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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Weathered Gray Finish for the Spring Cart Refresh


Last post I shared my inspiration pics on giving my black goat cart a freshen-up for Spring. I had a plan to use Chalk Paint as I had a few colors on hand from previous paint projects. There are a few go-to colors that I have used in combo for most all my furniture painting. What is that old saying about plans?



Here it is in black, just like I bought it about 10 years ago. It's a reproduction, so there's no problem in painting it. I actually like it in black, but it's pretty limited for seasonal use. Like I have said, it's great for Fall and Halloween, but just doesn't line up with my palette for Easter, Spring, Summer, and Christmas.





I was wanting to do a "Restoration Hardware" look with a dark weathered gray base and lots of sanding. But when I started looking through all my paint supplies, I was completely out of ASCP Coco and my sandpaper was worn down to the bare nubs. So I used what I had and it came out a little different, but still a look that worked for me. I'm really partial to Coco because it has that dark mushroomy-taupe look that works around here. 




I did a coat of French Linen on top of the Black, and started sanding with my pathetic sandpaper bits, but it just wasn't working. I next did a light coat of Paris Grey mixed with a dark rich brown from Valspar, called English Tea Party. Paris Grey by itself has too much blue undertone to use here, since everything here at the house, from furniture to wall color, has a brownish-taupe base undertone.




sorry, real working photos here.






Still lighter than I wanted, but I used the English Tea Party Brown
 watered down for a wash on top.



This is the same technique I've used before to give the appearance of a "distressed"  piece. The darker color collects in the grooves and from a distance you can't tell that it isn't sanded down. This finish works well if you have a piece that doesn't have a good color at it's base. I wouldn't want to use a sanding technique if my base coat was orange or purple ...  just sayin'.





This was a little wash stand that had been at our family home when I was a kid. It had been used in our farmhouse Entry and then later in the upstairs bathroom. Right now it's in my lower level family room. You can read the one and only post I've done on my basement HERE.








Back to the Goat Cart...



I've never used the ASCP waxes because I like a quicker-finish project. A light rubbed coat of the Minwax Wipe-On Poly really works well, even though it is an oil based product. It dries in about an hour, and it's easy clean up. Just use an old T-shirt or cotton undies and you can get by without using a brush. what? can we admit we sometimes wear cotton undies? OK, well then go get one of your hubby's old pairs.








The cart still has a slight blue/grey undertone as you can see in the pic below, but I think it blends with the rest of the shades of grays. It's never good to have only one color with painted pieces; gets a little boring.






Just a little photo-styling here.
The bird print is now on the Entry Console, and the basket is back in the Kitchen.
The cart is on the wall next to the Entry Console.
I'm looking forward to fluffing it up for Spring and Easter.





Hope you're having a great weekend, 
it's been raining for what seems like days...



joining in here:

Sundays at Home at Little Farmstead
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Tips and Tutorials at Home Stories A to Z 
Inspiration Monday at Refresh Restyle
The Scoop at Worthing Court
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Keep in Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles
Talk of the Town at Knick of Time
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Design Showcase at Shabby Fufu
Share Your Style at 21 Rosemary Lane
Share Your Cup at Mrs. Olson's
Thursday Favorites at Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Best of the Weekend at Ms Toody Goo Shoes




14 comments:

  1. That looks great with the colors you used. I know all about not having good sandpaper on hand and trying to use tiny worn bits. :) We had rain on and off for four weeks and barely any sun. We have had a couple of days of sun now and the rain returns today and tomorrow. I'm so over it!

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  2. That turned out beautifully, Debra! Using different colors until you get the right look, works for me, too!

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  3. Hi Debra, your results are fabulous. On the sandpaper issue. I have gone to the rubber sand encrusted blocks, I have three, they have flexibility which is great to work on intricate pieces/spindles in different grit size. They are easy on the hands, too, and I have yet to wear one of of the out. A little pricey, but then sandpaper is also---so it's handy to have in your toolbox.

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    1. Thanks for the tip, that sounds like a great idea to check out. I tried one thing a few years ago and I just couldn't get it to work for me, but I'll check out what's new out there.

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    2. Where do you find the blocks that BarberryLane designs suggested?

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  4. I love how it turned out Debra! I'm a big believer of using what I have on hand as well. I've never tried cocoa, but it does look like a great color! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  5. Your cart looks great and I love the color. Thanks for sharing your project and the colors you used.

    Have a great week. I sure wish we would get some of your rain.

    Mary

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  6. I liked reading and seeing your thought and work processes, Debra. I also appreciate your perspective on tones that do and don't work for you in your home. I like the swatch chart you made for yourself, and I bet that comes in handy for your own reference (I know it would for me!). The cart turned out great, but I'm not sure I would have the sticktoitiveness you have. I probably would've given up and called my sister to fix it for me, lol. I do not like to paint.

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  7. Hi Debra,
    the goat cart looks great! Love the color.
    Hugs,
    Karen B.

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  8. Debra it came out so beautiful. I love the color you got too. Very nice. Hugs and happy new week.
    Kris

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  9. I love that cart! Wish I had one for my patio.
    Brenda

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  10. That turned out really cute. It looks like weathered wood. What a fun piece to decorate with!

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  11. I've wanted to attempt this look and you've made it seem simple. Pinning. Love the cabinet too. Great job.

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  12. Debra,
    Love your wagon and that color s perfect. What a beautiful display.
    Hope you stop by Thursday Favorite Things since I am featuring your wagon.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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