Whimsical Patchwork Painted Dresser

Do you ever have one of THOSE days? THOSE weeks? THOSE months? I do! Sometimes I just need to walk away from everything and escape the chaos for a little while. This is one of our favorite places to relax.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park

Lake Michigan’s Beautiful Shoreline, Empire, Michigan

I love Michigan’s summers! Since it’s light until almost 10:00 p.m. this time of year, late afternoons and evenings the perfect time for painting. The sun isn’t intense, the winds are usually calm and everything seems more tranquil.

I took the opportunity to slap together a quick makeover using various leftover sample pots of American Paint Company’s chalk, clay and mineral paint. I dumped blobs of each color onto a plate and went to town. No deep thought, no planning ~ Ready, Set, GO!

The only thing I knew I wanted was a chunky, patchwork quilt type of colorful finish. I used American Paint Company’s Beach Glass, Orange Grove, Amber Waves of Grain, Home Turf, Dessert Cactus (and I can’t remember what else). Here’s what I ended up with.

To begin, I simply slapped on the paint and kept layering… and layering… and layering!

This dresser is a good representation of what’s going through my brain at any given moment.

To me, it’s not just about the color, it’s how a piece feels

I wish you could reach through your monitor and feel how silky smooth the finish is on this piece. It’s sealed with American Paint Company’s Light Antiquing Wax which adds a sunset-like warmth to the vast array of colors I used.

I love APC’s Antiquing Waxes!

They are by far the easiest dark waxes I’ve ever used. They can be applied directly over the paint without an initial coat of clear wax!

APC’s Antiquing Wax comes pre-mixed so…

You don’t have to mix it up yourself and worry whether you have it mixed well enough to cure properly. It’s good to go.
You don’t have to fart around cutting the dark wax with clear wax just to make it glide on evenly. It naturally spreads out evenly without creating streaks you can’t blend into the finish.
You also won’t have to dilute it with Mineral Spirits like some chemically laden waxes require to make them work properly ~ just brush it on like you would Clear Wax and buff with an old t-shirt and you’ll end up with such a buttery smooth finish that you won’t be able to stop touching it.

Ok, maybe that’s just me

I touch a lot of painted furniture that doesn’t FEEL good

To create this look, take a variety of colors and start slapping it on in random patterns. Dry brush in every which way then use a little water to spread it around and repeat over and over again until you like what you see. I used a variety of colors from American Paint Company’s chalk/clay/mineral paints including: Fireworks Red, Home Turf, Surfboard, Orange Grove, Wild Horses, Home Plate, Beach Glass, Coral Reef and whatever else was within my reach that day.

I do the same thing with carpet, couches, sweatshirts and linens. Living room carpet needs to be soft enough to lay on, the fabric on a couch needs to be so comfy that you can crash face first into it… Yes, I’ve been known to lay on couches at LaZboy and I’m about as experienced as they come at picking out the best rocking chair. Ok ~ so I like to rock. One of these days I’ll share some of my earliest photos of this habit that I seem to have carried on to adulthood. Did I mention, I still rock my 10 year old? SHHHH ~ don’t tell her I told you!!

I dropped this off to our Shiz zle Design booth at Not So Shabby in Holland, Michigan

These colors lift my spirits!

What do you think?

Leave me a comment below ~ I’d love to hear about your favorite color combinations!

Did you know that…

We’ve opened up a Shizzle Design Paint Studio at 2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, Michigan 49428? This is where Cathy and I paint our furniture but we want our customers to know that we’re here for you. We encourage everyone to stop in any time to buy paint or to get your questions answered.
We’ve taught people from all over the United States and Canada how to paint furniture Shizzle Style using chalk and clay paints? Join us for a fun and relaxing workshop. Click Paint Workshops to see a list of current classes offered.
You can Subscribe to Shizzle Design for tips, tutorials, ideas, pictures, videos for our furniture painted in all natural chalk and clay based mineral paints?
Did you know that you can get these sent directly to your inbox and that it’s FREE? It is ~ so what are you waiting for? Enter your email in the right hand column of our blog to stay in the loop.
We have a Shizzle Design Facebook Page? We share all sorts of additional tips, ideas, photos EVERY DAY and offer special deals (which you’ll only know about if you’ve Liked our Facebook Page?).
We have numerous Pinterest Boards? Stop in and check out our extensive portfolio ~ Pin us on Pinterest
We sell our painted furniture at Not So Shabby Antiques and Fine Furniture at 2975 West Shore Drive in Holland, Michigan 49424?
Shizzle Design is an American Paint Company’s Chalk/Clay/Mineral Paints in West Michigan locations and sell both domestically and international online? Click LOCATIONS or Online Shizzle Shop.

