I’m so blue

<p>First of all, I need to shout out to the world a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our not-so-little man! Can you believe he is eight today? I know some of you have been following along with me for years (thank you for that) and I simply cannot believe that he was only 18 months old when I started this blog. We are truly the luckiest parents ever – he is such a sweet, respectful, fun, happy child. He is growing so, so fast and I love him so!</p> <p>I’ve mentioned before that this month kicks my BUTT. Like, <em>a swift kick</em>. We celebrate birthdays for my brother, husband, son, nephew and now grandson all in the first two weeks of the month. And ten years ago (setting the tone for this crazy month) we went and got married in late December. Plus the holidays…and I know it’s all coming every year. It’s not a surprise. I just can never get caught up enough from the month before to get ahead during this one. ;) </p> <p>So this weekend I was trying to decorate my house and clean it (which is just a losing battle) while taking care of bday plans for the Bub. I’m sharing our Christmas house tour tomorrow and I still have bins and garland and ornaments strewn throughout the main level…I’ve got some work to do. </p> <p>All that being said…this is the most special month of the year to me and our family and I absolutely love it. And after this week I will be able to slow down and bask in all of the Christmas joy. ;)</p> <p>So me being me…Friday night I pulled out more Christmas bins and instead of decorating I decided a dresser needed to be painted. Makes sense. Do you ever look at something for a while and the more you look at it the more it drives you totally crazy? Like you just can’t stand it all the sudden? It doesn’t happen often with me but when it does I can’t get it out of my head. </p> <p>For some reason I have wanted to paint over this color on the dresser in our foyer lately, like, <strong>big time</strong>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNuWPgUkH9W0JvW4byWLOv-Zf4H14RLaNve9lMQJ0YwwYyPw-yNwQbMXl5ojwJ-a4Hz1E00YE2iQxKbKWXHOoOce6UtriWgigP_PQNnYr2qZqfd3Rh9obyb-rPR-ECeg5oxGkVZqumc4/s1600-h/IMG_4402_thumb14.jpg"><img alt="aubusson blue chalk paint" border="0" height="651" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YrS9WzA0941w6y1Wn4EwhOInAY3XnWD12dhas-TYLjk70AsDOGms0EzNakfqS6sSJ0PckRBoIWX5wvarEe8W0pLLf7ekcXxiWekePgtU49ZXbKftmMXaJKUhguWjNZz3FZf3Jp2vqHk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="aubusson blue chalk paint" width="450" /></a></p> <p>It’s a really gorgeous color called Aubsusson Blue (chalk paint) and I truly loved it when I did it <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/01/aubusson-blue-in-foyer.html">two years ago</a> and for a long time after. </p> <p>But lately – just in the past two months or so -- it’s seemed <em>so</em> bright (it’s a little more subdued in that photo) and out of place with the rest of our house. This shot shows the color a little better: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8OsA2vf8MQiGm3a6HsVf82lDiCo4oZGBDfY7pM2C6lEIBTMN1qbBxJeQQ_5XxZYwfIKbu3TCdkkyFKCPAvadQa61CSBExuGBB0M-bUP6MAkOjAEq9zNqiJ-e036L8cWC1ETWRwrKY3M/s1600-h/IMG_9207%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="interior black doors" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BlxrN8uC6EJGVSksr3KpqDW6CfUxhhe8eJ2qyqb6jVvLPd30I6CrkWvi969bz7JYKCc-lYeMhLcPwvA78KuNxkEsEcd4iPpVDbG0_8r7SPk6uJ6V3s8zaiI8KKsGN4rYckaX6dlBV58/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="interior black doors" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Literally every time I walked past it I just wanted to paint over it right that second. I couldn’t figure out what color I wanted to use though. I really wanted to do a gray, but we’ve got enough of that going in our house right now. I couldn’t decide what else I would like. So Friday night I walked past it, couldn't stand it one more minute and head for my paint stash. </p> <p>I found the navy blue I used in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/big%20boy%20room">Bub’s room</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETAPCfIAkWQnUKhR_Vg40LmExEJyyoSidJQ_LxB0ZkVijCT-JakW5WHot_Pw1zZU8QI_fi2pNhEhsuWysfezC4s8KWGBXM_8rTPioJtmneWQngK9ckMTBbXdFt-BnLxETPsgt5DzeOWA/s1600-h/IMG_1299_thumb%25255B13%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="admirality paint color" border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIPPGRXHfoB2AuPGNStbyiMdDd-9A7Ms6UunosslyDsR6V61wrB98kjVVUTCQ7-UJzWG8QYpovlb0RHpmze55mE5GOW_9UHMqzywSZNGSafR9pR8DtR1Sw9Uolcc4X5_8H5daqYmHjuc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="admirality paint color" width="450" /></a></p> <p>It’s a beautiful blue called Admiralty (Lowe’s color I had mixed at Home Depot) and I knew it would be a nice change. What I’d really love to do is take the dresser down to it’s original natural wood – but that will take a warm day and more time. :) I bought it on Craigslist already painted but the insides of the doors look gorgeous. </p> <p>I painted it over two nights – both when it was dark. Brilliant I know. The morning