Whimsical mid-century dandelion buffet

Here is a fun piece that I did the year before, but never got around to putting up for sale.  When I was working on this piece and doing the hand-painting on it, I asked my neighbour and friend over to get his opinion on it (he was an artist who painted a lot, so I respected his opinion).  He loved it, but suggested I add the little peach-coloured dots inside the dandelions as we had both decided it "needed something".  I did that, and the whole piece suddenly brightened!  We talked about it back and forth a few times, and after that I was happy with it.  Some time passed, and other projects started to take priority and I left it for a while.  Half a year passed, and it was still in the shop, waiting for final touch-ups.  Then my phone rang: my neighbour had been killed by a train.  He was only 33; and just like that, his fun-loving, artful spirit was gone.

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After that incident, the buffet sat in the shop and I blatantly ignored it.  I let items sit on it.  I scratched the top by accident moving things around.  I let dust accumulate, and I had let the dandelion motif get marked up by my busy toddler.  Then "S" walked into my shop one day inquiring about a dresser (that's for another post), and she loved the dandelion dresser!  She asked if it was available, and I said yes!!  But I would need to work on it again to bring it back to life.  I was so excited that she could see past the dust and neglect that had worn away the lustre and enjoy the buffet for the light and happy piece that it was underneath.  Needless to say, I brought the buffet out of its dishabille and reflected upon my friend's life while I worked.  It was strange to suddenly find myself tearfully, and painfully aware of how grief, when ignored, can lead to beautiful things like letting go, and cherishing relationships, instead of pushing them away.  

So I thank "S" for seeing the beauty in the buffet and liking it enough to put it in her home.  She helped me to breathe new life into the buffet; and I was able to remember a life well-lived and as whimsical and fun-loving as the piece itself.  And with that, I'd like to dedicate this piece to his memory. 

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I have no before picture of this buffet that I can locate. Picture it all dark brown, but with a very worn finish.

After: A breath of fresh air and at home in "S's" loft!

To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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Vintage red bench with chevron planks

This is a piece I've had in the workshop for ages, but never settled on what I wanted to do with it.  I can't locate the before photo, so picture this in a shabby maroon colour with twin seat cushions, covered in very dated floral tapestry.  It was hideous.  So I thought after having it for so long and being as undecided as I was, why not just make a fun piece that is more whimsical?  Here is my final reveal, after building and staining the plank chevron seat and painting the frame out in a gorgeous cherry red with clear and dark wax!

Enjoy!

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To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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Modern-rustic dining table and chairs

A good friend of mine asked me a while ago to refurbish her existing dining set to make the transition to a new home.  I agreed, of course, and after seeing the new house in person and discussing what would look good in her new space, the refinishing began!  "A" wanted the table and chairs to be much more kid-resistant (with four kids, that was a good idea!), but also a blend of something shabby/rustic, and something sleek.  That's not easy to do, but I think we pulled it off!

The table was painted out a soft charcoal grey to ground the planked top and white chairs, and the planked top was constructed to look less rustic and more modern with a beautiful dark walnut stain and glossy finish.  Since the original chair-covers were so beaten up by children (bless them), they were repaired, then we decided to scrap the idea of fabric and swap the seat covers out for some rustic planks which were stained to match the table top.  Hopefully "A" and her kids will love the new table and chairs and that they will last as long as the memories they'll make at the dinner table! 

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Before: worn down and in need of help!

After!  A rustic-modern dining set perfectly at home in its new space!

To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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Twin antique side tables

Here is a custom order for "L" who brought these lovely and really unique side tables my way.  They were a bit of a hot mess (as "L" will confess!) after a few years of abuse and neglect, and lots and lots of time hanging around just being old!  The leather insets were destroyed by toothpaste stains and watermarks, the finish was wearing and one table base was completely broken.  "L" asked if the scroll-work bases could be chopped off to make the tables sleeker and easier to care for, and we consulted on colours and styles to match her living space.  We went with a creamy white linen colour and thought that the ornate tables would look great with lots of dark wax to bring out their true character.  Since the scroll-work bases were actually bracing those spindly legs, I went about repairing them rather than chopping them off to preserve the tables' stability (and it was a challenge to fix a huge wooden gap, I must say).  Then everything - including the leather insets - was covered with many generous coats of shellac to prevent the mahogany and leather tannins from leaching into the beautiful cream paint.  After painting, waxing and dark-waxing, the tables were ready for their debut!  Enjoy, "L"!

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Before: broken and stained!

After: lovingly revived!

To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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Vintage & rustic spool clock

Yes, yes.....another spool clock!  People seem to enjoy these clocks, so I've had lots of orders for them.  Here is a slightly different version of my white rustic spool clock, all lovingly made from old cable reels.  This particular clock was requested by "N" who wanted the numerals "raised" as opposed to stenciled on.  Here it is, once finished!  

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To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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Cream & beige vintage vanity with swing mirror

This darling vanity was a personal find through a lovely family in Elora (antiquesville!).  The beautiful woodwork and pretty drop-down vanity top charmed me right away!  Since I can't seem to keep my paws off of pretty vintage and antique pieces, I snapped it up in the hopes of transforming it from its state of dishabille into something bright and more fitting with its shape.  Its old finish was very damaged, and the work of reviving it to its original state was a tad overwhelming (it's not a custom order piece), so in keeping with paint colours in its era, I went about making it look its pretty self again.  I wanted the vanity to seem as though I had never refinished it and that it had old paint that was naturally crackling over time and with a really creamy, old feel to it.  I think it turned out well and along with all its other fun features (deep drawers, original fixtures, folding mirrors and fold-away jewelry storage) this vanity will be a beautiful addition to any home.

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Before - quite beautiful, but really in need of TLC!

After!  A dreamy vanity ready to be loved again!

To place a custom furniture order or to purchase an existing piece or photography prints, please contact me at sageandbalm@gmail.com and I'll be happy to assist you!  You can also follow Sage & Balm on Facebook and at sageandbalm.com.

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