Friday, December 19, 2014

How-To: Glazing Cabinets


Is this a busy time of year or what?!?!
 I feel like the two weeks before the kids get out of school, seems to be the craziest time. Your running around Christmas shopping, there are tons of school parties, and events. wrapping presents, cookie baking...the list goes on and on. I do love the hustle and bustle of it, though I wish it were a bit colder here, so it felt like the holidays. 
72 degrees is a little warm for December! But that's Texas for ya.

Today I wanted to share with you a How-To for glazing cabinets. I've talked about posting this for some time, just hadn't gotten around to getting the pictures taken. It takes twice as long to do a job like this, with a camera in your hand the whole time. 
So I hope this is helpful. 
And hey, what better season to give it a try...when the whole family is in town, all the kids are home tearing up the house, your baking cookies and giant meals!! 
Well, maybe not...Pin it and save it for later instead :)

If you don't already know me, or follow my blog....I am a Faux Painter, I paint murals, faux finishes, and cabinets...lots of cabinets! 
So the work I show you on here, isn't something I just tried out and show you the steps...
this is how I do it on a daily basis!


Here are a few before and afters, so you can see what a difference it makes. These cabinets were already painted before I came in. They were just a stark basic white, and the walls around were a glazed stucco plaster look. The cabinets just stuck out like a sore thumb. This glazing technique, helps tone them down, and warm up the space. 


This process doesn't take a long time (even though it looks like it), and doesn't look super heavy, so it's good in  most spaces. 
You can start with any color of base painted cabinets really. Just tweak the glaze to go with your space. 
Most pre-painted white cabinets are sprayed on, and that works well with the technique. But if you looking to start from scratch with yours, you can check out these blog posts on How-To Paint Cabinets Like A Pro, or How-To: Painting Laminated Cabinets



So to start, lets talk about what kind of glaze to use. 
If your cabinets are an oil base paint, you have to use and oil based glaze. Latex will not adhere to an oil based surface.  If your unsure, always use an oil based glaze.  
Oil sticks to latex, but latex does not stick to oil!!
If your cabinets are a builder grade laminate material, you can still do this technique just stick to the oil based glaze. 
I know alot of you up north unfortunately, can not get oil based paints...or you may just hate the smell of oil products, and turpentine. 
You can use latex here, but make sure you are putting it over a latex surface, if you are unsure, a fresh coat of oil primer, and a new coat of latex white will prep the surface for you. 


 I use Sherwin Williams Oil-Based Faux Finish Glazing Liquid. They did stop carrying this for awhile, and it was very hard to come by, ( I bought a stock pile) but you should be able to find it in at least a quart size now. The material is pretty thick, so some paint thinner, or turpentine will help the flow of this glaze. As far as color goes, I just buy tint by the ounce from Sherwin Williams. If you are using the oil based glaze, make SURE you ask for the tints that work with oil. They carry two kinds. For this color I used some raw umber, and a hint of yellow and red. A TINY drop goes a long way. So start slow, and keep trying your color on a sample piece.


For my brush, I used the cheapy $1 chip brushes. You don't want to have to go to the hassle of cleaning this out later. Chucking it the trash is much easier!!

I work with one door at a time. Start at the top, so you don't brush up against wet cabinets. Try picking your smallest door to start with.
 I cover the whole front of the surface, don't worry or mess with the edges yet. The product can dry fast depending on the type of glaze, and your rooms conditions. So you will want to work fast here.


Next I take a dry rag, and follow the pattern below, wiping most of the product back off. 
The more you wipe, the lighter the glaze will be. 
I start on the inside edges (1), and go all the way around. I usually take off more in this area, to give the appearance, that the crevasses is a deeper looking color.
Next I wipe the center (2), of the door. 
Then, the top and bottom pieces (3), in the direction of the grain.
And lastly, the sides (4), going all the way from top to bottom.
Afterwards I run my rag all the way around the edges of the door, to clean of any heavy goop.

It should look similar to the last picture when done. 
This pattern stays with the natural grain of how the cabinet is built, and will make your faux, look not so faux. 


Next, I take a very soft brush, (a Purdy is what I used here) and brush it softly out, in the same patterned you just wiped in. Don't worry about the unpainted cabinets next to you, they will wipe down easily later. 



Once the product starts to dry, you don't want to touch it again with the brush, it will pull off the paint. So make sure each area is as you want it before moving on the the next portion. 
The softer you press here, the less streaks you will have. You are going for a sort of grain direction in the pattern. If you are looking for a very light glaze, taking off most of the paint, and softening afterward should give you no streaks. Be sure when your getting the sides, you also run the brush around the outside edges as well.



