I think there are three categories of blog readers. First there are the ones who just look at the pictures, but don’t really read anything I write (come on, I know they are out there … but they probably aren’t reading this, so I’m safe). Then there are those that read my text and look at the photos, hopefully finding both at least slightly entertaining. The last category are those that also read the comments. I know Mr. Q reads comments, as does my sister. How about you? If you don’t, you are missing out! I have quite a few regulars that leave insightful and often funny comments. By the way, if you don’t know how to read the comments, you just click on the little ‘conversation bubble’ that is to the right of the title of the post. Hopefully there is a number in the bubble, because that is the number of comments.
You also might get a little sneak peek into my future projects by reading the comments. In this case, I’m referring to a comment left a while back on one of my posts from Skip. Skip was asking whether or not I’d be interested in some free furniture, all I had to do was drive to St. Cloud to pick it up (about 1.5 hours from here). She later sent me some photos by email, and I was in!
Although originally Skip had offered me a buffet/sideboard and dining room table pair, when I got to St. Cloud she had a couple more pieces that she was parting with and one of them was this sweet little french provincial end table.
Of course I threw this in the truck! I love those graceful legs and the pretty hardware. I knew that some paint would help bring out its charm.
See?
I knew exactly what colors I wanted on this one. I painted the body of the table in Fusion’s Inglenook and the drawer front in Fusion’s Limestone. French provincial, Inglenook and gold hardware make a great combo. I figured this out last year when I painted this lovely french provincial piece …
I love the way this little table turned out.
I distressed the edges just a little, because that’s the way I like ’em. Plus I always feel like if your piece is purposely distressed, than a couple more unintentional distress marks will just blend right in.
This table has a leather insert in the top. I just painted right over it. I’ve done this before using milk paint
Once the paint is cured (in about 21 days), I expect this to be quite durable.
I spruced up the hardware by adding a little gold rub ‘n buff. You could get this same effect using the Gold Leaf Goat Stick (I just couldn’t find mine, I think it rolled under the cupboard in my Q Branch and I still need to dig it out).
This little table is the perfect spot for your cup of tea.
Do you need a spot for your tea? Check out my ‘available for local sale’ tab to find out if this piece is still available.
q is for quandie 
Alright I don’t always read the comments-you caught me.
But oh where is my Skip? I’did have a man come into the store and offer me a dresser . ” it’s in the car if you would like to see it”. I knew I was in when he then said it still had the wheels on it.
I have a piece at home with a leather top which needs painting so I am going to give it a go.
Love the combination of Limestone and Inglenook.
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I suspect the majority don’t read comments, but that’s OK. At least you read the rest 😉 So far so good on the painted leather top. I had no trouble with adherence going on. Let me know how your’s turns out Janice!
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Because I am a Quandie junkie, I read the text, I read the comments, I even sometimes go back the next day to read Linda’s response to the comments. (is that a sickness or a loyalty thing?) I love the little french end table and the colors are beautiful. And good to note that the leather can easily be painted over, I have passed on a table because of the leather insert, won’t next time.
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Woo hoo! I love it Laura! I’m going to call it loyalty and say thank you very much for being a loyal reader! As for leather insets, I too used to pass up furniture all the time if it had a leather top. Then a couple of years ago I brought home a free piece of furniture with a leather top and Ken suggested I just try removing the leather. It was a rather comical moment, because I had never even thought to try that myself. Sure enough, the leather came right out! But it was already loose on that piece, so I’m not sure it would always be that easy to remove. That ‘eureka’ moment took away my fear of leather tops though, and it wasn’t long before I tried just painting them. Either treatment is a good option!
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Comment reader 😉 What is better than free furniture? Well worth the trip to St. Cloud I’d say! I have a french provincial dresser waiting for a spruce, this is inspiring! I also have a leather top round table and wondered about the painting over it…your tips are helpful! Hope you had a nice holiday.
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We spent Easter out at the in-laws. I took some photos of the latest work they’ve done on their house (and in Tom’s shop), so I’ll be sharing that soon!
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As in St. Cloud, FL? If so, you live close to me and I never knew!
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Oh, if only! But no, I’m talking St. Cloud, Minnesota. A much colder St. Cloud!
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Loved it AND read it!
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LOL, thanks Sally!