after I started I realized it was <em>so</em> not coming out that same navy blue as the walls: </p> <p><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="blue dresser crystal knobs" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmOXSHd95kcjHimj6rT6WOYfQ2pLjo0Ab-CPHxlBPqVPwvFDbLAib4VzorOV3kxauxi9fmOJsK_qYeegk7CU0uB-eVjhxxjD7wsswkfUk_oai-YgR13HTQyZzqolYtFT0HTNWfXEXyjg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="blue dresser crystal knobs" width="500" /></p> <p>Isn’t that crazy? Not the same color by any stretch. Scroll up and look. I’ll wait. :) But I kept going because I liked it and it was almost done anyway. It’s this color instead of a deeper navy because the Aubusson that was already there. </p> <p>It really toned it down and I quite love how it turned out: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4fkcM3HiWxBlyZ4iR4FRp6Mnwicx8j8JV_gqMmY1kFGu-2GaVe8Eh3yBCSkZ9BlsacikKPWKvAfGYvoQn5k8VnEVbo7RyvGEXPPg-SJw0oSfHrA67FpehWSOVF_ZDv_PRM3Locabrr8/s1600-h/IMG_0765%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="navy blue dresser" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_WRf3Op_mHk_FotgXzEh_kU2rX6pBKzLI8IrWnP-pRR9pbIuXAjVhD9fWVH_53VVtTHCR6ZsZvzEGvKRm_TwkiWFwh-BXFcEcnD7GYmZmQUhHLOZfrAACZfZPYd9P77lYjlg4I30PCk/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navy blue dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>When I look the color in the can it does have a “dusky” tone to it – so it more natural light maybe this is just how it looks? My son’s room doesn’t get a ton of light so who knows. </p> <p>I wanted to simplify a bit so I centered the mirror and took down all the decor on there as well. Right now it just holds a lamp (I’d love to find something different eventually), a poinsettia and our nativity: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BgKNKIIdTJ8gpoiDSYzFIZFDX8Yug8Jp3se8J6f8hKukWcrWMBu0YzaBXVAQiQBeoGi7KDjq4LJephbLOwDut6s49lv9mo6p2WO5qiNFEXd6CWfse0EjPlE_dT4aqlyQjpBlpXNV1Kw/s1600-h/IMG_0770%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood nativity" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnQkwDe2S-ANaRNROZPKwDvLg0NiRZwcprMlZi_UmYiRcfG7V9qhRUtyNoOM_muSPZgH8Jp_0179cYWR_h7Gze5Q0cLWt8zhgXQ3yL9pHI1vh6czPWpSdLbtw_MZNiT0aX1AJI795MeU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wood nativity" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I don’t think anyone would even notice the color changed if they just walked in – but I’m just so happy it’s not that bright color anymore. I can now walk past and not twitch: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOkGSH3fpyec48gcOzVj4ilip36TFyW2uu1VS2rcGKO_yjX9qdWLx_i3VYvLhYO5FOe-7ihUu2bY95fffct3Qbatp630wp2JNCHyNIntP41iZx9R4oP7jPE5zJ8rzUIHiGPCYZcvyp-M/s1600-h/IMG_0773%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="admiralty blue paint" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2nASVnYU8suvU2P3FLz7qhWv0bvBpbOjWn92r3eRAMdPc4IOyjBoK8hnfDSCvQa8kYi1NwXULqPE59SpWwWqWovXud1NoIc38JC4ECqH92Aee5IJhmH5DW5lX7thezXEa03zrxjL-dM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="admiralty blue paint" width="500" /></a> Next up…the tile. That’s another thing that I want to change out so bad but that one I can’t really do on a whim. It will take some planning, <em>dang it</em>. </p> <p>Here’s a before and after – a brighter blue, beautiful! But just not what I want anymore:  </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKMgDjOQK8dnpoDNNxyKJewLqPrPsUciXQlxp0T11NcefeTdh9I6C7i32TLvhS8_-oHIgRzYjL7MgUX8oQTTrOtLpzO23XeuYSlBJDR-xD1vNcejOP8gnXZzlnIO0QtMacppWFwywI90/s1600-h/IMG_4402_thumb12.jpg"><img alt="aubusson blue paint" border="0" height="651" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7unMTobw_0Cz28fPExbK-PxnzOJxnNRUjkv9MxyaFeWYdYWAjGbYvc_TwCAxAKJxiVkoHoOdHpaniRTnJm8_qMHCZ-OFyHd5Yy0uDiIClB3kdw73IMHX1hjYFwINy_bYtLRssdvISG8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="aubusson blue paint" width="450" /></a></p> <p>And as it looks now – a more subdued look and a lot less stuff, which is welcomed in life right now: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyckr7V5K35jq8yV2QF6kD6zPteTKLnnBBpuvjLg9_5BIX4Ljdi81DYIXhV2Lp8UlEW3vo0oHihMi3GhfcAoWowHoSzmjtTCSfeeAnd12jfWcKZUmT-FXK1J1eOWTSROwkarDLBOS1PNU/s1600-h/IMG_0763%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="admiralty blue Lowe's" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXq488muHVpGCe5OPXwkzriyp-4NWh1VpEY0oUwGjBqfBm0-Ei3_axgaR6Q7fMdbRZr6DEhR3rLVQsulwfoljI6l1IICA5WI2Hex-nntIpSVJPaCk3hy6gc_2R0NjUeTEqIqpC6ZKZWfY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="admiralty blue Lowe's" width="500" /></a>For the whole month of January I’ll probably have the lamp on there and nothing else – I crave clean and simple after the holidays. :)</p> <p>Is there a project in your house that you’ve started at a really bad time? When you have a million other things to do? But it was driving you so crazy you just HAD to? Or is it just me? ;)</p> <p>I’ll be back tomorrow with a tour of our Christmas home! :) Until then, check out last year’s tour <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-home-tour.html">here</a>. </p>