Once the door is done, clean up any areas that may have gotten painted in the process. 


The door on the left, is the only one painted here. You can see the difference in color.


After each door is done, I prop it open, so not to get paint on it from a nearby door. If you are doing the back as well, this is the time to do it. Just remember to hold the door from the top (for upper cabinets), or from the bottom (on lower cabinets) when painting.
I cant tell you how many times Iv'e made a whole painted hand-print on the front of a door I just painted by grabbing it.

When working on the lower cabinets, I start with the doors, and the finish up with the drawers. I like to take them out completely when working on them, though it isn't always possible, like around sinks.
The pattern here is similar. I start with the top and bottom (1), then the sides (2), then the front (3).



The doors, and drawer on the left are finished. The ones on the right have not been painted yet.


We were going for a bit of a heavier look here. But again, the more you take off, the lighter it will be.


Here is how I prop the doors when finished. 
There is no need to remove doors for this process. It is actually much easier to work with them hanging. If you dont plan on painting the backs, it is much easier to wipe down the back side as well..


The next step I do, is darkening the creases. Not all doors or drawers will have these spaces. But If yours does, this is a super important step. It just accentuates the shape of the door. 
Make sure when you do this the door is dry, at least 24 hours. 
I've tried to rush it, and it isnt a pretty site...the words that  come out of your mouth will not be pretty either! So just be patient!

I just deepen the glaze I have already used, with a hint more brown, and a TINY bit of black.
With a small brush, I run along the inside crease with a good amount of paint. 
Be liberal.


Then with a dry rag, around one finger....and at a slight angle, I follow the raised edges, touching the flat surface with my nail. You don't need to press really hard, you just don't want to pull your finger to close to the inside crease, as this will take away too much of the paint. 


You will end up with a faded line, that is heavier on the inside, and fades out.


The last part of the glazing technique is lining the edges. This may not seem like it is necessary, but this really makes the shape of the cabinet pop. Why go to all the trouble, and still loose the cabinet into the next.
I use the same color from the crevasses. Coating both sides of the smaller chip brush, I scrap it all back off. You don't want any excess globbed on the brush. Just some of the color covering the base of the brush.


Then I lightly, run it along the high edges of the each door. Use the middle, to the base of the brush here. The tip of the brush tends to fan out, and can leave little brush streaks on the door.


I do the same thing to the outside of the door as well.


Here, the door on the left has the edging in the middle only, and the door on the right has no edging. You can see what a difference it makes to the shape of each door, 


And here is the area complete.






On any open shelving, or trim pieces...I follow the same steps, making any deep corners or crevasses darker with glaze.



The final coat here is the sealer. 
Make sure that you have let the base glaze sit at least 24-48 hours before applying this. Do a test spot somewhere inconspicuous, as it can wipe off all of your hard work if it isn't dry enough. 
I usually do this step on the same day as the glazing of corners, and edging. It usually is dry enough, but try it out first. If you have the time....wait another day!!

I use an oil base satin sealer when using oil based glaze, Minwax Wipe-On Poly. You can use this same brand but the latex version in satin if you are using a latex glaze (comes in a silver can just like this one). It's only about $10, and it goes pretty far. depending on what finish, and how many coats you want. I have tried TONS, of sealers. And this really is all I use. Now it can tend to yellow a bit over time, but on a glazed cabinet you should notice it. On top of a white based cabinet, you will see the yellowing! Don't brush this product on, infact don't use any kind of brushed sealer. It leaves streaks, and drips, and is always shinier than when you wipe it on. 
It's also loads easier to wipe on. I dump a good bit into a bucket, wad up a rag, and dip it in. You want it wet, just not dripping. 

WEAR GLOVES!!!! 
The blue nitrile gloves are the only kind you can use with this sealer!!!!
Regular latex gloves will disintegrate in about 1 minute
I've used them, when it was all I had on hand, and the finger tips always fall off and get stuck to the door. This stuff is terrible to get of your hands, once it dries.  


With the saturated rag, you will basically just wipe it on. Make sure you follow the direction of the grain, or the same direction you brushed the glaze in. If you look at the piece your sealing from an angle, you will see the sheen, and will be able to see any areas you missed....they will look dry still.

Two coats of this is really best, but you can do 3 for more durability. With the first coat, it can tend to look a bit spotty, or dryer in areas. With two coats you are sure to get an even looking surface.  This will give you a nice satin, furniture looking finish


So there you have it, just a few steps to beautifully glazed cabinets. I know it seems like alot, but after a door or two, you get the hang of it, and will blow right through the rest.





