Sofa Table

A couple months ago I purchased a very nice sofa table that did need a little work. Mainly, the bottom board near the foot area needed glued, and the rest needed general work.

My hubby glued everything that needed glued then we let it sit several days for a better bond to form. He used Gorilla brand wood glue, the best in my opinion.

Since the top had a lot of color variance, I had to fix that. First I used a stripper but won't mention the brand as I had a bad experience. (I'm sure it was my fault for not following directions and not the brand therefore not mentioning the name.) Anyway, I ended up sanding the top to get a more equal appearance.

My next step was to figure out just how to get the look I wanted as I wanted to somewhat match the tone on the legs. I started with Howard's Restore-A-Finish in Walnut. After that dried for a day, I decided to use Minwax Polyshades in Bombay Mahogany. I wanted to keep the two tone wood look so I only used the Minwax on certain areas. I let that dry for a day then coated the entire table in the Howard's again. It turned out the perfect shades I was looking for.

Lastly, I waxed the entire table with Mud Paint soft wax. It turned out perfect. Don't be afraid to experiment to get just the look you desire!

The 1st and 2nd photos are the table before I began. The 3rd photo is the finished project. I apologize for the mess in my work area as the shop is getting crowded (no complaints).

UPDATE: I have added a photo of the finished table in it's new home. Beautiful!

Headboard Makeover

On one of my Junque missions, I found a beautiful vintage complete bed frame, including both the headboard and foot board. I had so many ideas for this piece!

Then, many from our community came together and held a benefit to support a former classmate of my daughter, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. She is so young, and this is very sad no matter what the age is. Anyway, they were hoping someone would make a bench...and I volunteered.

Thankfully my husband and his uncle had some time on their hands to help build it. They are quick, perfectionists and very talented. In no time they had they bench seat put together.

There was not a lot of prep work for the type of finish I wanted to do as I was going for a very weathered look. I used Jade by Mud Paint for the first coat. The second coat was done in Charcoal also by Mud Paint. Then I worked on distressing the bench. I decided to distress the sides and front, leaving the back alone. Afterwards, I used Mud Paint wax to coat the entire bench. I will say that I always use a minimum of two coats of paint and two coats of wax (my sealer of choice).

This was my first experience with Mud Paint Wax. I will not use no other! It is a soft wax and very easy to spread, no lumps, chunks or whatever. I also made the wax into colored wax and it worked beautifully. (Excited!)

The finished bench was a success and a hit at the benefit auction.



*Update: My husband and I were so honored to have the ability to make and donate this item for a very good cause. Since then, the young lady has passed away. Many prayers to her family.*

Mud Paint versus Chalk Paint

I get many questions about Mud Paint versus Chalk Paint such as Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I want to mention that I am a Mud Paint retailer but am giving my opinion by experience.

I have tried many types of furniture paints and also mixed my own chalk type paint. I use brush, roller and sprayer for application. My top three preferences are as follows:

Mixing your own chalk type paint: I preferred the formula that used plaster of paris, water and paint. This covered well but the downside is that you really have to mix and mix to get the grittiness out. It did store well and I could just add a little water if it was too thick. A bonus is that I could end up with any color I wanted.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint: This is a very good Chalk Paint. I found that I had to use 2 coats to get the coverage I desired though. Once you use enough coats it has nice look when finished. Also there was a small amount of grit to this product, as with most chalk paints. This paint is very popular in my area.

Mud Paint: My paint of choice is Mud Paint. It is Low VOC and LEED compliant. This goes on smooth and in my experience, takes one coat with a brush. There is no grit as it is not a chalk paint but is made with organic compounds. This paint is great for antiquing and distressing. I love, love, love this paint! They have a great selection of colors.

Mud Paint Clear Coat is a must use in my opinion. In fact, I use Mud Paint Clear Coat as a sealer for all my furniture paint uses. It has a leveling ingredient that will smooth out brush strokes.

Pictures from left to right: Mud Paint, table & chairs using DYI chalk like paint, chair using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, desk using Mud Paint.

New Season Begins at Sweet-tique

With a new season beginning at Sweet-tique, I have been tossing around new/different ideas to add to the Sweet-tique shop. As a small shop owner I must always be aware of any changes going on, not only in my area but in the U.S. and also be aware of world trends. That is quite a fete for a small rural shop. I am a country girl at heart so will probably add more country and maybe bling it up a bit.

