White and Gold Glam Desk Makeover

Hello! I ran across this desk on a yard sale site and knew it had great potential. I needed one for my office and this was the perfect size. I wanted something simple that wouldn’t take away from the bold decor I have in there. This was perfect!

It was in pretty bad shape when I got it. Covered in several layers of black, teal and red latex paint and lots of gouges on the top as you can see here:

I sanded it down and painted it with Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in French Vanilla.  For the gold accents I used this fabulous product called Little Billy Goat Sticks. I chose the “Gold Leaf”. These are so awesome! They are little sticks for highlighting that come in seven different colors and are super easy to use. I love how it turned out!

I found this awesome cactus tapestry online that I’m loving!! To see the details click my affiliate link here. I’m a bit tapestry obsessed now.

I hope you enjoyed this makeover. Thanks for dropping by! -L

 

 

 

Dirty Floral Decoupage Tutorial

Hello! I’ve used this finish on a few pieces I’ve done over the past few years and I get a lot of requests for a decoupage tutorial so here it is.

Here are a few pictures of some of the pieces I’ve done it on:

What you will need:

1. Tissue paper (I am always on the look out for different tissue paper designs. I have a hoard of it.)
2. 1GEL a Decoupage, Transfer and Sealing Medium all in one.
3. Brayer
4. Soft cloth – I prefer a staining sponge
5. 150 grit sandpaper
6. 220 grit sandpaper
7. Ancient Agings Aging Dust from Heirloom Traditions
8. Vintiques Antiquing Gel from Heirloom Traditions
9. Paintbrush
10. Paint if you prefer to paint the finish before you apply the tissue paper. It’s strictly up to you. I used a coat of Vintiques Chalk Type Paint in the color Barkcloth and a coat of Posh Pink Chalk Type Paint by Heirloom Traditions for this demo. I do this finish on raw wood so the wood grain shows through and also on painted surfaces. It’s a matter of preference depending on what you’re working on.

Let’s get started! First I applied a coat of Vintiques Chalk Type Paint in Barkcloth.

Second, I applied a coat of Posh Pink Chalk Type Paint.

Third, I applied a generous coat of 1GEL.

And laid the tissue paper down.

I smoothed it out with a soft cloth and a brayer.

I let it dry for about an hour and then I applied a coat of 1GEL on top to seal.

I let the top coat of 1GEL dry and then sanded the excess paper off of the edges with 150 grit sandpaper. I also use this little blue treasure craft distressing tool by Ingvild Bolme I bought from Prima Marketing a few years ago to distress the edges. I love it!

I sprinkled on some Ancient Agings Aging Dust to add some contrast and worked it in with a 220 grit sanding block.

Then I added some Vintiques Antiquing Gel to give it some extra grunge.

I wiped it back with a damp rag and that’s it! All finished.

Below are some drawers I did for a piece with the tissue paper over raw wood.

  Want to give it a try? Order the products you need online from Heirloom Traditions.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for your support and thanks so much for stopping by! -L

Simply White and Totally Out of My Comfort Zone.

Hello friends! I can count on one hand how many times I’ve painted a piece of furniture white. I think I’ve done two besides this one, and those two weren’t all white and probably don’t even count.  I normally use lots of color and prints, bold stripes, leopard, floral, blues, pinks, red, orange, greens, polka dots, purples, gold and so forth. So many people are afraid of color, but me? I get nervous to do white. Kinda strange, because that’s what is incredibly popular with so many people, including me, loving the farmhouse look. I get quite a few messages and emails from people afraid to use color because they consider white “safe”. So this is me coming out of my comfort zone of color.

A classic white finish using Chantilly Chalk Type Paint,  a classic, bright white chalk type paint by Vintiques coupled with Antiqued Brown Spray Wax used as a glaze on a table with gorgeous carvings and tons of curves just begging for glaze down in those nooks and crannies. I sealed it with Vintiques Satin Top Coat. This table brings a lot on its own but I believe the white does soooo much for it and I’ve gotta admit I love the simplicity and classic look of it.

Taped off to preserve that gorgeous top.

Before and After:

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

Thrift Store Folding Chair Makeover with 1GEL.

Hello friends!! I’ve been busy recently cleaning out my garage. It’s been much more of a chore than I expected and the Arizona heat doesn’t help.  When I get in a “get rid of it” mood, nothing is safe. I pulled this chair out (that I bought at a thrift store) and put it in the back of my SUV to take to Deseret Industries aka D.I. I pulled up to D.I. with a load of stuff and took another look at it and ended up bringing it back home.

I came home, blew past the garage mess, grabbed my 1GEL and headed to my paper hoard where I picked out some different designs. Leopard, Floral, Stripes and Polka Dots, cause why not?

