together to make something different, but also to enhance the features of this interesting waterfall dresser.  The outside was chalk-painted an ivory colour and lightly distressed so the whole dresser didn't feel too dark or heavy.  Meanwhile, the dark-stained wood highlights the beautiful walnut veneer that was popular in the 30's and gives a nice contrast to the ivory elsewhere. Everything was waxed and sealed for protection.  With new, elegant fixtures, and blue drawer interiors, this dresser can now be a fun, yet classy addition to any home.

*   *   *

Before: nice bones and sort of pretty, but a little dated:

After some TLC:

 The drawer interiors:

To place an order for custom furniture re-finishing or photography prints, please contact sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!

Follow Sage & Balm on Facebook!

Going Home

These past 5 weeks have been a whirlwind.  Our family gathered together at three funerals to mourn the losses of three wonderful gentlemen.  As sad as we were to bear this, we spent a lot of time in our home town where the heart of our family beats through the beautiful rolling hills, epic sunsets, spectacular clouds and forests, and the unbreakable bonds of our relationships.  Planes flew, children skipped down dusty paths, barns stood still, and life moved on around us.

While we grieved these losses, we came together only as strong families can, and we celebrated the things we hold so dear: cherished memories, nostalgic stories, and the tenuousness of life.

*  *  *

***  Rest in peace, Al, Sterling, and Bernie ***