Saturday, August 28, 2010

Deep French Blue


I found this sweet little nightstand on Craigslist. The owner had also purchased it from Craigslist with the thought of painting it for her daughter's room. But she was a busy mom with a couple of little ones and decided she just didn't have the time or the energy. She even asked me to send her a picture of it when it was finished. I bet she wasn't expecting a blog post.









I knew I wanted to do a nice deep french blue with a little more distressing than I usually do. Then I used a white glaze to bring out the details and a final coat of wax. I hope she thinks I did a good job!












I was on my way to a flea market a week or so later and I found this headboard and footboard out by the curb waiting for bulk pickup. I thought it was a perfect match for the nightstand. I had to put it in the car quickly as it was early in the morning and a dog inside the house was barking like crazy. I imagined that everyone was looking out their windows watching some crazy lady go through the trash.

























And here they are together. Both pieces have really great curves. A perfect pair, don't you think?















I get a lot of questions about glazing and waxing. I think there are actually a variety of products and techniques out there that work well and everyone has their favorites. Here's what I've found that really works for me.






This is my absolute favorite glaze. It's Valspar's Clear Mixing Glaze in the handy pourable bottle. You can pretty much mix it with any color paint - white, black, brown, blue, etc. You can totally customize the color you want without having so many different products on hand. The directions say mix 4 - 8 parts glaze to 1 part paint, but I really don't measure exactly. I just mix it up in an old margarine tub. I brush it on with a foam brush and wipe off with a soft cloth. Have a wet one and a dry one handy and wipe until you get the look you want. The glaze will bring out the details on your piece and it really gives a nice smooth finish.







And I generally give most of my pieces a nice coat of wax as a finishing touch. Even if I don't glaze, I still wax. I have really good luck with the Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. It's a natural color and works on everything. Just rub it on with a soft cloth, wait about 15 minutes and rub again with a clean cloth. You will really be so pleased with the finish.










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35 comments:

Cassie Bustamante said...

gorgeous! that is one of my favorite colors to use on french pieces. it's just perfect! and i also use paste wax- the same exact one! i love it because it protects without being shiny and without yellowing. it's the best!

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful. I'm going to try the paste wax tip on my next project!

Amy @ Design-Aholic said...

Love the color!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty blue--you did a great job on this!

NanaDiana said...

You did a great job! I love the blue! Isn't it amazing what you can find and pick up for nothing if you are willing to suffer the embarrasment to do it? I have had some pretty good finds along the road too.

I have never used paste wax from Minwax before-I used to use Johnsons paste wax which really WAS a hard to apply, hard to buff off wax...but it did give a lovely "glow" to a piece.

Thanks for the suggestions on products! Diana

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Love this color and that you showed us what products you use. I would be so flattered if you would consider linking it up to the linky party at BeColorful. It is my very first party and i am trying to get the word out. :)
Pam

Biljana said...

Great job, it looks absolutely gorgeous:))
Greetings from Europe, Biljana

Amy Chalmers said...

I like the idea of the was finish. The blue furniture is really pretty, you did a great job!

Cathy said...

Gorgeous, I can't believe you found that for free! It's a perfect match! Beautiful colour and thanks for the tips!

Tru said...

Great job! I would love to see it in a room setting.

A Southern Rose said...

They turned out beautiful! Beautiful color. I love that you got it for free! Great job!

Dee said...

Love the blue - great job! I'm off to buy some paste, painted a dresser yesterday and that should finish it for me. Thanks for the tips!

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Love them both.
That bed is awesome, can't believe that someone was going to throw that away. I would have slammed on the breaks & gone after that one.
Great job on the re-do. Thanks for showing the products, very helpful.

Recaptured Charm said...

Im sure you made her proud! It's a fantastic makeover. The colour is stunning.
Great Job.
Lisa

Jeralee said...

Beautiful! Both pieces of furniture are totally up my alley. I can't believe that someone would throw that away! What a deal. Our city doesn't pick up any "garbage" unless it is inside a garbage can with the lid closed.

Thanks for the tip on the furniture wax paste. I am going to try that on my next project.

Donna said...

I really love your table makeover! Bet that woman wished she had kept if after seeing your great redo :) And i can not believe someone would actually throw out such a pretty headboard! The shape is perfect for your table, love the color too! Thanks so much for sharing info about the was. I have heard others mention wax before here in blog land, but I really knew nothing about it. Now I will have to check it out! Thanks for the great ideas!

Karie said...

Love, love this table! And I love the color of blue. Blue is my favorite color. You did a beautiful job. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

Maureen said...

Nice! Must try the paste wax. I've used butcher's wax but must give this a whirl.

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I love that blue! Thanks for the glazing and waxing tips. After seeing how well your nightstand and bed turned out, I'll be getting some of both.

Amy Meyer said...

I love those transformations! Beautiful colors and I love the distressing!

Kirsty said...

So great! I love that blue!

Lynn McShane said...

Wow that is just beautiful. What is the brand and name of the blue paint you used? I have a set of french provincial furniture and I'm tired of the cherry finish...

Scribbler said...

Gorgeous -- I am waiting to see the room you put it in.

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Thank you so much for sharing your awesome aqua bedroom pieces and paint tips on BeColorful's Motivated Monday. It was one of my favorite submissions. Nicely done.
Pam

~Country Lady~ said...

Love, love, love this! Fabulously popular color right now. Job well done.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

BEAUTIFUL!! Love the way these pieces turned out. Great job! Visiting from Coastal Charm :)

Restorative Living said...

I {heart} this!!! IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jami said...

What an adorable bedroom set! Beautiful job!
smiles!

Unknown said...

its a very beautiful and sturdy looking chest off drawers and you have done a great job with it, beautiful outcome - www.AboutCabinets.net/Blog also offers some great varieites of cabinets

Lindsay @ 402CenterStreet.blogspot.com said...

Wow that's a beautiful pair!They look like they were made for each other! What a fortuitous find that bed was.

kathie said...

oh my goodness, love love love the color & the pieces you worked on!! gorgeous! I'm your newest follower :)

Anonymous said...

so, so pretty. I missed this post and saw the link from your new beautiful gazing green dresser {also gorgeous}...love them all. I love the Valspar and use it all the time. I am going to try the paste instead of poly this week, thanks for the tip!

Gypsy Heart said...

I love what you did with these pieces...and the color is beautiful! Thanks for the suggestions re: glaze & wax. I have a couple of items to re-do and I'm looking for advice everywhere! :-)

Glad I found your blog and congrats on 100 followers! Hope I'm next and yes, I'll have a giveaway too when I reach that number.

Have a blessed weekend!
Pat

Shawnie said...

Love thsese pieces! Do you usually spray paint most of your projects?

Paige @ Lucky Me Studios said...

you got me with crazy lady going through the neighbors trash ... I'm right there with you (usually in my pj bottoms :-)).