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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

French Menu Boards

My inspiration for these two bistro signs came from a French sidewalk cafe we visited in Charleston, South Carolina.  I love menu boards and went back after hours and photographed all the signs.  As with my two previous French cafe signs, I purchased my cabinet doors at the salvage yard click here for complete tutorial.  I pay very little for the actual materials to make these signs, but I make up for it in the amount of time I put into designing and lettering each piece.  If you want to duplicate this look, be prepared to put in some sweat equity and patience, and I promise you will be happy with the end result.

You can find the French wreaths at Bella Cottage click here.  I just went to their website, which was recently redesigned and I am not familiar with where they put the applique section, but there is a phone number to call.

This is how the cabinet doors started.

I painted them with a paint I had color matched to the Rustoleum Ivory Silk color.  I didn't want to spray paint these.  I wanted them brushed.  Much more economical.

I lettered with black acrylic craft paint and shaded with gold rub n' buff applied with a liner brush.  For the rest of the directions, refer to my above link for the staining and aging of these signs.  Make them look as new or as old as you like.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you will find some inspiration here to create your own magnificent signs.
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I'm partying at...


Mondays          The House in the Roses       Le Chateau des Fleurs        The Graphics Fairy
                                      Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays          Knick of Time       Tutus and Tea Parties       Coastal Charm  
                                      Boogie Board Cottage   
Wednesdays     Savvy Southern Style           Primp         Faded Charm Cottage            
                                     Fine Craft Guild      Ivy and Elephants
Thursdays        Embracing Change     The Shabby Creek Cottage    No Minimalist Here 
                                     Tablescape Thursday   Delightfully Inspiring Thursdays   
                                    Have a Daily Cup From Mrs. Olson
Fridays            French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                    At the Picket Fence     Potpourri Friday     Common Ground
                                    The Charm of Home    Decorating Insanity
Saturdays        Funky Junk Interiors

Sundays           It's Overflowing

17 comments:

Inmaculada said...

Maravilloso trabajo
besos¡¡¡¡¡¡

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

These are fabulous, Maggie! I am so in awe of your creative abilities. Another project that you took from something plain old and ho-hum to just beautiful! I wish you had an online shop! : )

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Maggie,

WOW! Your project menu boards are gorgeous!

Dee

Gail said...

OMGoodness Maggie, these are just beautiful!

Bliss said...

OK Maggie. These ones take the cake. Outstanding.

~Bliss~

Anne said...

Maggie,
These are so pretty.Love how they turned out.I love those appliques.
Anne

NanaDiana said...

Maggie -Those are beautiful. You did a great job. They look like something I would buy in a shop! xo Diana

Becca Bertotti said...

Wow, these are gorgeous and very inspiring! *Becca* (new follower by way of Savvy Southern Style)


www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com

chateau chic said...

Your door menus are Beautiful!! I hope you're keeping them to enjoy. Love them.
Mary Alice

Kathleen said...

What a wonderful project! I would have never thought of using rub n' buff this way. Great tip. I'm a new follower.

Janis@All Things Beautiful said...

OK, those are impressive! What a vision you had....they turned out just lovely!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Maggie! I love the menu boards...beautiful! Thanks for sharing this project at the OHP.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Maggie, these are fantastic! You did a great job. I love how they turned out. Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup
Hugs,
Jann

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie...I found you thru Isabelle Thornton Le Chateau...and I liked your blog so much I've added myself as your newest follower. LOVE the French Menu Board. I went to France for the first time last Fall and am in love with all things French. Hope you pop in and see me sometime! Happy Spring Ya'll from Houston, TX
Susan

Heidi said...

Hi Maggie. I just found this on Pinterest. So beautiful! Ironically, I grew up in Simi! Small world. Would you be interested in making these again and selling them?

Heidi

Unknown said...

This is amazing!
Thanks for linking! I have another French party going on! Come link!
Xo
http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/

Amaco said...

Thanks for using AMACO's Rub 'n Buff. Yet again another use for this product. Be sure to check out our Facebook page. I'd love to post your project too! http://www.facebook.com/RubnBuffMetallicFinishes