Click here to see Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, How To Tutorials & Video’s

Click here to see Funky Finishes

Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou ~ Shelly

June 26, 2013

Fabulous Furniture Makeovers from our Latest Shizzle Workshop

I blinked and this week was gone! Between hauling the kids back and forth to Vacation Bible School and Cathy out with a horrible Strep infection, the week just went poof.

I’ve had a lot of requests for how some of the finishes were created so without further adieu, here are the makeovers from last week’s Shizzle Style Furniture Paint Workshop.

Gail made our paint class part of her vacation. She and her husband drove up to Michigan and spent some time near the Lakeshore in Holland before attending our class. She brought in the most amazing ornate table that she refinished in one of my signature paint finishes.

Didn’t it turn out stunning? You can learn how easy it is to create this look here.

Mary & Sue drove in together for the workshop. From the sounds of it, Mary would give Karen from Redoux Interiors a run for her money should they end up at the same dumpster.

She scores all sorts of things in the alleys on trash day including this unique side table. She had already started painting it before I captured the before picture, but there was a lot of decorative painting on it when she started similar to what’s on the top.

She slapped on a coat of CeCe Caldwell’s Michigan Pine in a few minutes.

She then slapped on CeCe Caldwell’s Kentucky Mint in random places. While she was doing this, we could see some of the original gold popping through so she worked that into the design by wet distressing back through.

A little bit of Michigan Pine was dry brushed after it was wet distressed.

To break it up and tie in with the hardware, Mary painted the top with CeCe’s Virginia Chestnut. I love, love, love the brown with it. I think it will look fabulous in her daughter’s tropical themed room!

Mary’s friend Sue brought in an old gossip bench from her entryway. She is a bit of a perfectionist so the thought of slapping on a bunch of paint made her nervous when she first started messing with it.

Sue wanted just a touch of white to show through under the red so she did a thin coat of Dover White then painted her bench with American Paint Company’s Firework’s Red. This is the most spectacular red! I just love this color! Did I mention I like it ~ a little?

She distressed it little by little to reveal bits and pieces of the white and wood underneath. I think the color is perfect on this piece!

I don’t know what setting I had my camera on, but it looks pink in this picture

It’s not really pink ~ for some reason the color is off on this shot

In person, Firework’s Red is the most rich, beautiful red ever!

This was another quick re-do during the workshop. Mary slapped one quick coat of CeCe Caldwell’s Santa Fe Turquoise on her metal parlor chair to use as a planter.

What a cool pop of color against the flowers!

Bonnie sells painted furniture at both the new and old Changing Thymes in Grandville, Michigan but she wanted to learn some new finishes to kick it up a notch. She brought in a small round end table which she base coated in CeCe Caldwell’s Vermont Slate. She then painted over that with a custom mix I made up for her of Omaha Ochre and Vintage White.

She wanted to do a similar finish to that which I painted on this dresser ~

Did I ever even post on this dresser yet? Oh zazooz! I’m losin’ it!

Bonnie wet distressed to pull back the top layer showing bits and pieces of CeCe Caldwell’s Vermont Slate.

The last piece painted at the workshop is a rustic nightstand. I actually thought it was a drawer when she first carried it in. Bonnie used a simple coat of Vintage White, wet distressed back to the wood and in a just a few minutes, she had created this!

Isn’t it adorable? It could go just about anywhere now!! Great job ladies!! Cathy and I had a blast ~ thanks for sharing your day with us!!

Heres a sneak peak of what I’m working on now… see ya soon!!!

Have a great night!! Shelly

Click here to see many more Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, Tutorials & Video How-To’s

Click here to see our Funky Finishes

Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou!

