This is a wonderful desk that a client brought to me to paint. It had no structural issues, it was very solid and full of beautiful detail. As you look through the start to finish pay attention to detail, because I am adding even more detail than it starts with.
First job is to strip the top so it can be stained in a dark Kona color.
Drawers are degreased and clean and ready for paint.
Here is one coat of Kona stain, but it is the mahogany color is still popping through too much so I am going to do a second coat.
First coat of paint is on!
It's a start but there is so much left to do
Here is the added detail that is going to make this desk really stand out, embossed wallpaper. I originally bought this wallpaper at Lowe's and it is designed to be painted. Right now it is just set in there and not painted, just to see if it would work. All I did was paint a layer of chalk paint, and then cut the pieces to fit. Once I knew the pieces would fit in nicely I just followed the direction for the wallpaper. It is pre-pasted so all I had to do was dredge through water, fold in 1/2 paste side facing in, let set for 30 seconds then unfold and set in place. Then very gently I rubbed all the air bubbles out. I let it fully dry overnight before I painted the paper.
Here is my tester piece that helped me and the client decide what color to paint the desk. We picked the middle color and it is a mixture of mostly Old White and a little bit cocoa , Annie Sloan chalk paint.
To get the aged look on the embossed paper I painted it the same color as the desk, then I mixed a glaze mixture with a clear paint extender, and antique glaze from Lowe's . I brushed it all over the paper and dabbed off the excess. After it dried I did a dry brush technique with old white to make it pop.
I did have some bleed through with the original stain, so I had to do a spray shellac in those areas. I then put two more coats on, for a total of 3 coats of paint, and clear wax. Some people like to sand and shabby chic it after they wax, but I actually like to sand before waxing. I like a smoother finish, still shabby chic, but not to rustic looking.
Here is the final piece, and she is a beauty!!!
How did u refinish the hardware?
ReplyDeleteThe hardware was easy with the use of chalk paint. It is hard to tell from the pictures but the hardware is lighter than the desk. Because the client couldn't afford new hardware yet we decided to do something that let the hardware blend in more and not stand out.
DeleteAll you have to do is clean any grease or grim off the hardware and paint as many coats as it takes to get the look you want. I think these took 3 coats. I used a a super fine sand paper to sand out any rough spots, and then a higher grit like 80 to rough up the edges. I was going for a more chic than shabby look for this desk. After all the sanding I then did a thin coat of clear wax to protect it.
I have also painted hardware with antique bronze from rustoleum when I am going for darker hardware.
That really turned out nice and the textured wallpaper added to the sides and back of desk..why didn't you continue the textured wallpaper around the front top panel where the top and middle drawer is located?
ReplyDeleteThe wallpaper technique requires there to be trim for the paper to set into. The front drawers at the top are flat and have no trim, so the paper could easily peal or get damage at the edges.
DeleteIt is kind of a shame though because it would look wonderful to be able to paper all the way around.
A way to get around that dilemma would that I could have bought and cut out trim to place on the drawers then paper it. My client had a budget that she could not go over, so adding more time and supplies was not an option this time around. Thank you for your comment, it was something I thought of too during the process.
Oh my heavens, you are soooooooooooo talented! This is just beautiful! Great job! Thank you so much for sharing! I just can't wait to see what you do next!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I love furniture so this is a great way to spend my time!
DeleteLove this! I have a desk just like this and I'm going to try the wall paper too! what did you put on the top of the wood to seal it? Brush on poly, wipe on poly?? Let me know!
ReplyDeletePaula
I used Annie Sloan clear wax to seal it. The whole desk is painted in chalk paint so the whole thing got waxed. Let me just say waxing is the hardest part of the job on a big piece like this.
DeleteI have never done a poly before, but I am sure I will at some point.
Beautiful! LOVE the touch of textured wallpaper!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I live in Plymouth, Michigan, and I would love to own a piece of your furniture, but I know that shipping fees can be very expensive. Can you recommend anyone in my area who does work of a quality equal to yours?
ReplyDeleteGee Cheryl what a compliment, it makes me feel warm all over! Ya too bad shipping is outrageous for furniture, sometimes it is more than a piece is worth. I have never shipped anything so I wouldn't even know how to go about it. I know people on Etsy do it, but wouldn't even have a clue of the cost.
DeleteI wish I knew someone in your area, but I don't. I would say start by looking at antique stores sometimes there is painted furniture in those. Or ask the antique dealer if they know anyone. We have little stores all over around my neck of the woods that sell painted furniture and home decor. There are a lot of people that paint furniture, but I try really hard to be a cut above and have a little of my own style to it. I don't want my stuff looking like everyone else's and so far it is working for me! Sorry I could help you. Just save your pennies and maybe someday we could work out shipping! ;)