can you see the finish on the cabinets from there?

no?  well, sort of?  excellent.  because when the fabulous lela smith (of a little english interiors) asks for “just a little something” for a lovely client, that’s precisely what she means.  the always tastefully restrained mrs. s. requested just a little crackled texture on the doors (farrow & ball’s #2003, pointing), a touch of blue-green pulled from the wallpaper (f & b’s #236, teresa’s green) and a hint of age.  a layer of paste wax gives the cabinets the feel of old furniture and a tiny bit of sheen.

in the same room, sconces that were the perfect size and shape required a new finish.  for these, lela specified a chalky-white slather of milk paint, aged just a bit. here is before and after: