You guys are always so sweet, leaving me the kindest comments about my vision
for transforming pieces...well, this disaster is sure to change your mind!!
The secretary just isn't emerging as I had envisioned...time to re-evaluate the plan
and buy a gallon of cover up!
Here I have one coat of my favorite Rustoleum Protective Enamel in Black Gloss,
the door detail and front has primer, I was getting a feel for the finished look, it has the
white paper on it I used when painting the quatrefoils..
I'm not 100% happy with the grain showing through in some places on the bottom
drawers, I was expecting a smoother finish.
Fun details...
Oh my, if this doesn't look like a DIY gone bad!
It isn't finished, but I think I'll quit while I'm ahead!
My vision of the unique quatrefoils making a beautiful statement just isn't happening,
as they're camouflaged in a sea of black paint and wavy glass.
I'm thinking a matte finish instead of gloss, and the inside a light color?
OR
White, and possibly painting the door detail gold?
Thoughts?
Sorry for the overdose of secretary posts!
I have a fun idea, no more secretary posts until the final reveal...
National Secretary's Day
Wednesday, April 24th! :)
Wishing you a weekend filled with your grandest visions!
27 comments:
Overall, the piece has a very heavy look to it. To me, it screams 70's. I don't think white and gold would change that. I think this piece needs colour to bring it into the 21st Century.
Do you think it's because it's a gloss paint, Pam? It looks fine to me in the pictures, but maybe a light color inside if you stick with the black. Sometimes I stop for a day or two when I'm not "feeling" the paint color I've chosen. This way I can just look at it a bit and see whether to continue or start over.
Pam, you're brave to take on these projects! I'm not the right person to ask for advice, as I am not a do-it-yourselfer by any means. That being said, I do think you're on the right track about the matte finish and the interior being lighter which should make the design on the doors read better. Good luck!
Claudia
I think the inside a light color is the right direction.. not sure about the sheen change but I know whatever you choose it will be beautiful!
It doesn't look like a disaster on the photos at all. I'm sure if you'd put a lighter inside behind the glass doors they would stand out more.
The last dresser looks like something I'm working on right now and I want to reveal it next week or in two weeks lets see.
I love that piece and cannot wait to see the finished product. I think a lighter color inside would help as the beautiful quatrefoils are lost. Once it was styled inside they may show up as well. It is an empty black box right now.
What about using ASCP in Graphite. It is a soft black and would dry matte. I think it is the high gloss that maybe is showing up the grain etc. What if you sand the grain a bit and then do the graphite. Then maybe do a lighter ASCP inside but keep the quarter foils black.
Oh I think it looks fantastic in black…..but you know I am a fan of a big dose of black in a room. You have probably seen this pin, but I think the quatrefoil will really pop with a fun color inside the glass….
http://pinterest.com/pin/286823069990727661/
http://pinterest.com/pin/286823069990727897/
So excited to see how it ends up!
I agree with Danielle. Try chalk paint. Looks so much better and you could do a fun color inside.
Lots of great advice here Pam! Whatever you do, the quatrefoils need to pop, so maybe start with the paint inside and see how that works. If you are not sure about the chalk paint, what about a paint without such a glossy finish, a semi gloss? This is such a great piece, maybe you can use it in your bedroom...?
I think the inside painted will really help. I've always loved that white cabinet with gold, one of my favorite looks! Not that you want to start completely over though, right?! I'm sure you are going to make it look great no matter what color!
I prefer it in black. Maybe add a little gold to it?
Yes, before you paint the whole thing again ... paint the inside a really bright pop of color and see if that changes your mind before you remove the black from the Quatrefoils! Then, I have no problem with you sharing again before the Reveal!! National Secretary's day ... aren't you cute!! xo
Yes, lots of advice but I would try the inside in a lighter color first before sanding or repainting it again... Once it's all done I think the gloss will work!
My thoughts... 1) I don't think the finish looks bad at all, especially once you get some hardware on. If it bothers you that much, you could try skim coating something across the flat parts. I'm thinking of what Jenny at LGN did with her oak kitchen cabinets to fill in the grain. 2) If you want to show off your pieces inside, I think the inside might need to be a lighter color unless you're filling it with white pieces. Regardless, I almost think there is so much quatrefoil that it pretty much obstructs seeing what's inside. I LOVE the detail, though. So, I would paint the quatrefoils gold and lightly style the inside, and just let the piece itself shine. 3) I also envision maybe a crystal chunky knob on each of the lower sections (12)...maybe? Unless that would be too much. OK, I'm confused too. I know you'll figure it out and it will look fantastic!
Since I am a wimp when it comes to painting projects, I don't know what advice to give but I do like the black!
-Shelley
What about swapping out the wavy glass for smooth and sanding down or applying primer before repainting the grainy drawers? The high gloss might be fine then especially after you add brass hardware to the drawers. I think it would look best with a black interior and white accessories, not a white interior. But what do I know!
The lighter interior will most definitely make the quatrefoils pop especially having just spent the past 10 days in the land of quatrefoils. Here's another option for you.... leave the quatrefoils black but apply a bit of gold leaf to each one so that you have a gold quatrefoils outlined in black. It will definitely give it a bit of pop. Once you get your hardware on your drawers the grain might not be as noticeable. (ok i admit it i'm not a high gloss girl... give me matte or the soft finish of wax and i'm happy as a robin in spring!)
i like it in black! i think that painting the inside will make all the difference!
I have no doubt you will make this look fabulous in the end!! Can't wait.
I like it Pam.. but I totally understand if it just isn't working for you. You'll figure it out!
xxleslie
Hello Pam,
Thought I'd throw my twopennence in.......all the way from England!
I'm with Dannielle and Kim, I think matt is the way to go, or what we call here Eggshell, this has the most subtle sheen and is oilbased.
And definitely a light colour inside.
I'm sure it will look lovely whatever you decide!
Well, I love it! How about adding gold to the quatrefoils? Lighten the inside so it won't be a mass of black.
Whatever you do, it's going to be fabulous!
xo
Pat
I had a very similar issue on a wooden chest I painted - using a Matte finish definitely helped. There is also something you can add to the paint to tone down the glossiness if you don't want to buy new paint - it really helps (I'm sorry I can't remember what it is called but the guys at the paint store would know if you explain the problem !)
I think the high gloss is throwing you off...and I agree with Kim...a fun color in chalk paint may be nice...but you have great taste and i am sure you will come up with the right look you are going for!!
I'm fairly new to your blog, but love it! For what it's worth, I do think the gloss paint may be part of the problem. Gloss always exaggerates imperfections (or will magnify the grain). Also, dark colors always recede, so the quatrefoils will be more visible, most likely, if the piece were painted a lighter color. I think the black might be overwhelming the more delicate quatrefoil details you love so much?! What about a warm white or French gray allover with gold leaf/antique gold paint on the interior of the cabinet? I think that could be stunning! If you decide to stay black, I'd say go more matte finish and maybe paint your cabinet interior something unexpected- like flamingo pink! Based on your other projects whatever you choose will look wonderful!
Gotta love when this stuff happens! Gloss paint seems to really show imperfections or grain (as I now see other people are saying above). I tend to be more of a white girl, but try sanding it down and giving it a coat of matte black paint before you go through the trouble of starting over. I would paint the inside of the cabinet a lighter or bright color regardless. Good luck my dear!
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