I painted the frame of the chair with one of my go to colors, Mint Julep Chalk Type Paint by Vintiques and then sealed with Vintiques Oxidized Patina Spray Wax. I love the depth the Oxidized Patina adds! To apply the Spray Wax, I shake the bottle really well and pour some out in a bowl then apply it with a brush.

And then I attached the paper and sealed with 1GEL as shown in the video above.  That’s why they call it 1GEL, it’s a decoupage, sealer and transfer medium all in one. So easy and this chair is so much more fun than before! Click here for a video demonstration on how to use 1GEL.

I waited for the top coat of 1GEL to dry and distressed the paper with 150 and 220 grit sandpaper then resealed.

 

Here is the before and after picture:

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

Seven Color Distressed Table

Hello. I painted this little table this past weekend and wanted to share it with you. I used seven different colors in the Heirloom Traditions and Vintiques Chalk Type Paint lines.

For the first coat I used Heirloom Traditions Direct Green (my absolute favorite green), followed with Heirloom Traditions Synergy, Alexandrite and random streaks of Vintiques Ol’ Navy and Sail Away.

Then I painted the entire table in Vintiques Engine No.9, a wonderfully vibrant red. After that I added Mandarin to sections of the table and then I heavily distressed the entire piece with my Black and Decker Mouse Sander using 120 grit sandpaper allowing a parade of colors to peek through.

 

For the topcoat I used my favorite satin topcoat by Vintiques. I love this stuff. It goes on so smoothly, enhances and deepens the paint colors and levels excellently, leaving a perfect finish! And it’s waterbased for easy cleanup!

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

My Favorite Color Combo Recipes

It can be difficult sometimes to visualize paint colors and finishing products together. In fact, it can be difficult to decide on a color alone. There are so many wonderful products out there to choose from. Sometimes, I throw caution to the wind, but most times I do a sample board. Today I thought I’d share some test boards I’ve done of my favorite color combinations from Heirloom Traditions and Vintiques Chalk Type Paint lines with links to the products. I hope you enjoy and possibly find some inspiration.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Black Bean with Snow White Aurora Staining Gel.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Alexandrite with Jet Black Spray Wax.

Layered Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Daredevil, Graceland Blue and Tanya, then distressed.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Daredevil with Jet Black Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Direct Green with Jet Black Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Begonia with Jet Black Spray Wax.

Vintiques Chalk Type Paint in Dearly Distressed with Oxidized Patina Spray Wax.

Vintiques Chalk Type Paint in Jadeite with Heirloom Traditions Peacock and Jet Black Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in my signature color, Graceland Blue with Jet Black Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Tanya with Copper Mine Aurora Staining Gel.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Sundance with Raspberry Soft Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Sand with Muddy Pond Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Mandarin, Tanya with Sapphire Soft Wax then distressed.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Posh Pink, a signature color from White Lace Cottage and Muddy Pond Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in the color Mocha with Jet Black Spray Wax.

Vintiques in the color Sail Away with Antiqued Brown Spray Wax.

Vintiques in the color Mint Julep with Muddy Pond Spray Wax.

Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Thunderous, Metallic Masters Tarnished Silver and Jet Black Spray Wax. You can achieve a very similar finish to the antiqued silver nightstand pictured below with the above product combination.

Vintiques Chalk Type Paint in Ol’ Navy with Snow White Aurora Staining Gel.

Vintiques in the color Jadeite with Antiqued Brown Spray Wax.

The pictures below are additional pictures of the color combinations already listed.

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

 

 

 

Because every girl needs a little leopard in her life.

 

Recently I asked the question on my Facebook page, “What finish or technique would you like to see a blog post about?” The majority of the answers were decoupage, then layering. I decided to do a decoupage post and show how easy it is with 1GEL by Heirloom Traditions Products. It’s an amazing transfer and decoupage all-in-one medium. I started out with a king size headboard pictured below. Pretty, right? But lacked the WOW factor I was looking for.

So I decided to GLAM it up! First, I flipped it over and removed the inserts.

Then, out came the paint, paper and gold! First, I painted the entire headboard in Black Bean Chalk Type Paint by Heirloom Traditions.

Then I took the inserts, sanded them lightly with 220 grit sandpaper and attached this awesome, metallic, leopard print paper that I cut to size. I did another piece using this same paper here.

I simply applied the 1GEL to the back of the paper with my brush, placed the paper on and smoothed it out with a dry staining sponge and a brayer. I let it dry overnight.

