Q + A.

You've asked so I've got the answers...well not necessarily "the" answers but my answers about what I do and what works for me. I hope this helps (or it may confuse you) but here it goes!

p.s.- If I've missed anything feel free to let me know and I'll be sure to get back to you!

WHAT COLOR IS THAT?

The black paint used on the server/hope chest is Benjamin Moore: Onyx (I'm almost positive but just in case here is the color code: OY-11; BK-2x21; OG-7; WH-9) It isn't a true black and almost looks super dark grey in some light but it is A-mazing! Once I coated it with Poly it literally sparkled!

The grey used on Avery's "painted curtains" and her crib is: Behr from the Home Depot in "Creek Bend"

HOW DO YOU DISTRESS YOUR PIECES?

All the pieces I distress are done by hand with different grits of sand paper...I like to mix it up for different results. Distressing a piece can be tedious and time consuming depending on the size of the piece but if you like instant gratification it sure does give you that!

Now do you want to know my secret...this is very important....it's wine! Not for the furniture, for me! I usually tuck Avery into bed and head down to the basement with a glass of red wine in one hand and my ipod in the other. I listen to music and sip my wine when I need to give my hand a break from chipping away the paint.

I do not paint pieces a base color and then paint over them to distress. All distressing shows the original wood. It is important to make sure you keep taking a step back and looking at what you are doing...you can definitely get caught up in the excitement and go a little overboard. Keep it natural looking.

WHAT ARE YOUR REFINISHING STEPS?

Every piece is a little different but here is a basic rundown:

- wipe it down with a wet cloth (vacuum out inside & drawers)

- fill any holes or gauges with wood filler and depending on the hardware I use I sometimes need to fill the holes from the original stuff (although I generally don't pick any hardware until the piece is completely done)

- sand it down with a really rough grit sand paper (I sometimes use the hand sander)

- wipe it down again to get all the sanding dust off

- spray one one coat of primer

- spray on the paint (usually around 3-4 coats)

- if I'm distressing a piece I do it at this point

- spray on the polyurethane (usually 2-3 coats)

- put on the jewelry aka the hardware!

then I haul it in the house and style it and take some pictures!

HOW DO YOU PAINT THE PIECES?

I use a gravity feed sprayer that hooks up to an air compressor. It's gives a clean, uniform finish with none of those annoying paint brush streaks!

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR PIECES?

All over! From free stuff given to me by friends and family to craigslist to the thrift stores...and the side of the road! My husband came home the other day with a dresser that one of the guys he works with found on the side of the road for me!

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR HARDWARE?

Pretty much all over. Like I said above I don't choose hardware until the piece is completely done. I let it speak to me. I know super dorky but seriously I tend to stare at it for a little while and imagine what would fit it best. Knobs or cup pulls and shinny or hammered...

Home Depot now carries a line of Martha Stewart hardware which is pretty sweet. Potterybarn, Restoration Hardware, Anthropology all have great stuff too. It can be pricey so I may splurge a little more if i know I only need 4 handles vs. 10.

HOW DID YOU ATTACH THE TWINE ON AVERY'S CHANDELIER?

I removed the ugly white sleeves and just wrapped them and tied them off with a small knot that is at the bottom do you can't see it when they are on the light fixture. Once they were back on the chandelier I adjusted the twine to cover properly.
I wrapped the chain once it was hung (that was a arm workout!)

 

I hope some of this may have helped in a small way and again if I missed something or you think of another question drop me a line!