I’m so blue

First of all, I need to shout out to the world a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our not-so-little man! Can you believe he is eight today? I know some...

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Black and brass

<p>Welcome to a new week my friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend! </p> <p>Yesterday I finished up the <strong>last</strong> DIY project for the family room – I think I keep saying everything is the “last” project and then I realize I have another one. For for real – this is it. We’ve been able to rework most of what was in the room before in the new set up and I’m pretty excited about that. I’ve only made one purchase for the “new” space – a gorgeous chair I found a HomeGoods a few weeks back. I’m in lurrrve with it. </p> <p>In our old set up we used a dresser as the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/new-family-room-rug.html">entertainment center</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5gLhFn_67O9xSYgLgk8FfaedPKWWBUZ1APFJn3OavmsxX7w3kPCjnd7dy6blFZ3C20t0rhagfP8t8Qmy9ulvWa79EEbLbZGt9MGFbpAYeVI27W35JS1dWu3o7m7j9kzrpwZzL-SaIz0/s1600-h/IMG_7186%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7186" border="0" height="742" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTFg59COIFsd1pfVMmGG5Ifo29U55Q3Vj8ITkGsjWu5sgHnUuOLtP9eLpuSfovN9jI9JqsF9MxqHrkCcY2MYGiFQRSYW0tJkR2cvitPgZauxCkURoLv_LtheT5_1Z4OqQWza8ixXSJuE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7186" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I use dressers all over our house for storage – they’re pretty and functional. Most of them are Craigslist finds – well, pretty much all of them actually. The one above is one of my favorites but it was too long for the new spot in the family room set up. </p> <p>So I switched that out for one that’s been in our bedroom for years. I’ve always had a plan to paint it but I bought it because I LOVED the lines: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdWABTthPY6yAlTHmV5Uz0eCkWpwlESQFjZVaWSWsm_eKHiTeon7b5QyYqizqdUzgdpLro6nlAT_kGxz9LLSUkXRulqcXjCWbAJ99pX20IOkijhyphenhyphen0xu4VydkV8GYJ0okRXlbRUP3c8_PU/s1600-h/IMG_0246%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="paiting a dresser" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7uNpyuMjvcybLDxCW0ZCKp2rPjTKvTNu7YtcFhJmpRwjq8_-u5Wl4Oizx_dKpi7wuSouTI4-bTd6julxGfNSc9MWeWDdVABrn38a0FYc9JBRBSie83dwctgmENI56K5tZzDmdydcS78/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="paiting a dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Most of my dressers I would never paint – even with some damage I love the warm feel of the wood. This one though, I’ve never loved. The finish was a “fake” look – it’s an odd look that I didn’t care for. It had almost a spattered finish on the wood, I’m not sure how else to describe it. Let’s just say it wasn’t a pretty wood finish. And I’ve always really disliked the hardware on it as well – it’s felt too frilly for me. </p> <p>So I didn’t feel bad painting this one. I considered just sanding it down to a more natural state – I’m loving that trend lately. But the new chair that sits in front of it already has a lighter look and I knew it wouldn’t be enough contrast. </p> <p>AND sanding it down would require a ton of work – taking it outside and trying to get into all the little detailed areas of the piece. I prefer sitting on my butt and painting inside. ;) </p> <p>I started by wiping it down well – I’ve used tsp cleaner in the past but over the past few years I’ve realized just regular cleaning wipes work just as well. You just want to get any residue or dust off of whatever you’re painting. </p> <p>I primed it with my favorite primer: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWP9VPBtCb4-3cA5a6Ze7uB-K4hpkHzQwtE0r9LfSOtFY82yS6krLuX-wODLiYxjo80ziQa3s9Y0zP6g7Mtud_vcAFosqoTl9EsosYKzP7UvDm5fd5angOiyvsKwYJUVVX79mGADJJKCc/s1600-h/IMG_0258%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bin primer painting furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOECtoHkLqc-BTbtC6vALDeX9Z5_xdHcSZdDIOt7zYOsDGHHoPXoEaO61bokO8csNjqPyrL_uJ3scrVyccPhWhH_2pfiaYl2KCMOLEQIQ_o4jkHMxQd2n2lQDVjIwiscBeqxjsKm2Fa2w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bin primer painting furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I have this tinted gray because I use it on all of our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/10/black-and-white-and-awesome-all-over.html">interior black doors</a>. It’s a super thin primer and SO easy to apply. It always goes on incredibly well and dries really fast.</p> <p>Because I wanted to replace the hardware I filled the holes on the top drawers (they were a different type of hardware than the rest of the drawers):</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jPq3i8eBmpKBk3-sLJxqsu_V4e_L0cU-PLGHX7c38JZvzsrtpVacUMvUEgq4bmMJy4yvFjpE-I3oXSqjToONA7jgItzdK3YZvCH-8jf7yTkD8ORz5CTmgZdFOYmAQNszJ6mnZVHO8PA/s1600-h/IMG_0252%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to paint furniture" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MMDacVPXBqdkgrPN26cRu39IRqH8geg0qJ1VvBM5A2mA3NiqHy-CPrdr-urbpPUx7jZreW_937EEYaVFx1Tf9fRePmjXe6njcbj8W-mlO-OLlZ3NnTSq1bv2Hs3qo3KMNtHhq4P9vEs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to paint furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>After the coat of primer I made sure to give the flat surfaces a really quick sanding: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-8vsJH0Of4hTAIasg9yDzeJKktTkDsWGaE4Rxy0bvoY80Rv4mkIgYObhIp3SO5Z2WEiKi6c1TLyE2_Yhda-RSmYoi5Pf7iLKfMiBX9G0l14yAmNcPwPPq2_H116mWxghelMKna3isjk/s1600-h/IMG_0259%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="sanding furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjWQMStCwLeMxNmYdr_RiDb9JPi2uxC-ls-IfCjjpqNlsa4NTwEwzmu5cr9bY3_h7hLOdQ3Zi-1lVHWMcAq028jwwCtSqeiDatm37ul0-B9oGkWzHEJDSfCSVABVqIbO3v7zRhPpUTGQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="sanding furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I kind of loathe sanding but this is just a light, fast sanding to knock it down just a bit. You’ll want to do that between each coat of color too – if you don’t (I skipped it once or twice this time) your surfaces won’t be super smooth. Not a big deal but it feels better with a smoother finish. </p> <p>I knew I was going to like it when it was all primed and ready for paint: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwjAbe2At__nm_CMnAFlgdAre73OI5ULhOspNAJGWarIKrlUlMjt5TvVGsSW0LTsZ73FLLwcx8wYUbaRrEPch9FbPjaf5t_wuRdW3leW0tKSws8WGzsuNNQnH0b3SE_CbdKL_t4swLlk/s1600-h/IMG_0261%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="how to paint