♔La Petite Maison Blanche: Mora Clock Makeover

I love Mora clocks, especially those with carved details in the wood. The antique Mora clocks can be very expensive. I have seen them listed for over $5,000.00, way more than I was willing to spend on a clock. So I found a reproduction Mora clock here at wayfair for $365.00! I knew I could remake it the way I wanted, so without further ado here is my Mora clock makeover...drum roll please:

I took the glass, the face & pendulum out and set it outside to paint.

I used Maison Blanche crackle & folk art chalk paint. Mixed the Sheepskin & Adirondack white 50/50.

I applied a thin layer of the crackle in various places on the clock.

It required two coats of paint and a final water coat to smooth out lines a bit.

I refinished the pendulum with pewter rub-n-buff wax/paint.

I used flat black spay paint first on pendulum, then dry brushed rub-n-buff pewter on, changing the appearance to a distressed pewter.

I added fleur de lis wood appliques.

Maison Blanche Le Dirt & Clear Antique Wax

Waxing and distressing is the most difficult part, it's a workout! I dip my brush in the wax pot and coat it generously with wax. Then I dip it into the Le Dirt, (the Le Dirt is a lot like ash). Apply it liberally all over the dried paint, the Le dirt goes into the crevices and paint lines to make it look aged, (I waited 24 hours after paint dried before I applied the wax & Le Dirt). Rub in wax with your brush liberally & wipe of with soft rag. Allow to cure overnight and buff. I have a cordless drill and a buffing brush attachment, it makes it way easier on your wrists. I then take a sanding sponge to highlight the details and make it appear aged. Finally, I wipe it down with a clean wet hot rag to remove the grit from the sanding.

Here is the old face.

I wanted to change the face because I just did not like the peachy beige color of the face at all. So I found a downloadable clock face on a google search, & found some elegant graphics from the graphics fairy website. I then designed it using my MS Word (old school I know). I took my file over to Kinko's Fed Ex and had them blow it up to the right size for my face. I cut it out around outside of face and cut a line down the center, then cut a small hole out in the center for the clock hands (I was afraid taking clock hands off would damage the internal workings of the clock). I laid it on top of the old face and affixed it with double stick tape. They only had bright white card stock or a yellowish off white color, so I went with the bright white. It would be much easier if you know how to use photoshop and could make your background a slightly off white, (I'll learn it someday, lol).