Hand-built rustic "barnboard" queen-sized headboard

Here's a project I worked on for my own home the month before.  My guest room desperately needed some help as it had been on my project back-burner for several years.  After our bathroom renovation wrapped up - wherein our contractor had used our guest room for his tools and storage! - I decided to tackle the guest room and make it livable again.  I tore out the old 1960's built-in plywood shelves, painted the entire room, including the 55 year old trim that had never been painted, and I changed up the bedding.  Then I decided I wanted a nice headboard for the bed, but after a big bathroom reno, I didn't want to spend a fortune.  So I built my own and saved lots of time and money!  In 2.5 hours start to finish, one could say I "threw" this headboard together!  But I assure you that it is made well and that I am just very efficient at working! I've made this style of headboard a few times, so making it again was a breeze, and once I custom mixed my stain, it was easy to get together and stain to look like older wood.  Looking for a headboard like this for your 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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I have no before picture!  I was overzealous to start this room's makeover and completely forgot.  A before picture of the headboard would just be a picture of a pile of wood!

After: a country-chic headboard, fit for a rustic queen! 

*** photos taken at two different times in different lighting***

Converted farmhouse dark-stained planked cedar table with white base & matching bench!

Here is a project requested by "L" who had a wedding set table and chairs from 15 years ago.  The table was in good shape, but had definitely seen some love - including the wear and tear that children can inflict!  So "L" asked if I could makeover her existing table into one that was not only durable, but refreshed and ready for the next decade of love!  We talked colours and finishes and settled on planking the table out with cedar (lots of character, and lays more flush at a price-point that is more feasible than hardwoods) and staining it very dark and keeping a moderate glossiness to the finish.  Then the bottom would be painted out with my "faux dark wood", painted out ivory, distressed to see pops of dark wood underneath, and sealed for protection.  Then she asked could I make a matching bench to go with the table - and of course I agreed that would look great!  We picked out a style that she liked and made the bench to match with the table as if it were an existing set.  

Now the table and bench look like a whole new set - one would never know it was a blond-wood number from the early 2000's full of dings and damage!  Enjoy your new table and bench, "L"!  

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Before - dated and ready for a makeover!

After!  An almost unrecognizable "new" table and a matching bench!

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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Antique white & dark-waxed vintage secretary desk with copper fixtures (painted in-home)

Here is another in-home custom order I did for my friends "G & A".  A secretary desk was on G's radar for awhile, but she wasn't having any luck hunting down one that fit her style and budget after getting married and moving into a new home while having to buy lots of new furnishings!  But she knew exactly what she wanted; and after sighting an unfinished desk in her sister's home, she asked her sister if she could have it and then asked if I could refinish it for her.  

After discussing colours and finishes, we went with a classic, creamy off-white colour and finished it with clear and dark wax to give it a natural patina.  The old wooden fixtures were replaced with gleaming copper ones which complemented the white colour, yet still gave the desk an old-world feel.  Now, it's sitting happily in her office, where G can enjoy her pretty new work-space (and so can her cat!)  

Recognize the chair in the photos?  That's from another custom order I did for G & A - see it here!

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Before - drab and dated (and...dusty!)

After!  A beautiful & classic secretary desk!

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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Robin's egg blue & pink vintage "Princess" dresser with mirror

Here is a project from the month before - a pretty robin's egg blue, 9-drawer dresser with a gorgeous mirror and pretty woodwork.  This one was waiting in the workshop for a while, until "S" was searching for something for her darling girls' room.  The theme of their room could only be described as "princess" - it is lovely and full of great toys, pretty colours, lots of nice furniture, and...a chandelier! I would have loved this room when I was little (who am I kidding - I'd love it now)!

 So of course, the dresser needed to fit right in with that theme.  "S" decided that this dresser was the right size, style, and had all the practical necessities for storing things for two growing girls; so after settling on colours and finishing styles, this dresser felt right at home in its new space!  With soft pink drawer interiors, stunning original fixtures, and a dark-waxed patina, it is sweet enough to charm a pair of cute little princesses, but also mature enough to grow older with them!  

Enjoy, girls!

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Before - I had only snapped one before picture, unfortunately!

After:  A beautiful dresser for two beautiful young ladies!

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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