Here’s the piece I let you peek at a couple of days ago. I am usually a blue & white kind of person, but I also love warm colors like reds and yellows. I was in a red mood the day I painted this and it works so much better than a blue would have.
Here’s the before. I purchased this vanity (with a very Queen Anne mirror attached) at an estate/yard sale for $20.00. It was sturdy and had functioning drawers, but it had a lot of water damage and the finish showed it.
I sanded the piece, applied a coat of bonding primer and 2 coats of semi-gloss paint. I wish I could tell you the color of red I used (because I know the questions are coming), but I mixed this one myself. It is SW Rave Red with some Raw Umber universal tint mixed in to tone it down.
I sprayed the shiny brass handles with Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint by Krylon and rubbed in a Dark Walnut stain by Minwax over the red to add depth. I then measured and taped a rectangle on the surface of the desk using my trusty Frog Tape in order to add a chalkboard.
This product works makes a crisp, clean line, but you have to make sure you thoroughly press it down. I applied 2 coats of Chalkboard paint using a foam roller. Another great product is Glad Press & Seal. I used that to cover my roller and paint tray, so I didn’t have to wash them out between coats. This is an oil based paint, so it would’ve been a pain. The wrap kept my paint and roller wet over night!
And there’s the clean line. No touch-up needed. I love it!
I think you could stop here, but the rectangle looks a little harsh to me. I decided to add a hand painted frame for the chalkboard. If you are not comfortable with a artist’s brush, you could always use a stencil or vinyl decals.
I used glossy white acrylic paint for the decorative painting. Make sure you “season” your chalkboard before using it…just like you would with a cast iron skillet. All you need to do is run a piece of chalk over the entire surface. This prevents what you write from being “burned in” the chalkboard surface.
And here it is! Isn’t she just lovely? I think it’s fun, bold, and classic all at the same time. I usually replace knobs on a piece like this, but the shape of these knobs were the best for this piece. They just needed some paint to get an updated look.
I got that awesome fan out of my grandparent’s attic. And it still works! The typewriter was $10.00 at a yard sale…craziness!
You can see how the stain adds a sense of age and emphasizes the details on the piece.
So, here’s a question… I am always underpricing my furniture. I know this, but I am SO CHEAP. Help me out, here. How much would you pay for this piece? I hope this piece inspires you! Remember to come back tonight at 10:00 pm for the very first Furniture Feature Friday link party!
I am posting this to Transformation Thursday at…
Sanctuary Art’s Before and After Party and Ruby Tuesday at Work of the Poet.
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just a little bit behind here in commenting, but i did want to say what a clever idea this is … and so beautifully done! bravo!
i was in a cafe yesterday where the main wall is all chalkboard with specials on it … and drawings … sweet idea as well!
cheers,
prairiegirl
It looks wonderful! What a clever idea! Thanks so much for joining in on the party! What a great addition!
looks wonderful…thats not an easy paint job. great job!
I meant to leave a comment the other day, but somehow got distracted.
I LOVEEEE this! It's such a great color, don't ya love whipping up your own custom colors? And the hand painting — WHEW — gorgeous!
What a gorgeous desk! How does the chalk paint hold up? I've never used it. You are so talented.
What a great spot to jot down phone messages? Brilliant!
Oh my gosh a chalkboard desk!! This is genius! You're so clever.
The second I glimpsed at the photo of the desk, I immediately went up to the top of your blog to click your "follow" button. Amazing!!! But by the sounds of your posts, you've painted lots of times before. What is this Frog tape?? Love to hear more about it. Is it an easy mask tape?
Stop by and see my lovely transformation and don't forget to see yesterday's post too!!!…My papa's hand-painted frescoes from the cathedrals of Southern Italy!
And if you like what you see, don't forget to click the "Follow" button so that we can inspire each other often!
Love it – just like always! Beautiful
You are one talented lady!! Very original and beautiful…Janell
Beautiful! I love the decorative embellishments that you added. Totally jazzed it up. Very beautiful!
XOOX
Jen
that chalkboard frame is just geneous. Love it! Great job, must be hard to give it away again (well not give, sell I mean).
That is gorgeous! I love the chalkboard frame in contrast with the red color. Beautiful. And the accessories go perfectly. Good job!
It turned out great! The red is fun and I would have never thought of doing the chalkboard top. Also love the detail you added around the chalkboard. Great job! Have a good day…
PK @ Room Remix
wow this project is amazing!!! Love it!!
yet another stunning piece by a talented lady
Another homerun!!! So cool, what a great pop the red is. Never knew that about seasoning a chalkboard, thanks for the tip. Pricing is a beyotch, isn't it?
Now that is one beautiful desk! I'm trying to find chalkboard paint and haven't had any luck.
This is gorgeous. Your hand painted frame around the chalkboard was the perfect touch! I love the red and the accessories on top are amazing! What great finds! Love it all.
I LOVE this!! The design around the chalkboard is gorgeous!!
You truly have a gift. I love seeing your work every week on Kimba's blog. This project is absolutely amazing!
That detail you added around the chalkboard is gorgeous! It really makes that desk complete.
I LOVE IT! I have a desk in my garage that would look lovely with this!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Rachelle
This turned out absolutely beautiful! It is just amazing looking!
OMG its fabulous! great job!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Fabulous job!
You did an amazing job with the desk. Asking price, haven't got a clue I buy most of my things really cheaply and paint them myself. I'm in PA. too. Nice to meet you neighbor~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
Simply stunningly sensational.
WoW!
I am dumbfounded at your talent & cleverness.
You go girl!
You go!
I really love this. I am VERY seriously thanking about how this could be done on a kitchen table. I have never repainted a piece of furniture in my life. Heck, I haven't even sanded before. So…this will be totally new for me. It is a classic oak round table. Think this could work? Paint it red, add the chalkboard in the middle. Ooh better yet-what if I did 4 separate chalkboard areas as placemats?
Awesome. Something is going on with google again and Ic an't see anything I am typing–ugh–hope you can read it-can't fix typos. Come ofr a visit.
cheri
that's so amazingly cool and I like how you showed the step by step method of refurbishing the furniture. I love color so much!
You are amazing. will add to my favorites tonighta nd come back soon. HRT
That was a fabulous transformation!
It is a great transformation.
I was inspired by you and did a similar treatment for my countertop in the basement.
if you are interested in checking it out:
http://beardollyandmoi.blogspot.com/2010/06/basement.html
thank you for all your inspirations
This is to die for !
Thanks for sharing.