Shelly

June 13, 2013

French Country Armoire ~ includes Video on Wet Distressing

I hope you’re all enjoying a picture perfect night like we are here in West Michigan! The sun is setting as I write this post and I have to tell you ~ I’m so excited to share the pictures of this piece with all of you!

I loved it when I purchased it, then I got it home and for the life of me, I couldn’t decide what to do with it. So it sat in my garage until last week.

I had a general idea of how I wanted to do it but it sure evolved over the course of a couple weeks. I wanted to create some kind of old world paint finish that would represent years of wear and tear.

You’re going to think I’m crazy for how I started it, but I wanted to create a colorful base coat that would make it look as though it had been painted many times over the years. I loved the blue and purple that peaked through on the inspiration piece I had seen online. It looks nothing like what I ended up with but hey ~ ya gotta start somewhere!

To replicate the undertones I had seen in the photograph, I busted out some Purple Mountain Majesty, Desert Cactus and Blue Jeans from American Paint Company and started slapping it on like a wild woman.

What can I say? It was the first week of summer break!

I have to tell you, I received some pretty interesting comments after I posted this shot on our Shizzle Facebook Page. That’s ok, I’m used to getting strange looks from neighbors, my husband, my kids…. but stay with me here, this is just my base coat. I wanted a light neutral and APC’s Rushmore fit the bill! It’s a beautiful taupe, one of my absolute favorites!! I poured my paint into a little bowl and diluted it with a little water slapping it on with random brush strokes to cover everything.

I had already painted the details with Freedom’s Road. It’s a deep slate color which looks similar to Lincoln’s Hat until it dries. That’s when you can see Freedom Road is slate and Lincoln’s Hat is black. Anyway… I painted the crown molding with Freedom Road then dry brushed with a little Desert Cactus.

Then came the fun part ~ I used a damp rag to wet distress / remove the Rushmore which started revealing some of the initial colors. Cath taped this video of me while I was distressing.

Click the following link to watch my VIDEO on how to Wet Distress Large Areas to reveal Colors Underneath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfW0xW3riU

Just keepin’ it real folks!

It looked cool but after I had finished the front of it, I stepped back and realized doing the entire piece like this would be WAY too much.

I had to break it up.

It was late, dark and I was tired and crabby that it wasn’t turning out how I had planned so I painted over the door inserts with Desert Cactus and after it was dry, did a crazy wet wash using Lincoln’s Hat.

That’s when my heart skipped a bit. It was finally starting to take shape and represent my style.

I worked on it on and off for several more days, tweaking it here and there until I was finally satisfied. Sit back and enjoy all the close ups.

The paint we use has both chalk AND clay in the mix!

Hope you enjoyed the ride! It’s already loaded up an will be headed to the store. For location and availability of this piece, click here.

If it doesn’t turn out how you imagined, just keep working it!

Have a great night!! Shelly

Click here to see many more Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, Tutorials & Video How-To’s

Click here to see our Funky Finishes

Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou!

Shelly

June 11, 2013

Funky Finishes

Anyone who follows our blog has probably figured out by now that we’re not the type to slap on a fresh coat of paint and call it good.

We drive ourselves bonkers fussing over the smallest details. My sister and I definitely fall into the “Tinker” category and if you knew our dad, you know where we acquired it.

Cathy and I like to add multiple layers of paint and mix it up using a variety of techniques, brushes, paint colors and finishes. Because of this, we added a Funky Finishes section to our project gallery. The problem is, you don’t see the Funky Finishes button until you click on….

Portfolio at the top of our blog

After you click on Portfolio, you’ll see the Funky Finishes button. It looks like this!

Beneath our Funky Finishes button, you’ll find all sorts of different pieces we’ve refinished using different techniques. When you have a chance, click through some of our projects then let me know what you think.

Why am I mentioning this now? Because I’m getting super excited to unveil my latest Funky Finish on the armoire I just painted. I’ve been messing with this the past two weeks and will be finished soon. Here’s a sneak peak!

If you follow our Facebook Page, you’ve probably been following the progression of this piece. We share little snippets of information on our Shizzle Facebook page several times a day but I’ll be posting the complete transformation of this French Country Armoire later this week right here.

Many mahalos also go out to Marian at Miss Mustardseed and Danielle at Silver Pennies for featuring Cathy’s Vintage Dresser

Want to learn how to do this? Join us for a Shizzle Style Paint Workshop, check our 2013 Schedule here.

