these are a few of my favorite things.

Published on by Quandie

I think the end of the year is always a good time to reflect on what we did over the past year, and think about what we want to accomplish over the next.  One of my biggest accomplishments for 2014 was salvaging over 65 pieces of furniture!  First of all, let me say, even I think that is just plain crazy!  Seriously.  How in the world did I manage that?  Well, we’ve already established that I get a lot of help from Quandie’s cast of characters.  But, aside from that, I also have it down to a science.  I think it saves a lot of time when you know the products you are working with, the steps it takes to renovate a piece of furniture and you have all of your tools and supplies handy and ready to go.  I can also crank them out much faster in the summer when not only can I have 3 or 4 pieces going at once in the Carriage House, but I can work until 9 or 10 pm after coming home from the day job and still have plenty of light.  Things slow down in winter when I only have the space to work on one piece at a time, and photo shoots are relegated to weekends which is the only time I’m home during daylight hours.

To be fair, there are those who might also suggest that I don’t have much of a social life, which just might be true.  I also have a husband who does most of the cooking and cleaning.  And let me also point out, I have 4 mile commute.  Never underestimate the value of living close to your place of work.  I have a solid extra one to two hours per day compared to some of my co-workers who commute longer distances.  Of course, there is also the big one … no children.  That’ll free up some time.

But really, when it comes down to it, my real secret is that I just simply love rehabbing furniture.  I get excited about each new piece.  On weekends I will wake up at 7 a.m. and jump out of bed with anticipation.  I will exhaust myself with a 12 hour marathon of painting, and still have to force myself to put down the brush at the end of the day.  In the end the answer is, do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

So, here it is the end of the year, and we’ve established that I have lots of projects under my belt for 2014, so how about we all pick a favorite?

I’m not sure that I can narrow my choice down to just one though.

I love the way this stenciled dresser turned out, and the crystal knobs worked perfectly without distracting from the stencil.

stenciled dresser

But the black magic dresser was also one of my faves.  I love the little mirror on the back, and the contrast between the black paint and the wood details.

black magic title

This yellow dresser was also one of my faves.  Love the yellow and white together.

summer sunshine after

The minty fresh vanity was also a favorite of mine.  I loved how the custom mixed MMS milk paint turned out, and the little unexpected pop of vintage wallpaper inside the knee hole.

minty fresh vanity

Then there was the first piece that I used vintage wallpaper on, the linen press.  This one, by the way, was my top viewed post of the year at 1,503 views.

wallpaper 1

Yep, I can’t pick just one.  That would be like picking a favorite child.  Let’s call these my top 5.  And now it is your turn, and I expect more from you.  I expect you to just pick one.  Check out my ‘fab furniture’ tab and pick out your favorite for the year.  You can choose from any of them, not necessarily just my five faves.  Please leave me a comment saying which one is your favorite, and maybe something about why you picked it.  I’m going to draw a random comment and send some sort of stash of goodies (yet to be determined) to the winner (deadline to get your name in is Friday, January 2)!

And one last thing as we draw a close to 2014.  Thank you so much to each of you who followed my blog in 2014, and even those who aren’t following, but just randomly reading along.  And an even bigger thank you to each of you who took the time to leave a total of 2,282 comments, and especially my top five commenters (hmmm, not a real word apparently) Victoria, Ginene, Darrielle, Terri and my sis, Debbie!  You guys rock!

Happy New Year everyone!  See you next year!

75 thoughts on “these are a few of my favorite things.”

    1. Thanks Michelle! Hope those wicker suitcases are working out for you. By the way, your quilts continue to amaze me! (Fellow readers, check out Michelle’s blog here to see her amazing quilts) I love the ‘modern cats’ in black and white, fantastic!

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  2. That old black magic dresser for sure! The legs, the color and that mirror…….sigh. I swear I would have paid you any amount to ship that baby to me all the way to NC!! Seriously I’m that crazy over the piece! I love your blog and what you do-I can see how it can be addicting, especially since you are so talented at it!! Keep posting lady! Can’t wait to see what you do this year!