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Now I know how to easily read the comments!
I needed this post TODAY because I have a French ‘Dixie’ dresser and I’m ready to work on it but I’ve had color paralysis. I have both of these colors and I’m going to get busy! What do you think of a light gel stain on the top?? Too much??
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I think perhaps you might be slightly psychic. I am considering a light wood top on the french provincial buffet that I’ll be painting in Inglenook. But I’m going solid Inglenook on the body (no Limestone). I do worry that two paint colors plus a wood top would be too ‘busy’ for my tastes (although I did do that on this dresser). I think that’s going to be a personal preference sort of thing. Let me know what you end up doing!
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Love reading your blogs Linda ! Loved seeing you, Mike and Debbie yesterday 🙂 BTW…this is the first time I actually read all the comments and wrote one here !!
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Well I am glad you found your way in Sherry, and now that you know about the comments, I bet you’ll enjoy reading them!
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Like Laura, I frequently commented and read all of the comments, usually looking to learn from the experience or opinions of others. After a bit it struck me as slightly “lurky” so backed off a tad. I never enjoyed French Provincial lines until I started seeing painted pieces. The graceful lines took on a new life and now I love them. I too have wondered about otherwise charming pieces with leather inserts. I should have learned from the durability of your painted stool that chalk paint would work- is there anything it doesn’t work on??
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Actually, I think that technically in order to be “lurky” you’d be reading everything but never commenting yourself. Not that there’s anything wrong with that 😉 I’ve been known to do a bit of lurking myself. But my point is that you were never lurky Kim! I love getting each and every comment, so keep ’em coming! It’s the only way that I know whether people are paying attention. As for french provincial, I’m totally on your wavelength. It has never been my favorite either, but I do love it painted!
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I am a reader and a looker! I love this color combo too!
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And a frequent comment-er! Which I very much appreciate Darrielle!
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Apologies for lurkiness sometimes. Love your blog, others comments, your sense of humor…it’s all my inspiration while drinking my cuppa tea in the morn…then I take it all with me and try to utilize some parts ( colors, future pieces of furniture to paint, staging awesome treasures together) while at work. Love it all. Thank you for contantly feeding my brain.
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You are welcome Linda A! No apologies necessary. Glad I can inspire you over tea 😉
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Linda, I read it all because I learn from the comments others leave too. I love your style and the beautiful work you do so your blog is one I really look forward too. Can’t believe you can paint over leather, who knew?
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I’m glad you read it all Becky, I agree, others do leave some good info in the comments! Thanks Becky!
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Read it and looooove it! I am drooling over that little chippy barrel back chair too! You stage your photos so pretty all the time … makes it all look so inviting! Well done! I hope you had a great weekend!
Smiles!
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Thanks Terry. You might remember that chair from {this post}. I artfully disguised the navy blue grain sack stripe with a white fur throw since the navy didn’t really work that well with the aqua on the table.
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Count me in on all counts! Sometimes I lurk, sometimes I comment, sometimes I contribute items I know you will love. I always read the comments, because I like seeing what other people are thinking about your projects. Love the blog…fabulous job as always!
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Thanks Terri! You are the perfect blog reader, a nice mix of everything!
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Great job on the side table. You pick the best colors and this piece has never looked better.
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I’m so glad you like how it turned out! I think the buffet is going to be gorgeous too, when I get it done. I’m saving it up for a special blog post towards the end of April though. So you’re going to have to wait a bit before you see it!
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It’s pretty but a little too fancy for my tastes.
Love the more plain & simple pieces.
Can’t wait to see what other pieces Skip gave away.
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French provincial is not for everyone. It is more feminine and pretty. I’m more drawn to rustic farmhouse sorts of pieces these days myself!
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I always read and look! Sometimes I comment! Your checker board floor is what I have in my bedroom. I am in Australia at the moment so time delay . Love your blog ! Comments are always insightful!
Smiles, alice
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I have three checkerboard floors! I have black and white on my front porch, stained light and dark wood in my kitchen and grey and white in my photo cottage. I LOVE them. I’m tempted to paint my bedroom floor too, but maybe that would be a bit too much?!
