When I was little, Nonna’s garage was a mysterious and unknown place where I wasn’t allowed because it was too cluttered and not safe for little girls. I spent my entire life wondering what was in that garage. Really.
So, a couple of years ago when I went over there to help my parents clean out Nonna’s home, I asked to go in the garage. Dad had already started cleaning it out, but there was still so much to see.
Art, lampshades, vintage toys, memorabilia, dishes…lots and lots of dishes. That’s where I got the ironstone and Fiestaware.
And it’s where Mom found these little yellow stools.
She showed them to me and asked me if I would paint them for her. “Just do what you do,” she instructed.
I’m gonna make it do what it do, baby. Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles
I needed a little more guidance, so one day when Mom and I were shopping, I asked her to point out an inspiration piece. I decided a color wash with chalky finish paint would be the best way to get the look she wanted.
These stools were very dirty from years and years of being in the garage. So, first things first, I cleaned them with a little dish soap and water.
Now, it was time for the first coat.
It took two coats of Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in Everlasting to cover the yellow.
Next I painted on a coat of Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in Primitive. While it was still wet, I sprayed it with a water bottle, then wiped off the paint with a paper towel.
See the difference in the color washed (front) stool and the other stool (back)?
You can also create a wash just by mixing the paint with a little water, but the instructor of the workshop I took suggested that the water bottle method gives you a little more control.
Next, I brushed on a coat of clear wax with a small chip brush, then wiped off the excess and buffed it to a shine with a clean, white cloth.
Normally, I raid my husband’s t-shirt drawer and cut up one of his t-shirts (which he hasn’t seemed to notice.) I felt bad about taking yet another one of his t-shirts, so this time, I decided to try a flour sack cloth that I had on hand, and it worked well.
To create a little more depth, I used that same brush to apply dark wax on the edges and crevices of the stools. I used the cloth to wipe it off, creating a subtle, layered effect.
Once again, here are the stools before.
And now, after.
You can see the dark wax in the crevice on the stool legs.
And, I absolutely love the color variation created by color washing. It’s such an easy way to create depth.
I’ve used Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint on several projects now: my blue dresser, the DIY mirrored nightstand and the coffee table, and I like that it is affordable and easily accessible.
Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint is available in Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, A.C. Moore and other stores. Or, you can order it through my Amazon affiliate link, Visit the DecoArt Chalky Finish website for more chalk paint ideas and inspiration.
See you in class,
Tami @ Curb Alert! says
Sharon, it always amazes me what a little creativity, patience and paint can do. I bet your mom is going to be absolutely thrilled when she sees them! I think I may just have to try this finish on the project you and I were discussing yesterday. Well done my friend.
~Tami
KATHYSUE says
They turned out great, BUT, and you will think I am crazy, But I loved the original. I know it sounds crazy, but when I saw the first image yesterday I thought how wonderful this old stools color and patina was. Sometimes I even surprise myself. I know you will enjoy these better with how you refinished them and you did a great job.
Happy Thursday,
Kathysue
Mrs. Hines says
I liked the original too! I wanted to incorporate the yellow into the new look, but my Mom had a different vision.
Mrs. Hines says
Thank you, Tami. I’m lacking in the patience part, LOL!
SheilaG @ Plum Doodles says
Very pretty, Sharon. As much as I have painted furniture, I am still amazed at what a difference it makes.
Yvonne @ StoneGable says
How wonderful that your mom has stools from when she was little. Your paintbrush worked magic~!!!
Mrs. Hines says
Me too, Sheila!
Mrs. Hines says
🙂 thank you.
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Those turned out fabulous Sharon!!
Nancy
Laurie@ Vin'yet Etc. says
So wonderful! Pinning! I love how you showed step by step… I walk by this paint all of the time at Michael’s now I know how wonderful it looks! Thank-you!
Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says
Ooh! I love those little stools now Sharon! And I think your mom will too! Thanks for the spray bottle tip. I’ll have to try that!
Mary Jo Hamilton says
The stools look great! Maybe I’ll get up the courage to paint a few pieces of furniture! I’ve got a medium sized chest of drawers(it was already painted white when I bought it used, years ago) and a very small old wooden chest with drawers( I think it would make a great side table for the living room! ) that I want to paint…the main problem I’ll have is deciding on a color to use, ha!!! 🙂
Mary Jo Hamilton says
Hi Sharon….I meant to tell you in my last post how much I look forward to seeing each new “project” you come up with! I am always inspired by the things you do….you’re still teaching, even if you are no longer in the classroom. You have shown me that one has to be a little bit “gutsy” and get in there and just-do-it and not be afraid to mess something up or to fail.
Due to being a full time homemaker all of these years, I had to try and find bargains since we were a one-income family. I found several “used” pieces of furniture at places like consignment stores and even found some cheaper things at antique shops. I have a real cute, blondish color chest with drawers sitting in my living room and I’ve always gotten compliments on it(one young woman told me that if I ever decide to sell it or give it away to please give it to her! It made me want to give it to her right then, but I knew I wasn’t ready to let it go yet)…I got that one for $35.00 and it’s been the best buy I’ve gotten on a piece of “used” furniture. But I just wanted to tell you that I love finding a bargain on a piece of furniture like that. Sometimes I just have to use my “imagination” a little bit, to decide where it’s gonna go or how it would look in my house. I feel like I have so much in common with you and I love your “style” and your ideas…but you are much more talented than I, you really have a knack for it!!! 🙂 🙂 God bless!!
Mrs. Hines says
Oh, Mary Jo, your words are so good for my soul. When I was in the classroom and now on this blog, it is my goal to encourage people to try new things, not to be afraid or intimidated, to chase dreams and reach their full potential. Because I know that when we go for it, we gain skills, and confidence and courage. And we learn from mistakes…messing up is really no big deal. I actually mistakes are the best way to learn. So, to hear you say that this is what you get from my blog….well, it made me teary-eyed with joy. Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and tell me. God bless you too!
Mrs. Hines says
You can do it! And even if you don’t like the color, it can be repainted. If you’d like my help picking a color, just send me some pictures of the piece and the space. You can email the pictures as attachments to mrshinesclass3@gmail.com
Mrs. Hines says
Thank you Therese! My read the blog post today and texted to tell me that she loved them. I’m meeting her and my sisters for lunch tomorrow and will get to her the stools then, too.
I was skeptical of the water bottle technique until I tried it at the workshop I attended. You don’t waste paint guessing how much you need to make a glaze, you use less water….. I’m a believer now. 🙂
Mrs. Hines says
Laurie, they have a really nice color selection and of course you can mix colors to make new ones. I love this affordable option!
Mrs. Hines says
Thank you, Nancy. I’m so flattered that you think so!
debbiedoos says
Great job Sharon! I love this paint so much. They carry a great line of color choices as well.
Shanna Gilbert says
Wow! What a difference a little paint can make! Those stools look so good now! I love this paint line!
Karen Ploransky @ The Decorated Nest says
They look adorable, and how sweet that they were your grandma’s! Love the washed look and the darker wax finish and, of course, the white!!!