furniture" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNhxaIbgOco1mTodN3nriOyGfFZGPyO-jDf0Mk-riawGyvQxr1hBw-T8aJngk28N9tUAmK29fKSotmUcFGbKjAr-DnV_HltcjShSMf_s6y_N-P6dNi0T0iLuSGzOFpTuDtk6QWK26A2k/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="how to paint furniture" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I swear sometimes painting a piece really helps the pretty details and lines shine. </p> <p>I found this AWESOME brush at Lowe’s that I used for most of the painting: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLtbLNI-XkIMKpA_BUs5Ii5MNGs34ddo96SNc47Qigrw12bHeFj8zV1dnsoaiyGseg5ulfbYUS8ESljCBMrMvKFnPTLh9Gv9aVTcVq5h9kJnFVT91vIyknQ0RYIBFkGRfttkPJgQOYB4/s1600-h/IMG_0265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="square paint brush" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglie-GmOsZ48mI1ZErPlx3sj0x54NUl8Sbh_GTGD_AahaIIK7oLX_cUdd-qKePNQlbsDowuGMNUspCIK2Bmj1fOtLDoPUBEdnfyPwXgn0hm_52ZwbIJkGy3aWd0vBJFKczn5GJZHx22E0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="square paint brush" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s a square brush and I’ve never seen one like it. It’s made for painting window panels but it was perfect for getting into all the grooves in the dresser. Loved it!</p> <p>I’ve said many times over the years that I believe every room should have a touch of black. It’s grounding and gives some great contrast. I used to paint ever.y.thing. black but I’ve stopped that. ;) But I knew this one would look striking in a darker color so I went for it. I used the Graphite color by Sherwin Williams that I’ve used for our interior doors. </p> <p>I found hardware that matched the wide (five inch) span of the old hardware but it was a brushed nickel and kind of basic. I didn’t love it. So I held up the old hardware against the new dark color and feel head over heels with it: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkFzUCcC2-ySOyz6Ct1sS7jE07kN90E0FbGGTo_MYs2dZoCu1dWTz5mcSydstG9cRJS5xtatiBIdG-xDAza2CdWtDEusX-MFrd3d0J_cmXChELOy-CCE6IuKXa2rAETzU9FwDyvx_EwM/s1600-h/IMG_0275%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="vintage brass hardware" border="0" height="747" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1O0wkTp_J8coIJIcoYLn1-8mCJ08Sl_uJMOluSUdfMoPOFT4ACTxwn3jaRkh1AQMIyBbOcFpQ9ap5XGNTpHXJMZ7G4Pe7333uy_M2pDTwssj2hG-Xjp-W8BdubiItin17aHp0vdL-X4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="vintage brass hardware" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Well huh! I’m not kidding when I say I <em>really</em> didn’t care for these handles before – and now I absolutely positively LOVE them. I gave them a good cleaning with my brass cleaner and they are looking so much better than before. (Yes I had to knock out that filler I had put in the top drawers.)</p> <p>You can see all the pretty lines of the dresser here: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxcymskBNOeKCBYqFxAAsJ2JuBOVmfyEVOehZnxXJ7iyv9QJc7eixMkVU-5_AgE8UGhqMPpdAKoJleVdV5zga78UE73IZgrbpgqL4xOqMsWDiyJkA9zxWYcedACw5NCoVXqT-x8Fpu84/s1600-h/IMG_0277%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="black dresser" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzuuw8yxFUyVMM1Zl4bTvfe6zJV3NLrfZBdfRZgX1i0sx4iHiVw3iESdKqpCIe90QhiDP74W4b8RuvTeUiyGHILiTNSc_q-1GSW6j2rfAOqvj2qRC4ospURgmjoNwmjckMXl6b_CpWYA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="black dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I am obsessed with it now. Obsessed: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2nsjAnvKAc_yo38dN-N9-y36IgcgUSCtgDjXJbio4yEBmOJ9MlfTbPRqnj1i5R_R28yLPeqn4aPmTUvT5cyUmjWIvdORyXbXhLKm17wefhjVFmOWZf-HEsFPfTVUqt11ewSe6T6pTMc/s1600-h/IMG_0273%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="black dresser brass hardware" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-Fm-ZzhzraBenU6hbQXDhf7HGWe2nrjJH6S0u6u1pjJjEmE1FxBl_2n9sCIHbANqaeV5ifiYdHbp5MzP9PeScM9P2O4g9y_pcHBTTKr-RGyCqcn8Uv7RJhKvEL6b9XssRXdMIHlI_Zg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="black dresser brass hardware" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It’s so beautiful, I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!  </p> <p>On our doors that Graphite color looks more black but you can see it’s true color better here – a dark, dark gray: </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2F6SqRrJ3dihgIey-kOTW8O4f7Q2boXF7YV_cg_EhGW86PnC0MFxCxOvsEPi-7aVwsSWK9F2E-TWby2vxdQYdztiVwa6Nxv8SToLEQ8fN75MAfQJWaOUIaKIKyXHbVEprhkRPIG4cag/s1600-h/IMG_0278%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="painted black dresser" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPtPNacBW1LRH8LW69oX7LDgrch2ZV9BrfX3bfq3zxCGwugNVvTsWDJMYbaLyM451VCZZLYkpLhssLWip_GcncPeH_9ajRV6IEGsLZ9k2Ioow2xC02lppJUVekwmRYffwt5E8MbApXLs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="painted black dresser" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I haven’t dressed it up yet – I just threw stuff on it for the pictures. </p> <p>This dresser serves as my “office” storage. Or at least it will soon – I have some items in it but need to switch out my supplies from the dresser that <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/01/well-finally-office-reveal.html">used to sit in my office</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe3nKzI3caC_O-YrxnHrpOSkSgBBIKUgm5mlIdBu8dYoQlP-loU0lBp4BynCQMTrvRYdapTFA0L9t0Z8n-4HwL19oCf5C1YfoU0NQ-u084oJ1vnoEmremMf_vYZAEr1jXHGroX2gfATs/s1600-h/IMG_0269%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="dresser for office storage" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaA7vhYXunh6qACAfob_qQ0WPFIepyKWir2nIVp8tS_r4bnIo4hTFFiftYPQW1LbULCmmVppe3KrMALd1SWCqYY-yzOKusqu3vIo2zOJ8qAYoIPVK7-ONUr3ai_j9mOezSSZQJWu_jB8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dresser for office storage" width="500" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The best part – I spent $7 on a new brush and that’s all this redo cost me. WHOOT! I had the primer and paint so that’s always a bonus. I haven’t distressed it at all yet – I’ve said before that distressing stresses me. :) After all that work I hate to mess it up on purpose. So I’ll probably just let that happen on it’s own. And soon I’ll put a couple coats of satin poly on the top to protect it against scuff marks.</p> <p>I am still laughing about that hardware too – I can’t believe how much I love it against the darker color. I think this may be my favorite painted piece ever and it’s the handles that put it over the top for me. Have you painted furniture? Do you have a go-to color?</p> <p>I’ll be back on Wednesday with the whole space! I’m going to work hard over the next two days to get all the smaller details finished up.</p>