Have a great night!!

June 2, 2013

Design Gallery Room Competition using Flea Market Picks

We just got back from a fun overnight trip of pickin’ at the Michigan Antiques and Collectible Festival in Midland, Michigan. It’s a flea market spread over 80 acres with over 1,000 vendors near the thumb area on the east side of the state.

We went there to hunt for treasures for our Shizzle Design booth and check out the Design Gallery Competition.

Interior Design students from Central Michigan University and Michigan State University competed against each other in a room design. Each group was given a room to design s/a dining room, living room, bedroom… and could choose their wall color prior to the competition.

They were allowed to bring two items from home but they had to find everything else they needed for their design at the Michigan Antiques and Collectible Festival.

Friday afternoon, they jumped in their golf carts and raced off to score their treasures. They had to find pieces as the vendors were setting up and ask them if they could use their items in their designs, all items still were for sale and the girls were great sharing their prices…

There were six rooms designed ~ which one is your favorite?

Room #1 ~ Winner of People’s Choice Award

Room #2

Room #3

Room #4

Room #5 ~ Winner of Judges Award

Room #6

Aren’t they all amazing? So many cool elements in each room! I love the color combinations, the light fixture, the crates, the window treatments and the shutters in room #2.

I also loved the hope chest at the foot of the bed in Room #4

The girls who designed Room #6 pulled together some really neat elements creating this awesome bar.

What a cool score they found with this vintage cabinet in all it’s chippy fabulousness. I could walk right into this, kick back and relax. Seriously, any room with a rocking chair and a comfy blankee says home to me ~ love it!!

I was blown away with what they came up with. So many neat ideas from flea market picks!! Great job girls!! Can’t wait to hear who won!! Which one is your favorite??

Click here to see many more Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, Tutorials & Video How-To’s

Click here to see our Funky Finishes

Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou!

Shelly

May 30, 2013

Vintage Dresser in Chesapeake Blue

” Well ~ Hello there!”

That’s how much confidence I think this old gal has now all decked out in her new threads! I think the look fits her personality perfectly ~ a little vintage chic yet colorful, classy and full of pizzaz.

My sister Cathy is the one who did this amazing makeover. She discovered this antique dresser in her son’s basement. She was looking a little worn down and aged when she found her.

But in no time, she had an entirely new look ~ I still can’t get over how cool it turned out. The variations and layering of color are so pretty!! If I’m type A, my sister is AAA ~ she REALLY fuses with her pieces, what can we say?

She used a color that I never would have tried because quite frankly, I thought it was a really ugly. I know! That’s not very nice ~ but I never would have pulled this color off the shelf…

until I saw this…

Boy was I wrong on THAT one! Just look at all this scrumptiousness!

Cathy painted the dresser in CeCe Caldwell’s Chesapeake Blue which is a blue, gray, with almost a periwinkle undertone.

She then washed over it with Dover White. Dover White best resembles the color of ground oatmeal flour. Not too brown, not too gray but with a rich, creamy color. It’s so pretty and without pigment so it’s quite translucent which create amazing affects when washed over other colors.

She sealed it with Clear Wax and while still wet, added a little surprise.

If you haven’t played with CeCe Caldwell’s Aging Dust in your wax then you’re missing out ~ Big Time! You just tap a little onto your brush and pounce it into and brush it into your wax while it’s still wet. Dip your brush into your Aging Dust then gently tap the excess off your brush before applying ~ like you would if you were applying a loose powder blush to your face.

The dust mixes right into the wax and adds tons of dimension!

So… huh, huh, huh? Did she do good or what?

