Thursday, October 20, 2011

The Evil Cherub

OK, maybe this cherub wasn't evil, but he did creep me out a little when my husband brought him home. He didn't look like this,




he looked like this.



Bright gold, wicked expression, and funky paper top.



Now, I love gold when it's vintage and gilded. That wasn't the case here.




I didn't like the factory finish, and I thought the top was too big. I wanted the cherub to be the focus.  I replaced the top with a smaller one.  Next, I added a little filler to the area around the cherubs eyes, so the expression wasn't so severe.  I applied multiple layers of white primer, followed by two coats of  gesso.  I then did a wash of my own mix (black, brown,and green) of acrylic paint to give it an antiqued look.






My cherub no longer creeps me out, and he's the focus of this little table.



One last artsy shot.  I gave him one of my plaster roses.



Sharing With:
Primitive & Proper: Piece of Work Wednesday
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Monday
The DIY Showoff: DIY Project Parade
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
Remodelaholic: Remodelaholics Anonymous
Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday
The Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
2805: Potpourri Party
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday


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46 comments:

  1. Katie @ Wildwood CreekOctober 20, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Big improvement! Love the gesso treatment, rose, and the top is a better fit. I think your angel has repented!

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  2. The Paupers CastleOctober 20, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    SOOOOO much better! I would agree, his expression was a little harsh in the beginning. You fixed that. Lovely!

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  3. ChrissieOctober 20, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    You certainly improved this little guy!

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  4. IdoOctober 20, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    That cherub doesn't know how lucky he is to have ended up in your hands, you made him so beautiful!
    XXX Ido

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  5. Little City FarmOctober 20, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    Ha ha ha, he looked like he could shoot laser beams out of his eyes in the before version. Geez. Nice job making him into a gentleman cherub.

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  6. Richard CottrellOctober 20, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Color me bad, but I liked the gold, i think I would have marblized the top to look like white marble and toned down the gold. i am sure what you have done looks great oalso. That is why we have salt and pepper. Richard from my Old Historic House.

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  7. Our Hopeful HomeOctober 20, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Eeeeeeewwwwww! He really was creepy! Much better!

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  8. Julie MarieOctober 20, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Hi there, I am coming over from Debra's at Common Ground... love what you did with your cherub, simply beautiful!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  9. Karina RussellOctober 20, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    This is one of your best! I don't know if I would have thought to put plaster on his eyes, but that changed him from demonic looking to cherubic and the smaller top does look way better.

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  10. reFresh reStyleOctober 20, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    He does look much better, and the smaller table top is perfect!
    Debbie

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  11. KellyOctober 20, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Your cherub is much prettier now! She would look nice in my house! The gold just wasn't working in her favor. So, glad you came to the rescue.

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  12. Christine @ Stonehouse LivingOctober 20, 2011 at 5:38 PM

    Hi Rosemary,

    Love all of your special touches on this one...made a big difference. Love the little plaster rose!

    All the Best,
    Christine

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  13. The Polka Dot ClosetOctober 20, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    It looks sooo sweet now well almost angelic LOL! Great job!

    Carol

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  14. Debra@CommonGroundOctober 20, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    Rosemary, you did a great job on this. I can see the "creepy". the white finish is soooo much better. And speaking of "filler" around the eyes, I could benefit from a little of that myself! LOL! xoxo

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  15. UnknownOctober 20, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    He's not creepy at all...anymore :) And wow that husband of yours, what a keeper, I don't think mine would have seen any potential in the gold monstrosity that was.

    Thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog.

    I am off to view more of your fantastic work.

    Caroline

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  16. Honey at 2805October 20, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Your cherub table is fabulous!

    Thank you for linking this lovely post to Potpourri Friday! Your participation is appreciated!

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  17. Deborah MarchOctober 20, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Looks SO much better white!