Black and brass

Welcome to a new week my friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend! Yesterday I finished up the last DIY project for the family room – I thi...

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Wood planked coffee table

<p>Hey hey all! It’s about time to get some DIY going up in here! With the family room under construction, our blogging conference a couple weeks ago and just basic summer slug-ness, I haven’t done much lately. </p> <p>I’ll have plenty to do starting later this week – the big stuff is almost done in the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/07/tearing-down-wall.html" target="_blank">family room</a>. Then it’s my turn. :) </p> <p>We haven’t had a coffee table in that room for a while – I took out our square one about a year ago and loved how open it felt, so it stayed that way. (It now lives at my sister’s.) </p> <p>When I moved the furniture around to the way I’ll have it when all the construction is done I realized I really wanted one again. But I needed it to be long and skinny. I don’t have any long and skinny so I’ve kept my eye out for something that might work. </p> <p>A few weeks back I found this at a local antique/thrift shop and it had me at WHEELS:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodVjBcCEJouBg_nY15KVP2QHz-Ux7Rp_W-SLImHtXdS61FrhTBBWmuXh4FaQaxC2ynoHEWkBhl-QZs3oIRSKhvw3RMmBfvF4_KMMRs4nxeTau4EYSQBGV4Gpva6W1FPS02hHhDKQuRFU/s1600-h/unnamed%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="leather top table" border="0" height="666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jIp7RCbBs-EocD1SQqRIYrA0VQJ1CsYoztHKeP5tQNT2ofYMcPa4QerQaq5_q0wy9CE5an3gONEKQgH5T4wsrCt8kmUiR_TnhuEuAnrTe7p-Cwqbqs27i6ZPs7QBql5vFtOFow0kHh0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="leather top table" width="500" /></a></p> <p>You know how <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/11/put-wheel-on-it.html" target="_blank">I love wheels</a>. They are my jam. </p> <p>The top of the table was a mess though, and I couldn’t figure out what to do with it as I stood there, so I left it. (No returns so I had to make sure it would work.)</p> <p>Fast forward a few weeks and I couldn’t get that table out of my head. I went back, it was still there and it came home with me. I still didn’t know what I was going to do with the top but I had to have it. </p> <p>Initially I was thinking of sanding it down lightly and restaining the damaged parts, but when I got it home and took a closer look I realized it was a real mess: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDz_CsLEIV79ua8ApATnfgUHEVrd_DZIRKjjz_QqaPEguDOPemnWWJYZ8M5tXPd0gM0x4z1UMM7H_JoNDP4FeXfaIuvKTanTPCOnYf8iBCLpBiESs_5LLQK2CN-UbURRlqG8KuYCxywI/s1600-h/IMG_9431%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK-Y8dDLqEotfkQ0A1sfI8Z-G0_ZiuEL4yitlIUjmh1AsKm7lTnSRE7FMi3doKAu41yrPA_s1qaygxM4NVxAlYMx6NUE_wnwLXaU5zSWBnY9ZLbp6n7osbM_6byld__P2XLwOjIqWQSM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgCiDTExn6nxDX6AY8W4k4I1k4M9FzMorRcLfdYfUy0sc1w0GkMP9E3-G0m0xnsVsRXDqvXkzpbAX2TpG-W8SFQZDdRitxiaFBGZGA9LZgTrZFP-eFMkGdJaY6uY3zlxgN5IxDjo9wo8/s1600-h/IMG_9433%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8m4h8z92EPxUOE0xoKchXrc2P1q8UyE2nO5QOj4sezz-pUff-9FhyQxseerG7WRmM0B71RR81jVUE6iqvyWEh_ZqeWnzlLJpC2Yd_2IpqPPwGJb99Tyh5VgLksEihF7uC626hAabDFuo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> </p> <p>I thought about keeping the leather top – for a minute. Then I got it cleaned off and saw it was beyond repair. The leather was cracked, which didn’t really bother me. But it also had paint and what looked like burn marks on it as well. And when I got it cleaned off I realized it was a very unattractive puke-brown color. Not so sad I couldn’t salvage it after that. :) </p> <p>We have enough natural wood in the family room anyway, so my next plan was to paint it. I turned it over and realized I could take the top off: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4Vr7LqbvbsclwRq8ELXN7HMOWSzdsBeKS58F5DDWLTF5mPcqELWvalbyZXMwp0Hrz3gN3OeiEbWFs65c4HziPd7EdAYJLUI1DJcIqR4XmpIKJ93A11240loWw6i4JTKQKln0REwrkTs/s1600-h/IMG_9432%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="removing top of coffee table" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxRpp5htHWjaMDSI2dMY1AdqUAncLBSeFR306J2fUC-ODr_OkE5T8R2BPWVkUcAqbaf0ihkp4yxzC9pjyzTm9U_pb-uBto5lSPQVBTRjzR9TkiWeSrMPFLmD5X5FCstAPg1Yoq0Ni79Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="removing top of coffee table" width="500" /></a>Then I cleaned the heck out of the thing:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosUJHMmv0C64I3wx2W70Qe89IDJ6zdwx6G0ymS9fuEYlM7U3digszWPQCPRshwmIe5fcsd2LLyeRo9vQD41tFV3D6gHVDeTjBvE52bsn9lWpwgF9z_SXxdhY7HTY5c3MZwX0Y9qvcnw4/s1600-h/IMG_9434%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cleaning before paint" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0OvHFu-_XdKCfn393Ngo-GWrlc_gzizEH9Bf4rVwxzuB87u10xNl-ldYSGxSZSfekTR3g49Zgsqb-h3OgqBxQsEM0Y5yALRk7kHlvnvD-GNrSo9uuyjRwE_PXC9qT5OjS6WXoIBzQv0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cleaning before paint" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Grody. I lightly sanded it to get more grime off: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95tUxxEfy5ccoZKtaQaddw3hA5H2QbIbjqSpYLEHM3ROMOkp3bAVPMwGZA6pvntPUYBjG7cJX4fLdMc9xyupmwLY6ypnjlrmEH4HxXKUwxgKZrCu5Qynk1nAPw4keRP6PrT7QHIEONS4/s1600-h/IMG_9435%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sanding furniture for paint" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNklKyLSJUSP1cUpmA1JVBVUHS-aTdydOjHWtqaZBw97tZFm-aZZ3rJDshkV95tbj73diz8wL4W5XrdIhgqrr10ohSRUzFZ8b2R61jp6FB-KSuqkTsxOpr_3tLUh9YsD_8oLoD4DTblOI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="sanding furniture for paint" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Then took it outside to spray prime it -- I just used a basic gray primer. By the way, I mention this a lot but it’s worth saying again – make sure to clean any piece you’re going to spray paint! If you don’t you’ll get the dreaded crackle. </p> <p>I picked up another gray spray paint called silver fox by Valspar for the main color – I figured it would be easiest with the detail on the table. </p> <p>Outside it looked decent, but when I brought it in I realized it was BLUE. Like, baby blue. What the??: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNVJuONkPMecHsunagZqbUGnOkXex0hr7I-PUSuMYUHU8KN7IWhx2-3ncGH-FAruzrSqZL8jvEnfv-oKWG2yTiRjBP1MgI-e5K_KTsGkLOg5iMl1MzUkbgIhRXLD-Ism4wtyEfXdGRGs/s1600-h/IMG_9440%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9440" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0jc2H7lJPwb3EJJhuscLZG0SUne2w2jrkfyUWQiMeLYSFzM2m7xdMMinZ-8cX1KoPSwZfZM2plMpV_K8HjV-cs3VOGlj0azfoLNurOq2DTbWODfQCl6Ir33d8Ub7RIFoqXL3Leb3noo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_9440" width="500" /></a></p> <p>ARGH. Spray paint lids not matching the color are quickly becoming one of my biggest pet peeves. DIYer probs. </p> <p>So I grabbed some chalk paint, which is what I should have done from the start. (But I still would have primed – these reddish stains can bleed through.) I used my CeCe Caldwell gray that I already had: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLdPS21FoehklsSiCnd7-pMEi8zdEn_sJBf66W-K5MVlYj0rDLyE008mvjMwR7Wn4qj1bSPuF-4e7yUmWhvddc96BQ9tdXGTrlxYDafuV1XeQxbSPB2hVCy_rnIzBv7EtHCog6YDGfAU/s1600-h/pittsburgh_gray%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CeCe Caldwell pittsburgh gray" border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzohx5rFAjtef699ruH7qWBr6VERjSAh37TmGYiJWuU54nLq4cwconudBL-YMqqEi6bGrte1gdPjDGFLMQkd96r4UhqrkL9qTAgafypUsRk3c95OCJIAdnaTkGgD4BFLDJFzcYdiFzAk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CeCe Caldwell pittsburgh gray" width="480" /></a></p> <p>I shared my thoughts on this paint and how to apply it <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthriftydecorchick.