Do you remember when I tore out the breakfast bar? This is the miracle I found waiting for me. Our kitchen has always been FREEZING cold in the winter. We had one puny heat register on the east wall...it did nothing....so basically we just froze all winter. SOOO, when I discovered this I nearly jumped out of my skin. A COVERED HEAT REGISTER!!!! Who would trade a heat register for a breakfast bar? Not me and my icicle fingers. After further investigation it appeared that the original register cover would have been just like the others in our house....but it was long gone. Thus began my search for a replacement...because I wanted HEAT darnit.
Which led me here. If you live anywhere near here...or not that near...just depends on how desperate you are....you need to visit the Friends of Historic Preservation Salvage Barn in Iowa City. They rock. And have ANYTHING your heart desires to restore your big ole house to original.
This is the big beauty I came home with. The hubster just holds his tongue and waits for results. He admitted afterward he thought (once again) I was a kook for bringing this sad looking thing home. Trust in me, young one.
And in my new best friend, Citristrip. Have you met? You must.
First I took the register apart, which was a bit of a challenge....but nothing a little brute force doesn't solve.
Slathered on the Citristrip. Waited 
Which resulted in this. The highly coveted zebra finish was waiting underneath all that paint....WHY OH WHY WOULD YOU PAINT OVER THE ZEBRA FINISH? why. sniffle...sniffle.I pondered the next step long and hard. Keep the zebra finish, although it was terribly scratched and marred? Paint over the zebra finish? I pondered more and more....right up until I had the primer can in my hand....and then I pondered another ten minutes. I actually had a stomach ache trying to decide.
But I did it. And I don't regret it one bit. Look at that gorgeous girl!
YES YES YES. Step by step...we'll get there.
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i know the feeling. my kitchen has two big windows, a door and no heat vent. it's always the coldest room. sadly, i don't think i have any hidden radiators.
ReplyDeleteyour cover looks great though. i'm glad you decided to paint it.
I am so impressed! I was a Historic Preservation major and am always blown away by what you can find at salvage places! You rock!
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteA. I"m so glad you found the heat vent. You need that baby for all the baking you'll be doing in the winter. =)
B. I've been wanting to make a trip to that Iowa City place. Now I must.
C. And, I'm ashamed to admit that I totally would have painted over the zebra finish originally. I've never even heard of zebra finish below. (I'm hanging my head in shame.) I love it black. All our original vent covers in our house still look like your before. I'm disgustingly lazy and I have never stripped a piece before. I should do that before I move. Looks so amazing as the after.
Oh my goodness that is so cool! That really looks like a lot of hard work. You have loads of patience! Now you will be warm again. Yea!
ReplyDeleteLooking Gooooooood!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you were able to find something that would work so well. I don't know if I would have even attempted/thought of striping it. (I have so much to learn from you) Looks great with a new coat of black paint.
Gorgeous! What are the prices like at that place? I might have to trek over to visit you (and the barn) anyway!
ReplyDeleteI love citristrip....and after seeing these amazing results I am loving it more. I am sure it took for.ev.er but oh so worth it.
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks gorgeous! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great!!!!!!1
ReplyDelete