I have a couple pieces of furniture that I am getting ready to work on. Last summer I purchased an antique twin bed, both headboard and footboard. It really is just beautiful so I am still tossing around just what I will do with them. I also have an vintage Lane Cedar Chest. The wood matches the twin bed so I plan on doing something to them as a set.

I am trying to decide if I would like to do a dark color base, light color on top and then distress. Another option is a light color with a colored wax. I like to use colored wax but it is more time consuming than just painting and distressing. I may also just try to restore and distress the finish a bit. Of course, many of my decisions are truly based on time constraints since I do work a full-time job and use this as my "fun-time" job.

My sealer choice will probably be a clear wax coating, though I also am considering poly acrylic. I am out of Mud Paint Clear Coat which is the sealer of choice for me. I doubt I can get an order in stock in the time frame I am looking at.

Inspiration

You can find inspiration just about anywhere. There may be a particular color that catches your eye, a style that you are drawn to or see something that would be the perfect fit in your home. I have a file with ideas that includes colors, projects and just about anything that has caught my eye.

I find that the outdoor colors (nature) is most inspiring to me. However, a good fall back are Americana colors in my area. I notice certain home inspired magazines draw my attention and peak my design interest. I tend to see it and want to try it myself, with my own spin of course.

I'm sure you have seen furniture decorated in many colors. This particular piece was a pressed wood piece in an oak color. It was cute enough but...

In several places I had seen dressers and chests done with drawers in different colors. When this piece came along I knew what to do. The knobs in the top drawer were missing so I made a trip to my favorite home decor store and chose knobs. Then, I chose paint and mixed my own chalk like type paint. You can find recipes on the internet that are very easy to use.

I prefer to use a Valspar color when I mix paint as I like the colors and the ease with which it mixes.

This piece was brushed with a natural bristle brush. I also like to paint the drawers, both inside and out. I feel like I get a more professional appearance that way. I also spray painted all knobs in a silver hammered finish. Last, but not least, I waxed the entire dresser.

When waxing, you should apply a coat then wait a few hours to apply a second coat. After that, wait 24 hours and the seal will be "hard". Waxing is a commitment as it takes time. Furniture that has been waxed will need to be waxed again about once a year.  Waxing gives a great seal but also helps drawers slide easier.

This dresser could have easily been done in all one color, two colors or however a person chose. Spray or roller painting would have been another option. Different types of brush bristles will give you different effects too. I have a special way to finish that takes out most brush strokes.  I prefer to brush paint but am known to spray paint. I use a paint sprayer as that furniture I've seen done with a spray can has not looked professional, in my opinion.

For more inspiration see my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SweettiqueInIowa.

French style dresser revamp

Well, I haven't blogged for some time because, well, life happens. I've decided to begin again and hope you enjoy following along.

New change since last blog: I moved Sweet-tique to my home. It works so much better for me. It did take a bit for clients to find me as I am in a rural area but find me they did!  I am currently opening by appointment only but that changes with the season.

I am also an authorized dealer of Mud Paint. One problem with this: I use it faster than I can sell it. This paint is amazing and gives just the effect I love.

My joy is bringing new life to furniture that has been well used. This past summer I had the opportunity to work on a 1970-1980s French style dresser.  I chose to revamp instead of restoring this beauty.

All drawers were intact except for 1 that was missing a piece of trim. So not to detract from the other drawers, I left 2 out. Then, I had a Mud Paint Pomegranate that I was dying to use. For accent I chose Mud Paint Charcoal which is a dark grey.

This dresser had been well loved by small children. It had marker, fingernail polish, etc. on it. Normally I do NOT sand but in this case it was necessary.  After sanding I gave it a good wipe down.

Since I recently bought a paint sprayer I had to use it! I sprayed on the Pomegranate. It went on dresser and drawers. Then, I brushed the Charcoal on selected drawers.

My next step was to distress. Many people will give rules for distressing. Here's my rule: try it. You can always paint over it if you don't like the look.

After distressing, I gave this piece another wipe down. You can use many different sealers (a must!) but I went with Mud Paint Clear Coat.

Needless to say, this beauty did not stay with me long.