In Distress; Fireplace Mantel
April at The Painted Cupboard has a very great looking shabby chic/distressed technique that I loved when I saw it. Check it out!
Yes, it is finally finished…I can hardly believe it myself!!! And I must be CRAZY for showing these awful pictures but, here is a sneak peak anyway…These pictures were taken in my garage with terrible lighting so it is really hard to see the true paint color ( more of a taupe/khaki) and finish. As soon as it is moved into the master bedroom, I will take and re post new ones.
As far as the finish goes…I love it! As I stated in an earlier post, I was trying a new technique and was a little worried about it and although, it isn’t exactly like the Caromal Colours finish, I am very pleased.
So, how did I do it??
I sanded, cleaned and prepped it.
- I cut to size Luan (very thin wood) and wood glued it to cover the more ornate details along the front sides – it was a little too fancy for me.
- I then wiped Minwax Paste Wax over the areas where I wanted the wood to show through after the final sanding ( it helps to make the paint look like it is “chipping” off).
- I “smooshed”, “glopped” on or whatever you want to call it, the first coat or base coat of paint. I used Linen milk paint by General Finishes. You can find it on the Internet or Four Chairs in Lindon, Utah. *It actually looked like I had let my kids paint it!
- I then brushed 2 more coats of the same Linen paint to make sure I had even coverage.
- I applied another round of paste wax to the areas where I wanted the base coat to peak through from under the topcoat.
- I then put 2 coats of the topcoat Rittenhouse Ivory by Old Village Paints, again from Four Chairs.
- After it had dried and “cured” for a day or 2, I sanded and distressed it using a hammer and nail to make “worm holes” and “nicks and dings” paying particular attention to where normal wear would occur. I really wanted this to look like it had been around for a long time and had several layers of paint underneath.
- I applied Old Dad’s Old World Stain like a glaze…leaving it in all the “nooks and crannies” to make it look old and aged.
- Finally, I put 3 coats of General Finishes polyurethane on for added protection.
Before:
After the distressed fireplace mantel makeover :
What do you think?
Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
>You have received th Versitile Blogger award. Head over to my blog to pick up the button.
https://onelifemanyjourneys.blogspot.com/2010/05/someone-finds-me-versitile.html
>I love it!
Isn't it great to finish a project!
>Wow! Perfectly distressed. That is gorgeous.
>ooooooooooh! love that!
>I love the way it turned out, so much more personality! Nice job, Theresa
>Gorgeous. Love the worn, distressed look of it. So beautiful!
>♥ it!