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F11%2Fredo-with-cece-caldwell-paint.html&ei=ZDfNU8f_HMebyATsnoKADA&usg=AFQjCNGiB2Pihy9oTwYqjbi3y2_VlJrauw&sig2=JiwuOxjqjz-iz2ZAS5LiAQ&bvm=bv.71198958,d.aWw" target="_blank">here</a> – I really love these paints. It dries much lighter:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13Jp_LN29zq4475LhDaDl8XtbufTqNWzq85iI9-jfek5cyMnI8wVDApQhv2RzE7c2ojQfvmPBTaNNnyZMB45t6Ir5Dcje2X4o0oJUb9UgCnmwNsl0dHqRw55Uw7mjgDph1NouOjioAHQ/s1600-h/IMG_9443%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CeCe Caldwell paint" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHf7brx-SK9wI4_qUOafb56XWi4nxr9Y-3zKwvCFsGzNA9shlattJUKMoa1dMmwhNTKN0QwBHbCTACiMjChuR0EQHhOCZGUeEbBRagqB4xkAwMZz_daOrrvvti4Da2Z8Nrtry8pNARRo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CeCe Caldwell paint" width="500" /></a></p> <p>But when you apply the wax it gets richer and darker. I did have issues with the wax this time though, more on that in a minute. </p> <p>I came up with a plan for the new tabletop – first I grabbed some scrap luan and cut it size with my jigsaw. I stained it just in case you’d see it under the new tabletop: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xLa2eQOff01ZOPk9Bq9DDlM8hElLIbok8jeuRazBlGJmpfNKan5732QqJmaA5WJOpSuBFV-ozd7rDQoUo_nlG12INcf9m_XCK2esRGe2pQlaXem0y-k4oN9wHFdh0XxwTcv0fS7GaFQ/s1600-h/IMG_9445%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="replacing top of coffee table" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlq8HyT2xBuNBumsu2azTxt81ziHBBBSU6DLxSOEmSQxPGDSPTW_yfDg86Ji-ZsD1c97APGJApEP_BU-0ryYWvsYaAhFpkLrlK3vSt8TPEbvNTuhyGRLgg92JV54YBrGsew0JXhWJv1Mk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="replacing top of coffee table" width="500" /></a>I used my nail gun to nail it into the edges where the old top sat. You can see there how much darker the chalk paint gets when you apply the wax by the way. </p> <p>Then I used some very thin boards from Lowe’s (they are called craft boards) that I stained dark walnut by Minwax (one of my favorite colors): </p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalj4-m5wFOJYue6ZbKfyNhsUM-qs7wXAqbaiRh_BHFVXuyo3TDqtPvobhG-jV7p9mwp2etBaM2S7-ps2YDTrGfdyIlT3QSmeZqYKyYfi7ttV49y67h37jLDM5R2rlBnYEQ84xixR9gv8/s1600-h/8dc1b379-92ae-4163-8520-16c7ce1cfcf2_400%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dark walnut stain" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnjgIxstS7an-H5pdFswIadF_tRD7yRNNDKR2WPV_bQSzOVALR_FWO84MS9Qz6QlLHya6p4qOS7xCbb1n2U0rr8wSgLfzgoUGfTT6g3eLBFNwwJpqDVxO6mat3iNrzAJA6thNgxELRFI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="dark walnut stain" width="300" /></a> </p> <p>The boards were more than I planned to spend but I needed a very specific thickness and they also had to be decent, stainable wood. </p> <p>I put a little bit of glue down on the luan and then laid the craft boards down: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6SKy1cukayk8kOYh_On5No78JRPovZ-YAMtKygZlCWUCUBjoSyiBaUUGsxAoBcSseTx6UPKpwaWNMLnNvO7pjVsCwxo_Yra4DavVr5M9KezJ_YrrPwSIlrk6oB-JmPnPLOTS9xau6L0/s1600-h/IMG_9446%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planks on table top" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW-UydquO3IrV-1OztLKgXEAPCZDDqYpYYuE7Wf_VpRVeRC-vTnK2vuOrLfuuM80kB_q3jcjA7U1wXAE8dBM-um0ANxj6KzGf9oBVPytwQ6Pdykzj6sMp21r5vQsx6pexLJdaUP4lbh8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planks on table top" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And nailed them in as well: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE7-EbCqVI6x203srFgzmJMmFZRyhR5oypbc3JXmdBHYbav27usEIwu1ihD_yjygAs_TfVfBQAE3ebW-i0vVmvqkLWS_wIwTIwwaSpcjibMXAeVAUlN_mvRNY2022xDCstwHPsz_U-ec/s1600-h/IMG_9448%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked table top" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhezU9w3ripmAIE3H-0AZgwiq6cUXRtBKZFw3XfxbXdIoJOTmt7tDm5iFknVE5gP_HEL4z4iI5uVsH-Lpe-L18_6LXxcxvFlJYtt_30hYH5gb6hXUyqYFAw_cFIvY_VkAxuX-5i3sDN4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planked table top" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I took the old tabletop with me to the hardware store so I was able to find a combination of boards that fit the top almost perfectly. These boards aren’t all the same size – two are the same, the other two are different sizes. It didn’t bother me and I actually like that they aren’t all the same: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvyMrx6klTZfFanfYpaV8ow6FNTCdiWrlRdHfKL4JzMzZawCa5uvc9rZy6pt_xabaRs0qno70IBVMKgr_HjzOVTA_0nt9GOZ89WZPn4OcBiY_b8fEfKT-PKQ0Yi3vUoiOhHaG3Y2jvgc/s1600-h/IMG_9453%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood planked coffee table" border="0" height="695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDevW3v74vDSRkUGM_7dsF1chsdC4ucmmOwWgo0ZzIvzLgpnlrwvA53j2Nd2RdCpGDmlZFKTu7znbSuUMlGb715eN7YViAa-gCrg1jRzZfTtglO1xZJ8C4-sxKe4NRheXjqyKkkfRLK0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood planked coffee table" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m not thrilled with how that skinny board stained up – I used conditioner on all of them and that one doesn’t look as good as the others. But it looks rustic…that’s what I’m going with for anyway. If it bugs me I’ll replace it. Or live with it. :) </p> <p>The top is super smooth – I stood back when I was done and was SO happy with how it turned out: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltCFQYXs-nbQsjfCjajrdArjnH1BItq_Xx4Ig0lr7L5G1ivfilTikO8-gA_lwPyGQIWiOA-nt33psxLl8cvzx6p3zMNo0DmbXV753DHwIxSY-Kac0w_1z1zlYuUtJ7DL1MWkIbcs8hoA/s1600-h/IMG_9469%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wood to replace leather top" border="0" height="621" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL1HW2i8zGEpkl_qC8cpHU6eHXiMNvAhFKv3Lq2-SXnl0okMkIZbrZndPVq0K4CFu1qVYXVhN0mv1eOgy6PPmLYldOG2UsjSo5XR-NBoM_OT17zCpUf1uiw9tX7zy7t1rY9G_ChwAoW8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wood to replace leather top" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I LOVE it: </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVPdQ-6DrvF7i9WTCJ637GBI_mSJZsBnPvnIAAciXu6QeRlP3MjJpWb1TtaU2hmodigEf5G5tpFuotfHRZamORXATOoy3ykZ9PBItf3mP_LmUXiId16a6EvFnLvP-xKLREN9U5ZVYm7go/s1600-h/IMG_9459%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gray table wood top" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAULIG9wtJPRX8FgTbMQ-5O12W6UMDc1h3Q8WEizIMOyFKf-EizbL0dUjEv_iUKDObGsu0xpg0IXGkjEP0KjpNEzN2FyT-qE3Ud86RqSbStinA7iGOu091C5aY90cuvgzG2aho6k2SLE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="gray table wood top" width="500" /></a></p> <p>The sectional will be moved soon so ignore the rug placement and all – this will get flipped to face the fireplace when the TV can be moved over. Hoping this week! </p> <p><strong>WHEELS</strong>:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJosSRD1hAs22sS3bxZrTczUKxP8gvuq2VWVI5541MWMByTH7ZLnXNx1UvAEp680Gb9WNgboMCWOWwZo5eAK2-lgXDWnb7Kq-1A1-j8CN6liK9qFfVHN_utvGn-9ER6TFydm4orWdjKcc/s1600-h/IMG_9454%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="coffee table on wheels" border="0" height="780" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSVqcmZkXlWeigvcPBq6t4A4nhfkKp5y8SkIiXM3xGIIH0xm8lxGUY-kkgvFfu-0m3blIP5mw46H6f_ZmZE6GPr1OdmXGiikHE0xfzMGYu0dEuoKmaK0nEf62ZiTyQFjcW0dzcZUPAjk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="coffee table on wheels" width="480" /></a></p> <p>I’m bugged out by the wax this time – this wax has done this the past two times I’ve used it. It gets blotchy and doesn’t dry well in some spots. Most of it looks great – it’s just certain areas. Usually this happens when you use too much, but I wiped this sucker well so I know it’s not that. </p> <p>It’s frustrating because I’m going to have to sand down a couple spots and do another coat of paint and wax to correct it. But I LOVE the look – the dark wood combined with the gray is luscious. So it will be worth it. :) </p> <p>There were a few issues along the way but I ended up with a coffee table I love in just the right size. The table was $20 and I spent about $25 on wood (those smaller pieces get expensive!) – not bad at all! Don’t overlook those pieces that are a mess – they can be turned into beauties! </p> <p>Have you made over any messes lately? </p>

