First, a confession: I left this primitive chest project unfinished for WAAAY too long. Sometimes, I do that.
I move on to the next thing before finishing something completely. I'm not proud of that character flaw.
And here is my cabinet, just as I bought it at a garage sale. (Well, minus a half a hasp that got bent when it fell out of the back of a truck, but that's another story.)
I love green, and this paint had lots of character - alligatoring, patina, etc. I used it this way for several years.
Then, I decided to lighten things up in my house, and I wanted to use this cabinet in my living room. I painted it white - using flat oil-based Rustoleum.
While I liked the pristine white look, I didn't feel this piece, with all its character, was quite right in perfect white paint.
It almost seemed like I was trying to hide the character and pretend the scars didn't exist. I was cogitating, trying to figure out what I might do about it, when something happened:
I dropped a can of black onyx stain, which splashed onto the pristine cabinet. (Yes, I am a klutz as well as a procrastinator.)
As I wiped it off, I sort of liked the way it looked. So I began covering the piece in stain and wiping it off.
Then the unthinkable happened; I ran out of stain. After all, I had just spilled a considerable amount of my can.
Simple - just go to the store and buy another can of stain, right? Don't ask me why, but it didn't happen.
The half-baked cabinet sat there in my living room - a little reminder of my character flaws that greeted me every time I walked in my front door.
I pretended it was intentional - the splotchy state of this primitive chest. I pretended it was "character."
Finally, I'd had enough. I grabbed the palm sander and went to work on it. After all, I could always slap more paint on if I didn't like the results.
I liked what was happening beneath the sander!
Hello, alligator. Nice to see you again.
Same for you, Mr. Green.
Good bye, splotches. Hello, hand-hewn character.
Why didn't I take an hour and do this months ago?
I get to keep the alligator paint and character, along with little green reminders of the past. And I get a white piece of furniture. (BONUS - it holds my "waiting for the next season" living room decor.)
That, my friends, is what I call a win/win situation!
Word for the Day:
2 John 1:8
Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.
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14 comments:
I have done this, too.
I like what you did to it...it's happy to see the peeky boo green looking out at you!
Gorgeous!! It may have taken you some time to get to it, but it is simply stunning. Great job!!
It turned out great! Love it!
He-he-he! I love little happy accidents like that too!
...all in a row, making everything better!
:P
I like both finishes, original and the white one. Feel free to join my link party: Crafty Country Cottage Old Red Barn.
I just love when accidents happen and make a good thing better! Love the room. Di@Cottage-wishes
Yep, now it has real character. So pretty. Have a Blessed day, Trisha.
I'm glad you got around to it, because it looks so sweet there all honed down to the best of all worlds. What is it with stalled projects that makes them so hard to get back to? I have the same trouble. I have things sitting out back that got half done but now have sat so long, I have to start all over and redo what I did before. Good for you showing us how it's done!
Liz
Perfect! I love what the sanding did to your cabinet! Thank you for sharing at Rustic Restorations Weekend!
great job, I love the rustic paired with the classic. your cabinet and the vignette on top are wonderful!!!
This turned out with so much wonderful character! GREAT JOB!!
So pretty!
Featured this too at Mod Mix Monday!
Win, win for sure! Revi. Must admit, at first I was heart broken that you covered up that glorious green. Loved it's rustic charm. But then I can understand that sometimes we need a change. Love her now that she is time worn again. the crackle and bits of green couldn't be more wonderful if you'd planned it! I am just in the process of painting my oak Hoosier white. At first I wondered if I had made a mistake. My daughter saw it and loved the change. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
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