Madcap Design

Please see my NEW website!

2010-06-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

Click here to go to my new site - Madcap Design Chicago.

Awesome Table Unveiled!

2010-01-04T14:27:00.000-08:00

The top three pics are the "after" photos, the last pic is the "before" pic.

Would you have ever thought this table was anything special? Look at this piece now - the veneer pattern on the top especially- it practically glows now. This was achieved simply by stripping the old, heavy stain off and applying a clear coat to the top. The base we did a distressed black paint. Another reason never to pass by or discard a piece because it doesn't look like much. Some transformations are amazing!

Slipcover Solution - from BackGarage.com article

2009-09-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

closeup of skirt detail

chair with new slipcover and restored legs

chair in original condition

Well, I wanted to show off the super adorable slipcover that I designed and had made for this little desk chair. (yeah, I am no seamstress so I have to have help with all things sewing-related!) I posted this project on BackGarage.com but in case you missed it I wanted to include it here!

Guest Blogger on BackGarage.com

2009-09-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.backgarage.com/2009/09/furniture-fixer-why-upholster-slipcover/

Check out the first installment of articles I will be writing for BackGarage.com!

New ways to follow me!

2009-09-11T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hit me up on Twitter: MadCapGirl

for design tidbits and links to funky shops online full of things I love!

Also, you can read articles from me twice a month on BackGarage.com. Answers to all your repairing, restoring, updating and decorating questions!

Vanity...Love!

2009-08-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Although it appears that this particular vanity is made for some very tall people (I feel like I would barely be able to bend over that sink bowl) I love the concept and the mix of the modern sinks with the antique, shabby chic base. Clean, beautiful, incredible.

Love this funky light shade!

2009-08-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

Aren't these too fun? I love the organic (and insanely easy) wire shades on these hanging lights!
Any wire will do, but the thinner gauge you use, the more loops you will want to make (so the wire shows up from a distance). Think of the possibilities! Silver wire, copper wire, gold wire, coloured lightbulbs, you can really make this as funky and personalized as you want!

Set of 2 Vintage Rattan Chairs, Restored! - SOLD

2009-03-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

Rattan repaired.

Chairs in their current, newly restored state. Rattan was cleaned and repaired, upholstery redone in a fresh, green English trellis pattern.

Damage to the rattan on one leg

A lovely pair of vintage rattan chairs had seen better days. How ugly, how gross, what a shame. So abused.

Funky Foyer

2009-03-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Work completed to space (rental unit):
Ceiling Fixture added, panelling pickled, trim & walls painted. Fabric on wall covers a strange built out box that seems to serve no purpose. Metal sheets are removable and arc over the fuse box to hide it. Opposite wall highlights a paint by number collection and coat rack.
Custom roman shade on window.

Theresa A's Living Room - Before

2009-02-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Theresa came to me with a $200 budget and a room plagued with many problems.

After - Window Area.
The main expenses in putting this room together was framing the art she already owned (approx. $55)

After - new futon (approx. $120) and pillows (approx. $30)

The new layout takes advantage of the large window (the focal point), as well as creating a slightly "private" space for when her friends stay over and use the futon for sleeping. The table is now closer to the kitchen and effectively breaks the room into two sections.

After: North Wall

Before - Window Area

Before - Door to Bedroom

As you can see there is not a lot of "flow" to the space and the area where the table is underutilized.

Before: North Wall

John B's Desk: Before and After!

2008-11-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

After - Back

After - Front

Before - Side

Before - Front

Finally I remembered to take before and after pictures! Poor John B's vintage schoolhouse desk was quite a wreck when I first got a hold of it - it was an alley find that had definitely seen better days! The finish was thick and worn, the joints loose to the point of being dangerous, but what appears to be the original vinyl was still in really good shape, although really dirty. I took the whole thing apart, cleaned the joints, stripped, sanded and restained the frame, then reassembled it, sprayed a clear satin lacquer, and cleaned the vinyl. I am not entirely sure of the wood species, but I think it may be hickory. The wood really glows now and this little desk has been restored to its original glory. I just hope John is a lefty, since it will be pretty hard to use if he isnt!

