Since it’s in “about me”, I feel the need to do a post in the areas of art, decoration or crafts. I hate the word ‘craft’. I feel like I’m about to put a spell on someone or something to do with witchery. ‘Arts and crafts’ sounds like pre-school and artsy-craftsy just seems to cutsie for me. Off my soap-box now, I just don’t know how to describe what I’m doing. A lot of times I’ll be spray painting a decorative object, but to call that a ‘craft’ seems to be reaching a bit… and to do a whole post on that seems boring so I just don’t post a lot of crafty posts. OH, and because I like to start things but change my mind or not finish them… not finishing a craft does put a bit of a damper on the before Before and After posts. All that to say I’m posting today on a craft-esque topic.
On a quick random note- I’m learning to sew. I hope to have lots of completed projects to brag about here shortly but right now all I have is scrap fabric with a crooked line of thread going around but I SO feel like freaking Laura Ingalls Wilder sewing up some shirts for Pa that I don’t care that my work isn’t quite up to par yet. So instead of doing a post on sewing because, well, I can’t right now, I decided to show my toddler’s furniture transformation. This get you a nice fix until the next HGTV show comes on…
This post is actually one I’ve already done for the design blog I post for occasionally so check them out some time when you need design inspiration…
I have several pieces that are sentimental to me, they belonged to my Granny who I was close to. Because of that I want to keep them in the family. Although I used to cringe at the thought of painting antique furniture, not using it because it’s ugly is just as bad. My toddler’s room was needing some help- he had an antique dresser that I had painted white for my college days, an un-matching antique end table and some new wooden bunk-beds that I decided not to paint. To pull the room together I decided to paint the end table and dresser, (with intentions to paint two desk chairs in the near future). Because I have two lil ones, I knew this had to be a quick and easy weekend job since I don’t have time to sand and barely enough time to prime.
Step 1:
So, to start, I cleaned the furniture then primed it with Kilz spray primer. I didn’t feel it was necessary to sand as I like the unique look of the wood and any imperfections. Make sure you are either outside or somewhere well ventilated when you are priming as this smells pretty strong. I let it dry over night but if you are in a hurry you can prime in the morning then come back to it after a few hours.
Step 2:
This is optional- I got lucky and someone insisted I borrow their paint sprayer so I was able to do all the painting in about 30 minutes. If you don’t have access to one, I’d either buy a gallon of the paint you want and brush it on, or find the color you like in a Krylon spray can. (IF you are REALLY lucky, your husband will think you aren’t doing it perfectly and finish spraying!!)
Step 3:
After the paint dries, (over night) get a gallon of Ralph Lauren Faux Technique Glaze and have it tinted black. The don’t have this at Lowe’s, believe me, I spent some time looking and they only have this at Home Depot. I used a foam brush and applied it heavily in sections, then wiped it off with a wet cloth, then repeated this until all the furniture was done. The glaze will get in the crevices and wood grains and stay after being wiped off. I did one coat because I really wanted the bright blue to show through. If you want a more antiqued look, apply another coat and let it dry.
I love the after! The dark tint tames down the bright blue that I love in such a good way! I smile every time I walk into his room now and feel like it has a more “toddler” look to the room instead of random, un-matching pieces. The thing I love the most is that I can just re-paint it to a more suitable color for an older boy in a few years! 
