Painting Furniture Tutorial

For quite some time I have been thinking about doing a furniture painting tutorial. I have had many many requests for it and to tell the truth I really felt like maybe I am not worthy--I am not a professional afterall. But after many years of painting everything but the kitchen sink (and that may be coming:)) I decided to share how I do it.

This is my most recent project that I am going to use to show you what I did.

It began looking like this. I got it at Goodwill for 19.99--I fell in love with it because of all the detail. I knew I could make it pretty!

I don't always sand-but this piece had some shiny spots and so I did some light sanding--just enough to knock off the shiny spots.

Another thing I don't always do is prime. On this piece I did because I didn't want anything bleeding thru. I like to use Kilz spray paint. I like to spray especially on a piece like this, because there is so many little cracks and crevices.

This piece was missing the 2 drawer pulls it originally had. I am a big fan of glass/crystal knobs so I decided to put one in the middle rather than looking for drawer pulls to match. So I filled all the holes with wood filler. I got this at Walamrt for just a few dollars and it is very easy to use. There was a couple other bad spots that I also fixed.

After it dried I sanded it a little and no more holes!

Next I mixed up my home made chalk paint. I use an interior flat paint. I use Plaster of Paris mixed with water to add to the paint to make the chalk paint. I usually just wing it but I tried to pay attention to the mix to let everyone know the recipe. I used about 1.5 cups of paint, mixed 5 T. of Plaster of Paris to about 7 T. of water (mixed that together) and stirred that into the paint. I just whip it up with a fork. Chalk paint tends to get thicker as it sits out and I just add a little more water when needed. I love the texture of the chalk paint and the way it adheres.

 

I usually mix it up in a canning jar. I saw someone who had their own booth sold little jars of their own homemade chalk paint. It would be a great gift to make for a friend.

Then I just use my Purdy brush and start painting. I thought this piece would look great with some teal-grey so I added that to the inside and places in the front. I got my handy husband to put a hole in the middle of the drawer for my knob.

I had to lock the cats in my daughters room as they wanted to help.:)

I guess let them out to soon because look what I found on the inside of the cabinet the next morning. (above) I'm sentimental---I think it just adds to the memories. :)

To do the distressing I have tried many things..sanding etc. My favorite thing is to use Rub N Buff. I just go over it with my finger and accent all the pretty details. I think it brings the piece alive. My favorite color of Rub N Buff is Spanish copper. You can buy this at some art stores, or Ebay.

My finger is my favorite tool for this technique!

I often paint my hardware on a project.You can paint in place if you want but I always remove it and paint it and distress it before putting it back on.

After everything is totally dry I wax it to seal it with a paste wax. There are many available. You just rub it on with a lint free cloth.

 

 I really love the new look of my new TV cabinet!

So that is how I transform old Goodwill furniture into shabby chic furniture that I love. Feel free to ask if you have any questions and I hope that this post will inspire some of you to have fun remaking furniture. 

I will end this post with a few of my other favorite remade pieces.

Thanks so much for visiting!