My Headboard’s Distressed, But I’m Feeling Fine
Were you here for the discussion the other day about Refinisher’s Reluctance & how it’s sometimes hard to distress furniture once it’s painted? (If you missed it, you can read about it here.) As I suspected, I’m not alone in this feeling. Several of you shared your own experiences of how hard it is for you to take your perfect painted finishes & purposefully make them im-perfect.I couldn’t bear to distress my previous headboard because it begged me not to. But my latest one was different. This one insisted on it. It knew it wasn’t perfect & wasn’t even going to try to pretend otherwise. And so she was an ideal candidate for distressing.Here’s how I found her at an estate sale in Atlanta a few weeks ago (yes, I’ve even started going to estate sales when I’m out of town if the opportunity arises):I actually like the shade of green she was, but it looked as though she’d been left out in a garage or storage shed because she was pretty dirty & even had a little mildew. My brother-in-law, a wood-working guru, suggested I use this:You just mix a little with water, following the instructions on the packaging. Then, scrub down your piece with a brush. You will need to take precaution & use gloves, etc., but the results are great!After my headboard dried out well, I brushed on a couple coats of Sherwin Williams’ Quicksilver (the same paint I used for this project). Then, it was time for the distressing. I should mention that if I had taken the time to thoroughly sand & smooth down this piece, the weathered finish wouldn’t have been so necessary. But, I didn’t and so it was. (See how the original layers of painted brushstrokes show thru?)I started out with a coat of gray glaze by mixing the glazing medium with some plain ‘ol gray craft paint. Yes, you can do this. The amount of paint required is so insignificant, it’s not necessary to use a high-quality paint for this step.I just brushed it on liberally & then wiped off what I wanted to remove…After that was dry, I just sanded the edges & the original green paint showed through beautifully in some areas.That was it!I think she likes her little makeover. If I were keeping her, I’m thinking I might’ve liked to stencil on a little French something-or-other, maybe even add something like this image I found for sale on etsy:Wouldn’t that be adorable? You can find this digital image & other great ones like it for sale here.Meanwhile, if this doesn’t sell soon, I may just talk my self into adding the crown.Sharing this makeover with a few of these sites.
Andrea S.
March 30, 2011 @ 12:55 pm
This turned out beautiful! Might even motivate me to distress my daughter's painted headboard & footboard – that are already "distressed" and chipped from being in a preschooler's room!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
March 30, 2011 @ 1:02 pm
I love the lines of this Julie! That green was nice, but mildew is not, so I think refreshing her this way was a good idea. I could see a stencil or something like what you've shown on there as well. I hope it sells quickly for you! {Or not, if you really want to add the crown!} : )
Sarah @ The Bird's Papaya
March 30, 2011 @ 1:06 pm
great find! that's beautiful! love what you did with it.
A Vintage Vine
March 30, 2011 @ 1:48 pm
I really like it! Great makeover….I agree, TSP is awesome stuff. I started using it when I painted my cabinets in the kitchen! The glaze really adds alot of character to the headboard! Good choice on that!
Becolorful
March 30, 2011 @ 4:34 pm
Wow . A lot of work but so worth the effort. Such a nice tutorial too.
Thanks for visiting. I need to make sure to get over here more often. You always motivate me.
Pam
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
March 30, 2011 @ 4:45 pm
julie that turned out so pretty! the distressing is the perfect amount in my book!
Jayna Rae
March 30, 2011 @ 5:29 pm
I really love distressed items like this. I am scared to try it myself, although you make it look so easy. I love that the green shows through a bit.
kelsey rae
March 30, 2011 @ 6:18 pm
Simply wonderful! I had to laugh at your post about reluctant refinishers….I get that feeling EVERY time I do something, whether I'm painting a wall, or a piece of furniture! Love the crown idea….
I'm in need for a nice solid wood queen size headboard for our guest bedroom. Doesn't matter what the finish is since I'll be redoing it anyways, but if you see something in your furniture treasure hunts with really nice lines, (and you're not buying it yourself) let me know! đŸ™‚
Lei
March 30, 2011 @ 10:29 pm
What a gorgeous makeover! Love it!
Emily @ RemarkableHome
March 30, 2011 @ 11:03 pm
Just leaving a comment so you know I stopped by:) The headboard is really pretty! I have so much furniture I need to paint! I gotta get on it!
Patti
March 31, 2011 @ 1:06 am
Came out great…I have to give this a try
NanaDiana
March 31, 2011 @ 4:46 am
Julie- Great tutorial and I LOVE that headboard! I liked the green paint too! xxoo Diana
M* {Daydream Believers}
March 31, 2011 @ 2:36 pm
What a great find! đŸ™‚ I love what you did with it, very nice work!
Susan S.
March 31, 2011 @ 9:06 pm
Hi there….just popped into your blog and am enjoying going thru the posts. The distressed headboard looks GREAT! Happy Spring Ya'll from Houston, TX
Megan
March 31, 2011 @ 11:46 pm
I think this would be so charming with your crown stencil. Great job.
megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com
Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack
April 1, 2011 @ 3:28 am
You can't beat TSP. I've been using it for years. Love the new look of your headboard. You did a fabulous job of distressing it! Great makeover!
Kelsey @ Tattered and Inked
April 1, 2011 @ 2:53 pm
Love it! It turned out beautiful đŸ™‚
alison
April 1, 2011 @ 6:03 pm
i've never heard of tsp…but it obviously works quite well…i'll have to look for it…your headboard redo turned out lovely…thanks for sharing at ff!
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
Emily
April 2, 2011 @ 2:45 am
What a beautiful headboard! You did an amazing job!!!
-emily
nestnestingnested.blogspot.com
Janet
April 2, 2011 @ 2:46 am
This looks amazing! And thanks for the TSP tip!!!
http://www.iheartmygluegun.com
Sommer
April 2, 2011 @ 2:44 pm
BEAUTIFUL! I love the shots of it outside. Where do you find green grass this time of year? I'd love to have you link this to my VIP party today! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/vip-party-9.html
Kim
April 2, 2011 @ 7:10 pm
This is georgous! I am looking for a headboard for my son's room and want swomething rustic and a bit distressed…can I have this one? Ha Ha
Kim
http://www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com
Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating
April 3, 2011 @ 2:17 am
Fabulous! The headboard looks great! Thanks for he tip for removing mildew on wood. đŸ™‚
The House Creative
April 5, 2011 @ 2:15 am
I have almost the exact same headboard sitting in my garage waiting for my attention. đŸ™‚ Love it!
kara@elements-interiors.net
April 6, 2011 @ 3:25 pm
I LOVE THIS! Great job!!!
I would LOVE to have you link up to my PARTY! WHASSUP WEDNESDAY!!
And I have a party button you can grab and put on your blog so your friends can come too:)
*ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *
xoxokara