Friday, May 14, 2010

Silver Paint Makeover - In Case You Are Tired Of Plain Old White



Is it just me, or is anyone else out there tired of seeing just plain old white furniture in designer magazines these days. Sometimes it seems like I am looking at the same photos this month as last month. Oh, look! Another page of something painted white! It can make a guy like me a little crazy.

I know that some of you ladies really love the white stuff and to each her own, but here is a way to add a little more bling and eye candy to a white themed room.





I started off this project by spraying the entire outside of the piece with silver spray paint. Don't be bashful and don't worry about even coverage. One of the hardest things I had to learn with faux finishes, is that imperfect, is sometimes perfect.




After the silver was applied I dusted on a white top coat until I was satisfied with the amount of silver I wanted showing through.

I then did some distressing with a sandpaper block to give it some character. When distressing something like this I pay close attention to where natural wear patterns would normally be. What I shoot for is a finished product that looks naturally aged from time and use.

After the distressing comes a soft white glaze over the top of everything. I vary the amount of glaze in spots so that the silver is popping out here and there. The more white glaze you use, the more gray your silver will become. By varying your amounts of glaze here and there, you can really get some color depth.

When I was done I wanted just a little more pop and bling, so I used a very dry brush with some silver gilding paint and applied it to the carvings, and around the edges of the doors.





What I ended up with was a cabinet finish that reacts differently, depending on the available light. Sometimes it looks white with strong streaks of gray and a little silver. Other times it appears white with very soft hues of blue, and silver highlights. It still fits well into a white themed room, but now it becomes a little more of a showstopper.


I think alot about "color dimension" when doing a faux finish. As a general rule of thumb, I don't feel that I don't get great dimension or depth in a faux finish until I have used at least 3 colors. In this case, it was 4.I used a silver base coat, white, a white glaze, and silver highlights.

One or two colors never is enough for me. I always want that extra " over the top" wow factor! Using a 3rd or 4th color will often get the job done.

Try something a little different on your next piece of white furniture and let me know how it goes.



Please my link party, Modern Craftswoman Monday and visit Link Party Directory, featuring over 100 parties this week, to see who I am linking up with!

45 comments:

Jennifer said...

Hey Rory, I do have a followers list - for some reason it wasn't showing up but it exisits - thanks Jenn!

Unknown said...

Very cool technique! What's the white glaze that you used? It looks really nice!

Nancy

Julie @ Frugal and Fabulous Design said...

This is FABULOUS! Very glam.

And I'm with you on the white painted furniture thing...I feel like everything I see lately is white or black; nice, but it's getting a little boring!

www.FrugalFabulousDesign.com

Haverford House said...

This turned out beautiful! I never thought of using the silver paint first - thanks for this great tip! ~Marcy

Victoria said...

I'm in love with white furniture and not even close to being bored of it but this is really lovely! It still has the look that could go with other white pieces but is also different:)

Danielle Strong said...

So beautiful way to go!

Danielle Strong said...

So Beautiful!! way to go

Megan Gunyan said...

Good advice! I love the look of this piece. I always feel that my faux finishes are too messy looking. Great job!

Melissa said...

I am sick of it - that is for sure....and I've never even painted anything white. :)

This is fabulous...silver suits the shape too imho.

Angie Holden said...

That is a really awesome finish!! Love how it changes appearance!

Jenn said...

stopping in from new friend friday - I agree with you on the white furniture - it gets old!

shaleza said...

Now I'm going to have to stop my wicker project and go re-finish some lamps - you've got too many great ideas! ;-)

concretenprimroses said...

Beautiful!
Kathy

rachel (curly and crafty) said...

this is such a great piece. it's shape is fantastic. such a wonderful canvas!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

You are preaching to the choir about the white furniture. So pretty but where is the creativity? Silver was a fun choice. I do a lot of work with refurbished furniture too but I usually pattern mine up. I haven't worked much with glazes. I know they go on white unless I add some color to them but do you apply them with a brush? rag? I haven't learned the technique yet.
Pam

Laura said...

Oh my gosh- it's amazing.
You did a great job and thanks for the tutorial.

Laura

I linked to the same party.

White Spray Paint

Shaunna said...

It looks beautiful! I will admit I am a huge fan of plain old white and distressing, but this is stunning as well! Found you through remodelaholic's--so glad! I refinish furniture, so I'm looking forward to looking through your blog! -shaunna :)

Needles Everywhere said...

You're so funny about the white furniture thing. I don't think I have one piece of furniture that is white, probably because the cabinets in my kitchen are white. Beautiful job on that cabinet. How clever, too. I would never have thought of silver.

Unknown said...

wow its a great idea... i am a bit tired of white too.

Unknown said...

Wow! Great idea. I like how you used the color under the white...very creative!

Thanks for linking up!

Anonymous said...

Love this!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Lana Kim White Austin said...

I absolutely 100% concur with you....and love what you did to incorporate dimension and real flair to that piece!!!! It is, indeed, a showstopper!

Hugs, Lana

Kaysi said...

What a great transformation!! I love the color!

Debbiedoos said...

Love that color, love the thinking outside the box there idea! Thanks for inspiring us.

René said...

Thanks for the inspiration! Love it!

Restorative Living said...

Wow, glam is right! That's a lot of steps! I've never tried my hand at silver gilding...but you made it sound easy!

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

This is an interesting technique...I think I might try it!!!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

This piece turned out amazing! I love the silver thrown into the mix. Great piece. Thanks again for joining the Sunday Showcase. ~ Stephanie Lynn

Mad in Crafts said...

I love it when people do more than the "usual" when they are refinishing furniture!

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

KayC. said...

I think I have one piece that is painted white...no two: a pie safe and a free-standing, antique mantel. But I am thinking of repainting the pie safe a different color (kind of the old, Canidian, painted furniture look). It will have to be able to go with the chocolate brown walls I have in the kitchen ;-)

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

I love the finish! This looks fantastic!

Leslie said...

It turned out fantastic! Thanks for linking to Hoo's got talent!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

Silver is sassy and stunning! Love the look1 I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

Jill said...

Very cute!

seven thirty three said...

Great transformation!

Thanks again for linking at Sugar & Spice.

Fawnda@Fireflies and Jellybeans said...

Very cool! I love the silver! :)

Cass @ That Old House said...

Very creative paint job... nice! I too am tired of the all white -- on walls AND on furniture. I've got some tables to paint, and white they ain't gonna be.

Love your distressing techniques, very effective.
Cass

Sachiko said...

How amazing is that!! You totally gave new life to the cabinet! Great job!

Unknown said...

Don't forget to link up to my new blog party today!

www.FrugalFabulousDesign.com

Helena said...

Fantastic! I absolutely love it. I'm excited to see how your room turns out!

Thank you for participating in the Creative Therapy session at Life in the Pitts!

Unknown said...

I like it!!
{Rebekah}

Lori said...

Nice job...

Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday at Life As Lori. Please join me next week for another great party.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

looks fabulous!

Sherry

Laura said...

What a fun technique!

Thanks for linking up to Saturday is Crafty Day!

Room to Inspire said...

What a great finish - it really has a completely new look! Thanks for linking this up to Be Inspired last week too!

Chelsea