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    1. Thanks Amy! I did look into shipping a dresser once, and it was going to cost around $800. There must be cheaper ways to ship, but no matter what I am sure it is expensive. Alas, you will just have to admire my work from afar 😉

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  3. I really like mid-century furniture so I love the Vintage Moxie and Mid-century Credenza. But I think my favorite is the Travel Work Desk. I would love to have a desk like that to work at. (Of course I still LOVE the piece you gave me for my birthday a few years ago – and it gets many complements from visitors). Happy New Year to You and Mr. Q!

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  4. Out of your top five my favorite is the wallpapered linen press. But i do have to say that it’s a really hard pick. The fab five are indeed just that, absolutely fabulous! I cannot wait to see what you do in 2015!!

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    1. Black is always a classic. I have a lot of black pieces in my own home … let’s see, 7 to be precise. Wow, I’ve never counted them up before. Yep, 7. I say go for it Bonnie!

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  6. The Linen Press is my favorite of 2014. I had not seen your blog until another vendor in the market shared it with me as an inspiration piece. I loved it and went back to other posts … Your work is truly beautiful and it influenced me to try to keep my painting true to the piece…to wait until it spoke to me. Your work is consistently elegant and has your “signature “on each rehab. I look forward to your email each day now…and I try to replicate your art. My goal this year is to complete 2 pieces each week.

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    1. Thank you so much Janice! I have to say, people are going to think I bribed you to leave me such a nice comment 😉 But, I’ll take it. And can I say, I love your cabinet in Grain Sack and Eulalie’s Sky. I also love the yellow and white dresser that is pictured in your shop window. Such a sweet shade of yellow. Would you share what paint that is with me? (Fellow readers, check out Janice’s work here).

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      1. Thank you. My daughter Jenna painted the hutch …the yellow dresser was painted with Country Chic in Creme Brûlée and the drawers in Vanilla Frosting. thanks for going on our website…such an honour. It’s right up there with Marion ( Miss Mustard Seed) giving Jenna a little chair she painted at the Toronto Homeshow..

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  7. Hi there, my fav would have to be the “old black magic” dresser. This dresser is what led me to your website, and I am ever so grateful! After seeing this one I was just in awe at ever new piece I saw of yours. Beautiful work! Happy New Year and congratulations on the 65 pieces. : )

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  9. My favorite piece continues to be your gray re-styled sideboard. Along with loving the neutral, go with everything color, the fact that it is re-purposed into something that fits with modern lifestyles is just beyond fabulous!

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  10. Wall papered linen press/dresser is my favorite piece. I have loved all of your pieces, and I am amazed at your talent! I wish I lived closer to you!
    Blessings

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  11. The minty fresh vanity is my favorite. So unique, light and refreshingly feminine. The
    perfect color choice to compliment the style of the furniture.

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    1. I really loved how that one turned out as well, with just a hint of color. I have another vanity to work on next, and I am torn about color. Still pondering it. Stay tuned to see it soon. Thanks Mary!

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  12. I LOVE the wallpapered linen press dresser and was ready to come pick it up until my hubby said he wasn’t thrilled with the vintage wallpaper (I’m ignoring him next time), but I also LOVE the old black magic dresser. It’s very dramatic with the ornate details and strong color, but also a classic, timeless piece. While I don’t comment a lot, I do faithfully read your posts with my coffee every morning that you publish them. I think you have an amazing amount of talent and creativity. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks Kristy! I am glad to know that people are reading, even if they aren’t commenting. And to be honest, I do that myself with quite a few blogs. As for ignoring the hubby, I find that is always the best course of action when making these sort of decisions (sorry Mr. Q, but you know it’s true).

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  13. First, let me say that every piece you paint is absolutely beautiful, you are a master! For my favorite(s) I am torn between the Summer sunshine dresser and the tall duck egg blue dresser since they are both beautiful, tall, vintage dressers. I am just at the beginning of the painting furniture journey and your blog has been a great inspiration to me.

