How to Make a Stunning Metallic Finish

How to Make Your Pieces Pop

6 Materials

$50

3 Hours

Medium

Brushed by Brandy said this piece was intimidating as all heck. It was huge and boldly styled, those claw feet make a statement on their own. When I picked this up, my husband wasn't sure what I was thinking! I just look for things that are different, styles I haven’t done before, and well made. This thrift store find met those criteria, so I brought the set home.

My favorite custom orders are when a customer gives me a color and then sets me free. I can usually envision a piece from there. At first we were looking at black and copper, but that changed to gold.

I started by cleaning this piece well with Dixie Belle White Lightning. The original finish was fairly smooth, so I also gave it a coat of Dixie Belle Slick Stick, a gripping primer.

With a clean surface to start with, next was two coats of Dixie Belle Caviar, a nice, true, black. I got great coverage over the white primer in two coats of Caviar. I knew other than the gold leaf, this would be a simple finish underneath, so I sealed my paint with Dixie Belle Gator Hide. I did tint the Gator Hide with just a bit of Caviar paint to help prevent streaking over the dark black paint. Tinting clear coat is especially helpful over the darkest and lightest colors, whites, blacks, navy, etc.

We wanted a random look with the gold leaf. I started in an upper corner and carried it down in a diagonal using Mod Podge as my adhesive. Let it get a bit tacky, then lay the leaf, tearing the edges so it doesn't lay in a perfect square. The leaf needed more so I also used the Imperial Damask stencil by Redesign By Prima.

I replaced the two pulls I was missing with gold pulls from Hobby Lobby, added a gold drapery tassel, and this was ready to stage! One of my favorite pieces for how well it photographed.

Suggested materials:

Caviar Chalk Mineral Paint (https://dixiebellepaint.com/caviar-chalk-mineral-paint/)
Slick Stick (https://dixiebellepaint.com/slick-stick-new-sizes/)
Gator Hide (https://dixiebellepaint.com/gator-hide-new-size/)

How to Wood Burn Furniture: Shou-Sugi-Ban

I scored this dresser on the side of the road a few years back and have been meaning to give it some zest love. The time has come! Chanda and I are both addicted to this new japanese wood burning technique called Shou Sugi Ban. Not only is the outcome a lush dark chocolate wood, but let’s face it we get our inner pyro out with this technique.Original Blog Post

A Simple Trick to Make Your Tulip Arrangement Pop!

It isn't officially spring, but we've definitely got spring fever! To bring a little bit of the season into our homes early, we've been picking up tulips on sale from the grocery store. But sometimes those beautiful blooms can be difficult to display, especially in some of our favorite large vases. Luckily, we have some flower arranging tips to make the most of your inexpensive floral arrangements.

Make a Beautiful Entry to Your Home With a Few Simple WOW Pieces

First impressions do count. Your entry to your home is your home's first impression. Make it a good one by keeping your entry area clean and organized. Add a statement piece of furniture, fresh flowers, a mirror, baskets for shoes and a place for keys, etc. This will help keep clutter under control and your entrance looking gorgeous.

Updated Dresser, Distressed DIYer

Anyone who DIY's has probably had a project that just does not come together as hoped. A project that seems to fight you on every level and at every turn. This was that project. I purchased this dresser on craigslist for $30. It is solid and really, really, really heavy! Like, T-rex heavy! There was damage to the veneer around the whole bottom and deep gouges and scratches on the top, so I decided I would paint the dresser a nice glossy black and stain the drawer fronts. In my haste to get started, I forgot to take a picture of the dresser so the picture below is one I found on the web that is similar.

Mamie’s Chest

This piece has sat in storage at my mom’s for many years. It belonged to my precious, great grandmother, aka Mamie. The chest is way over one hundred years old. Mamie lived with my grandmother and she used the chest in her bedroom. I remember Mamie kept her Jewerly, that she let me play with when I was a little girl, in one of the top drawers. She had hair to her waist and she kept her brush and hair pins and hair combs on the dresser. Sweet, sweet memories of my childhood. It was painted a pale pink from top to bottom. Years later after my Mamie passed and then my sweet grandparents, the old pink chest went into storage. While prowling through Mom’s storage I came across Mamie’s chest and asked Mom if I could have it for my own. She was happy to give me the opportunity to restore Mamie’s chest. Needless to say, since Mamie’s chest had been in storage for many, many years, plus it’s age before being put in storage, it was a hot, little mess.

Milk Painted Dresser With Stencilled Drawers

I know some bloggers or painters who name their pieces. I’m not usually the naming kind, but I feel like this ‘lil gal needs a name. Maybe if I tell you her story, you could help me choose a name for her.She first came to my home after I purchased another cabinet which now holds all my Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint product on display. The owner was moving house and had been trying to sell this dresser as well as the cabinet I had just purchased. I wasn’t looking for a dresser, and the price she was wanting was not in my budget, so I politely said, “No, thank you,” and went on my way with the original cabinet I bought from her. I later received a phone call from the lady saying, “You know, I really like what you are doing, with the furniture you’re restoring, and this piece was special to me, but I have no room for it in my new home. I want you to have it.”

1 question

Tessa
on Nov 18, 2018
I want to paint my dresser like the original picture - could you tell me which colors you would use & the order in which to use them? I really appreciate it! Thanks much!
3
Answer this
- Old grouchy granny
  on Nov 26, 2018
  This is an amazing Phantom of the Opera style piece of furniture! Not sure whether i prefer a solid color or the new dramatic paint job. Either way, I would love to have this in my dining room. I can imagine it as the star of any room. Just love it.

43 of 84 comments

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Diana Lewis
2 days ago
I could see it in one of the high end Japanese Restaurants.
Nancy Pazdziora Stautz
20 hours ago
Wow! I see my vent free fireplace with this idea N

How to Make Your Pieces Pop

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