Chalk Paint Nightstand

I love how this little nightstand turned out!  It was blah...

Overall in good shape, but the color type just wasn't my fancy.

However, this is what I lived with for quite some time. 

I decided to refinish it in yellow.  I did this with my homemade chalk paint.

On the top I decided to do a Chevron pattern.

I just love how it turned out.  Now it's going up for sale.  :)

But in the meantime, looking at it just makes me smile.

Vintage Dresser Redo

Recently I picked this baby up at a yard sale for just $20!

It needed some work definitely! I had already removed the handles in this picture.  Even though she needed some love, I saw her potential.  

Here's a close up of the top.  Water marks and scratches.  Since this dresser is 100% real wood I wasn't too worried.

I started by removing all the drawers and doors, and giving the whole thing a good sanding.  I used 100 grit sandpaper and a palm sander.  It's the way to go when you have a lot of sanding to do.  Makes it go by fast.

Next, I gave the everything except the top 2 coats of primer.  I used the spray paint type, which my primer time super fast and easy.  It also dries faster than the brush on type, and you don't have to worry about brush lines.  The cans were about $4 each.  It took 2 cans for this project.

While my primer was curing, I did the top.  I used Minwax PolyShades in Bombay Mohogany.

It makes the staining process fantastic because it stains and poly's all in one quick step!  I did 2 coats of this on the top.

She's starting to look up!

After a full day of dry time, I went back to more sanding.....
Ug!
But it's important.  I used 220 grit sandpaper and gave the primer a fast light sanding.

Next was painting.  I wanted a grey-blue color.  However, all I had on hand was coastal blue or medium gray. I could have bought a gallon of a color I liked but I didn't want to spend the money.  So guess what I did?  Yep I mixed them together.

I wanted to use chalk paint, so I purchased some Plaster of Paris from the hardware store, (about $5 for a large container of it) and mixed it up.

1 part plaster of Paris disolved in HOT water
3 Parts Latex Paint

Mix your plaster and hot water together first, then mix in the paint.  It will be thinner than most paint.  After 2 coats of now "Slate Blue" chalk paint, this beast was really starting to shine.

I decided to distress the dresser.  I went back to my palm sander, and ruffed up the edges, legs and certain spots on the drawers.

Then I applied a glaze.  I bought my glaze in a discount bin.  It was a chocolate brown color and it was premixed.  I diluted it down with a little bit of water.  Then rubbed it on with a clean cloth, and rubbed it off with a damp one after about 15 minutes.  Here's the look it gave:

Then I spray painted the handles black.

I gave the whole thing a coat of wax and vwalla!

I love how it turned out!

I almost just want to keep it instead of reselling this baby!

What do you guys think?

Faux Granite Countertops

            I have been so unhappy with my kitchen lately.  The white cabinets and ugly white and pink counter tops were just not flowing for me!  So I spent the last few days painting, painting, and more painting!  Did I mention painting?  

Hideous as far as counter tops go, and the cabinets I had previously painted white.  White cabinets with children are very hard to keep looking nice.  Plus, once I painted the counter tops, the old dingy white just lacked pizzazz.  

( Before) 
 I had already sanded and primed the counter tops here.

So here's what I did...

Nice huh?  IGNORE THE BACKSPLASH!  I haven't quite conquered that yet. First, I scrubbed and sanded the counter tops. 
 Next I primed them with Kilz. 

 Next, I painted the counter tops a grayish, brown color. (SORRY I FORGOT TO SNAP A PICTURE!)

 After all that, then came the fun part!  Glazing!  I luv glazing!  I mixed 1 part black paint with 3 parts glaze and went to work.

Here's the glaze all mixed and on my brush...

  Using a newspaper, I dobbed the paint on in small sections.  Then using a plastic grocery bag, I removed some of the glaze.  
Lay the plastic bag down and press firmly, then lift it up!  (You will go through several grocery bags.)  This is the result!

BEFORE

 AFTER

I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!

For the cabinets I did the same process but instead of doing the glaze with a newspaper and plastic bag, I brushed it on like normal, and wiped it off with a rag until I got the look I wanted.  

 

(With glaze brushed on)

 

(After I wiped it off)

I also added about 5 coats of varnish to the countertops, and 2 to the cabinets.  As far as maintenance on the countertops go, you can't use harsh cleaners.  I have just been using vinegar, and Dawn.  You can't let water sit on them either.  This will eventually cause you grief....

I decided it was worth the effort.  I love my kitchen now!  It looks so much cleaner!

What do you think?  Backsplash is still to come so stay tuned!