Heavy snow came to the UK in March and it seemed that winter was never going to end. Dark days, long nights. Commission work just happened to all be grey. And then one day, things began to pick up. I had headed out for a few bits locally and the heavens opened all of a sudden. Thank goodness I didn't run straight back to the car because I found this little gem hiding in the back of a charity shop. One glance at those wooden handles and I had already hatched a plan.
This is a 1950s early G Plan oak chest of drawers. It had certainly seen much kinder days so I didn't feel bad about painting it. After drying it all out (myself included!) I had to bide my time for a short window of opportunity when I could get outside with my 10 layers of clothes on and sand it down. Thankfully the weather held off long enough for me to prep it, fill quite a lot of bad dents and holes, and clean it down ready for painting the next morning.
I honestly don't know where it came from but whilst in the DIY store some time before, I had spied this 'neon apple' and I wanted it. I'm not usually a fan of green but the punch of this colour had me hooked and so it was. Primed and lightly sanded, the drawers were set. No word of a lie here - I am as honest as the day is long - everytime I use something other than GF (ok, 99% of the time) I wonder why I bothered. It's not a bad paint but it took eight coats. Yep. Eight coats. And it took ages to dry. Patience is a fabulous thing to have in this line of business and it was wearing a little thin but I was glad I stuck with it. GF High Performace Top Coat sealed the deal and then it was onto the handles.
I really don't like painting handles and I reaaaaally don't like painting in white. It all takes too long!!! But boy, was it worth it. Safely back in the hands of GF with their 'snow white' and top coat, the handles came out a treat. And as soon as I fixed them back on I couldn't help but do a little dance at the beauty of this bright luminous green against the pure crisp white.
It was only then I was hit with the worrying thought that nobody in their right mind would want such a bright piece. Argh - heart over head. But you know what?! It always works. It was snapped up in less than a day, to a lady who had royal blue in her mind but the second she clapped eyes on the green, she was sold. Amazing. Things do always work out in the end, even if you have to put in a little extra time to get there.
