Roll Top Desk Makeover

Hi everybody,

I just finished the cutest little roll top desk and I couldn't wait to share it's makeover with everyone.
This desk has been sitting in our shop for about a month and it needed some character SO much. So I did some googling and debated about what finish to add. I thought about a faux brushed metal, but this desk was so curvy and feminine I settled on a "Shabby Chic", cottagey kind of look. I mixed up some trusty homemade chalk paint and got started.
The desk was originally some kind of particle board, fake wood material so I didn't feel bad about painting it one bit.

Here's my chalk paint recipe and some pics.

Chalk Paint:
1 cup of whatever paint you have on hand (I use the Reject Oops Paint from Home Depot)
1 to 2 TBs of either unsanded grout or Plaster of Paris
1 to 2 TBs of warm water

Use a small container with a lid to mix the warm water and plaster or grout. When all the lumps are gone add your paint of choice and stir. (I use recycled plastic containers from take out for my paint containers.) You can start with one tablespoon of water and grout/plaster added to the paint. You are looking for the right consistency, thick like cake batter is the best way I can think to describe it. (Maybe it's because I'm on a new year's diet...I miss cake :) ) If the paint consistency doesn't thicken enough, add the other tablespoon of grout/plaster and water. Hope this helps.

The Process:
I painted three coats on the desk, sanding a little in between. When the last layer of paint was almost dry I added some distressing by wiping some corners and random areas with a wet rag. You can sand too, but it makes a big mess. Then I added Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. Let the wax dry for about 10 minutes and buff with a clean cloth to a nice sheen.

On to the photos!

Such a difference. It can be yours for $169.99

Boring and outdated. 

Beautiful with new antique hardware added. for a feminine touch.

I added a little stencil for a fun surprise when you open the desk. 

Some light distressing done with a wet rag when the paint was drying. 

I love this little desk, I hope you do too! As always more projects to come. 

Ladderback Chair Makeover

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I posted a painting project so here's a little chair makeover I just finished.

I had so much fun with the Distressed Coffee Table a few weeks ago I decided to experiment with the same technique on a chair.

Here's a before shot. 

I painted each rung a different color and added black accents. 

This is the first layer or color. 

I waxed the first layer of paint and then added a second coat in a similar color. 

When the paint dried I scraped the wax and excess paint off.
Then I lightly sanded. I also painted the woven seat black.  

Last came a light coat of Minwax Polyshades in American Chestnut.
 I then wiped off the excess stain.  I added stain to the seat of the chair as well. 

And here's the finished chair. 

We have many more projects to come.

A Big Thank You and A Happy New Year!

Hi everyone,

We hope you all had a great holiday with family and friends. After a few days of vacation we are back to regular hours and open for business. We really enjoyed helping out all our Christmas Eve shoppers. It was so fun participating in the process of finding a great gift for someone special.

It has been an amazing first 6 months of business and we are so grateful to all of our wonderful customers. Your words of support and encouragement have meant so much. We are so looking forward to serving you all in the New Year!

We have a lot of unique consignment coming in and many more projects to show you. Updates, tutorials, and photos to come!

Gift Ideas: Holiday Edition!

Hi everyone! Happy holidays from Galeria CTR.
We just got a great gift for everyone. Cute little baskets filled with candy. Who doesn't love candy? These would make a perfect hostess gift or last minute party gift. Even great for those ugly sweater/ cookie exchange/ white elephant get togethers.
We have three to choose from: Santa, Penguin, or Polar Bear all filled with gourmet candies.
Here they are for your viewing pleasure...

from the 1800flowers catalog.
 $24.99 on their website...but we have them for 12. What a deal. 

Aren't they cute?

All the goodies inside!

They are so cute and they are disappearing quickly. Come get one before they're all gone.

"Reclaimed Wood" Style Distress Tutorial

I finished a new project today and I thought it turned out nicely. I had to share it with everyone. We got a table in on consignment last week. It was nice, but nothing special and the top was damaged. The owner was open to me giving it a little spruce-up so I went to town. The table was made of oak pieced together and sort of resembled all those reclaimed wood projects blowing up Pinterest lately. So I decided to enhance that look and here's what I came up with.

Here's the before. You can see the different pieces that make up the table top. 

I taped along each seam of wood and painted each with craft paint.

Here are my finished stripes. 

I painted leaving thicker and thinner parts for texture and I left a little space between stripes. 

After the paint dried I sanded with rough sandpaper. 

I painted irregular black lines for more definition between stripes and then used an old candle to wax the surface. 

I painted another messy layer of similar colors over the wax. 

I let let the paint dry. Then I scraped away the wax and some of the paint. 

After scraping I sanded again to get more of the wood to show through. 

Then some dark stain wiped on and off quickly. 

And here's the finished table top. I painted the edge black to finish it off. 

I also painted the feet black to tie into the top. "Reclaimed Wood" Coffee table $150

 Check back for more projects coming soon!

Christmas Gifts At Galeria CTR

Now that we have the tree up, decorations out, and Holiday music playing in the store, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas (except for the weather being so warm I've had the door open all weekend!). So for a great gift idea I have these beautiful blown glass ornaments on display on our tree.
They are each unique and would be teacher's gifts or for an ornament exchange party.

Look how beautiful they look in the tree.

$19.99 each 

(Belated) Weekly Gift Idea: Beersoap!

I need to do a little catch up with our weekly gift idea. Last week I was too busy eating turkey and forgot to post some weekly gift inspiration.
I love finding local artisans and crafters to feature in the store. This week we are giving a nod to neighbors up north in Menomonee Falls, WI. Milwaukee Beer Soap is a husband and wife team. Jim makes the beer and the soap.
 This is a perfect, unique gift, popular with men and women alike. These soaps smell amazing! Seriously, they fill a room with a great scent. We currently have three to choose from, Clean and Sober ;-), Oatmeal Stout, and Solomon's Bay Rum. I can't even choose a favorite, so you will have to come smell for yourself.

Here are a few pictures of this great product. They even come with a fact sheet to include in your gift wrapping.

At $6.50 it's a bargain as well!

So, if you're looking for something different and you like to support local crafters come in and grab one before they are gone. (It will happen. We already sold out once.)