Sometimes all ya’ need to get motivated to get projects done is an “event”. In my case… we had our neighborhood garage sales this weekend (which I always participate in)… so I had to get my garage cleared out! It was the motivation I needed to finish the painting projects that I had sitting in there!
So without further adieu….
Remember these pots that I needed motivation to start:
The designer asked that I make them look similar to the fountain I showed you on this post. She didn’t want them to look “fauxed”… which I translated into “don’t make them look too perfect or matchy-matchy”. Sometimes that is harder than you think.
I started by spray painting them a nice tan color…
Then I applied Aqua’s turquoise Stain & Seal for my blue in a “consistently-inconsistent-unmatchy-random-not-trying-too-hard” pattern…
If you are a professional faux finisher and have never used Aqua Finishing Solution’s Stain and Seals…. you need to. I have my studio always loaded with them. If you are in KC… you can purchase Stain and Seal from Surfaces Fine Paint... they are the local Aqua distributor.
After drying, I added Aqua’s Rich Brown Stain & Seal.
Again… trying not to make it look “too nice”.
I smashed it around… rubbed some of it off with cheesecloth and let it dry.
And here is the big reveal:
I like how they turned out so much that I may do a pot or something in my house the same way.
One project down. Two to go….
I had this dresser from another client.
I started by painting it Sherwin Williams “Mannered Gold” first. Then I applied Sherwin Williams “Sawdust” over that…. not 100%. Again, consistently inconsistent….
I added some “worm holes” with a Modello stencil removing tool.
This is the best “worm holer” that I have found. If you have never put “worm holes” on a wood piece… you should try it. It’s a great stress reliever.
(Pay no attention that I haven’t had a manicure in months. These are workin’ girl hands! But feel free to marvel at the fact that I was talented enough to stab the wood with this picker thing and snap a photo with my other hand AT THE SAME TIME! Serious skills…)
After that, I glazed the whole thing with Van Dyke Stain & Seal and called it a day:
Two projects down…. one to go.
My last garage project was transforming this old desk/bookcase that my client bought off Craigslist:
Into this:
This is a great example of transforming an ugly piece of furniture that has “good bones”.… into something marvelous! I love it! Great find Jill!
I finished it and delivered it on Thursday. Just in time for this on Friday:
My mom, my friend Shauna and my friend Laretha all got to spend a lot of quality time in my garage with me for 2 days. It’s a good thing we all love one another!
And to my dismay, Ava discovered dirt:
I think by the time it was all said and done, we all kinda felt like this bunny:
Poor bunny. He didn’t even sell…in fact, now that I think of it…. the reindeer and one of those bed frames didn’t either?!?!?! UG!
Three projects down… garage is empty… it’s a beautiful thing.
If you are interested in more furniture transformations…. head over to Sanctuary Arts at Home for some serious inspiration.
Many blessings,
Jennifer
16 comments
Ohhh, I’m definately motivated now!
Lovely finish!
Wonderful transformations…I really liked your “distressed” nails 😛
They all look great! Love your before and afters! I LOVE that sideboard/ dresser with the green.. it’s seriously awesome… you and I have to meet sometime and swap secrets! ;)Thanks for joining in on the party! Jen
Fun but completely exhausting!!! those pots are so amazing! and you know I loved the furniture you fauxed! I just wish I could get motivated to fold laundry!
You are so talented! Your furniture finising techniques are gorgeous! Linda
Those pots are so pretty and your skills are amazing to me!
Now that I have all that junk out of my office I can sand my tables so you can help me stain them in all your free time!
Laughing, seriously…free time…laughing harder…oh my…breath….
Love your urn project, but I really, really, love the black hutch. Black makes everything better! The color choice on the other piece is fabulous too, I need something other than black once in a while…
~Misti
Hello! Found your blog today and had to express my love of those pots! They are beautiful! Thanks for the play by play on how to do it!
snicker snicker…. I was going to call you out on those glamorous finger nails – gosh I can so relate – and that stain and seal can do a bigtime number on those fingers, if you forget to put the gloves on. That modello pick is a weapon – I’ve wormholed myself with it once or twice…
I LOVE the pots – awesome transformation…
and enjoyed the play by plays of how you are moving through a moment… (Ava is so darn adorable!)
Great job on the furniture painting! I am new to your post and I enjoyed viewing!
Nancy
bwwwwaaaa Jennifer…love the finish on the nails…and I can so relate to how that can happen. I don’t see how people keep nicely manicured nails and do the type of work we do. Although I am going to do better with mine..lolol.
Love the pieces you have done…
hey and thanks for stopping by my blog. I have been trying to get to yours for weeks now but you know how it is when your to do list is longer than you are????
I love all your transformations!! You have inspired me with the black secretary! I have a smaller one that now needs a decal and some caromal colours!
I may try the stain and seal stuff on a few pots myself.
I am glad your garage is lighter…that is always a great feeling! I would have bought the reindeer if I had been there!
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Hi Jennifer,
This is a bit random but I’m curious if you ever ended up selling the extra twin bed frame? I live in Olathe (which I believe may not be too far from you) and have been on the search through Craigslist and such for a twin bed frame for my daughter’s room. Unfortunately I haven’t had much luck.
If you still have it would you be interested in selling it to me?
http://suburbanmomma.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Emily
I love these transformations, very nice job!