Adventures in Hutch Painting

This hutch came to our family for free, and I still maintain that some of the best finds are in fact, free.  A friend of my stepfather's was moving and he no longer had room for this, so my mother inherited it.  And I'm thankful she did, as I've been staring at it for years and seeing the potential for something very elegant beneath that fake wood veneer exterior.

If it had not been for the Zinsser BIN shellac primer my friend Marty gave me, this project would not have been a success.  While the hutch was a solid wood base, it had a laminate overlay on the main shelf plus veneered sides and trim.  And I know from experience (the ultimate failure of my latex paint job on my teenage dresser / nightstand set) that without more tooth for the paint to stick to, it would not be easy to paint over those materials.   So, I recommend it for painting over anything with a plastic or poly-urethaned surface.  BIN, you have my enthusiastic endorsement.  I can't wait to try it when I redo said dresser and nightstand. 

Anyway, here are some pictures of the process I went through.  Of course, a thorough cleaning and disassembling of the doors and drawer was key before I began priming. 

If you do use the BIN, know this: it might not be what you are expecting.  It is very liquid and it dries extremely fast.  So, by the time you are brushing on the water like substance, when it touches the wood surface it nearly immediately turns to the consistency of glue.  It was a rather drippy and time consuming process to cover the entire piece.  Marty recommends lighter coats of both paint and the primer and I agree.  You will get better adhesion and it will be more likely to NOT peel off if you use a lighter touch when applying your paints, stains and primers.  I have also learned this the hard way.  Globbing on the paint will result in a thick peeling surface later.   So, be sparing with the primer.  But act quickly as it's not easy to spread around once it starts to get gluey.  Just coat your surface and let it soak in. 

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/zinsser/primer-sealers/b-i-n-shellac-base-primer

 I let the BIN dry overnight before I began applying the Chalk Paint. Technically you don't have to wait that long: the Zinsser website says it sets up in 45 minutes and I believe that based on how quickly it was drying as I applied.  I used the Folk Art brand again, in Rich Black.  I bought my chalk paint at Jo-Ann's Fabrics.  Michael's may carry it too.    I bought the 16 oz size which costs $13.99.  I ended up needing 1 and a half containers, so buy two for a project of this size. 

http://www.joann.com/folkart-home-decor-chalk-16oz/zprd_13950035a.html#prefn1=brand&prefv1=Folkart&start=1

And then I got to work on the first coat.  As always, I was finishing the first coat late at night and it looked great.  But I ran out of the first container and had to wait until the next day to hop over to the store and get a second to do the finishing touches.  So, I took that opportunity to start spray painting hardware on the sidewalk in the middle of the night.  Yup, that's how I roll.  By the way, I just used Rustoleum in Satin Black to repaint the brass hardware.  I love old hardware.  I wouldn't replace old hardware unless it was very ugly.  Besides, it's difficult to fit new hardware on older furniture.  The spacing of the holes on hardware is not always standard and you don't want to destroy something by having to drill new holes.



you can't see this because it's dark (hardware before)



guess what: it's still nighttime and you can't see the finished product either

still nighttime, but you get the picture: you can get this at almost any hardware store

And of course, the harsh light of day revealed that I had a ton more work to do on the cabinet itself.  Our dining room is very dark as it is, thanks to the beautiful but light blocking Craftsman woodwork.  And so, I got to work touching up the piece.    And then I thought it was finished.  It looked beautiful.  Until I decided to ruin it with matte varnish.

at the point where I "thought" I was done

So, I painted every shelf surface only with matte varnish.  I used a roller and it looked like it went on smoothly.  I have used matte and satin varnish poly finishes before, and I was thinking it would protect the surfaces, etc.  What I didn't count on, is that even matte poly, is still shiny in comparison to the ultra matte finish of chalk paint.  When I woke up the next morning, it looked terrible and streaky.  I should have taken a picture to show you the mistake.  And it was a mistake.  I lightly sanded the varnished shelf surfaces and just painted one more coat of chalk paint over it instead and decided to say "f it" to poly altogether.  If it gets scratched or water stained from people setting their drinks on it, I will just do another coat of chalk paint and give it a light sand in the future.  That's my plan for the coffee bar desk as well.  When we move I will give it a quick sand and a touch up coat.