Wood planked coffee table

Hey hey all! It’s about time to get some DIY going up in here! With the family room under construction, our blogging conference a couple wee...

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Spray paint blues

<p>Hey hey! I have a little taste test for you today! OK, not taste – don’t eat the spray paint. But a comparison of sorts. I told you about the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2014/04/desk-do-over.html" target="_blank">blue desk</a> for my office earlier this week. The one that I didn’t like in it’s blue state, at least in that room. I actually did love it in a more saturated tone than it’s before color – sometimes I find a deeper color shows off the detail better.</p> <p>One of you commented that the desk, that was supposed to be navy blue, looked more like cobalt blue (a brighter tone). I totally agree – I even noticed it when I was painting but was hoping it would look different out of the bright sunlight. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM96o9MCyOUFinJRwAmZW-OJvFhmUSS3LAKF7V-lJlS4Q6q0ohRlMOYcnKKNEh9q-5dc-xYQKcewZddgby0dQlgB9f9yBoAAGp3Ac1521EiKIiW5byQtQHzfPp5PtmDEIX6wfPHx2hFE/s1600-h/IMG_8929%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blue desk" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2fPTIACmC66gTibxCERmv3-Ro7ZKBJ8ZC_AkL6wWiryDaW4PAUN39dq5Wtk3BohtcmxZZ8L909rUzwzM_gjyTPNkvFXdf2miks_x-JucdsNxAwdTVCsobALRc6LBlerRya0xAvFxaPc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue desk" width="500" /></a></p> <p>It didn’t. :) <em>Totally</em> cobalt. </p> <p>OK, here’s the thing – at first I tried the same navy blue on it that I used on my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2013/09/glossy-navy-blue-love.html" target="_blank">bedroom lamps</a>: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1cFP5ONuo2GMs5jPqVa9vuuavqZ2BlV2FNQJEXhVQPME8CA2hhlDyv5kJAOlix6hh0Kp8EKIGGhpLBK157_6ccIiPuIDFB3voBAeekPppQTAIpz9-weEmA1BkJQH49yOJsoiguY02P0/s1600-h/lamp2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="navy blue lamp" border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs4VS94fcz7cJyIdlKoOCV6s2rLPmFqYkhh2E44tAfOdXry38U7GZMfkM0ZMkYavkYpAoqX3mcStAr01exJ36bWWYPqFi7ayEdwUlmkFcwvFakR5xs-VahyJVbMlB9-PEqHiuXM3zrlc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="navy blue lamp" width="500" /></a></p> <p>And it was SO bright. It didn’t look like the same color in the least. I ended up using a different blue that looked a lot more navy, but when I compared the two inside they look like entirely different colors. </p> <p>So I did a little test – first off, to show that the color on the cap of a spray paint can will sometimes look different than what you get when you spray. Secondly, a color in one spray paint will be different in another. I also noticed a big difference in coverage when I did this as well.  </p> <p>I grabbed five blues out of my stash to do this little test and used some primed scrap wood:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93V8I5m3Nf8wbtoWnOWEKpAYyEBlBotudPaj-VCGrECiqfOLhJYsoOAGR3fWwlb0wMSuqL7WUb95gIKCOO2ne5VcPDv7-1n3muJNi-j9AeMHnxX0oId1AqcfiMH_OWklF59Q0-Qeb834/s1600-h/IMG_8937%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray paint comparison" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiugNKiafZfdeb7uaUlkocoRZ14T_um6SWb-qvA2Mm5U0cSOU64pxeWUUrn0llp_-Z2AtI1Wf0u_GW190rrLe9dLLEvD3yxU1z6hzanOWEkR1sqvgBJSZm7gouIyoaLioVfBSOlnoKRU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spray paint comparison" width="550" /></a></p> <p>So if you looked at this and looked at my lamps, I’m guessing you’d say the middle one is the paint I used, right? </p> <p>Even I was surprised. I had to look back at my lamp post to see which one I used, and it was actually the blue second from the right: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLtarjv-BvzrQ4RhU8YObI5nFy_bi-kTxZL5Iu9zuHMTU_BG892gOuC2RqcEbM5nmWLfirZQrmCi7RXO5jZg6JfYrQ-dsfFbrW-q8NM-dGqy-jNINpgnwtVcShQhkVRBs8GDQAT11Klk/s1600-h/IMG_8939%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="blue spray paints" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3STID8EPxGlIcyYxr55WVg3B1_FhdfDpR9WmqlKP-Qp5PV56jJR_a1N7tSSGCAaCnHWzl1EDl8b8pZvHM6jBbvnaq0gXHVqrLdnh7qEf5KHaoAOouFVEWHuxxNgvbKCpi-MlOsM3mtEw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="blue spray paints" width="550" /></a></p> <p>Who would’ve thunk it? Here’s the first thing I noticed when I did this -- I love the HUGE selection of colors that Krylon offers but the coverage isn’t great. I never really noticed till I did it right next to others but it sprays very thin and doesn’t cover nearly as well as the others. </p> <p>I did two coats of each color and the Krylon colors dripped every time: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFFmL9R8fEpwOyChZmjbbB9U6WdCIHA4aqrL50BjsqMvq36Tdy0o6V0tbLLlLJ15jm1EIJ_VMazB2uTkdAc_947wWC2M2dcgfD_bvmR-Q0Xxm0uqoj4doyDlxPv4qurTTi1kTZFMlaCY/s1600-h/IMG_8939%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray paint reviews" border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0cjm27TcJl5fIEqxliNmkt0kMppQyLtIElaY6y82iYKMFPoivGTAaYvnXRXoFXWbK4SSgP_nmflH0PFOR5Lr6KkqFtqYgivOvQePISBzt2hGzj5fek4F3m1Qdu8DjfFduOVY813k36w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spray paint reviews" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Due to it spraying so thin I think – it just didn’t cover well, at least compared to some others. </p> <p>Here’s the other thing – the colors can look much different when you spray. The Stonewash Denim cap on the left has a blue gray tone to it but is straight gray when you spray it. It’s hard to tell in the pics because it actually matches the color of the cap better than some of the others. But I bought this a while back thinking it would have more of a blue tone like the cap and it doesn’t. </p> <p>The Valspar on the right, called Deep Sea Diving, is another one that is different than the cap. The cap looks like more of a peacock blue color and it sprays a definite cobalt blue. </p> <p>Here’s the other three close up – note that the one on the left and the one in the middle are both a glossy navy blue: </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzu4pAlBdg_H2x-Tb3ddOK1HFLq0R0Va0Ud_qoOE0YdFCr9OTy_R3Uum_6uW_Zm6Df2wyzFjKXU2ghwsKH0HlOQLN1vnBRn-amcbLOf7gCClu9DmdjjCiyRY1Nl1ni72lSxLDgQ50Nls/s1600-h/IMG_8939%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray paint reviews" border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV24NP_8-2gCHtddZbJu17GhwDdo25zw_Nh2PEBayvCS0LyZ4n0m34mDpH769sqgGaxM3viiNHjkuNHHm-0ScreaEmgCVzGaSMnsL8790KH41XcqM5G6QtMXLO898tUNnpjyqT-n5WAM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spray paint reviews" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Can you believe the difference? At the risk of sounding like a Rustoleum commercial, it covered SO much better. (I did two coats of each color.) And to me it looks like a true navy blue, right? The Krylon in the middle is what I used on our lamps and I was actually quite surprised when I looked back and figured that out. </p> <p>You can see where it dripped a ton too. It would take a good four coats to get good coverage on this white. But as I mentioned, I used it on our lamps and didn’t have any issues. And the navy blue on the lamps is a perfect navy to me, so it will just take more coats to get that true color. </p> <p>But more coats means using more paint, so that’s something to consider. I used nearly two cans to do the desk and I imagine it would take double that to get good coverage with the Krylon. </p> <p>The color on the end is one called Mountain View and I’ve used it on <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/08/mini-transformations.html" target="_blank">a few things</a> over the years. The color on the cap is pretty true to the color. It’s a nice light blue that leans ever-so-slightly gray. </p> <p>Here’s a close up of the board so you can see the coverage (I shook them all for a few minutes before spraying): </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGflm69D8D__DK9p9gPhdkLDSeF4Yq-ZLtJ0jRW9yJxbkMv5B_19kfYxDx19T8Yg1L1uO6w1D7Im0qFxLFhm2QXUsKHpduhPID_DoXw3qh9JHwWrJ74XB0TLxXsUofQLApT5-UHrXUGHA/s1600-h/IMG_8942%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spray paint comparison" border="0" height="692" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv3OOMWY99hyphenhyphenSmzrK5u4vFpykebPLJy9mDdtnYNcMLyRpKCQULGCFiGsqv5ev7fr66jT8dFO2FcE8hdtpyJN4bOkgL2OFAssWUcJPP2taYAiWf2LPwZZrcBDACV74CPeBX_q3mm0mRKA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="spray paint comparison" width="500" /></a></p> <p>Again, as far as being true to the color on the cap, Rustoleum wins. Coverage-wise, Valspar and Rustoleum did well. But I’ve used the two Krylon colors at the bottom and had no complaints at the time – it was only when I sprayed next to others that I noticed how thin it sprays. </p> <p>I know it’s impossible to match the color of the paint to the cap exactly, but many of the colors I’ve used are a pretty darn good match. What’s frustrating is if you get it home and spray and it’s not what you thought, you’re stuck with it. You can’t return it after you’ve used it. That’s how you build up a ridiculous spray paint collection. ;) </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Do you have a brand of spray paint that you love? A color that is your go-to? Are you still afraid to spray? If so, check out <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/05/spray-paint-party.html" target="_blank">this post</a> for helpful tips! </p>

Spray paint blues

Hey hey! I have a little taste test for you today! OK, not taste – don’t eat the spray paint. But a comparison of sorts. I told you about th...

