A Much Needed Mantel Makeover!
After far too much indecision about the fate of our mantel and about 3 months of panic over ruining "the good wood" I did it! I painted our mantel!
Check out the before...it was pretty, but it completely melted into the chocolate colored paint. Chocolate does not make everything better, lol, especially not this mantel!
I started by sanding with a medium grit sanding block to knock down some of the shine.
I wiped away the dust and jumped right into painting. I had been sent some sample paint and was hoarding it especially for this project. I got to painting and man, did the panic and regret come on full force. Had I messed up our PERMANENT mantel? Should I have just left well enough alone and left the "good wood" despite the fact that I didn't love it?
Yup, those thoughts persisted...until I got to the final coat! I could finally see it coming together.
I had intended on glazing the entire thing which, in true Dorrie spirit, went right out the window. I tried it and hated it so I scrapped the idea. Instead, I decided to go with some very light distressing to subtly highlight the pretty lines and make them stand out just a bit.
Needless to say, I'm completely in love! My only regret now, is not having started this project 3 month ago.
Head on over to my blog for more details on this project! Thanks a bunch! xo
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