Don't forget to Pin it, and save it for later!

And as always, I'm happy to answer any questions!








Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Vintage Glam Master- Get The Look


The vintage glam look seems to be very popular these days, and with the onset of winter, something cool and frosty seemed to be on my mind. Though, down here in Texas, snow and frost is something we hardly see. It is starting to get get cold here, some freak cold front, which in November is really weird for us. So my mind had been stuck on winter mode...with jackets, boots, and the longing for Colorado snow.

That being said, this vintage glam bedroom seemed like the perfect inspiration for a winter-time, bedroom makeover. This beautiful room was designed and decorated by the ladies at Dy Lynne Decor. 


Get the look.....

The two main rules for bringing a room like this together are....keeping it neutral, and mixing textures and patterns.
Most of the colors in this palette, are in the khaki range, with touches or creams and blues.
There is a wide variety of fabrics here, from a burlap on the chairs, and linen on the headboard, to a silk on the window shade. Mixing them keeps the room from feeling to simple.


For the glam part of the look, different types of metals, and glass were used. 
Two small, antiqued gold, and crystal chandeliers were hung over each nightstand. This is wonderful way to really make a statement. These were hung directly on the ceiling, even with the slope, they hang nicely. You want them to sit just off the wall. 
You could also add sconces directly to the wall, but you would loose the size, and the walls wouldn't seem as tall.


Here is a budget friendly chandelier from Wayfair, at only $99.
 
CBK 4 Light Candle Chandelier From Wayfair 
The light in the center of the room, is a smaller, understated chandelier. You don't want to go to big here. Just enough to tie in with the room, and give you light. But not to big, as to draw you attention away from the focal wall. 


Here is an alternative to the ceiling fixture. From Shades of Light, at around $397, it isn't very budget friendly, but it sure is beautiful. 
 Vintage Modern Gold and Crystal Mini Chandelier
Vintage Modern Gold and Crystal Mini Chandelier from Shades of Light 

On the back wall, is a beautiful wallpaper! It has a light gold, shimmered backing, and a cream hand painted looking design. This is the main focal point of the whole room. It is soft, and simple, but makes such a statement. 


Since the gold base is not shinny, it wont create glare, just a soft shimmer, and glow from the chandeliers. No art is even needed above the bed here.  


Unfortunately, this is not a cheap product, and with all the texture, not easy to apply. 


To get a similar look, you could try using a stencil. Here is an all over stencil that could be used over a soft gold color. Adding a bit of plaster, or smooth texture paint (a heavy textured paint, similar to a light plaster) to the cream paint, will help thicken it up, and give you this textured look.

Anna Damask Stencil by Cutting Edge Stencils

On the opposite side of the room, is an antiqued dresser, in a white tone. A large mirror helps open up the space, and more glass and different colors of metals are used in the decor.


The linen duvet with ruched trim is from Pinecone Hill, but is no longer available. A simple linen duvet can be adorned with lace or ribbon to get a similar effect. Mixing patterns, textures and layers helps make this bed cozy, and inviting. I love the blue-grey distressed headboard, it's the perfect compliment to the linen.



Since the bathroom is open to the bedroom, the decor and color palette was carried through. 
The gold and crystal scones, are the perfect touch of glam. Bronze, silver, and mercury glass are all mixed in here.



Room designed, and decorated by Dy Lynne Decor.  
Be sure to check her out on Houzz, and over on  Facebook


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Craft Room

 Just before we decided to move from our previous house, I finished the last two rooms in our house. Like literally, a couple days before. Isn't that the way it always works. You live in a place for years, and finally get it all beautiful, and perfect, and then you have to give it to someone else. BOO!


Well, at least I got to enjoy this craft room for a month or two, before the whole thing was packed into boxes. The craft supplies you see here, unfortunately, are only about half of what I really have. I know, it seems crazy. It felt crazy when they dumped all the "craft room" labeled boxes in the new study. There wasn't a bit of floor showing....obviously I have a craft addiction problem! 

My new place is coming along, but it's really more function, than form right now. My Etsy business is doing really well, as is my craft booth at a local shop here in town, so I'm working in the space during all of my free time (aka midnight), so it had to be usable. 


It's not to say that this room wasn't usable, because it was. My stuff just seemed to grow on the open  shelves, and I kept running out of room. I purchased two of these shelving units from Ikea, "Gorm". They are super budget friendly, at about $30 each. They are made of unfinished pine. I used a thinned-out stain, and rubbed it on with a staining pad, just to give it a little color. 