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  14. At work so This is just a quickie comment for now. My top fav is not one of your five. It was a dark blue dresser. I will have to go back and find the name of it. Get back to you on that. Have a Happy New Year and talk to you soon.

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      1. I ended up picking four because I couldn’t decide on just one. The Hudson, the HMS Atissimo Dresser, the Silver Linings Dresser and the Aubusson Cupboard. There are so many good ones and all so very different.

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      2. When you originally said the ‘dark blue one’ (in your first comment), I went and looked and realized I’d done a few. I figured you either meant the Hudson or the Patriot. Thanks sis.

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  15. Top five, huh? My favorites tend to be the black pieces, so I think the Old Black Magic and Silver Linings dressers are the top two. Then there are so many more pieces! Three other standouts would be the Coco Vanity, the Patriot blue dresser, and the one of a kind Dried Lavender desk. So many wonderful transformations!

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    1. All fab choices Annie! I think it must be the artist in you that is drawn to those last colors … the Artissimo blue and the Dried Lavender, they are lovely colors. Thanks!

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  16. For me the winner is: Travel the World Desk. I really like the use of the maps and I’m a pushover for a sweet little desk that fits almost anywhere. You certainly have completed so many lovely pieces. It’s a bit of a job just finding the proper pieces to redo so I commend you for that as well. I’m looking forward to where 2015 takes you and “your” color of the year.

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  17. Q-
    There are so many favorites. Janice’s comment is spot on. I recognized that you are miles above the average painter the first time I saw your blog and marked it as a favorite. You are doing something different than other painters. I liked Janice’s comment that you paint true to the piece, that may be the explanation
    My favorite is the linen press. I love the color and I LOVE the wallpaper. It takes me right back to my upstairs grandmother’s sewing room with the sun streaming in the Priscilla curtains. That 150 year old house was torn down a couple of months ago to make room for a McMansion but I carry it in the back of my mind. Looking at that piece of furniture brings all that emotion and the memories up to the front again.
    Ginene

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    1. Ginene, it is always a pleasure to read your comments. I can just picture you in grandma’s sewing room. And can I just say, how sad that her house was torn down. I wish we placed more value on such things in our country, but it seems that we are a throw away society. Thanks so much for being one of my top contributors of comments for 2014! Happy New Year!

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  18. Happy New Year! My favorite of your top 5 is the linen press. I have a thing for amoires 🙂 The colour and trim, wallpaper – a little touch of spring right now! I like the black dresser as well & have one on my list to do this weekend. I am looking forward to see your 2015 projects – you are an inspiration. Btw – I am a Canadian fan/follower 🙂

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    1. Hello neighbor to the north! Well, actually, depending where you are in Canada, you might not actually be north of me, but close enough. Thanks for your comment, and p.s. my grandmother’s name was Carrie, so it is a favorite of mine 😉

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  19. First off I have to say that your blog has provided me with with so much pleasure this past year. In my vocation as a designer I think favorite part is seeing a space for what it can be. Sometimes rooms need a fresh perspective. You have an uncanny ability to do that for furntiure. I love that ding on my iPad when Quandie has sent another post into my mailbox. I truly loved your comment about ” jumping out of bed at seven on Saturday morning to paint for 12 hours!, Dang Girl that is passion and that translates to these cast off pieces as you breathe new life into them.
    I had a hard time selecting ONE piece. First I narrowed it down to ten and then five and then I cursed you for asking this of me….then I forgave you since you do all the work and I just merely comment on your works of art. For me it is the Boxwood Dresser it makes me happy just to look at it. The color is amazing and I think totally unexpected. The lines of the piece are beautiful and I dream of building a design scheme around it. I know you only asked for one but the Sweet Writing Desk also rocks my world. Once again wonderful lines and the black takes it from the 1950’s and gives a wow factor. I also love the Stenciled Dresser I always look for a statement piece to build a room around this would be it for guest bedroom it’s just Wowza!

