Monday, April 9, 2018

Emerald green Campaign Desk

Seems like forever since I've done anything new. But, here's a completed new guy done w/BM Advance in Glossy Emerald Isle.  Such a beautiful, no nonsense green.  Like the color of new grass. 


I've actually had this one sitting in my inventory for many years.  I did the first coat,




and then ended up just letting it sit,,,and sit!   I should have sprayed, because doing those legs w/a small brush took many coats.  Polishing all that hardware is always great fun too.  downside to campaign pieces is the hardware and fifty million little nails.



I'm posting these pics in reverse!  



                                   



I just love this shade of green with the deep blues.  and look at that shine on top! 5 coats.

                      


                                                           She is available.








Thursday, May 25, 2017

Bathroom Reno is D.U.N.!

Been awhile since I"ve posted anything. I guess I'm just whooped from our massive bedroom/bathroom renovation. 
Houzz featured the reno on their Stories Heading here:


I've did a running post throughout the year long remodel. (yes year. downside of doing things yourself is that it often gets pushed back.  Often.  lol) 

If you haven't see it, it's here.

Justina Blakeney, thanks for the blue quilt! 







lots more pics under my very wordy post! Or click on the Houzz link, click on one of the pics, and then click on "more photos from this project".  The Houzz article itself only put in about 5 good pics.  The best ones are under my Houzz post, "Master Bath Redo".































Sunday, September 11, 2016

Stain art on a Frenchie

Sigh, I finally got around to completing what I started four months ago. I blame the weather!! I work in my garage. And when it's 100 outside, it's 95 in the garage. even at 10 at night. Anyway, here it is.....(click on photos to see a bigger picture)
Yes I know. Not terribly bad. Except it was grungy and filthy! And there are a million more like it. So time to mix it up a bit....

I have done many other custom art wood stain designs on the tops of my pieces. It was time for another. Lets start from the beginning, eh??

A thorough cleaning,scrub down, and then lots of sanding! The top was taken off with a stripper. Soy Gel. Sanded and wiped, and then I drew out my flower design. 

Use chalk. If you mess up, a wet rag takes it right off. And when you are done staining, you can wipe off the lines and no one will ever know! 
I can't really tell you how to do this. It's all just an individual thing. I mix my colors, I mix my shading, I sometimes go over it w/other shades, I mix two together,,,,just do it. 
Sometimes I blend with a rag, sometimes the brush. If your lines get covered w/stain, take some sandpaper and sand on the lines to clean them up. Then it comes out something like this when you are finished. 

 For the rest of the top, I used GF Spiced Walnut,,,or maybe it was Java. I really don't know. I had 7 different stains that I mixed and played with.  The top was sealed with GF wipe on Urethane. for sure. 
The body was done with ASCP Ochre. I used Greek blue in some of the corner distressing. 

Handles got sprayed w/a MM silver and Rustoleum Pure Gold mixture. 



I even did a matching nightstand (no stain design tho). Still have to wax it.  sigh.







Thursday, July 28, 2016

Antique tall dresser in that gorgeous shade of blue!

Cobalt Blue. My fave color. And The Real Milk Paint Co has the most gorgeous shade of that blue, hands down. So many people ask what color this is. Blue Lagoon. And that's just what it looks like. 

Two coats of paint and two coats of tung oil. Bam! 

A decent dresser from the very early 1900's. Some nice burled walnut. I chose to go w/a two tone because the walnut was in decent condition. Not sure of the top. Maybe elm or ash. 

I only have a 'few' of their paints!
Don't freak when you apply the paint. It's going to look dull. In the picture you see the dried paint and then the area where the oil has been applied. Their tung oil and citrus solvent mixture are the best. And non toxic! I mix mine in an old glass jar with a tight lid. I also added a little of the dark tung oil. 


Out on my patio where I have the Mexican tile. Goes perfectly! 
Tommy


The tung oil puts it's own finish onto the piece. 3-5 coats is enough to give it a good sealing.
 Much like a wax coating. 

This was one of my earlier milk paint pieces I did, and one of the few that I kept. I mean, look at that hardware. Hello????!!!! Couldn't sell this one. Besides cobalt, this turquoise is my next fave. I've probably used this color on 6 different pieces and they've all sold quickly. 
This is Aqua:

Still looks good after 4 years. 

If you have any questions about the paint, check out their site or talk to Dwayne over there. 
Tell him I sent you! 




Sunday, June 26, 2016

Another ornate 70's dresser!

 I love doing these 1970 dressers, but the prep work is ridiculous! Because these are made with a laminate type coating, painting can be challenging. Prep work is imperative on these. 

Heres what I started with. Lovely. You can't be too zealous w/the sanding or else you go through these mdf tops and end up w/a very rough, nonsandable surface. 
All of the drawers had this factory finish that was peeling. I had to hand-sand every single drawer! Can you say, "nightmare"?  Took me hours and hours to get these smooth. 

Then after priming, I had to go back and smooth them by sanding again. And sometime priming again! I was really hating the day I brought home this thing. 

But after all was said and done, it did clean up nicely. 
The handles got a spray of Metallic Rose Gold by Rustoleum. Goes perfectly with the pink. 

I used my Fine Paints of Europe Eco line in a "Ballet Pink" color.  No bubblegum pink for this lady. 
This piece can be used by a girl of any age! 





And of course my signature paint on the drawers! I used Berry for the middle and a medium gray for the outer drawers.  Again, Everything was sanded, primed and painted. Because I used a glossy paint, every piece of lint and hair will show. Before I paint, I even have to prep my garage area by sweeping and mopping the floor down with water to get the dust to settle. Look at that reflective top! And I brushed it, not sprayed. I gave it at least 6 coats with plenty of fine sanding in between coats. That's the only way you can get a fine, smooth finish. Try wet sanding with a 600 grit.