Are you still contemplating what to do with your imperfect piece of furniture? Do you need help coming up with a plan? I’ve got the solution for you! Let me talk to you about how to breathe new life into your special heirloom!!
I’d love to share with you what I do for a living!
…Turning old into new again.
…Giving outdated wooden furniture facelifts with the help of paint.
…Releasing furniture’s natural hidden beauty and giving old souls new life.
Here we go, I’m taking you on a journey!
My clients had this old raggedy, wooden buffet. It was a sentimental heirloom that was passed down to the daughter from her mother. It was special but in desperate need of a new identity!
Sure enough, I climbed out of my comfort zone. Which I must admit, might be the first time ever in history. I was stoked to get started on the client’s custom piece!! I ended up playing around trying to find the perfect gray, bluish hues to match the buffet against her pewter walls in the dining room.
At the start of this project, I knew I would take my secret weapon of paint mixology to a higher level as the paint line I had chosen to use didn’t have that exact colour that my client requested. Throughout this process, I honestly didn’t know what I was doing but I got to work anyhow. Somehow it always works out in the end if I just trust my intuition!
First things first, when working on a heirloom you must clean it!! I cannot stress this enough. After removing the hardware, please wash your pieces well using a rag, hot water and a bit of dish soap before the painting step. I never..EVER…recommend skipping this step!
After the piece had been thoroughly cleaned, I moved onto sanding the surface of the buffet to bare wood using a 60- grit and then I chose to go over it again but with a 20-grit sandpaper to make sure the surface was as smooth as a baby’s bottom! And then I took a tack cloth to prepare the surface for staining. You do not want sawdust in your final finish - that would be a disaster.
Let’s cut to the chase ladies and gents and allow me to explain to you the vision of this project. I knew for a fact this buffet had to have texture and depth. Those doors were my eye candy. I envisioned lots of distressing and “sanding block” rough edges. Come on! Those doors! Right? They had some natural charm that just needed a vibrant touch of colour.
I began using the layering technique to achieve the over all appearance that I was after. A bit of dry brushing was involved. I started experimenting with Decorative Annie Sloan Paint Aubusson Blue and Graphite with a little bit of Antique Glazing added in. Phew…it was perfect!
I should keep you in the loop about my secret weapon. I swear by my paint brush by Beautiful Finish. It really is THE BEST PAINT BRUSH OF ALL TIMES!! I’ve had my brush now 6 months and I will not part with it. The bristles are still intact! It really is that good…promise!
The countertop had seen better days. I decided to give the surface only one coat of stain using Minwax Old Oak gel stain and a disposable foam brush. I was not going for a solid finish at all. I wanted a transparent look.
I also recommend using a lint free cloth to wipe any excess stain when wet to get a constant even coat all the way through. You also don’t want to have any fallen dried clumpy drips of stain in your finish.
Here’s one more tip when sealing your protective surface… I highly recommend choosing an oil based polyurethane. Its easier to apply and less temperamental then water based polyurethane products. Also, two or three applications will usually be enough durability coverage when protecting your piece.
Now we get down to my favourite part, the client reveal! I knew the wife was in love with the final transformation I just needed her hubby’s approval. When I revealed the piece to both of them, here stood this big tough guy in silence!
…He paused (for what feels like forever)…
Finally, he glanced at his wife with puppy adoring eyes and said “Babe, I absolutely love it! It’s the most captivating piece of furniture in our house!”
…Deep sigh of relief…
I knew I loved it and was thrilled that they felt the same!
Today the buffet sits in the clients’ dining room proudly!
Now you know this is why I do what I do - saving the trees, recycling old pieces of furniture and creating new life. It’s all about the satisfaction of that final result!! The journey makes me all giddy inside and I appreciate knowing I am the one behind the design creations. That’s a proud moment when realizing your Zen, my friends.
I hope I grabbed your attention with the fact this beauty was a custom job and it belongs to a real sweet couple! If you are interested in this type of finish on your own special piece but you are hesitant to do it yourself. Let me help you! Contact me and I will work with you to bring new life into your precious heirloom!!
Have a terrific day! – God Bless