I think she did and it sold almost immediately. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

This Vintage Dresser has been Featured on:

Miss Mustardseed Furniture Feature Friday

Silver Pennies

Did you know that…

We’ve opened up a Shizzle Design Paint Studio at 2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, Michigan 49428? This is where Cathy and I paint our furniture but we want our customers to know that we’re here for you. We encourage everyone to stop in any time to buy paint or to get your questions answered.
We’ve taught people from all over the United States and Canada how to paint furniture Shizzle Style using chalk and clay paints? Join us for a fun and relaxing workshop. Click Paint Workshops to see a list of current classes offered.
You can Subscribe to Shizzle Design for tips, tutorials, ideas, pictures, videos for our furniture painted in all natural chalk and clay based mineral paints?
Did you know that you can get these sent directly to your inbox and that it’s FREE? It is ~ so what are you waiting for? Enter your email in the right hand column of our blog to stay in the loop.
We have a Shizzle Design Facebook Page? We share all sorts of additional tips, ideas, photos EVERY DAY and offer special deals (which you’ll only know about if you’ve Liked our Facebook Page?).
We have numerous Pinterest Boards? Stop in and check out our extensive portfolio ~ Pin us on Pinterest
We sell our painted furniture at Not So Shabby Antiques and Fine Furniture at 2975 West Shore Drive in Holland, Michigan 49424?
Shizzle Design is an American Paint Company’s Chalk/Clay/Mineral Paints in West Michigan locations and sell both domestically and international online? Click LOCATIONS or Online Shizzle Shop.

Click here to see Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, How To Tutorials & Video’s

Click here to see Funky Finishes

a hui hou! ~ Shelly

May 16, 2013

Everybody’s Gone Surfing…

Surfing U.S.A. I couldn’t help but sing when I finally finished this dresser that I’ve been tinkering with on and off for several weeks. I painted it three times trying to get it just right but each time I wasn’t feeling it. Am I the only one who does this?

I initially painted it in a rich green but felt this color was a bit too taste specific to sell quickly in our area.

Click here to see how it looked initially

You know me, I like to mix ‘em up so I layered over it to tone it down a bit.

The top was given one nice coat of APC’s Blue Jeans which has since been retired. I washed over that color with APC’s Surfboard. The two colors really pop one another!

The icing on the cake was when my friend Laurie stopped by and asked if I wanted to borrow her awesome stencil for anything. Um ~ YEAH!

I mixed up some leftover sample pots to paint a base color of orange then topped it off with another layer of yellow.

Scuffed it up a bit then sealed it with Clear Wax and off she went to the shop to await her new owner.

Ooo~La~La!

Finally ~ I Likey! What do you think?

Want to create this look without the guesswork? It’s easy ~ Order one of our Shizzle Design Custom Paint Kits. This particular combo is called “Everybody’s Gone Surfing” and can be purchased here.

Follow us on our ShizzleLLC Facebook Page for daily updates, especially if you’re looking for furniture as a lot of it is flying out the door before we can photograph it and get it to Not So Shabby.

A hui hou ~ Shelly

Shizzle Style Painted Furniture Makeovers

Shizzle Tips, How To Tutorials & Video’s

Funky Finishes

Did you know…

It’s just the two of us: My sister and I own and operate Shizzle Design which originated in my garage. We have and will continue to work hard providing the best customer service.
We specialize in painting furniture and are truly humbled to be known as a leader in the world of chalk and clay paints. Stop in for paint and we’ll offer you honest and knowledgeable
We are blessed to teach people from all over the U.S. Join us for a super fun hands-on chalk and clay paint workshop in a casual & fun atmosphere. For a list of current classes, click here.
Subscribe to our weekly blog posts for tips, tutorials, ideas & painted furniture inspiration. Enter your email in the right hand column of our blog to stay in the loop.
Like our ShizzleLLC Facebook Page We share what we’re working on EVERY single DAY so you’ll usually find out about new classes, new products, new furniture, sales… if you follow us there. After you like our FB Page, be sure to click the down arrow behind the work “Liked” to choose which notifications you’d like to receive. If you do not do this, you will miss 99% of our posts.
Visit our Pinterest Page for our portfolio & more inspiration here.
Our Painted Furniture is offered at: Shizzle Design Paint Studio 2018 Chicago Dr., Jenison, MI 49428 and Not So Shabby at 2975 West Shore Drive in Holland, MI 49424
Shop Paint: Shop our large inventory of chalk and clay paint and supplies on our Online Shizzle Shop and at our West Michigan LOCATIONS.

Originally linked up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou!

Shelly

April 10, 2013

American Paint Company Paint Chalk & Clay Paints Have Arrived in Michigan!

The truck has been spotted en-route to Michigan ~~~ we’ll have our first shipment VERY soon~~ WE HAVE IT!!

