Dark Ash and Dark Walnut Dresser

 Hello. Hope your having a wonderful day. I have a great piece to share today. I haven't done much work with mixing paint and wood tones. I love how it looks when others do them, but I'm a little more hesitant to do them myself. When I first brought this piece home, I thought is was going to be a nice navy blue.

Fortunately for me, I had second thoughts. I feel a masculine yet classic grey would do it more justice. Then looking at the line features, I thought " why not leave them dark stained? ". Worse case it doesn't look as I envisioned, and I paint them afterwards.

I was right!! I love the look. I used Behr paint in Ash Grey, also using my home-made chalk paint recipe. Cheap alternative, when I want custom colors. I used a sample pot from Home Depot {$5} and some Plaster of Paris {$5-and it makes appr. 30 batches}, you really can't go wrong with that price.

I did touch up the wood finish with a little of my favorite stain, Minwax Dark Walnut. The handles didn't take as well to the traditional stain, so I went with the gel stain instead. Worked like a charm. I finished it off with Varathane Water based polyurethane finish in clear satin. Durability at its best.

See my lil succulent terrarium. Check out my post on how to create your own here. I am obsessed with succulents right now. I just picked up some more today at the green house. I'm sure you'll see them in the near future.

What do you think, hit or miss on the paint and wood tone together? I think a big fat hit. Thanks for stopping by.

Party Time!!

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Hello Mint Dresser

 

On Friday, I was stopping at my usual Junque stops and came across this beauty. I immediately called my husband and told him to "start the car!', or in our case the truck.



I should state:

THIS IS MY FIRST DRESSER PROJECT!

That's right, very first one.

 It all started last week, when I discovered the Turquiose Iris blog. If you have been checking out furniture blogs, I'm sure you have seen her work. I am totally in love with her colors and style. Back to the point... She inspired me to move past my usual end tables, and test the water. Little did I know this water would be deep. I started by sanding all flat surfaces, and wiping it down with TSP. I've heard quite a few DIY'ers mention this stuff. If you have not tried it yet, I would. It worked great. The only down side I found, was it made some of the finish soft at the edges. If anyone knows how to prevent or why, please let me know. In case your rushing out to buy some...I found mine at Home Depot.

Next step, mix paint.

Paint Recipe:

1 cup paint

2 Tbsp Plaster of Paris

I am way too cheap to buy brand name chalk paint, and our local shop has limited hours. Don't get me wrong, I have tried Annie Sloan and LOVED it. I just can't take the price. I found this recipe somewhere online, and it works great. I find the key to smooth paint, is let it sit after the initial mix for 15 minutes. After that I would give it one more mix. I use a hand held mixer thing-a-ma-jig. Works amazing!

I put on a few coats, and lightly sanded with 220 Grit paper. Then wiped down the dresser one more time to remove the dust. I used Varathane Water Based Clear Coat to seal everything.

I really like the feel it gave the paint. I found mine at Rona, but I'm sure any local Hardware store would carry it.

Did I mention, I LOVE MINT!

 Notice there's no hardware? Here they are.

I wasn't really feeling them. Any suggestions for new ones? I was thinking crystal glass knobs. Totally cHiC.

I want to share what else I stole bought, on Friday. It was so cheap, I felt like I was stealing it from the store. $49.99 Can you believe it?

What do you think? I adore the detail of the doors. I'm thinking turquoise....

On a total side note. Winter is almost over here in my neck of the woods.

I even found some grass. YIPEE!!!!

Grass is a sign that Garage Sale Season will be starting. soon. I feel like I have a new set of eyes to shop with.

