Hi guys! If you were hoping for an installation of the “How Do I” Series, come back Wednesday or Thursday when I will discuss primers. For now, I was too excited to reveal the dresser/sideboard I purchased at the Salvation Army last week on their 30% off furniture day (I got it for about $45!). Here it is after sanding. I sanded the top if it down to the bare wood so I could refinish it. (And I did remove the hardware and sand under it- I just waited til after this picture).
This piece is as solid and sturdy as they come… It’s solid mahogany and has a fabulous serpentine front. When I first purchased it, it whispered, “Paint me slate blue and then distress me.” But then when I went to my local Benjamin Moore Dealer to peruse the paints ( I knew I wanted to choose from the Historic Collection) it got confused. It whispered, “Paint me golden yellow, and distress and antique me…. no, wait, paint me a rusty orange… oh no, I’ve got it! Paint me ‘Newburg Green’- It’s beautiful, deep, and rich!” Well, who am I to argue with a dresser? So I did what I was told, purchased a can of Newburg Green in the Aura paint/primer in one, and also a can of Minwax red mahogany stain. When I got home, I got right to work.
The first step after sanding was to stain the top. VERY IMPORTANT: Before I stained the top, I used a wood conditioner to make sure that the stain would coat evenly. The conditioner was brushed or rubbed on with a rag, and then I waited about 15 minutes and wiped off the excess with a clean rag. Once that was done, I put the first coat of stain on. I was happy with the color after just one coat, so I left it at that. The I painted the base with one coat. I let all that dry overnight. This morning, I used Minwax Wipe-On Poly as I like the more rustic (i.e. less glossy) look it gives. I used two coats of that on the wood top, and added another coat of paint to the base. Once it was dry, I replaced the hardware, and loved the classic look it had without distressing. And I was so excited to show you that I made my husband help me carry it outside even though it was getting dark so I could take pictures. So these are not the best pictures as it was getting dark and I had to use my flash. The color is actually slightly darker and deeper than what you see, but you will get the idea. I just couldn’t wait to share it since this color is totally new to me. I really love it and am happy with the results, although I admit this piece would never work in my own house! ( I like the soft light pieces, not the dark and classic ones!).
