A Win/Win Situation

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.

Linking With
Sunday
http://www.twiggstudios.com	Sunday Show-off Link Party
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/	Nifty Thrifty Sunday
http://southernhospitalityblog.com	Thrifty Treasures
Monday
http://betweennapsontheporch.net	Metamorphosis Monday
http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com	Mod Mix Monday
http://westfurniturerevival.blogspot.com	Revival Monday
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/	Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com	Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday
http://www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/	Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/	Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
http://www.cedarhill-ranch.com/	The Scoop
http://farmhouseporch.blogspot.com/	The Scoop
Wednesday
http://www.timewashed.com	Blissfully White Wednesday
http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/	Primp Your Stuff Wed
http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/	Restored it Wednesday
http://savvysouthernstyle.net/	Wow Us Wednesday
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/	Show Me What Ya Got
http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/	What’s it Wednesday
http://www.thethriftyhome.com/	Penny Pinching Party
Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/	Under $100 Link Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/	Transformation Thursday
http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com/	Inspired Creations
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/	Thursday Open House Party
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/	Time Travel Thursday
http://www.jannolson.blogspot.com/	Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/	Feathered Nest Friday
http://www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com/	Furniture Feature Friday
http://redoux.blogspot.com/	Friday Redoux Link Party
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/	Frugal Friday
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com	Vintage Inspiration Friday
http://homespunhappenings-tammy.blogspot.com	Rustic Restorations Weekend
http://www.decoratinginsanity.com/	Furniture Friday
http://www.remodelaholic.com/	Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/	Fabulously Creative Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/	Frugalicious Friday
http://www.delicateconstruction.com/	Delicately Constructed Friday
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/	Flaunt it Friday
http://vintageinteriorblogs.blogspot.com/	Weekend
Saturday
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/	Saturday Nite Special
http://too-much-time.com	Get Schooled Saturday
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/	Show and Tell Saturday