Here’s a sneak peak of their beautiful colors. I love the rich tones of this chalk and clay based paint and the coverage is the best!

For many more details, stop by and LIKE our Shizzle Design Facebook Page HERE. We daily post photos, updates, specials and giveaways on that page.

Stay tuned….

a hui hou ~ Shelly

August 31, 2012

Destin Color Wash

A couple weeks ago while we were on vacation with our entire family, we ventured out in the morning for some espresso and we ran across a moving sale. Deedeedeedeedee deedeedeedeedee ~ our radar went off and there was no stopping us. We followed the signs several miles from the lake down the country roads.

The drive was worth it ‘cuz we scored! I’m sure we would have needed a U-haul had we found it a couple days earlier, because it was already day 3 and she still had cool furniture waiting for us.

One of the things we scored that day was a vintage stereo cabinet. It didn’t look like this when we found it. It was pretty much a medium dark orange stain color. I swear I took a before picture but it seems to have vanished ~ or maybe that’s it’s just old age, either way, I can’t find it.

I just couldn’t resist the character of this charming piece. It warmed my heart to imagine families sitting around the stereo listening to talk radio in the good old days. Can’t you just picture it? I keep getting images of The Waltons!

Needless to say, it made it’s way into the back of our truck.

Anyone who follows my blog knows that I have this thing for Destin Gulf Green and though I could imagine it looking great painted in several colors, I still went with Destin. I mean seriously, look at all that yumminess!

I thinned my paint with water to create a color wash and started slapping on my paint. I stopped when I got to the legs and decided to paint them in Virginia Chestnut (formally Hershey Brown) to create more of a statement.

I didn’t want it to look new, I never do. I try instead to accentuate the charm and character the piece already has. After all, isn’t that what we all love about these pieces anyway?

I got just the look I was going for with one coat of my color wash. The Destin Gulf Green dried really light, even with that thin coat then turned really dark when I sealed it with Clear Wax. Yes, that’s how dark it looks when the clear wax is applied, no worries ~ it lightens up again after the wax dries, not as light as the left hand side, it will be deeper and richer but much lighter than it is when it is wet.

When the clear wax was completely dry, I went over some areas with the Dark Aging Wax to add a little more dimension to the shabby look I was going after. The dark wax grabbed the areas where I had slopped the paint on earlier.

The original stereo has been replaced, but the one in there now still works fine, but this wind is making me CArazy. It keeps blowing the doors back when I’m taking pictures.

Did I mention the cool jewelry? I mean hardware – lol 😀 I just love it!!

I know I took a lot of pictures, but I just love this piece. I really wanted it for my own…

I was just starting to wander around my house to figure out where I could put it when someone showed up in my driveway and bought it on the spot. Oh well… there’s always next time.

There are so many cool colors you can come up with by experimenting a little with CeCe Caldwell’s Paints.

Explore all the colors of CeCe Caldwell’s Paints and get inspired by other projects here. I carry a large supply of CeCe Caldwell Paints on our online Shizzle Shop here and in our Shizzle Design booth at Not So Shabby in downtown Zeeland here.

To keep up on all our newly painted creations: Subscribe to our Blog, Like our Facebook Page and Pin away our pieces on Pinterest. Have a GREAT weekend!! Shelly

My Vintage Stereo has been Featured by:

Angie at Knick of Time

Cassie at Primitive & Proper

Linking up to:
aka Design – Do it Yourself
Embracing Change: Creative Inspirations

Restore Interiors – Restored it Wednesday

Primitive & Proper – POWW 95
Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday
Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

2805 – Potpourri Friday
Embracing Change – Creative Inspirations
Tatertots & Jello – Weekend Party Wrap Up
Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special
Too Much Time on My Hands – Get Schooled Saturday

1929 Charmer – Sunday’s Best Party

Boogie Board Cottage – Masterpiece Monday
Between Naps on the Porch – Metamorphasis Monday

Coastal Charm – Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

Have a great weekend!! a hui hou ~ Shelly

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

August 2, 2011

Antique Empire Dresser with a Rich Weathered Black Leather Finish

A blast from the Past ~ August, 2011

My sister Cathy and I have spent the past few months doing intensive research on how to paint furniture as we prepare for Holland’s 42^nd Art in the Park on, August 6^{th, 2011}and I have to tell you… this piece is one of my favorites. I love empire dressers!

