creating a reclaimed barn wood finish- custom tutorial

We've added a new Custom Tutorial...

Creating a Reclaimed Barn Wood Finish!

  

This has become one of my most FAVORITE finishes to do lately!

Some of my favorites are:

Tables...

Farm signs... 

And we are currently working on a Barn Door design that we'll implement this

technique on, to look very similar to this...

 

Included in this custom tutorial are step by step instructions, pictures,

and the specific products that we use.

If you would like to order the

Reclaimed Barn Wood Custom Tutorial,

there is a small, one-time fee of $5.00.

Upon recieving payment, we will send you the full tutorial

in PDF format via e-mail, for you to keep and print.

(please allow 24-48 hours to receve tutorial)

 Click here to see all our other tutorials. :)

  

Painting a two-tone table

 

The original idea for this table was to sand and re-stain this table top in a dark walnut. But after we got a closer look, we realized that this table was made of laminate...which means it's not stainable.

 



 

Option #2 was to paint a two-tone finish, to look like a dark walnut.

First, we painted the base in an antique white, let it dry overnight and then taped off

around the lower area, using painters tape so as to not peel the fresh paint.

 

 

Next, we masked off the table skirt and legs...and sprayed the top in Espresso.

 

 

 

Last of all, we finished the top with a black oil glaze, which left the appearance of a rich wood grain.

The end result was just what we had hoped for. Paint never ceases to amaze me!

 

 

For more information on our oil glazing techniques, see here.

Also, here's the formula to our Espresso finish :)

 

 

Hope you're having a happy day!

 



kitchen refinish...my house finally got a turn! :)

We've refinished many kitchens over the past several years, and it just never gets old to me how amazing the transformation is. It's been about eight years since we last did our kitchen,
and we were ready for a change...something lighter and more subtle.

Like this...

Here is our kitchen before.
Back then I was going for a bit of a rustic feel, but with our new hardwood floors I've been
feeling like we're living in a big bowl of oatmeal with all the browns going on.

It's time for a contrast :)

As you can see below, I'd already gotten started on some of the cabinets along the back wall...

see the difference between the upper cabinets and lower?

And here it is after...with the exception of the finish baseboards around the bottom.

It's not a huge difference since I like to usually stay neutral, but it's enough of a contrast.

No more oatmeal ;)

Oh, how I love quotes...

This particular finish is in a soft antique white, with a tea-stain rub.

It feels like a brand new kitchen all over again! And that makes me a happy gal :)

UPDATE: New Granite! Yay!! 

Now I'm a DOUBLE happy gal! :)

farmhouse sign custom tutorial

With all the projects we have going on, we end up with a lot of extra scrap wood,
and I hate to see it go to waste...so I end up making vintage signs.

Signs for friends who have babies... 

Signs for friends who have weddings...



And random signs just for fun...

Recently, we had to come up with some auction items for my sons baseball teams fund raiser,

and so I looked at my pile of wood, and got busy making another sign ;)

These babies are super easy and fun to make...now it's your turn!

If you would like to order an instant download of our

Farmhouse Sign Custom Tutorial,

you can do so in our Etsy shop here.

light switch re-paint

 

With all the remodeling that's going on around here, I'm looking around at

all my light switches and plugs that are in their original 1970's cream version. 

 

Option one: Hire an electrician to switch them all out for white ones.

 

Option two: I can buy all new switch plates, but the actual switches will

still be cream. . .hmmm, not really wanting a two-tone light switch either.

 

What to do, what to do. . .

 

Then I remembered that the Painter's Touch brand claims to

bond to plastic. . .perfect! Let's give it a go!

 



 

After opening a few windows for ventilation, I masked off the area

surrounding the light switch. For the first coat, I made sure all the light

switches were up, and then for the second coat, I put the switches down.

 

Also, make sure to shake the can really well and then spray a few

tester shots on some old paper before starting...sometimes the beginning

spits out a chalky residue.

 

And here it is after. . .it doesn't look perfect, but it's a lot better!!

AND it only cost me $3 to do all my switches, plugs, and heater vents!

 



 

The same process was done with the plugs. . .I just had to be careful to do

several light coats so that the paint wouldn't drip and run into the holes!

Here it is before and after.

 



And another before and after. . .those are my darling kids, btw :)

 



 

 

This is a cold air return that was scratched, and had old paint on it. . .lovely.

But guess what? The paint also works GREAT on metal!

 

This one I pulled off and brought out into the spray room. . .

 



 

Ahhhh . . .

I love things that looks nice and fresh and clean!

 



 

 

If you want to see more tips, tricks, and ideas, click here to view all our other tutorials. :)