Often overlooked, doors are a great way to add a spark of color or attitude. This is just the beginning but I am loving the the weathered and blended effect aged with stain. Next is going to be a “tattoo” of patterns in gold... Similar to what you would see with Henna work.
Similar to the technique with the dining set, this method of blending starts with adding chunky layers.
Knowing that the stain I will use after the sanding portion will darken everything significantly, I went bright and bold to maintain the vibrancy throughout the home.
Using a thick grit sandpaper, start to work through the layers and let the colors begin to work with each other. I played with the motion of the sander in areas to almost smudge the colors together which some really cool effects.
To tie in well with the floor and trim stain I used the same mahogony color on the doors, using sparingly in the creases and corners and cracks, giving them an aged effect...and almost a watercolor appearance.
A coat of clear on the top and these are ready to roll... But I decided to go one step further. I will be essentially giving them a gold tattoo in a boho tribal pattern, similar to the look of a Henna Tattoo. Check back to see the finished product!
Take a boring table set and bring it to life. It starts with a simple yet sturdy piece of furniture. Get your painting palette of colors selected, being sure to think ahead about the layers!
Layer paints in different areas on the surface of the table and chairs... be whimsical! I used the lighter colors first so they would add more depth as an undertone once I sanded the pieces in the upcoming steps.
Once you have allowed the first layer to dry, continue to layer on the next color and repeat until you have used your full palette. As with the lighter color first, I used the darkest color last to give me that wonderful blend into the current dark stain of table.
Using care, begin to sand down the areas of layered paint to reveal the many layers underneath. Once sanded, I added some pops of color in very specific, small areas and using Mahogony wood stain I went into the creases and used a smear technique which rounded out the look, bringing more depth and age back into the piece. Creates a wonderful contrast!
Being as though I live in a very tropical climate with wonderful heat and glorious rains, I am doing a double seal on this set with a nice polyurethane sealer although with time, wear and tear will certainly enhance the feel of the piece.
A wonderful piece to add to the charm of Zozo’s and is brightening up the place already, showing some hints of her upcoming personality that will slowly be unveiled! While this technique is tedious and time consuming, it is a project that allows you to cut loose a bit and be whimsical. There is no “right” pattern to layer in, no “correct” color palette to adhere to... Be free and have fun with it!
I try my best to take things that may be considered just an ordinary “something” in the room and make it something to talk about. Here, an ordinary bathroom missor will become the inspiration and centerpiece for the bathroom design that is to come.
This beautiful mirror is a result of an unruly watermelon in the back of my car, which happens to role ever so perfexult to shatter the glass in a pattern which gave me inspiration. What could have been dumped is now being displayed. Here I began by piecing back together the shards of glass and gluing it back together using Rhino Glue.
Taping off the frame from the mirror I laid the base coats and utilized a blending technique to give me a free-flowing, soft visual effect.
With the stabilizing rocks and pebbles in place following the glued pattern and dry, it’s now time to play with the pretty stuff! Glorious Shells! Have fun with placement and be creative... I incorporated a petrified fish vertebrae to act as a flower ring to hold one of our gorgous local Costa Rican blossoms!
With the shells laid down, it’s time to touch up the frame which I did by darkening the areas where the elements converged and brightening up some highlight colors to accent the vibrant tones found naturally in the shells. With some tape to cover the mirror and some spray finish, a high gloss for this one, it is ready to let it dry so I can start to enjoy this insanely tedious and time consuming, but well worth it, project!
While I did not plan on this project when I first purchased the ordinary mirror, a fateful watermelon has altered the original design plans I had for the upcoming bathroom remodel and I am over the moon with the new vision this design has inspired. A small piece in the overall room design but just wait until you see what can come from unexpected origins... I think you’ll fancy it!