So, it took me a day or so to style these shelves.  It's a hard business, tweaking things.  The colors have to balance.  I wanted a very full, stuffed, farmhouse look.  I didn't want it to be too sparse, modern, or too precise.  I think that part of what makes décor look "farmhouse" is the feel of something being a little imperfect, a little messy, a little rustic.  You get the idea.  So, I filled it with my treasures.

I think it's important to mix textures as well as colors.  I wanted a little metal, some wood, basket material, ceramic, and of course, a vehicle for displaying my ironstone collectables.   Some of these pieces are very old: colonial American era.  And some are newer.  I love the patina, the crazing and the aging on some of the pieces.  I don't want them all to be the same shade of white. 

And I just love how the black matte paint brought out the details of the piece that I barely noticed before with the old finish.  Look at that molding!  Look at how beautiful the cabinet doors look!  Not to mention that World Market White French Drying Rack for my Mugs.  Worth every penny of the $14.99 I spent on it and more.

I hope you enjoyed the outcome of my project!  Every time I walk by it now, it puts a smile on my face.  It is very satisfying to see a vision realized. 

Recent Projects! Painting, Painting, Painting

I am so behind in posting my recent projects and additions to the Etsy Shop!  I've been really busy.  I'd say that's a good thing overall, and not because I am so distracted that I am avoiding anything, but because I am keeping myself genuinely busy. 

Here are some pictures!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiscellaneousM

before

after

pillows are still for sale in my etsy shop that match!



Jane Austen silhouette art

Charlotte Bronte silhouette art

Weekend Pinterest Picks

I thought I'd share with you the top five pins I am digging on this week...

This Fantastic Bathroom Design

I adore everything about the above, from the color scheme to the wallpaper, to those cupboards which look pretty familiar to me: I am thinking those are IKEA nightstands that I have admired for a long time.  What a cute idea to use nightstands for extra storage in the bathroom.  You know I love black, but I feel like this silvery grey reads stylistically like a black room but without the risk of creating a cave.  I also approve of the fact that the wallpaper is on one feature wall, rather than the entire room.  The pedestal sink is just such a throwback, in a very modern space, but the vanity mirror feels almost mod to me.  The only piece I don't approve of is the orchid, only because I'd probably kill it knowing my lack of botanical ability.  Thumbs up.

Rustic Meets Modern

Wow.  This cozy corner has really achieved a look which I wanted to achieve in my home.  My favorite color scheme (red, white and black as you all know) has a tendency to shock and be too bold.  I love it, but it's hard to create a casual, country feel using these colors.  They are stark, dramatic and ultra modern.  But this designer really achieved a cozy feel.  The wallpaper that they are calling buffalo plaid, is really reminiscent of gingham to me, which is a texture that I am a fan of.  And the chair, with its wider stripes is modern, but the shape of it is ultimately extremely traditional.  Look at the hobnail detail!  Those feet!  And the painting evokes such a feeling of federal Americana.  Not to mention the bowling pin display.  Love, love, love.  This room gets a ten in my book.

Apartment Therapy Living Room

Another wow factor living room.  As I age (gracefully I hope) my tastes are swinging back in a more traditional direction, but always with a bold twist.  Always.  First of all, I would have selected this pin for the plus size female figure art above the fireplace alone.  I love it!  What a ballsy choice.  I always enjoy Apartment Therapy home tours, but this one in particular was a fave.  I love how she left the fireplace brick red.  You rarely see that these days, but the charcoal walls, stark white trim, and neutral furniture really make that red fireplace pop.  This is a perfect example of how to paint a room in a dark color but still have a light, airy, and comfortable feel.  I am a huge fan of stark white contrasted with a bold color.  The throw pillows are perfect: the geometric black/white pattern is super contemporary but the other pillows read as very vintage with their ivory/orange color scheme that ties in with the red in the fireplace.  But to soften it up, she has added these organic, natural touches: the evergreen topiaries on the mantel and the green balls and hydrangea bundles on the coffee table.  This lady has taste.  I think we could be friends.  (Also, check out that antique looking portrait in the corner.  Nice touch.)   She really skirts the line here between traditional and contemporary and that's why it appeals to me. 

