Painting 101 from Yours Truly

It is getting warmer outside...at least in other parts of the country...we still have our cold days here! Anyways, many of you are probably spring cleaning, and going to a lot more garage sales...now what to do with your treasures. Give them a new look with paint! I used to go to this little vintage/antique store in Old Elk Grove where we used to live in California...I always chat with the owner. I love her pieces, and she always tells me little tips on how she paints her furniture. She even gave me her WORLD WINNING recipe for Chili in 2004! Anyways, her and I have very similar style even when it comes to painting, I know one of my idols do too! I will talk about her more in the future!

When I get a piece of furniture, all I want to do is paint, paint, paint. By no means I am a lazy person, but if I do not have to sand a piece, I skip right to Primer, and then Paint. But now, I have been investing in Primer + Paint in One. Some of antique and vintage pieces, I rarely sand unless they are chipped....I do not like to mess with the grain underneath...why? It helps preserve the history of your furniture. Besides, I love the imperfect look of furniture...that is what Shabby chic is all about isn't it? My style is not perfect, but I make sure my pieces have character!

STEP 1: Take it apart. Remove all doors, hinges, knobs...if it does not have any...skip this step!)

TIP: Get a wood filler, ALWAYS! You never know when you will need it! Like, if you want to turn HANDLES into PULLS...you can fill the holes, and sand it evenly. Drill a new hole, and you can simply put one knob in it now!

 STEP 2: PRIME....when I use separate primer...I like to use the spray kind! If you find the PRIMER and PAINT in ONE for cheap (mistint or returned paint section of your local hardware store), go to STEP 3.

STEP 3: Either you can paint now, OR....this is a big one...if you want that old, chipped paint look (like the paint is lifted and can be peeled off), RUB wax (I use candle wax) or bar of soap on areas you want it too look chipped. I go for the edges, by the doors...feel free to do it....How will you know where it is after you have painted over it???? Well, the bumpy raised ones are the ones you applied the wax with

FYI: Satin Paint will always be my preference...it is more durable than eggshell!

 STEP 4: If you like distressing your furniture like me, sand edges..or the intricate design parts of your piece. What part of the furniture will you most likely brushed on when you walk by it?? Remember, if you like the old chipped, paint look, you have to get either a) razor blade 2) scraper. I rarely do the chipped paint so just used a razor blade...

STEP 5: IMPORTANT STEP: PLEASE DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP! You are almost done, I promise! Apply a finishing coat...there are many out there and I do not want you guys to get confused walking down that aisle, so here it goes!

 If your piece is white, be careful using oil base paint, it will turn yellow maybe not now, but eventually. I am weird though, I kinda like the aging look of white...as long as it is not  completely yellow!

Polyurethane comes in squeeze in a tube like a toothpaste, or it just comes in paint can. I like the squeeze in better, it allows me put my piece of furniture inside the house, and just finish it completely later! Oil base or water base? It is up to you!

One of my favorite is TUNG Oil. It is very inexpensive, but it gets the job done. It penetrates through the wood to make a long lasting finish. All you need is cloth rub here and there, and VOILA!

That is it for now...Remember, this is not rocket science...its art fun! Just go for it! I use to tell my art kids IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT! Sometimes those pieces are the pieces you will learn to love!

Now if you have any questions, just ask, and just PAINT!