Then I took Metallic Master Golden Glimmer Gilding Patina by Heirloom Traditions to the headboard and used it as a glaze. There really is no right or wrong way to apply. I just slather it on and wipe back with a damp rag. The gold stays down in the crevices. YUMMY!! Metallic Masters Gilding Patinas are metallic gel top coats. You can apply them to chalk type or milk painted surfaces. You are also sealing your paint with a durable finish. A lot of bang for your buck!

Before and Afters:

I used Vintiques Satin Top Coat to seal. It’s a water based top coat that gives your painted finish long lasting durability & scrubability.

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

 

 

Painting Pleather – A 70’s Ottoman goes Gold Glam.

Hello. This ottoman was given to me a few years ago by a friend of mine. I LOVE IT! I use it to sit on while I paint because it’s got a comfortable cushiony, big, seat and wheels. I can spin around and what furniture painter wouldn’t love that? It’s just not the prettiest thing, so I thought I’d give her a makeover.

So here she is. This is the before. Not so great looking but the potential is there…

I cleaned the ottoman with Simple Green, rinsed with water and put on a coat of FAB! by Heirloom Traditions, a dual purpose product, primer & sealer for fabric. I used FAB! mainly for the primer. It might not have been necessary over vinyl but I went ahead and put a coat on regardless. Below is a picture immediately after a coat of FAB!

You can see more on FAB! in this chair makeover I did here.

Next, I painted on a coat of Vintiques Chalk Type Paint in the color “Buttercup” as shown in the video below. I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper between the two coats of Buttercup.

Then for the GOLD! This stuff is great! I put on three light layers of Heirloom Tradition’s Metallic Masters Top Coat in Golden Glimmer. One of the best things about it, Metallic Masters Top Coats will seal your chalk type and milk painted surfaces and add a durable, scruable protection to your painted surface. Swoon! I was in LOVE! I have a huge place in my heart for gold.

Here is a short video below applying the Metallic Masters in Golden Glimmer by Heirloom Traditions.

And here’s the result. I’m so pleased with it. Who would’ve thought brown 70’s pleather could look this good? I want it in my living room now. I’m gonna have to find myself another scoot scoot to sit on while I paint.

Check out this video on Metallic Masters here.

Before and After:

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Thank you for stopping by! -L

Painting Plastic – 20 Minute Makeover featuring Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint

Want a quick makeover? This is a plastic, thrift store frame. Yes, you can paint plastic with Heirloom Traditions Paint Products. It’s got tons of grooves and it’s a great size. It started out gold and was pretty as it was, but I wanted pink and I had the perfect pink on hand, Posh Pink by White Lace Cottage for Heirloom Traditions Paint. I made over this frame from start to finish in about 20 minutes. I used Vintiques Engine No. 9 Chalk Type Paint, Heirloom Traditions Posh Pink Chalk Type Paint and Muddy Pond Spray Wax. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day so I’m in full blown red and pink mode.

First, I brushed on some Engine No. 9 around the outside edges and corners of the frame. I did this because I knew I wanted a peek-a-boo color to come through after some light distressing. I let that dry, which being in Arizona doesn’t take much time. Then, I painted on Posh Pink Chalk Type Paint. This is a wonderfully sweet, perfect pink! After that I lightly distressed with 220 grit sandpaper.

Next, I poured some Muddy Pond Spray Wax onto a paper plate. I sprayed my brush with a little bit of water and dipped it into the Spray Wax, brushed it on and then wiped some away as shown in the video below. (I apologize for the video quality. That’s something I need to get better at.)

 

Muddy Pond is my favorite wax to bring out the detail and add some depth over pastels and whites. It’s my go to shade of wax.

And TaDa! All finished. Here are some more detailed pictures.

For more information on Heirloom Traditions products click here.

To locate a retailer in your area click here.

Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you for stopping by! -L

 

 

 

A Special Savings for my Customers

Hello. Who doesn’t love to save money? Just a quick post to let you know you can save 10% off regularly priced items shopping online from the comfort of home. YAY!! Just enter coupon code: VELVETGLOVE upon checkout at Heirloom Traditions – Code must be entered in all capital letters with no spaces. 🙂

Heirloom Traditions has tons of great products: chalk type paint, topcoats, spray waxes and a long list of specialty items. One of my favorite is FAB!, a fabric primer and sealer used in the chair makeover here. Another is 1GEL Transfer & Decoupage Gel that I used to give this chest of drawers and sleigh bed new life. Also Chalk Type Paint, Aging Powder and Waxes that I’ve used on several pieces, including this coffee table, and dresser. Another is Reluv Leather Renew, used in the video demonstration below. It brings life back to old, stained and faded leather and can be used on leather furniture, boots, handbags, etc. The options are endless!

Thanks for stopping by! -L