To Remove or Not to Remove

It's now an accepted fact among antique aficionados that refinishing a piece can greatly diminish its market value.

Long gone are the days of stripping off old paint to get down to bare wood and then laying on a nice new coat of varnish. Instead, terms such as "original surface" or "original paint" or "attic surface" now carry a lot of cachet.

Knowing all of that, I recently faced a dilemma over what to do with a little finial that likely came off an antique curtain rod. As you see in the photo, on one part of the finial is a smear of white paint, which probably got there when someone painted the wall behind the curtain rod.

For better or worse, I decided to leave the smear of paint because removing it would probably do more harm to the underlying original finish than leaving things as they are. Maybe the smear will be unacceptable to some potential buyers, maybe not.

But at least they know it's "original finish" on the finial and not cosmetically cleaned up.

Some Outstanding Recognition

As you probably know, I use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® for my LeFinials projects. The recent article on my work posted on the blog of the Portland design shop The Purple Pear caught the attention of the folks at Annie Sloan Unfolded. They're the American distribution network for the well-known, Britain-based Annie Sloan company.

Apparently the Annie Sloan people visited this blog and also did a tweet regarding my LeFinials Etsy shop, which I'm just getting launched.

My sincere appreciation goes to Phyllis and Amanda at The Purple Pear and to the people at Annie Sloan Unfolded for giving me a sensational boost to my new little business!

An Antique Pink Flame Finial

This unusual antique finial is 10 inches tall and one of a group of five I was able to locate and purchase. I've refurbished them in elegant, decorative colors and attached each one to its own handmade base, adding another two inches in height.

From the moment I first spotted the finials, I found the striking due to their height, shape and carved details. I've used a similar treatment on all five. The finials and bases are all painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® and treated with her dark and clear waxes to maintain the vintage appeal while keeping the finish quite understated.

This particular finial, as an example, is painted in Annie Sloan's Antoinette pink, while the base has an undercoat of Duck Egg Blue, covered with Old White, which is distressed to enable the blue to come through at key points of wear.

This one is available for $45 on my LeFinials Etsy Shop. As I mention in the description: "The overall effect is elegant and understated ~ a perfect touch of compelling colors for a shelf or table-top arrangement. Keep in mind that this finial is a foot tall and worthy of thoughtful display."

French Blue Flame Finial

This flame-style finial is painted an aged blue, with a pinkish base, offering distinctly French appeal. It's 10 inches tall, on a 2-inch base, elegant and understated. Price $45.

Unusual Circular Shape Finial

This 6-inch tall finial on a 2-inch base has an unusual shape, fitting perhaps on the end of a curtain rod. It has its original paint, which is chipped in places and there some damage toward the very top of the finial. The base in in pink and green, and is aged appropriately. Price $27.

Rare Victorian Trimwork Finial

This marvelously aged finial has its original white, very weathered paint. It sits on a pink and cream-washed base for a dash of color. This finial is Sold.

Large Victorian Fence Finial

This Victorian-era finial is from an exterior fence post. It's large and substantial, at about a foot tall. I've attached its own 8-inch-square handmade base painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® deep olive. Both the finial and base are finished with her clear wax for a deepened patina. The antique finial still has its heavily weathered, cracked original white paint that emphasizes its age and endurance. This is a rare architectural element that makes an impressive display item for a shelf or table-top display. Available in my Etsy shop.

Ornate Finial with Weather-worn White Paint

This is the mate to another rare finial, showing extensive weathering like its peer. The base is a yellow and gold combination. This finial is Sold.

Small White Clock Finial

This finial likely was part of a tallcase clock's ornamentation. It is five inches tall and has a 2-inch base in a moderately deep shade of pink. The finial has its original white paint, chipped here and there from years of display. Price $22.

Small, Ornate White Finial

At only 4 inches tall, this little finial still offers an ornate and elaborate design. Its original white paint is chipped here and there, and the olive green stand shows a hint of distressing. Price $22.

Repainted Finial with Red Base

This 5-inch finial is repainted with a blue wash over its original chipped white surface. It sits on a handmade base 3.5 inches square in a bold red. Price $26.

Three Finial Group