For storage I used white boxes from Micheals. They usually run $1.00-$3.00, with sales. The look simple enough, and let all my fun decor stand out. 


So if you don't already know, I have a major bird obsession!!
 Like, my family calls me the crazy bird lady... it's fine, I have excepted it :)  and hey, they keep buying me stuff to add to my collection. So I guess it hasn't gotten too out of hand......yet. My craft room is where most of it ends up, so this room had to have color, and lots of it. 

These little birds below are my favorite. I picked up three at Round Top last year. I would have gotten more, but my friend talked some sense into me. 
What are friends for! 
They are made from wood and hand painted, and they sit on top of a piece of drift wood. 


Here are some fun, colorful, and affordable alternatives, to the ones I have in my room. 
These are by 5 Love Birds Nest on Etsy. I'm definitely going to need a few of these ;)

    

On each shelf, I used my supplies as the decor. Alot of what I have, already is full of color. So on the neutral shelving and white boxes, the items really stand out. I did consider painting the rack a color, but I felt like it would have been to busy. 


Flower frogs, hold little note cards.


Above the shelving, in the blank space, I used some large laminated bird cards, that I received as a gift. These cards are about 8"x10", and are numbered with different types of birds. Calendar cut outs could work here as well, or just a collection of prints. 



Here are some beautiful bird prints, that you could use instead, from "Wild Heart Histories" on Etsy.
Love these!!!

      

These color birds on stands, are from West Elm. They have a wire stand, which makes it easy to bend, and mount on them on a wall. I used books to help make a color theme for each shelf.



The birds are no longer available at West Elm, but these Seedpod birds are a good alternative.


This fun chair sculpture came from Urban Outfitters, a fun way to hang jewelry or little nick-knacks.


On the other side of room hang curtians from Ikea. They had a fun red tree print, and at only $12 a pair, they were a great deal,. 


The cabinet is an antique, made by my great, great Grandfather. 
I showed you how I updated this piece on the To Paint or Not To Paint-Antique Furniture.

Before

I used this piece to house some of my painted animals. 


Above it hangs a little collection of art. The "No Rest for the Awesome" sign, was a gift from my best friend, she thinks I'm awesome :) She got it on Etsy from Printed Palette, they have all sorts of great prints.  The hoop art is from one of my favorite shops Three Red Apples on Etsy, I had this piece custom made. The inspirational quote, "and if not, he is still good", is from Raising Up Rubies on Etsy.


More amazing birds! How beautiful are these Bali Starlings?!?


A small couch is on the other side of the room, is the perfect for relaxing....which I never did, not once! But the kids did hang out on it while I worked. 


Since it is a small love seat size, all it needed was two small pillows. The bug pillow was from Target. The striped pillow I made from a sample swatch of fabric, which was discontinued at Calico Corners (and it was free, score).


Here is how the love seat started.



 It was in my moms office for years, and my parents brought it down with some other furniture after my Grandmother passed away. The color was a bit worn, but it was a good solid piece. 

I picked up this great linen textured, coral duvet from Target. It was on clearance for $20!!
I cut it up, and reupholstered the love seat with this. 


The end table was also from Target, but I didnt like the color of the wood, so I painted it in a mint color, to go with the room.


On the wall, I made a little collection of bird things. The antiqued paper print was lacking color, so I painted just a few things on the picture to make them stand out. A West Elm bird, is mounted to the wall above the galvanized shelf.


 In the shelf, fat quarters of fabric are grouped by color. 




The bird print here, is from Jones Design Company. She has all sorts of inspirational, and religious prints. 


A three tiered wire rack, was perfect for holding my tubes of paint. Found this at Hobby Lobby for around $30 on sale. 



I wont show you the whole work table, since it's usually a disaster, but I will tell you that I found a really great drop leaf table, for around $100. It was wide enough to keep the sides down and still have a good sized work space, but skinny enough not take up a bunch of the rooms space. I can pop up one side of the table, so if one of the kids wants to do some art work, it wont disturb what I'm working on. Here is some more of my storage solutions. An antique bread pan, holds my rolls of ribbon. 



This pan has been used for lots of decorating and storage needs over the years. It's held shells, fall decor, Christmas ornaments, the options are endless. These can be found at antique stores, and on Etsy, at shops like Pickers Warehouse, and Territory Hard Goods.


Sadly, this is no longer my craft room, but I like my new one, which I hope I'll get around to showing you before I move out of here!
I'll show you the last couple or rooms, from the old house soon.
You can check out most the house, HERE, or at the top of the page, under "My House".