I am posting at these parties:

http://itssoverycheri.com/2013/03/10/its-party-time-3-10-2013/

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/03/show-tell-saturday-030913.html

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-sunday-link-party/

 http://betweennapsontheporch.net/wide-ironing-boards-make-ironing-easier/

 http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.ca/2013/03/welcome-to-114th-masterpiece-monday.html

 http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2013/03/motivate-me-monday-164.html

 http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/2013/03/monday-fundayspringdecor.html

 http://diyshowoff.com/2013/03/10/that-diy-party-7/ 

http://chicbytab.blogspot.ca/2013/03/hello-mint-dresser.html

 http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2013/03/hello-weekend-mindy-maes-market-reader.html

http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/2013/03/time-to-shine-party-no-108.html

http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2013/03/show-me-what-ya-got-110.html

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.ca/2013/03/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no154.html

http://carolynshomework.blogspot.ca/2013/03/the-inspiration-board-link-party-93.html

http://ladybug-blessings.com/?p=3288

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/03/wow-me-wednesday-94.html

http://www.primpjunktion.com/2013/03/primp-your-stuff-wednesday-linky-party_12.html

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.ca/2013/03/under-100-linky-party_13.html

http://www.theartsygirlconnection.com/2013/03/pininspirational-thursday-strut-it.html

 http://www.aglimpseinsideblog.com/2013/03/catch-glimpse-party-122.html

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/03/transformation-thursday-no-195.html

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.ca/2013/03/time-travel-thursday-140-talented-time.html

http://www.classyclutter.net/2013/03/spotlight-saturday-56.html

Life?

Do YOU ever feel like life is rolling faster then your legs can carry you? That's the story of the last month at my house. I have a child in a competitive sport, which takes 16 hours a week. Now add that on top of my 40 hours a week job. Oh yeah, I forgot I have another child that likes to swim and do gymnastics....Can't forget my lovely husband, who insists we get our house organized. I mean its only been 3 months since we moved in? I have a few projects on the go. This being the first to be finished.

I thought she looked pretty good before, but was in need of a face lift.

Now she is ready for many more years. I used a custom color, red with a smidge of black {like that?}. I made sure to use my favorite RL Tobacco glaze. Then finished her off with a clear wax coat. Next item...promised to be done soon.

Take care.

Party at
http://www.craftyscrappyhappy.net

10 more sleeps...but who's counting?

Where has the time gone. Is it just me or does December fly by? I have about 8 pieces lined up for my magic, but no time. 

I really have a thing for these end tables. I can't believe how ugly different they look before and after {i forgot to take a before}. If you look at my previous posts, you'll get the picture. I used Caribe by Behr, Ralph Lauren Glaze in Tobacco, and sprayed the handles with Oil Rubbed Bronze. . If you haven't used Oil Rubbed Bronze from Rustoleum, YOU BETTER GET A CAN! This stuff is magic.

When we first moved in, everything was gold.

Took off the gold plates and sprayed them with the Oil Rubbed Bronze, just like new. Saved us over a $100 per door, our house has 4 of these locks! That is huge savings, not including every other gold decor in my house. I've also seen this used with silver or brushed nickle spray paint.

Take care!

 

First Nightstand

Hello, I was able to start on my nightstand sooner than possible. My youngest came down with the flu today. Little people just shouldn't be that sick. I think throwing up should be reserved as punishment when you drink too much only! Well so here was the original picture.

I loved the detail, the moment our eyes met. I should start with a disclaimer-this is my first nightstand. Yup, I'm a virgin nightstand painter. So, by no means is my advice sound, but it works for me <i think>. So I started by giving her a light sanding, luckily there was nothing major. This piece is covered in some sort of veneer, so I also decided to spray with KILZ. I've read that that will allow the paint to attach to the smooth surface better.

Isn't she a beauty? Not quite yet. I did another light sand, just a few blobs. I wiped her down, and set to work with the paint. I chose BEHR-Caribe, from Home Depot. Grabbed a sample size, which would probably do 2-3 of this sized project. Than I distressed a bit and set to glazing. For this I chose Ralph Lauren-Tobacco Glaze. I love the color, but they don't sell Ralphs line in Canada anymore. I had it shipped from www.monarchpaintdc.com. The shipping was a little more than expected, I think $35 for 2 cans. In any case, if you know where I can order this in Canada or for a good price, let me know.

I've included a picture with the glaze on and after I wiped.

I love the look. I set to work on the rest of the nightstand, but chose to not wipe. Should have wiped, but was too late. Overall, I'm happy with the results, would wipe next time.

And a cute picture using my handy dandy Instagram app.

Beautiful! Until next time.