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My furniture painting secrets

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you learn the hard way and wish at the end you had checked things out a little more thoroughly?  This  overconfidence gets me in hot water more times than I would like to admit, but learn I do!  I paint furniture frequently.  That means lots of experience from too many mistakes. Here's my recipe now.</div><br />What goes under a paint job is very important especially if you are painting a hard surface like laminate. My best painting tip in these situations is ....<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrtX9xb-8oo5S5kQUmL8hfZ2Mj8Vu-V47XcP4odZAZ1ezLZaW88Cy7Zu1INLgH5gY9hjLuH4q8u8ql15e83M7JzkmZjjhBQRCYNC1UVzfZFTynWca0luhKt7xUGvCTfTP0f6ExMDcRAl8/s1600/stix-primer-laminate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stix bonding primer" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrtX9xb-8oo5S5kQUmL8hfZ2Mj8Vu-V47XcP4odZAZ1ezLZaW88Cy7Zu1INLgH5gY9hjLuH4q8u8ql15e83M7JzkmZjjhBQRCYNC1UVzfZFTynWca0luhKt7xUGvCTfTP0f6ExMDcRAl8/s1600/stix-primer-laminate.jpg" title="My furniture painting secrets" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My top pick for a bonding primer</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>  use <a href="http://www.insl-x.com/product-detail/inslx-products/stix-waterborne-bonding-primer">STIX bonding primer </a> as a base on just about anything, and then go with the paint of your choice on top of it - my fav is below.  With used furniture degrease with TSP or vinegar and do a light sanding with a sanding pad or electric sander. Paint doesn't like grease, and I always feel better if I sand a bit first. No need to overdo it!<br /><br /><h4>The Facts on STIX</h4> Keep in mind:<br /><ol><li>STIX is not a paint but a  primer/sealant, only a thin translucent coat is required; you are not gaining anything by going for opaque coverage.  </li><li>You don't  need two coats; don't waste it because it is on the expensive side. </li><li>You probably need a quart rather than a gallon for smaller jobs because it spreads a long way.</li><li>It is best  applied going in one direction using light but swift movements. Forget back and forth or w moves.</li><li>Wait at least 90 minutes for drying.</li></ol>My latest project was a colour change for a small media cabinet from Target.  We needed  a multipurpose piece to act as a side table and storage for  two pieces of  TV equipment.  I hate it when you need something right away because you are forced to choose from what is available. 30 inch media cabinets are a thing of the past it seems; everyone has big TVs.   This one was the least offensive to  my design sensibilities.  NO I don't love it at all because it is a tad too traditional for me, but it will serve our purpose until hubby builds one - might be years!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bvDpUHVmbgEGuNfE-MNbTTXAuRcOTMRruYnxdIlgEe-7RluQhQ5x38pK4V-zGsH4lVa3dEdErQeRCgpUP_Z5yJ2UURKZiQTZHYfY9HKqI0FRbfw36vf-S2JKIvZR4DjaACMVA2C0qeb/s1600/TV+stand+Target.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="media cabinet Target" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6bvDpUHVmbgEGuNfE-MNbTTXAuRcOTMRruYnxdIlgEe-7RluQhQ5x38pK4V-zGsH4lVa3dEdErQeRCgpUP_Z5yJ2UURKZiQTZHYfY9HKqI0FRbfw36vf-S2JKIvZR4DjaACMVA2C0qeb/s1600/TV+stand+Target.jpg" title="My furniture painting secrets" width="320" /></a></div><br />The nutmeg colour looked terrible with my decor  especially my so lovely golden undertoned 80's oak. In comes trusty BM Iron Mountain  to match the  family room colour scheme. I highly recommend this gray if you are looking for a dark gray hue.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOcIng1057NVw1WUZLs1qWlTF5Vz7nlaefWHJeImaxDPVmUCyEseEhPGrXJElS4WLEG4v4_u7bAiOd2Zr4k9M4tZD1elBZDoAJ-o1enj17Zt1y_e9IHcdV1plw1T1NWt4rvhhTnNP29SJ/s1600/benjamin-moore-iron-mountian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOcIng1057NVw1WUZLs1qWlTF5Vz7nlaefWHJeImaxDPVmUCyEseEhPGrXJElS4WLEG4v4_u7bAiOd2Zr4k9M4tZD1elBZDoAJ-o1enj17Zt1y_e9IHcdV1plw1T1NWt4rvhhTnNP29SJ/s1600/benjamin-moore-iron-mountian.jpg" title="My furniture painting secrets" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benjamin Moore Iron  Mountain</td></tr></tbody></table>  <br />If I want a durable finish I use Benjamin Moore Advance in a pearl finish.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvz5Wj29sgsr64lkCTQmvFFkBIct-v5un6FItFEaQejITXEBPa3YK4QSp1eU0ViNnZ7Tc_U2ZPajE8fWiaxpz1Kc_nsOCsMQhfrgYxNC1TPLtvd4pQrNsonDoSjj8iMPl_9tWsEmGlY0O3/s1600/Advance_group_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Benjamin Moore Advance waterborne alkyd Iron Mountain" border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvz5Wj29sgsr64lkCTQmvFFkBIct-v5un6FItFEaQejITXEBPa3YK4QSp1eU0ViNnZ7Tc_U2ZPajE8fWiaxpz1Kc_nsOCsMQhfrgYxNC1TPLtvd4pQrNsonDoSjj8iMPl_9tWsEmGlY0O3/s1600/Advance_group_.jpg" title="My furniture painting secrets " width="320" /></a></div><br />But.... if you are the impatient type it might not be for you.  I have to do a lot of self talk to get me through the drying time, but it is worth it for a durable finish.  <br /><br /><h4>The facts on  Advance </h4> Benjamin Moore Advance is a <u>waterborn alkyd </u>and is as close to an oil finish as you can get today. <br /><br /> Pros: <br /><ul><li>durable finish</li><li> levels nicely</li><li>soap and water cleanup</li><li>available in all BM colours</li><li>low VOCs</li></ul> Cons:<br /><ul><li>difficult paint for impatient people (like me); re-coating time is 16 hours (don't try to hurry it); seems to take even longer when applied over sealed, hard, non porous surfaces; takes many days to fully harden from my experience</li><li>some reviews report whites yellowing over time ( I haven't used white)</li><li>higher price range(you get what you pay for)</li><li>not self-priming, stain-blocking nor antimicrobial -mildew resistant</li></ul> If you want a very extensive review of this product read <a href="http://www.jackpauhl.com/benjamin-moore-advance-paint-review/">Jack Pauhl</a>. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEXqNRKKPGkKIsiCDrG_5gn4GCmF2nQgpydOB9B5MSZ2V-EMhNU2UNc501kCL0DyIHWWrXhGqS16OLaNomXj1gEjgmhXECIpBRLpoGk6k5c22gvdUVILrFmqOVMI8SkKjxflJWfIqyVCV/s1600/DSCN0014_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Advance Benjamin moore Stix bonding primer" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEXqNRKKPGkKIsiCDrG_5gn4GCmF2nQgpydOB9B5MSZ2V-EMhNU2UNc501kCL0DyIHWWrXhGqS16OLaNomXj1gEjgmhXECIpBRLpoGk6k5c22gvdUVILrFmqOVMI8SkKjxflJWfIqyVCV/s1600/DSCN0014_01.JPG" title="Furniture Painting secrets" width="286" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain using  Advance</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo:  Margaret Ryall</span></div><br /> You may notice we chopped over two inches off the legs to hide the wires that were coming down behind the cabinet.  Wires are the enemy and they must be dealt with at all costs! This will also be used as a side table so it needed to be shorter.  I liked the higher legs, but function always wins. <br /><br />Do  you have any painting tips to pass along?  

My furniture painting secrets

Do you learn the hard way and wish at the end you had checked things out a little more thoroughly?  This  overconfidence gets me in hot wate...

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