It would look really cool as a buffet in my dining room but I have to be strong and let it go. I created the finish to resemble that of a well worn piece of leather using Annie Sloan’s Graphite and Dark Wax but it took forever because the dark wax was a major nightmare to work with. I spent weeks trying to get the wax right on this piece, pulling my hair out in frustration.

UPDATE 2016 – If I were to replicate this finish today, I’d paint it with Frenchic’s Panther and seal it with their Rustic Wax. Not only is Frenchic Furniture Paint® a much more superior product line, it’s 95 times easier to use! There truly is no comparison.

This dresser rests on wooden wheels making this solid built wooden chest easy for anyone to maneuver (the wheels can be removed if you prefer to use it without them). Just imagine how awesome it would work as a bathroom vanity with one of those gorgeous vessel sinks atop! Hmmm… it would really look cool in our main floor bathroom… No, no… I have to focus…. I’m just starting out in this furniture adventure ~ I’m sure it’ll get easier to let go, right?

This Empire Chest measures 43″ wide, 22″ deep and 36″ high and features the original keyholes, wooden drawer pulls and hand cut dovetailed drawer construction. I switched out two of the drawer pulls to a spice it up a bit then painted and aged them along with the other original wooden knobs.

I love all the different sizes of drawers. There are two shallow drawers perfect for pens, paper… two small but deep drawers for all those clunky odd-shaped objects and two large drawers for clothes, linens, games… whatever! Cathy created custom fabric drawer liners out of the most beautiful vintage looking fabric ever. I just love ‘em!

This piece is truly versatile. It demands attention and is sure to be the focal point in any room! What do you think?

Did you know…
- Shizzle Design is a small family owned business in Jenison, Michigan. My sister Cathy and I work, paint, ship and teach our chalk and clay paint workshops out of the same space where we paint all our furniture. We are truly humbled to be known as a leader in the world of chalk and clay paints.
- Instead of hoarding our knowledge, we empower DIY’ers by sharing our years of experience. Stop in for paint and we’ll offer you honest and knowledgeable answers for all your chalk and clay paint needs.
- We are so blessed to have taught people from all over the United States and Canada. Join us for one of our super fun hands-on chalk and clay paint workshops. Learn in our casual & relaxed environment. Click Paint Workshops to see a list of current classes offered.
- Subscribe to Shizzle Design for tips, tutorials, ideas, pictures, videos for our furniture painted in all natural chalk and clay based mineral paints.
- Did you know that you can get these sent directly to your inbox and that it’s FREE? It is ~ what are you waiting for? Enter your email in the right hand column of our blog to stay in the loop.
- We have a Shizzle Design Facebook Page. We share all sorts tips, ideas, photos EVERY DAY and offer special deals (which you’ll only know about if you’ve Liked our Facebook Page).
- Pin our posts on Pinterest ~ Find all sorts of inspiration here.
- We sell our painted furniture in our Shizzle Design Paint Studio at 2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI 49428 and at Not So Shabby Antiques and Fine Furniture at 2975 West Shore Drive in Holland, Michigan
- Shizzle Design is a U.S. distributor for Frenchic Furniture Paint®, an Authorized Retailer for American Paint Company Paints and Old Town Paints. We offer a large inventory of chalk and clay paint and supplies at our Shizzle Design Paint Shop /Studio, 2018 Chicago Drive, Jenison, MI 49428. We also stock other shops in the greater Grand Rapid’s area, to find out where, click LOCATIONS. Not from Michigan? No worries, we ship paint and paint supplies nationwide through our Online Shizzle Shop.
Click here to see Shizzle Design Painted Furniture Makeovers

Click here to see our Shizzle Tips, How To Tutorials & Video’s

Click here to see Funky Finishes

Linking up to these GREAT Parties!

Domestically Speaking – The Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Creek Cottage – Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustardseed – Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux – Friday Link Up Party

Homespun Happenings – Rustic Restorations Weekend

Funky Junk Interiors – Saturday Night Special

Silver Pennies – Silver Pennies Sundays

Knick of Time Interiors – Knick of Time Tuesday

a hui hou ~ Shelly