Behold the Power of Paint!

Friday, March 4, 2011

I've had this sweet little French vanity in my shop for a few months and it just wasn't getting the attention it deserved.  It has curvy cabriole legs, original brass hardware and beveled mirror.  


So I took it home for a quick cosmetic update which started with a (very) light sanding, followed by a dry brushing of Krylon's Classic Gray mixed with a little Ivory.  The Classic Gray was a little darker than I wanted.
Next, I rubbed on a very light coat of Minwax wood stain in Dark Walnut


When that was completely dry (I waited 2 days), I rubbed on a coat of Briwax liming wax. This product adds a white wash over everything.


While all of that was happening, the brass hardware was sitting in a bowl of white vinegar.  After drying it, I rubbed with some extra-fine steel wool.

And yesterday I brought it back to the shopping looking like this
This area is poorly lit for photographs - here are some closer images (please excuse the dangling cords!)



And do you remember this mid-century bench?


It found a home in Mandi Smith's bathroom.



Go Interior Design Musings to see her bathroom makeover! Thanks, Mandi!

Happy weekend!!!

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com








31 comments:

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Wow- that looks amazing! Great job! It is amazing what a little paint can do! :) I'm off to check out the blog you mentioned.

Jenny Castle Design said...

Gorgeous - love the before and after!!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Looks great. I really want to find something to use the liming wax on!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

I looks SO Good!!! I've been wanting to tackle a project like this. I have a coffee table base I want to paint and then stain.... it just feels daunting.

Thanks for inspiring :)

Naomi

Ashley said...

Kim, it looks great! Loving the liming wax idea. It really brings out the shape of the vanity.

Happy weekend!

Abby M. Interiors said...

Amazing! I'm sure it will sell in a heartbeat. Thanks for the inspiration! abby

Unknown said...

I'm always amazed by how painting something can drastically change the look- so gorgeous and I already saw the bench over at IDM- looks fabulous!

amber lynn said...

LOVE the vanity re-do! It looks gorgeous!!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

What a beautiful transformation. I wish I could just soak in vinegar for a few days and come out that nice :)
Can't imagine it will be with you for much longer now, great job!

Lissa Pierce said...

Love The Transformation Kim! I never would have thought to add the stain over and then liming wax...I'm just not cool like that. Thanks for the inspiration....this might be just what my bedroom dresser needs!

kayce hughes said...

Great job! I need to try that wax.

LiveLikeYou said...

I believe in the power pf paint!!

Danika Herrick said...

That came out perfect! I'm sure it won't be there for long.

Danika

Danielle Sigwalt Interiors said...

Oh yes boy do I agree...paint truly has the power to transform something ho hum into a work of art! Great redo!!

Splendid Sass said...

Kim,
This is one DIY that I will file. Great idea, and it is beautiful.
Teresa
xoxo

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow what a great transformation! It looks so pretty. I bet it will sell so quickly now!

The enchanted home said...

Love how that came out..wow impressed and you picked the perfect color, that gray blue that I ADORE! So pretty!! Amazing indeed what paint can do!
visit me...doing an amazing giveaway..a pair of stunning Murano handblown glass lamps..www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

Happy weekend!

Unknown said...

Looks great! I love painting furniture.

Karena said...

Kim that is an amazing transformation!! I bet it sells soon. Of course I would want to keep it!!

Do come and enter my Artful Offering!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Karen said...

I've been blog hopping this evening and seeing some great paint projects-I'm feeling like such a slacker for not having any projects complete myself. Nice job on both of your projects.

Carol@TheDesignPages said...

The vanity is stunning. I have been toying with the idea of the stain over paint and I think you just convinced me. Very nice indeed!

Ange said...

I can't stop looking at, and admiring, your dresser. What a fantastic paint finish. The lamps look right at home there now!
Angex

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

That is the vanity table I grew up with! I gave the whole set (highboy chest, nightstand and vanity) to my daughter. I'm forwarding this on to her to see. Great transformation! Love it, with a hint of nostalgia!

Mona thompson said...

You are so right. the power of paint is awesome. Great job. I love the end result.

Town and Country Gals said...

Kim,
You are so right, paint changes everything! Love the color and really like the way the kobs turned out! It did quite the transformation on that vanity! Also, I have given you the stylish blogger award so come over and grab the button!
Rebecca

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Oh, what a wonderful make-over. It looks so much more interesting. You are so clever.

Thanks for entering my painting giveaway at Art by Karena! Good luck.

Anonymous said...

simply gorgeous...love before and afters...and your piece came out beautifully...
maureen

Kendall said...

This is a really great makeover Kim! I drove through Chattanooga today on my way back from ATL and I thought of you!

casey at loft and cottage said...

So cute! Definitely want to try Briwax sometime.

Lynda @ Happenstance Home said...

That little bench is adorable and I LOVE your makeover on that vanity! That should sell quickly now!

alison (semi-fab lane) said...

why did i not know that you had a shop? love what you did with the vanity, nice work!