I think we all do. I feel most comfortable surrounded by the earthy warm autumn colors that transform Michigan’s landscape every October.
It apparently isn’t a phase either because I’ve loved the same colors for almost 50 years. Call me boring, predictable or whatever, I don’t care. I’ll be the first to admit I’m predictable ~ my friends and family will be the second.
As much as I love green, I have to admit, I wasn’t too excited about the Michigan Pine that was being added to the new color pallet. I imagined it to be a dark forest green which took me back to dark green and orange tones used in the 70’s – 80’s, I don’t even remember anymore, but they were bad and highly overused.
The first piece that totally knocked my socks off was this beautiful dresser painted by Karin of Art is Beauty.
She teamed up with her niece to paint this for a fundraiser and I have to tell you, they knocked it out of the park! Karin’s entire family is blessed with extraordinary talents; they sing, they paint ~ they can do anything and this really opened my eyes to the true color of Michigan Pine.
Then one of our newest retailers, Laura Bouni of The Not Just Shabby Shop, shared this dresser painted by her son Josh.
Oh-My-Gosh! Seriously? This is what this color looks like? Wow! That’s all it took. I busted into a can and grabbed the closest dresser in my reach.
I had been farting around with it trying to decide which color it would look best in and for whatever reason, I decided to give it a first coat of Mesa Sunset. Don’t ask me why, I really don’t know. Something in the air I guess, I just did it. I followed with a coat of Michigan Pine and this is what I ended up with.
I had applied a watered down thin coat of the green over the orange but it turned out a little lighter than I thought it would. It looks even lighter in this picture because of the reflection of the sun. It was really pretty, but you know me, I can never leave anything alone…
I wanted a little more depth and dimension so I feathered in some light aging wax over the clear to age it a bit and give it a little more character.
I could have just painted a normal coat of paint on it, but hey… anyone can do that. The Light Aging Wax was just applied prior to this picture so you can see it’s half dry, half wet.
I really like the contrast of the two colors, the orange looks a little “oranger” – lol in this close-up because of the sunset, but it really looks neat in person.
This picture is junka-lunka too because the days are getting so stinkin’ short, the sun had already set, at like 8:00 pm! What’s up with that? Why can’t we have daylight until 10:00 pm all year long – whah
Ok, I’m done whining 😀 We dropped it off to our Shizzle Design Space in Not So Shabby where it’s eagerly looking forward to it’s new home.
Stop by if you get a chance. Pumpkin Fest started today and there are all kinds of special events going on in Zeeland right now.
Ok, so not in THIS picture, but imagine the street full of pumpkins, scarecrows, games, families… It’s a big event in this charming small town.
Shizzle Updates and Breaking News
Shizzle Design is Relocating to Holland, Michigan!
Subscribe to this blog to stay informed when in October we are moving
- Subscribe to our Blog for the most detailed info
- Browse our available furniture here
- Shop CeCe Caldwell’s Paints here
- Like our Facebook Page
- Pin away on Pinterest
The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday
Homespun Happenings – Rusty Restorations Weekend
Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday
Embracing Change – Creative Inspirations
Tatertots & Jello – Weekend Party Wrap Up
Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend
For less than the price of a gallon of paint, you too can be on your way to painting furniture like a pro. Click here to download
Shelly, that is so sweet of you to mention that dresser. I love seeing everything you create and so glad I got to meet you!
Hugs
Shelly you rock! Love the article, love Michigan Pine! Thanks for feauring Josh’s dresser.
I totally love that color! I once had my bedroom painted almost exactly that shade. For some reason I changed the color a year or so ago, and I have been thinking ever since it was a mistake. It is a very pretty peachy shade now, and I hate it. I want my green back!! Gotta get some of the Michigan Pine, I have some projects coming up that it would be perfect for. Hugs
Looks great Shelly and great examples of the color used on other furniture too. I definitely need to give Cece’s a try asap!!!
Such a fabulous color! I truly love what you did with that dresser. So appropriate that I found you from Redoux!
Shelly, Once again, great usage of your colors! Love it! Thanks to you I’ve been using CeCe’s. I just finished a beast of a dresser in Vermont Slate and stenciled it w/cherry blossoms. The colors are gorgeous! Thanks.
I’m jealous because you keep coming up with these antique dressers! They are getting harder and harder to find. And I’m in a big city! Lucky girl!
I can’t believe this is Michigan Pine either! I feel like such a dummy that I have not noticed this is what Karin used too. I have to say, I have not even bought this color yet. I am so getting myself some and looking around in my piles to see what I can paint in this color. Featuring your gorgeous work at my party today! -K
The dresser is gorgeous. Such a perfect shade of green.