Monday, May 18, 2009

IT'S DONE!!

I can't believe I'm typing those words but ALL the painting is done! It felt so good to cross those items off my "to do" list in my sidebar. The painting was a ton of work with all the trim to do but it was definitely worth it. The house is completely transformed. After we painted the living room, stairway and hallway we kept on going....into the dining room. Once the other rooms were gray, the dining room yellow was screaming. I felt like I was in a McDonalds playland. So now it is the same color as everything else and it all flows.



I'll show it to you soon. My fellow decorating obsessed BFF is coming for a visit on Saturday and I want her to see it in person first. She is that friend, the one who listens to me gab on for hours on end about paint colors and window treatments. Someday I'll show you her home, it's gorgeous!



While I'm being a tease about the living room, I thought I would talk about painting furniture. I transformed a number of pieces for our living room project. Who has the money to go buy all new pieces for a new look? I sure don't. So paint is the thing!

This is my secretary before. It was red and served us well for a number of years but with the new wall paint, it wasn't going to fit in.

First I sanded it down really well......

You can see I was completely lazy and didn't even empty the drawers out first. I do need to clean them out though, yikes. Bits and pieces of everything.

After sanding I wiped it all down and primed and painted. Home centers sell tacky clothes that will pick up all the sanding dust. A damp cloth works just as well IMO.


Next I took the sandpaper to it again. I wanted the red to show through.....




Looking good! But still a little too white for me. I wanted it to look more worn.




Don't forget to sand extra around places that would have gotten a lot of use, like this keyhole...


The cheapest way to antique furniture is to use paint you already have. I've heard glaze works well but it's $13 a quart and I'm cheap..errr...frugal.

Pick out the paint color you want to antique with. For this piece I chose the gray wall paint. Water it down quite a bit and mix it up......




Then take your brush and wipe your paint/water mixture on. Be ready with a cloth because it's going to run!




Immediately take a cloth (or paper towel in my case, I was too lazy to go to the basement for cotton cloths) and wipe it off. Use circular motions to rub it into the crevices of the paint. You can leave your paint mixture on for a few seconds too if you want a darker look. Just don't leave it too long or it will begin to get tacky and that makes it difficult to wipe off properly.

I like to let it settle into the design of the wood if there is one. That makes the details really POP. I'm laughing as I'm typing that. It drives my hubby nuts when designers say that things "pop." Sorry hun, couldn't resist.





And you are all done! The great thing about this is that you can't mess up. If you wipe the paint off and find you want it darker, just repeat the paint/water mixture. If you have antiqued too much, no worries, just go over it again with your base color and try again.




I also want to thank Rue for featuring me on her blog this weekend. She is a sweetheart and if you haven't been to her blog, go now! If you came over from her place, thanks for visiting. It's great to meet new blogging buddies!


I can't wait to show you the room. I have a couple fun projects planned for it so stay tuned!
Have a fantastic Monday everyone!

34 comments:

Adrienne of Noon To Two and Handmade By Ade Etsy Shops said...

I think I'm in love with everything you do! So glad I found you.

Thanks and keep up your great work. You're very inspiring.

Adrienne

Anonymous said...

Phenomenal job on the secretary...I love the way it looks and I love your energy.

LeAnn:)

Julie said...

okay you have been busy girl! I love the new color and the secretary looks great!
Have a wonderful week
julie

Stacey said...

The furniture looks fantastic! You are really inspiring.

Kim said...

Michelle, I just can't express enough how glad I am that I found your blog. Thanks for the tutorial on antiquing furniture as I will be undertaking that job later in the week with a gorgeous piece I found on someone's curb! Kim

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Michelle! I love the new look for your secretary! I can't wait until you have the reveal for your new paint!! I understand about the decorating friend...I have one, too!! Have a great week and enjoy your visit!!...Debbie

Darlene said...

The secretary's new color looks wonderful!! I know you are glad to have all of your home painting done!!! What joy!!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The secretary looks fabulous. I love it. Such a pretty piece and the white paint and antiqueing looks perfect on it. I look forward to seeing all your hard work. Hugs, Marty

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

The secretary looks awesome and I can't wait to see your living/dining rms(;
Hugs~Kelly

Emily@remodelingthislife said...

Fabulous! The secretary looks amazing. Congrats on crossing all that stuff off! I can't wait to see more!

Paige said...

This looks great! I may do that to some of the goodies that I picked up this weekend on my yardsale trip. Paint really does transform a piece of furniture!

Karla said...

Wow! I can't wait to see it all! The secretary is GORGEOUS!! :) LOVE the wall color!

~Karla @ It's The Little Things...

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

You are a tease but I feel a bit satisfied that I got to enjoy the new look of the secretary :0)
It looks fantastic!

Tootsie said...

you are a great teacher! It looks wonderful and I can't wait to see the living room!

artis1111 said...

Love it!! Great job on painting. Kathy

june@craftyniche said...

Oooh, I can't wait to see the rest!!!

Susan said...

I am dying to see the finished product. Love the desk.

tara said...

I am so happy for you!! painting can be a really big chore. I am so excited to see the final product, the secretary looks amazing~

Melissa Miller said...

How beautiful is this piece!

~Wonderful job Michelle.

Have a great week.
~Melissa :)

Robin Johnson said...

What a great job, love the red showing throught. I have a endtable to paint which I think will look great like that. Thanks for the inspiration.

Dawn said...

Oh Michelle! That is gorgeous!!!

Robin said...

what a fabulous job! It looks terrific! Amazing the transformation paint can make!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Yea! Now it's time to celebrate!

Carla said...

I popped over from Rue's blog. :o) Love the armoire. And I know how relieved you must be to be done with the painting. When we remodeled, it felt like we were painting for months.

Debbie said...

What a great project!
Dropped by from SITS.

xinex said...

Thanks for the instructions. Your cabinet turned out great!...Christine

Rue said...

Good morning ya big ol' tease! I'm blaming your BFF for this ;)

The secretary turned out AMAZING. The details really do "pop" LOL

Oh and you don't have to thank me (blushing). I just did it because I love your blog and I want others to find you that haven't yet. You are so talented and that house of yours is becoming even more beautiful thanks to your touch. Oh and you're a sweetheart too, even though we can't see the whole thing yet ;P

rue

Brenda Pruitt said...

What a beautiful piece of furniture you possess! And the before and after photos are something to behold! Great job!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Oh be still my heart!!! That piece is just beautiful!!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

This looks so great! I love it. And I appreciate the tutorial. I learned something from this post! :-)

janet said...

the furniture makeover looks fantastic!!! i look forward to seeing your newly painted rooms.
hugs
janet

Kellie Collis said...

What a beautiful job! Isnt paint a wonderful thing!

Cathy said...

Lovely job on the old secretary. I love old furniture. I have a couple pieces that have been with me all my life. One just gets a new function and paint with each move. I am so jealous all your painting is done! I can't wait for the day. Keep the inspiration coming.

Caro said...

WOWZA! What a transformation!!