MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!!

Well, against all odds and with a LOT of assistance from the spousal-unit (I am neither a sanding nor a hardware kinda' gal!), the nightstand project has been completed.  Did it turn out exactly as it looked in my mind?  Not quite.  But I learned a couple of things, figured out what I would need to do to get closer to the final look I was wanting, and I have a finished product that is certainly acceptable to me.  I call that all good.  :)

I love that my mentor, Shirley, and her sister, Kathi, the proud proprietors of Haven Home Furnishings, actually had faith that my fully left-brain self could eke out enough right-brain stuff to make this happen.  Thank you, ladies, for your confidence and support.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the transformation of my nightstand.

A reminder of where we started.

The process (one coat each of three different colors).

Start with a coat of "Chalk"

Add a coat of "Victorian Purple"

Finish with a coat of "Patina"

NOW LET THE "DISTRESSING" PIGEONS LOOSE!!!!

One side

Don't forget inside the drawer

The cabinet area

Front view

So... hope you have enjoyed my first endeavor in the world of "shabby chic!"  I will say it was fun to see the piece transformed.  Since it will return to the guest room, it doesn't have to be my personal style to have a place in my home.

If you are more right-brain than I and if you enjoy transforming furniture pieces, you should really consider one of the painting classes at Haven.  Heck, the spousal-unit has already offered up a wooden barstool of his for my next transformation project!  I just have to figure out what to do with it.  I'm thinking even further ahead... to the painting and stenciling of some larger pieces!

Lord help me.  I have become a paintaholic.  Sigh.  Shirley... I blame you for all of this.

Until next post!

PAINTAHOLIC? DO I NEED A PROGRAM?

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals!

Okay.  I have told you about two furniture painting classes I have taken at Haven Home Furnishings in Lake Charles.  The first (basic) was in June.  The second (advanced) was in August.  I guess it is time for me to try out what I have learned.  But first, let me show you what I accomplished in class (with a lot of help from Shirley!).

The basic class was really learning about the Van Gogh paint product and the basic technique of painting and distressing.  We worked on practice boards and tried out the clear wax and the dark wax on each.  My results:

The second class introduced the use of stencils, embossing, and the new "metallic" paints available.  It was a frenetic class but definitely worthwhile.  Again, the practice boards were put to good use.  My results:

Emboss using a stencil then paint the embossed area again using the stencil. My error here was using a "furniture makeup" glaze that I don't care for.

LOVE the metallic paints!  Making a fun board to hang items on using the copper colored metallic paint for the knobs.

Using a stencil to add a design with multiple colors.

Lots of fun and really enjoyed learning these new techniques!

So... it's time to put up or shut up.  I'm starting with a very small project that will only involve painting and distressing.  This is a nightstand that matches two chests-of-drawers that my parents owned.  I now possess the set.  The nightstand has been used in the guest room for years now but has been in poor shape since I obtained it.  I'm excited about bringing it back to life in a new form... rather like the phoenix rising from the ashes.  We'll see.

Here are the before shots.  The outdoor shots were taken of the item as it was before the sanding began.  (MANY thanks to the spousal-unit for all his help during the sanding process!)  The indoor shots are after the sanding of the item.

Alright then.  Now you know what I will be working on for the next couple of days.  The beauty of the chalk paint is how easily and quickly it applies and dries.  I am hopeful to have the "after" shots for you in less than a week.  Whether or not I will get them posted is another matter entirely!!!

At any rate, we'll see how this goes.  Wish me luck!

Until next post...