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Project Progress

During my short, self-imposed blog sabbatical last week, I spent some quality time with my friends: sandpaper and paintbrush...
As I anticipate the delivery of my treasured imperial trellis fabric this week (woo hoo!!), I wanted to get a move on the paint process for the chippendale chairs, so they're ready for the upholsterer.
Remember my first test of orange paint? Too bright. I Returned to the paint store, and found a "test paint"- basically tempera paint/primer. I'm really liking the deeper, richer orange....Can you see the difference?
So, I figure once I get the color in my fave, high gloss finish, I'm good to go.
I will say, though, that I'm more than a tad intimidated by the thought of painting all the knots, nooks and crannies of the faux bamboo by brush - I fear a drippy nightmare...but, 'tis my only option...down here, spray paint is available in very few colors, and is quite pricey...

I didn't have such good luck with a selection of blue paint for Avery's twin bed. This was the darkest color they had - not nearly the navy-to-midnight hue I'm searching for. (again, this was a water-based "sample")
This testing session has me questioning whether I should paint the bed. I LOVE the idea of the deep navy against the bright pink of her bedding, but something is bugging me about painting over this wood (and that RARELY happens) What say you? I need some input, peeps - Would you paint the bed? Why or why not?

**UPDATE** - Fear of brush streaks and drippy-drips ABATED by sweet blog commenter, Mintaghome. Feast your eyes on THIS bad boy! Claims to turns ANY paint into a fine "professional finish" mist. Amazon. Less than five bucks. DONE. (Just might put my project on hold 'til I receive it) Don't worry - full product review to come post-project. That is all.

22 comments:

susan said...

The new chair color is much better. You "gotta" paint the bed! The blue with the hot pink is what will make it different. The right color is out there. Can't wait to see it!

Re:Fresh Design Studio said...

Great start on the chairs! I love the orange. I would paint the bed too!

Thanks for the comment on my new blog header. I just played around in photoshop!

Chic Coles (Cole Design) said...

I would definitely paint the bed! We love the look of the Navy against the pink bedding!

Linda at Lime in the Coconut! said...

Chair color is better/more depth.

I am kinda loving how the test paint looks on the bed...with the hi and lo of the bright color in the crevices.

Paint away.

mintagehome said...

Hey Allison, my wonderful boss gave me a Preval Spray Gun: http://www.prevalspraygun.com/

you can put any kind of paint in it to make spray paint. You may want to order one. Paint the bed!!!

my favorite and my best said...

i agree with everyone. paint the bed. i think ordering a spray gun might be your best bed for the best finish (and what a time saver!!). plus, it's not as though you wouldn't use it again. you little painter you!

LindsB said...

I want that chair!! I'm tempted to hop on a plane, fly down there and snatch that amazing chair from your house so I can have it all to myself :)

And I say paint the bed! love love love the pink and navy combo- so great for a little girls room.

MyLittleHappyPlace said...

mintagehome:
Thanks for the tip on the preval spray gun - it looks promising! Have you used yours?
My only experience with an electric spray gun was not too great - I got what I now know to be a typical "orange peel" effect.
I'm intrigued by the Preval gun...just might have to invest!

mintagehome said...

I haven't used the spray gun yet, but he has. He uses it on Kitchen cabnets, so, the finish has to be smooth.

MyLittleHappyPlace said...

Mintage:
Word. I've got an email in to Preval to find out just HOW I can get my little grubbers on one (or two, three...)

Thanks again!!

alison g.
MLHP

sarah @ realestatestyle said...

I would def paint the bed, what's the worst that could happen...you don't like the color? repaint again!

Caitlin said...

Lots to say.

First off. Commercial painters use sprayers (not sure if they are available in brazil) with normal paint and add thinners.I'm not what the ratio is of paint to thinner but this is probably definitely worth doing some research on because you would hate the chairs to end up looking sloppy which can happen when you hand paint something with so much detail. If you do a lot of furniture painting it is probably worth it to invest in a sprayer. I think a mid range one will run about a $100 but the results will be much better than hand painting and you can use custom tinted colors.

In terms of painting the bed. If you are looking at keeping the bed for a long time, then I would wait until you find the color you really want and do it right.

I am so in love with your chairs. I am using a similar orange color on a desk I bought at a thrift store. Happy painting

Haven and Home said...

I vote paint the bed! The chairs look great already BTW. I know painting can be daunting but the blue against the pink will be so cute!!!!

Averill said...

Def prefer the "new orange" and you gotta show us "after" pictures once the paint and new fabric are on!

As for Avery's room: go for it. I absolutely love your idea of a navy bed with bright pink bedding. It'll be fab-u-lous.

Morning T said...

I love your chair and can't wait to see it finished and the second try with the orange is perfect. I say paint the bed and I really like that blue that you're holding up behind the color sample.

Jennifer said...

wwwhhhaaa? who knew?? sounds awesome, you'll have to let us know how it works.

both colors look great!

annechovie said...

I love your chair and cannot wait to see it finished! BTW, I have always longed for a contraption like you have pictured here...how awesome! Thank you!

Rebecca@Harmony and Home said...

O.K... I HAVE to know if that Amazon gadget works! Please do tell when you try it out! I say "go for it" on all your projects! You'll never know until you try and if you hate it, you can always redo it!

Style Redux 2 said...

Fun projects.

Blair said...

Hmm... I would paint my bed. You can always strip it back to its lovely original state someday:) And love the deeper orange for the chair!

JMW said...

Love the orange on the chairs. I'll join the crowd and say paint the bed - can't wait to see how it turns out!

Melissa Stover said...

that sprayer looks awesome. have you tried it? love your blog design. so clean and fresh!

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