$300 - sold

Upholstered Bench - $250 FOR SALE

2008-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

I really need to start remembering to take "before" pictures, because this was quite a transformation! The frame for this bench was found abandoned in an old storage unit. It had no seat or fabric at all, it was just the legs, which were covered in a dark, gloppy stain.

The frame was stripped, and refinished in a red paint with a black glaze over it. Then I applied a polyurethane that had very fine gold dust powder mixed into it. The fabric has a rather glittery gold sheen to it, and this sort of tied it all together.

Etched Glass Door

2008-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

I was part of a showhouse for a school back in the 90's in Springfield, Massachusetts. This was originally a house that had been transformed into housing and offices for the school. This door was part of the room I did. The school was great - they gave all of us carte blanche to do anything we wanted. The glass was too bare and I hated the thought of a curtain - it would be too easy to get dirty or torn - but at the same time there definitely needed to be some privacy. I ended up modifying an Art Deco design I found and etched the glass. I wish this photo was better, but my photography skills and camera were awful back then. The squares at the bottom of the glass are signs the Showhouse coordinators put up to direct visitors on the outside of the door.

Carla's Bath

2008-09-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

I always curse myself for forgetting to take "before" pictures, as this room was quite the transformation! The walls originally had a mini floral wallpaper with a border (shudder) and the window had lace curtains. This very tiny powder room was so close to being really funky, cool and amazing.

The black tile, turquoise toilet & sink, and fantastic glass-chips-set-in-clear-acrylic countertop were all existing, and such was the inspiration. She collects vintage posters and accessories so I designed the space around the Parent Trap poster. A soft colourwash of turquoise and white went on all four walls, and the small bit of wall under the black tile was painted in a saturated turquoise the same colour as the toilet. The shutters were custom made with faux stained glass insets.

Modern Guest Room

2008-09-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here we have a small guest room done in white and black. Three walls are upholstered in black fabric, the third wall was left white and sheer curtains placed across. A white twin bed, white metal cabinet and black leather chair are used for furnishings. The mirrored cabinet doors help make the room seem larger than it is. The three light unit above the bed is custom made from glass salvaged from a broken chandelier found in the alley.

Faux White Marble Table Top

2008-06-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

This client had a dark mahogany leather topped table that looked great in winter - too heavy, dense and massive for the space in summer. I had a piece of 1/8" plywood cut to the dimension of the top and painted it in a faux white marble with a high gloss polyurethane topcoat.

$200 - this item has been sold

Red Marble Top Side Table - $225 FOR SALE

2008-06-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Vintage side table with asian-influenced details. Black & gold mottled faux finished base, painted faux red marble top.

Faux Slate & Rust Cocktail Table

2008-06-02T10:29:00.000-07:00

One of my most favourite projects. For a client that loved the outdoors and gardening, I created a piece that showcased two "outdoors" elements.

Faux slate painted top and a rust technique on a wood coffee table.

$800 - This item has been sold

Faux Marble Fireplace Surround

2008-05-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

Custom built mantle with faux painted green marble surround to fireplace.

$250 - this item has been sold

Custom Cocktail Table

2008-05-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

Custom cocktail table designed by me, built by Weber Furniture Service, Chicago, IL.

Whitewash stained, satin finish, open pore on white oak, with polished stainless steel accents on legs.

$3200 -This item has been sold

2008-05-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

Yard Sale find Secretary Desk. Original finish was a glossy dark walnut stain with square wood knobs. Piece was stripped, sanded, given a 3-coat antique glaze faux finish on the body & interior, and new glass knobs were added. The detail is strips of moulding painted in different hues of gold, umber and distressed white.

$650 - This item has been sold