Monday, February 27, 2012

A Bumpy Start

These past few weeks have been busy ones. I have been working quickly so I can finish all my pieces on time for customers. I had a local customer call me to have one of my dressers for sale custom painted. She had seen the Old White and Paris Grey antique hutch I painted about a month ago and loved it. She wanted the dresser to be similar but she was going to be using this dresser to hold her T.V. I love when people use furniture for something other than it was intended for. She gave me free reign to paint my own interpretation of the hutch as a dresser. I had a lot of fun but also some unexpected bumps in the road.

The sheen on this dresser beforehand was amazingly shiny. I don't know what was on it but it was slick. I cleaned it off as usual with Simple Green since it wasn't too filthy or grimy. I used my air compressor paint gun to paint the base coat of Old White. It just wasn't sticking the way ASCP usually does, it looked like the paint was separating in some places and when it dried it would flake off in huge chunks. I like the peeled paint look, but it wasn't the "look" I wanted for this piece. I thought maybe I should break out the brush, maybe it would stick better or at least it wouldn't blow off the dry cracked paint. I ended up having to sand down the peeling spots so when I painted over it it would be a smooth surface. The brush seemed to make all the difference. Bump one, conquered.

The second bump in the road was the hardware. I don't know what it is but for some reason every time I plan on using original hardware, one breaks in half. I had some cute knobs that I bought at Michaels that I just have been dying to put on something. I thought I might be able to pull off the non-matching hardware. I thought it worked out nicely with the light blue and black songbird.

Once I saw all of this together, the last and final bump presented itself. I don't always have a clear picture of what exactly I am going to do, it just comes a little step at a time. After I saw the hardware on, I felt like we needed to tie in some more black. I was envisioning a beautiful stained ebony top. I love a good stained top. I would sand every top and stain it if it was up to me. It's just so much more durable and I love beautiful wood. I proceeded to sand down the top that I just painted (Argh... money in paint down the drain, I really need to have a clear picture before I paint). What was under the paint and crazy shiny layer of poly? Composite wood. That's right, really smooth composite wood. I decided I'd break out the ASCP graphite and do the next best thing: paint the top.

So there you go. I added some clear and dark wax for protection and patina. I put on several coats of polyurethane on the top for protection and called it beautiful. I also talked my customer through a little tip or two about painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint since she is planning on painting one of her own dressers. ASCP is so easy to use, anyone can do it. I can't wait to see how hers turns out. Good Luck!



Here's my cute daughter. You can't see it but she's taking a picture of the dresser too. She loves to get out her camera and do a little photo shoot of her own.

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Linking back to:
threemangoseeds.blogspot.com/
www.thegunnysack.com/
soverycreative.blogspot.com/
thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/
projectqueen.org
fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com
www.bluecricketdesign.net
savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com
www.theshabbycreekcottage.com
www.beneathmyheart.net
www.houseofhepworths.com
makinglemonadeblog.blogspot.com
missmustardseed.com
www.tatertotsandjello.com
www.decoratinginsanity.com
www.theroosterandthehen.com
www.littleinspiration.com
funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com
classyclutter.blogspot.com
twenty-eight-0-five.blogspot.com
www.stuff-and-nonsense.net
romantichome.blogspot.com
frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com
commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com
www.atthepicketfence.com
www.iheartnaptime.net
www.bystephanielynn.com
www.skiptomylou.org
linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com
southernlovely.blogspot.com

24 comments:

  1. it looks so beautiful! and i love the new knobs. i really love the shape of this piece! great job in seeing past that shiny finish! :)

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  2. This is a beautiful piece--you did an awesome job! How adorable your daughter does her own photo shoots. Looks like a blogger to be!

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  3. I love it! It turned out great! I love the pic of your Daughter taking photo's as well. An artist in the making.

    Love your blog, Im a new follower!

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  4. It is gorgeous! Great job! Just bought Old White last night to try on a few pieces! So glad I found you through Blue Cricket!
    Would love it if you'd link this up at my place today?
    Melody
    ChattyChics.com

    http://chattychics.com/2012/02/28/need-inspiration-wild-wednesday-5/

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  5. Love this look and love the ASCP too!! I'm your newest follower-stop by for a visit!!

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  6. Beautiful job! Gotta love ASCP! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  7. You certainly hit it outta the park with this one! GORGEOUS! From top to bottom and I couldnt agree with you more that every top should be stained!Im following you now and via e-mail as well:)Stop over and chat with me sometime and follow me too:) Deidre~http://simplysimplisticated4.blogspot.com

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  8. I love that. I need that in my house actually! :)

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  9. I love the new color and touch of distress. What a difference! I love the ASCP. So many things you can do with it. Nicely done :) visiting from TT&J

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  10. Oh how lovely!!! I found you on Tater Tots and Jello. I'd love to have you link up with us for Fun Stuff Fridays linky party at Toys In The Dryer. http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/03/fun-stuff-fridays-13.html

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  11. The dresser/TV console looks beautiful, but your little assistant is adorable!!!

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  12. Thanks for all your kind compliments.

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  13. What a fantastic idea! I am featuring it today:

    http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/03/who-was-stuffed-in-gunny-sack-week-27.html

    Stop by and grab an I Was STUFFED button! :)

    ~Tonia

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  14. You are invited to share this with my blog hop:

    http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-your-stuff-13-chocolate-cover.html

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  15. I'm sorry for all of your frustration with that piece but it turned out BEAUTIFUL. Love it. I'm a new follower. Have a great day.

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  16. Coming over from Coastal Charm' NTT to say - I love the dresser and I love ASCP!! Newest follower!
    Rhonda

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  17. Beautiful job! Your daughter is adorable!

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  18. It looks fabulous! I have been on the fence about testing some ASCP, as consideration for painting some builder grade oak kitchen cabinets.
    I am excited to be your new follower, off to see more of your transformations.

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  19. As beautiful as that dress is your assistant is the cutest. I knew she taking pictures just like her mom. Hope I can find a piece as perfect as that one for you to paint for my birthday. Getting older never felt so good!

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  20. Thank you for sharing at Potpourri Friday! I appreciate your participation!

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  21. I am in love with this dresser! Oh how I miss when my sweet girls were that age! What a cutie! XO

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