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  20. Black magic is my favorite, I just love the contrast with the wood tone. Thanks for giving new life to these sweet old treasures!

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  22. Right away I have to say, there is not one piece I wouldn’t love to have and really mean that! But I have to admit, I am a nut for a side table and when my husband and I are out “junking” if there is any one thing I am likely to come home with, it is a table. So, my vote is for the Sunnyside table! I love it!

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    1. Awesome! I’m glad you voted for this one. It’s been a little neglected, and even as we speak it is out shivering in my cold Carriage House where it is patiently waiting for the next Carriage House sale. Thanks Barb!

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  23. Pingback: my favorite things, part deux. | q is for quandie

  24. My very favourite is the Linen Press Dresser. But it is so difficult to chose just one of your masterpieces. I love everything you do. I have not written in your blog before as I was so in awe of everything you do and am amazed that you have the energy to do it. Obviously everyone sings your praises and all I can say is keep up the positive attitude and all best wishes for a wonderful painted 2015. Betty from Ontario ,Canada.

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    1. That was an experiment that really ended up working well, they don’t all end up that way 😉 I always figured I could paint over the wood at the end if it looked funny, but instead it looked fab! I’m glad you liked it.

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  27. So hard to choose but I think my favorite is the 1902 vanity. It has so many things that I love: color choice, stencil, hardware, language I can’t read (ha) and distressing!
    Most people would say “I don’t have room for a dressing table” or “it’s not practical” but when you make it look like that it’s hard to resist! On a sidenote, my friend and I have a debate going about whether you have a secret prop room in your house where you keep all your fab things for your photo shoots or you just run around the house grabbing up things as the mood strikes when a piece is finished. Also, when stuck my friend always says “what would Quandie do “… Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. WWQD? I love it! Well … you and your friend are both right, it’s a little of each. I blogged about my photo cottage (which is really just a former playhouse in the back yard) where I have a cabinet full of props, you can read about it here. But aside from the things in that cabinet, I also do often run around the house grabbing up things as the mood strikes. And now that winter is here, I am finding I hate to run out to the photo cottage to get props so I’m using more things from in the house. Also, in case you are wondering, I would say that at least 99.9% of my props are from garage sales!

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  29. I loved the stenciled dresser with the crystal knobs. It appeared to be a great size that could be used in sooooo many ways. A bedroom of course. But what about an entry/ foyer. A living room for storage and maybe a TV. A dining room. Martha Stewart likes to store her dishes in drawers. And if one was so lucky to have a large bathroom it would be great as an alternative to the traditional linen closet. The color would be perfect with marble on the vanity. Just a little fantasy of mine. But really I think everyone of your pieces are fabulous. Can’t wait to see want you find in 2015. Happy hunting

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  30. My favorite has to be Summer Sunshine, probably because I adore the summer months, smelling the grass & flowers, eating on patios (love our time on yours!), hearing the birds chirp and feeling the sun. This dresser awakes all my summer senses when I look at it. The lighter “cut outs” compliment the beauty of your painted masterpiece. You are truly an artist, Linda. Lucky you.

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    1. Thanks Cathy! You and I might be in the minority, since I picked that one as a fave too, but not many others did. That yellow just makes you feel more cheerful, right?

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    1. It feels like forever ago that I painted that one, although it was really just last January. I still remember the gal that purchased it. She was converting an 1800’s school house into a home and looking for period specific pieces. It was fun to think of that dresser going to such a cool home! Thanks for voting Cyndi!

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  33. Summer Sunshine would probably be my favorite piece, although you make it very hard to choose! I came across your blog while hunting for furniture on Craigslist and I have been following for about a year now. I just love your pieces and the craftsmanship that goes into them! I am starting to decorate my first home and I would love to snatch up a few of your pieces when my budget allows. In the meantime, fabulous work Q! You are an inspiration…

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  34. I love everything that you do and I love that it’s always something to give me inspiration! I love geting email updates from your blog and I am never disappointed!! Happy new year to you!! 😀
    Jessica

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