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  18. lvroftiquesOctober 20, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    He was just a tad creepy Rosemary! Lol! But sooo much better now! What a cutie. Vanna

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  19. Cheryl ~ ZanyMaydOctober 20, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    He's now the Sweet Twin of the Creepy Cherub ~ How in the world did you replace the top? Always in Awe of Your Transformations..... Have a wonderful weekend!
    Cheryl

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  20. Bella's Rose CottageOctober 20, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Hi Rosemary,
    Beautiful makeover! The gold wass yucky! Love the soft patina wash you created!
    Bella

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  21. AnonymousOctober 20, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    It's hard to believe that a cherub could creep anyone out! LOL LOL

    I agree with you, on the gold and LOVE the "new cherub with the sweet expression instead of the one that creeped you out". LOL

    Kris

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  22. PJH DesignsOctober 20, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Gosh Rosemary he was creepy but he is beautiful now. Thanks for sharing. Peggy

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  23. sjmcdowellOctober 20, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    A much happier cherub now!!
    You did a wonderful job on it!! :)

    Hugs,

    Susan

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  24. ReviOctober 20, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    So much nicer! You have a good eye for what needs to be done. :)
    -Revi

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  25. sjmcdowellOctober 20, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Hello again!!

    I am now officially a follower of yours!! I tried earlier when I left the first message and blogger was up to it's old tricks.
    Glad I came back to try again!!
    Thank you for visiting me before and commenting on my Miss Daisy. She sends a big Purrrrr your way!!

    Hugs and smiles,

    Susan
    xxoo

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  26. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    I will never understand why people put that awful gold on cherubs. Like you said, the old stuff looks good, but if it's done wrong...well there are a lot of old gold cherubs that are at the thrift stores these days. I bought a few of them last year and noticed no matter where I bought them, the cashier gave me the look like "Why is anyone buying THAT?" I always felt the need to tell them I knew the gold was ugly, but I was going to make them a lot better with white paint and aging stuff to make them shabby chic.

    Yours looks much better with the top more in scale too. Very nice work.

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  27. andrea@townandprairieOctober 21, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    Looks like Mr V is learnin' the trade! Developing an eye for what has potential out there! andrea@townandprairie

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  28. Joyce - Quilted NestOctober 21, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    Wow - you did a lot of work on this one. Gesso? I've never worked with it. You had amazing foresight - love it!

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  29. Cottage and BroomeOctober 21, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    I am always amazed at the great things your hubby brings home for you! Your makeover is so much better!!! Beautiful! Thanks for stopping by, it is nice to know you live on the other side of the lake! Laura Cottage and Broome

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  30. Miss KittyOctober 21, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I saw your thumbnail picture over at "Miss Mustard Seed"'s Friday party and thought " I wonder if that is Rosemary from VillaBarnes", and it IS...another fabulous re-do. I'm glad you fixed the little fellow's devil eyes.

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  31. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)October 21, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    Hi darling, He is "incredible" looking now! What a fantastic job! hugs ~lynne~

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  32. Curtains in My TreeOctober 21, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Thats correct you are the queen of gesso LOL

    you did good , really I liked it both ways (sorry)

    xoxo

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  33. Nyanser av vittOctober 21, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    So lovely. Wish you a nice weekend

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  34. SherryOctober 21, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Beautiful finish on both the cherub and table!

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  35. outjunkingOctober 21, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Bravo!
    Lisa

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  36. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    so much better...a softer, gentler look make the cherub pleasant and friendly...sweet table..
    best,
    maureen

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  37. AnonymousOctober 21, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    You clever lady! He is very cute now, as opposed to creepy! Well done. God bless x

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  38. SarahOctober 21, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    He DOES look evil! The white paint definitely makes him look a LOT more angelic and sweet. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog BTW!

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  39. rachaelkOctober 21, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment! LOVE all of your vintage finds and creations - you are very talented. Just became a new follower!

    Rachael :)

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  40. Deneen@dreaming-n-colorOctober 21, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Much better than the gold! Love it!

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  41. LiliOctober 22, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    You just amaze me how you thought to correct that with gesso and paint. I've passed up many a cherub because of their little hoodlum look, what a lovely creature you have transformed him into! ~Lili

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  42. marieDeeOctober 22, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    Great! I would not have seen the potential in the little gold guy!

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  43. RhissannaOctober 24, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Oh, he cleaned up a treat! Gorgeous paint finish and you're absolutely right about the scale of the table top being too big. Now we can see the cherub, not the table. Wonderful!

    And thank you for the comment on my skeleton fairies. Yah, they're a little weird. But when else could we be weird, if not at Halloween? *giggles*

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  44. MichelleOctober 24, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    I think he's really cute!
    A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

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  45. Cassie BustamanteOctober 25, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    what an improvement! he is so much cuter! :)

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  46. The Charm of HomeOctober 25, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Oh Rosemary! You worked magic on that piece! Much better. Not so scary. LOL Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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