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BEAUTIFUL!!! LOVE those colors together! I always read all of your comments. I like the fact that you respond to the comments; so many bloggers do not, even when a question is asked. You amaze me, working full time, painting beautiful pieces and blogging! You have one of the best blogs and I read a lot of them!
Blessings
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Thanks so much Shelly. I think my secret to getting it all done is just simply that I really enjoy painting furniture, and all of the aspects of blogging, the photography, the writing, coming up with post ideas, etc. It’s how I enjoy spending my free time. I will say that the cleanliness of my house has really suffered since I started blogging though!
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Another darling transformation! This blog never disappoints if you are looking for professional photography to go along with clever dialog, plus top notch styling and if painted furniture catches your eye then Q is for Quandie is the place to be. I have been educated, entertained and amused with my visits here. Look forward to each post.
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You are so kind Victoria! And so articulate 😉 Thank you!
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Wow! There was a lot to read. I am guilty of all of those nicknames. Read almost everything. Sometimes I miss one here or there. I really like how the little table looks.
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Thanks sis.
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I read via feedly and sometimes go through to web page but had no idea where the comments were! Will now use the ‘open webpage directly’ option and read the comments regularly. I am also finding I am now an intermittent blog reader and do more instagramming. Do love your work though ;0)
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Thanks Maureen! And I’m glad you know where the comments are now 😉
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I’d call myself a binge reader … I tend to read a week or two’s worth of posts at one sitting. But yours is one blog I will always read because I typically laugh out loud. Although today the laugh came from a comment … St. Cloud, Florida? made me laugh out loud. I went to SCS for a while and my eyelashes froze while waiting for the bus … no joke. Unfortunately, it wasn’t any warmer at the U of M! Florida would have been nice ….. Great piece of free furniture though! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the dining rom set!
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Binge reading is good! Personally I’m also a binge TV watcher. Yeah, who knew there was a St. Cloud in Florida too? There certainly are days, usually in January, when I wish I was closer to that St. Cloud!
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I am a brand new reader of your blog. Love what you did on the french provincial end table! I am also very interested in the chair to the left of the end table. It looks exactly like one I inherited from my mother-in-law, but with your work-over magic done on it. On mine, the wood is still stained brown and it has the original orange upholstered fabric seat (and back attached to the cane – not sure if yours has the upholstered back). I have been trying to decide how to make it over, saw your (partial) picture and love it! Did you discuss the chair re-do in a previous blog? If so, can you point me to it?? If not, can you share your history of your chair? Is it for sale? (I love the one I have and would love to have a matched pair.)
Thanks so much for any info you can share. I am definitely going to become a regular reader of your blog. Love your style 🙂
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Hi Liz! Thanks so much for your comment. I did post about that chair and you can find it {here}. It did not have an upholstered back, which made it easier to make-over I think. I originally intended to keep this chair myself (as you’ll see in the post about it), but it’s not terribly comfy. It’s OK for short term sitting, but I need something that my niece will be comfortable in while watching a movie and this chair doesn’t fit the bill for that. So I’ve been on the lookout for a replacement. If you’re local and still interested after seeing that post, send me an email at qisforquandie@gmail.com and I’ll quote you a price and get you some measurements.
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I started following your blog last summer, I think. I look at everything, including the comments. Love to hear what others think and love that you always respond, which is fairly rare from what I’ve seen in other blogs. Recently I went back to the beginning of your archive and am reading each post. I’m an insomniac so I do my best reading in the middle of the night. I enjoy your blog so much!
I’m fixing up my farmhouse and am thinking of painting the kitchen island in a pale aqua-blue/green color. I’m especially drawn towards the colors you used on these two end tables. Thanks for the inspiration.
P.s. Is it just me or have you noticed that you have a lot of readers named ‘Linda’??
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LOL, it’s not just you! I’ve noticed a lot of Linda’s too. Isn’t that funny? But then, there are a lot of Linda’s out there everywhere. I always had several Linda’s in my classes at school, and until recently was one of 3 Linda’s at my day job (I’m the only one left now!). The color you are admiring is Fusion’s Inglenook and it is one of my favorites. It’s very pretty, very subtle and it pairs beautifully with a warm white. You’ll love the Fusion paint for a kitchen island too since it’s fully washable once cured. I’m so happy that I’ve provided you with reading material to keep you company in the middle of the night. Enjoy!
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