I was 32 when I got married and my husband was 34.
Getting married a little later in life meant we both came with stuff…a lot of it! I had an apartment full of furniture and he had a house full. Not just his own bachelor stuff, but a lot of inherited pieces that came from his grandparents.
One of those pieces was this grandfather clock.
It’s not an expensive antique, but it’s a clock with a lot of sentimental value.
It was a kit that his grandparents bought when they inherited a small amount of money from a beloved relative. They liked the idea of buying something they could work on together while creating a special keepsake.
This clock sat in our foyer for several years and blended in with the oak banister and the other oak features in our house. Although I loved and respected the fact that this piece has some meaning for my husband and his family, I did not love the oak facade blending in with everything else in our home.
I recently approached my husband and my mother-in-law and asked them if I could paint it. They both agreed and I got started on it a few days ago.
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in graphite. I gave it one coat of AS clear wax and then a coat of AS dark wax. I love how the brass and gold elements of the clock now pop and look so much richer.
I also experimented a little and mixed some gold craft paint with AS clear wax and waxed the inset at the bottom. It looks better in person than in the pictures but I’m still not sure if I’m going to keep it this way. I’ll live with it for awhile to see how I feel about the gold inset over time.
I moved the clock into my dining room corner and I am loving it there with it’s new makeover. And, I love the fact that this family heirloom is still a part of our home!
If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I am SLOWLY making over my dining room. It is nearing completion and I’m hoping to show it to you soon! I love how the updated clock looks in the corner. It really helps finish off the room!
What projects are you working on today?
Thanks for reading!
Linking up to:
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Miss Mustard Seed
The Shabby Nest
It’s Overflowing
DIY Showoff
Between Naps on the Porch
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This looks so great. I’ve never been a fan of these clocks but I love them painted! Great job.
Now it looks more like an olden clock but with lots of new charm. We have our grandfather clock in the dining room. I like it there. It’s beautiful…and far enough from my bedroom that it doesn’t keep me up at night.
We actually (me and my hubby) just got ours as a wedding present a few days ago and I don’t knotice it hardly ever! I usually have to try and listen to hear the *bong* noise.
What a perfect transformation. I think it stands out so much more painted.
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your dining room reveal.
Hugs, Gee
It looks amazing! Yay, that the family said “yes” to you painting. It seems that is rarely the case.
Awesome job Julie! It looks gorgeous and the graphite was the perfect color choice. Sharing on my FB page. 🙂
Your clock turned out amazing. I am falling in love with that graphite paint the more I find great pieces such as yours painted with it. Enjoy your clock!
I looks wonderful, I love the color. It totally updates the clock. I would love for you to join my Inspire Me party that will be live Monday evening. http://www.astrollthrulife.net Hugs, Marty
What a fabulous makeover! I love the color you chose. My parents have an old grandfather clock. I have to show them how you made over yours. They will love it! Coming over from Between Naps on the Porch and a happy new follower. =)
Jeanine
Funny…if someone asks ahead of time “Should I paint it?” the majority answers “No”….but if you present the transformed clock after you’ve painted it…everyone loves the finished item. I’m right there too…I probably would never have the nerve to paint my Grandfather clock or my Grandmother clock, but I like what yours looks like painted. I’m getting the urge to try the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on something myself. Looking forward to seeing it in your finished dining room. I too found you through “Between Naps on the Porch.” I’m enjoying finding new blogs. I got bogged down again in trying to create my own blog. Two, weak and tiny, orphaned kittens appeared on my doorstep; so it’s been midnight feedings and worrying about them 24/7. Now they are at the juvenile delinquent stage and we are too busy watching their antics, to do anything else!
Joyce
So true, Joyce! I’m always met with skepticism whenever I want to paint something and then everybody loves it when it’s done!
Good luck with your kittens. They sound so cute! 🙂
What a good transformation! It looks fanstastic!
The clock looks great and it is nice that the family piece better suits your style/home now.
The transformation is beautiful! It brings a new life to such a wonderful heirloom. So happy they let you paint it.
Just found you at the Blissful & Domestic blog hop. Your blog name attracted me…I just knew you must be from Texas (me too!)
Hi! Thanks for linking up to Home{work} Wednesday! I love this makeover. A few years ago when my parents went suddenly to a nursing home they had a clock like this that I sold for a pittance. At that time I was overwhelmed by life and wasn’t into DIY as much. Now I could just cry over it, but it’s just one of those things you live with. I did keep my mom’s hutch which I”ve made over with chalk paint.
I struggle too with painting furniture that either has sentimental value or compromising the value; however, I think by painting and updating particular pieces of the past only enhances the piece and you tend to enjoy them more…I love the graphite!…Beautiful job and looks great in the dining room…hopped over from Savvy Southern!!
I’m so glad I found this post. I have the EXACT clock tat my grandfather made from a kit as well. Ave been thinking of chalk painting it. Now I have inspiration! Thanks!
I’m so glad I could be your inspiration! I love how this clock turned out and am so happy I painted it! Good luck!
Julie, what kind of clock is it? By that I mean what does the dial say? It resembles an Emperor clock. The company I work for owns Emperor and can get replacement parts movement wise if need be. Any way great job and beautiful clock. They are special heirlooms!
Beautiful! Did you leave the inside the original wood? It doesn’t appear black (graphite) in the photo…
Julie,
I have this same exact clock. Do you know the name or model of this clock?
Thanks in advanced!
Unfortunately, I know very little about the clock. My husband’s grandparents made it from a kit and that’s all the information I have. 🙁