Cherry and Turquoise Sweet Dreams

My best friend Karen is getting married in September 2014.  And this color scheme, is probably what we are doing for a theme.  Turquoise and cherry red is, to me, a very retro chic combo.  It evokes a vintage feeling, but it's modern and fresh and frankly, unique.  I'm starting to see it become more prevalent, so it may be on the verge of becoming an official trend.  Also, for the record, this is pretty much the exact shade that I had painted my bedroom I shared with my ex-husband.  He needed a dark color on the walls because he worked the midnight shift and slept days.  I really approve of darker colors on a bedroom wall, because I find it easier to sleep in them.  I know that goes against a popular belief that you should NOT use bold color in a bedroom, because it inhibits rest.  But you will never see me creating any sort of a spa-like, dull, neutral, hotel room wannabe.  I think that even the bedroom should have personality, and this example has personality to spare.  But I'm just going to say it: I don't understand the chandelier choice.  It's a tarnished brass, it's almost art deco maybe?  I don't get it.  Maybe it's me that's not understanding the beauty of this choice.  While I agree that you shouldn't be matchy matchy necessarily, I feel like the vintage vibe of that lighting is just in complete opposition to the geometric, minimalist, contemporary soul of this room.  It's mixing genres in a way that I'm not comfortable with. 

Not Your Grandmother's China Cabinet

Obviously the "in" thing to do these days, is to make over furniture.  I wanna do it, you wanna do it, we all wanna do it.  I've watched every episode of Flea Market Flip they made.  And this is another winner.  While lime green (maybe even chartreuse?) is not my color of choice, it really works in this space.  I love the idea of taking something that evokes a farmhouse, country vibe and making it modern and new again.  And the robin's egg blue walls look wonderful with the lime green, especially the mix of color accessories within the cabinet.  And it looks like they lined the inside with a patterned wallpaper or tack paper and I love that too.  The mismatched pitchers on the top are a nice touch.  The slightly distressed finish is a win.  This makes me want to run out immediately and find a piece like this to refurbish. 

Brimfield Antique Show and Recovered Dresser Set

It has been a crazy few months.  My father was very ill (terminal cancer) and he recently passed away, so my passion for crafting was put on hold.  I am thinking that life will start to slow down again now.

Recently, I found myself with friends at the Brimfield Antique Shows (Brimfield MA.)  Google it if you haven't heard about this: it was massive.  I thought I'd share some of my pics, and also my most recent furniture redo with you.  I recovered my childhood vanity, mirror and nightstand set by painting it flat black and having my stepfather powdercoat all the (formerly brass) hardware, a satin black.  I admit I did not sand (what a sin.)  And unfortunately, it was laminate in some places, and had a gloss finish where it was wood grain.  So, instead I purchased Behr Ultra Premium Plus interior in "Broadway" with a satin finish (primer built in) as a shortcut and to make up for my laziness.  It took two quick coats (three coats on the laminate top of the dresser) but it seems to have worked.  

 Forgive my crappy photography, especially with the dresser pics.  I used my iphone and my creative streak does not extend to great photo taking. Enjoy!

Dresser/mirror before: the dirty white just stood out like a sore thumb

nightstand before, dirty off white trimmed in gold

mirror before

first coat

getting ready for the first coat, laid down a plastic drop cloth

mirror, one coat: this was the toughest of all three parts

finished nightstand

close-up of the hardware