A friend who lives up the hill called. He reminded me that he was make a haul to the dump. I threw the phone down and raced up the hill. He lives in an old big house. His style is art deco. Anything not deco was going to the dump. Including three door panels with ribbons, bows and flowers. A bit girly even for me. But the dump is no home for an antique girly or not!
Carrying them home I went through the apartment in Paris in my mind, wondering how or if I could use them:
Bedroom... nowhere.
Kitchen... nope.
Living room... no.
Entrance... Doors are needed for the closets, but these are too small.
Bathroom... Bingo, light bulb moment. I could have the builder transform them into a wall cabinet for toiletries.
Happy happy!
When I got home I opened a can of paint, took out some wax... Here is a sneak peek, I am not sure of the final color. But wood, not a nice looking wood at that, is not what I am after.
Hopefully, I will work something out. If the panels don't work for the apartment, I will have to find a home for them.
I don't know if you have Gilders Paste there - you can add hints of color to the flowers - comes in all sorts of colors. Probably an equivalent product there that could do the same thing. I did that on a wooden mirror with flowers - wanted to "age" it from basic black and highlight (more) the raised wood.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | 21 April 2013 at 08:15 PM
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for saving them!
Posted by: DeeDee Clark | 21 April 2013 at 08:34 PM
that was a good friend who would call you and tell what he was going to do. Go to the dump. you are absolutely right. nothing old or antique should go to a dump. when i was child i found one of my treasured finds in a dump,so i should not say never throw anything in the dump. if you do,please warn someone. good find Corey, i like that greyish white on the doors now. Bestest
Posted by: Denise Solsrud | 21 April 2013 at 08:35 PM
Gorgeous! If you need to find them a home, you just let me know..They can come to Kansas!
Posted by: gail | 21 April 2013 at 08:38 PM
Genius!!!
Posted by: Laurie SF | 21 April 2013 at 08:40 PM
Love the grayish white color. Gorgeous!! A touch of romance. Would love to have it in my own home.
Posted by: Lindy Rowland | 21 April 2013 at 08:42 PM
Nice looking panels.
Posted by: Alan from Chicago | 21 April 2013 at 08:43 PM
Lovely grey/white beginning that I see . . . I look forward to seeing your final result.
Great "throw away" find . . .
Posted by: Lynne | 21 April 2013 at 08:51 PM
Now they need to be a bit "distressed" with some sandpaper to add back that antiqued appeal. Love them!!
Posted by: Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic | 21 April 2013 at 08:57 PM
OHHHHHH! You were smart to get those! I think they are beautiful! They WOULD look great as as tall cabinet for the bathroom....I also like the grey/whitewash look for them!
Posted by: Brenda L. from TN. | 21 April 2013 at 09:24 PM
love how you transformed them, corey! magnifique! you are making progress, young lady.. thanks for sharing..
Posted by: Lana Kloch | 21 April 2013 at 10:27 PM
Love them painted....way to go Corey.
Posted by: Diogenes | 21 April 2013 at 11:01 PM
Beautiful Corey. Love the idea of using them for a cabinet door. Not sure what size they are, but could you use them as a headboard?
Posted by: Becky F | 21 April 2013 at 11:28 PM
Great doors, Corey...great rescue. Boy, if the dump could talk!
Happy decorating,
Julie M.
Posted by: Julie M. | 21 April 2013 at 11:54 PM
You are a girl genius! The panels are definitely too good for the dump and your paint choices are great.
Posted by: martina | 21 April 2013 at 11:57 PM
Those are beautiful....and free! It was your lucky day!
Posted by: karen | 22 April 2013 at 12:26 AM
Seriously lucky day! Every now and then a friend does this to me, love it!!
Posted by: Rhonda | 22 April 2013 at 12:36 AM
They are beautiful and I love what you did to them.
Posted by: Marilyn | 22 April 2013 at 02:49 AM
you just transformed your bathroom into a destination! you can make it work. and if not those doors, you will find something equally as magical!!! ooolala lizzieb
Posted by: liz briskin | 22 April 2013 at 03:16 AM
Maybe window shutters .... Or turned horizontally
they could be dresser drawer fronts.
Posted by: Ginny | 22 April 2013 at 03:22 AM
Oh I wish I had such friends...
Posted by: Do you love him Loretta (Arda) | 22 April 2013 at 03:28 AM
That is recycling at its best! Love the gray, so much better!
Posted by: Kieren Dutcher | 22 April 2013 at 04:56 AM
Corey those are amazing! I love the painted look so much!
Posted by: Jill Flory | 22 April 2013 at 05:11 AM
The doors are wonderful! They would also be useful as lids to simple boxes to store misc. things in for guests.
Posted by: Jeannie | 22 April 2013 at 05:33 AM
Love the look of the doors already - can I ask how you got that look?- you mentioned paint and wax. I am sure they'll look great in your Parisian apartment.
Posted by: Debbie | 22 April 2013 at 06:23 AM
Stunning results - Bravo!
Posted by: 24/7 in France | 22 April 2013 at 09:08 AM
Corey - you're so clever.... that coat of paint has transformed them from dull and over-ornate to classic elegance! Hope you do find a home for them in your flat.
Posted by: Kit | 22 April 2013 at 09:18 AM
Hi Corey, they look gorgeous. Can you tell me how you get that look? Is it a chalk paint? Did you have to strip back the lacquer, or did you just start painting straight over the top? Your hand and eye, are well tuned to add that touch of magic!
Posted by: Petra Leaford | 22 April 2013 at 09:45 AM
I love how different the panel looks now!
Can you come to my home and teach me how to paint a wall grey, please?
Posted by: Merisi in Vienna | 22 April 2013 at 09:51 AM
Oh I love this idea! Hope it will work out for the bathroom cabinets.
Posted by: Irina | 22 April 2013 at 12:11 PM
Interesting idea, not fond of that wood color either, but the change is fab and to learn about Gilders Paste here too......the grayish white is right on in my eyes.....major improvement to the overboard frou frou look.....Love it! XO
Posted by: Suzanna | 22 April 2013 at 03:07 PM
Nice dumpster diving! If the cabinet idea doesn't work out you could cut out the middle panel with the ornamental piece and glue/nail it to the closet doors or any door.
Posted by: Ann | 22 April 2013 at 06:22 PM
How brilliant, love the transformation the paint gives them. You are sooo smart + he is a wonderful friend so glad you were at home for that phone call. You will use them some where. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Posted by: Peggy Braswell | 22 April 2013 at 06:39 PM
Love the panels! The design is beautiful and I can't wait to see what you do with them.
Posted by: Jody | 22 April 2013 at 07:12 PM
Oh, please use them in the apartment! They are gorgeous! Just wall art if nothing else works.
Posted by: Teddee Grace | 22 April 2013 at 07:33 PM
Oh my goodness, so pretty. They just don't make things the way they used to...
Posted by: Celeste | 22 April 2013 at 08:21 PM
Beautiful, why can't they just hang on the walls as art
Posted by: Dd | 22 April 2013 at 08:51 PM
Absolutely stunning! You will add amazing beauty and ambience to the apartment!
Posted by: Christine | 23 April 2013 at 10:51 AM
absolutely beautiful!! i agree..if it doesn't work out..put them on the wall as art or send one to me ;0)
Posted by: sarah webb | 25 April 2013 at 03:09 AM