Saturday, November 13, 2010

Adventures In Glazing

My friend Nancy went out for a run one Saturday morning and came across a coffee table and two end tables at a yard sale. They were a great deal and she had confidence that I could do something with them. They sat in the back of my garage for awhile. So long in fact, that I forgot that I never took a before picture. But I'm sure you've seen similar tables a million times. My biggest concern was that they were super glossy. Fortunately, my husband loves to sand for me.

I decided to go the traditional route and paint them cream (Sherwin Williams Creamy) with a brown glaze. If you've been here before, you know that I love Valspar's Clear Mixing Glaze. It's easy to use in a pourable bottle, versatile in that you can add any color to it and it gives a great final result. But they also make glaze with the color already added, this time I tried mocha (which sounds really yummy).



I started with the coffee table.





I like to apply the glaze with a foam brush.




And I always have a bucket of water handy, along with wet and dry cloths for wiping.









I was feeling pretty pleased with the results until I stepped back and compared a before and after table.



I thought the glaze seemed a little heavy-handed.




It had that "dirty" look.






I had already finished the coffee table and one end table. Ugh! I decided to take a wet cloth and completely wipe down the glazed tables again.




Now, the glazing was more subtle and I was much happier. Just another reason I like working with a true glazing medium. It is very forgiving.












I think I generally prefer a little less glaze, especially on lighter paint colors. But it's really just a matter of personal taste. Sometimes, you just have to step back and trust your judgement. I guess it worked, because I sold these tables really quickly.


And Nancy, thanks for thinking of me while you were out for your run!

I'm linking to...



PhotobucketPhotobucket

Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special


Furniture Feature Fridays Catch As Catch Can Photobucket
giveaways
Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden

PhotobucketThe Boardwalk Bragfest mmm button

Photobucket  http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/



Chic on a Shoestring Decorating Making





33 comments:

Chrissie said...

I think the color and the lighter glazing were perfect for this romantic set! They are beautiful!

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

They look great! I like a light hand with the glaze on the lighter colors too. So glad it's pretty easy to wipe them back when you use glaze. Stain isn't as forgiving.

Chris at Red Gate Farm said...

I like the lighter color too. It's just the look I'm planning for my dining room table. It's about 24 years old and I've actually painted it twice already. I've decided after 6 years of it being green that I want to go with a more creamy white but with an antiqued look.

Thanks for all of the tips!
Chris

Cassie Bustamante said...

i am with you- i like less glaze on lighter pieces. they ended up perfect- i am sure you were happy you thought to wipe them off so you didn't have to start all over!

NanaDiana said...

I have done that before too...put too much of an overlay on and it ended up looking dirty. I think these were perfect- especially after the wipe down. Guess they were "perfect" if you sold them quickly. Hugs-Diana

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I agree with you. You have to be careful with how much glaze you use. Not too much, not too little. I'm still learning how to get it right. I thibk the tables look beautiful!

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

That is a beautiful set of tables! I love the distressing that you did on them!

Thanks for the tips! When you glaze a large section, like the top of the big coffee table, do you apply the glaze to the entire top and wipe off, or do you do it in sections? I always feel like I have to hurry so fast on the big sections and was just wondering how you do it! :) Thanks!

Leo said...

It came out really nice. Thank you....I want to start glazing things and I see what you mean when it comes out heavier than you want. This was helpful.

Midwest Cottage and Finds said...

PERFECT! i have been wanting to glaze--now i know how!

Donna said...

Your tables are just gorgeous! I love to glaze, too, and know just what you mean about it sometimes leaving a piece feeling "dirty". Thank goodness glaze is so forgiving!!

Susan McClaskey said...

I can understand why they sold quickly! They have that perfect shabby chic look!
Susan

Patti's Artful Design said...

Your tables turned out lovely! Thank you for sharing!

Cranes for Katy said...

They turned out great!
Krista

Amy Meyer said...

Very Pretty! Great job! I normally use a stain but I might have to try glaze!

SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime said...

Coming from Nifty Thrifty. I enjoyed the glazing tutorial, and it turned out great! Thanks for sharing :)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Lovely project, Sharon, and I appreciate the hints!

Anonymous said...

Oh how beautiful it turned out. The glaze was the icing on the cake. What a great technique. Thank you for sharing on the Boardwalk Bragfest!

Jan Hennings said...

Love the look of this and I must give this product a try :)

the cape on the corner said...

i just love the shape of those pieces. how come it seems like i never find anything i love as much as someone else's "after."

so glad you stopped by! i can't wait to decorate with my free finds.

Christa @ Stories of a House said...

I know what you mean about glazing looking dirty. It is tricky stuff!

Biljana said...

Amazing, looks so beautiful:))
Hugs, Biljana

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love the way the tables turned out and I know what you mean about getting the look just right. I have done the same thing and used a wet rag hours later and got most of the glaze back off. Thanks so much for linking up!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

The tables look great, and you were right to go with the lighter glaze. I love the legs on those tables - beautiful. Linda

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Stopping by from Kim's Boring to Better party!! I totally understand. I am painting my kitchen cabinets and used the glaze. They looked "dirty" to me but I just slept on it and the next morning I thought about using a damp rag to wipe them down. It was the perfect look that I wanted and I am thrilled. Trial and error is the best learning!! Love your tables!

Kelli@Restore Interiors said...

Thanks for coming to my party today! The tables look fantastic. I'm with you on the heavy glazing...I've painting some "dirty tables" before too...I have one at the shop that needs to come home and get a new makeover:)
Blessings,
Kelli

Anonymous said...

You really have the glazing technique down. Love the creamy color of this set. Beautiful!
xx

Unknown said...

I wouldn't have noticed the difference without the other table next to it. That being said, I've been known to take a wet rag to an entire wall I just faux finished. Or I should say, I give the rag to my Hubs!
The tables are gorgeous! Would love for you to stop by this weekend and link up to Passion for Paint.

Deb said...

Such beautiful tables...great job!

Unknown said...

The glazing looks fabulous on your gorgeous tables, Have a sweet day!

time worn interiors said...

I like the tables both ways, dark handed and wiped down! Thanks for sharing!
Theresa
aka:TOT

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

very helpful tips! I've yet to use a glazing medium. Someday soon...
tables are great!
thanks for linking up and linking back.
gail

Funky Junk Interiors said...

You certainly have a great handle on what works and how it's done. LOVE the finish! And those pieces are so pretty!

Donna
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Restyled Vintage said...

I agree Sharon, they look far better with a lighter handed glaze on them. I am still getting the hang of 'glazing', especially on flat surfaces where it seems that I get lines in my finish. I wish we had the products that you can get in the US for glazinf...I just use a gel wood stain watered down, but I always have to poly over the top of it to make it stay put. Kristine at the Painted Hive mixes her wood stain with the poly, I must try that but I am a little nervous that it might not wipe off if I get it wrong!

xx Karen