We are usually as swamped as can be back in the workshop at Willow Creek Gallery. However, we recently took the time to snap a few pictures while working on this beautiful French Bank of Drawers. We wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the journey some of our most original pieces take on their transformation from plain to elegant.

Here, the bank of drawers waits patiently for our attention. The missing drawer is off to the side undergoing a few preliminary tests.

In its former setting this piece was a “built-in.” This is similar to most modern american kitchen cabinets and means that it does not have, in this case, any: sides, back, or top. So, one of our tasks will be to turn this unfinished and unpleasant side into a thing of beauty.

As with most painted pieces we work on, the paint runs layers deep. We never know what colors we may find during our excavation. Here under the blue we found white. The blue and white gradate to create many tones from dark pure blue to pillowy whites evoking peaceful images of the ocean meeting the sky.

We decided that while drawers are nice, drawers AND shelves are better. Here we convert two rows of drawers into large shelve cubbies. These could be used to display sculpture, picture frames, books, or almost anything.

We give the same treatment of paint layer “digging” to the drawers. On this piece we exposed some of the wood grains hidden beneath the white paint.

A thick layer of wax will finish off every inch of the paint and wood adding both luster and protection.

In order to tie in the addition of the sides with the paint precedent we coat and distress with white paint.

Standing proudly in the showroom after all our work is done this beautiful piece awaits your visit.

Come down to our Old City location and see all the marvels now unloaded from Willow Creek Gallery’s Forty-Third French Container.