If you find yourself watching ALL the videos and buying ALL the product but are stuck in fear over actually starting that very first furniture painting project....FEAR NO MORE!
Today's blog is here to debunk ALL the negative chatter in your head telling you that you are not ready! I'm here to show you expert furniture painting tips for beginners!
If you are a new reader, hello and welcome to the Fancy Fam! With over a decade of furniture painting experience, I can honestly say that sharing my projects through this blog is still my favorite way to inspire! I've got years worth of fun and creative ways to update your home decor and furniture through paint! If this sounds like something you'd like to have delivered to you every Sunday be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here!
Let me introduce you to my son Brody!
Brody is a busy man with work and marriage and all things fatherhood.
He has watched me paint (in tiny glimpses) for years but has never tackled his own piece of furniture.
We thought it would be a fun and inspirational challenge to have Brody lead my live video broadcast and paint his first piece of furniture based on what he's learned from watching and listening over the years.
So that is exactly what we did and I want to share this ONE COLOR basic makeover with YOU....just in case you need a little nudge to say.....you can do this too!
Before he painted his first piece of furniture
He chose something small like this nightstand.....which is always a great idea for your first furniture painting attempt. Large projects can overwhelm even the most experienced painter!
He gathered his supplies so everything would be within reach and the project could be completed without interruption.
Supplies Used: Furniture Painting for Beginners
Rags or Paper Towels
Water in Spray Bottle
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Step-by-Step Furniture Painting Tips for Beginners!
Step One: Clean your piece
Remove hardware. Spray with White Lighting Mix and wipe down well. Rinse with water spray and wipe dry. It really is that simple!
Step Two: Choose your Paint Color
Brody chose Antebellum Blue - which is a great choice for a first time painter.
It is dark enough to not have to worry about bleed through (a common occurrence when painting over wood and would require a primer) and light enough to not struggle with a streaky top coat that often happens for beginners when top coating really dark colors like black.
To learn more about when you should use a primer, click HERE for my Back to Basics: How to Prep Furniture for Chalk Paint guide.
Step Three: Choose your applicator
Brody chose the oval round brush and really liked it for the stippling technique. He used the Mini brush with the shorter handle to paint the shelf on the lower level of the nightstand.
Step Four: Paint
Brody did a fabulous job applying the paint. He chose the stipple technique as he really loves the idea of an eggshell finish.
He was very surprised at how satisfying that first stroke of paint was. He claimed to be nervous just before but said the nervousness left immediately with the first stroke of paint.
He was also very impressed with the consistency and heavily pigmented paint.
The paint dried quickly (also impressing Brody) and he was able to apply his second coat immediately after the first coat was complete.
The paint finish was absolutely flawless without a brush stroke in sight!
Step Five: Gold Highlights
Watching this grown man delicately apply gold gilding wax and be so excited about it was pretty funny! He was hooked on this product within about 30 seconds!
It's so easy to use! A simple finger tip application brought out the details right before his eyes!
PRO TIP: Allow this to cure for 24 hours before applying a top coat.
More Inspiration: Painted Nightstands
Here are a few more painted nightstands for your inspiration! What will you paint next??
Silk Nightstand - how you tried creating with Silk all-in-one paint?
Shimmery Bedside Table - sometime the tiniest projects bring the most joy
Gold Leaf Ombre Nightstands - Brody's bedroom makeover nightstands
Bonus Inspiration - Brody!!
While Brody had never, until now, painted a piece of furniture, he has helped me with various design projects over the year. Here are a couple that I thought you might like to see!
Rainwash Mural Master Bedroom Makeover - a statement wall for a serene bedroom makeover
Sophie's Bedroom Makeover - a calming rose gold retreat
Step Six: Buffing the Painted Surface
Brody chose the Dixie Belle finishing sponge to lightly buff out the paint. Chalk mineral paint dries with a slightly rough finish but this is just on the very top surface. You just simply buff back that top surface with smooth strokes using a fine grit sandpaper or a finishing pad.
It only takes a few minutes but makes a world of difference in the way the final finish feels to touch.
Wipe away dust from buffing with a smooth cloth or soft brush.
Step Seven: Choose your Top Coat and Apply
Because this will be used as a nightstand, Brody chose Gator Hide for his protective finish.
Gator Hide is extremely durable and has a water repellent finish.
IMPORTANT NOTE: First time painters sometimes struggle with the application of Gator Hide as it is a bit thick and also begins to set up quickly. I have found that applying a coat of Satin top coat FIRST...allowing this to dry...and THEN applying Gator Hide second is really helpful.
So, Brody applied one coat of Satin top coat over the entire piece using the Mini brush in long slow strokes...making sure to not go back into the space he'd already top coated.
After allowing this to dry, he followed the same process but this time with Gator Hide and an Applicator Pad to reduce brushstrokes and cover more surface at once.
PRO TIP: Gator Hide is only necessary on the most heavily used surfaces. Brody only applied Gator Hide to the top of the nightstand. The Satin Top Coat was sufficient for the rest of the piece.
He allowed this to dry fully and applied one final coat for the absolute best coverage and protection and allowed to dry again.
Step Eight: Reattach hardware and call it done!
The Finished Look: Antebellum Blue Nightstand
Look at the reflection of light given off by the beautiful sheen of the top coat!
We will allow this piece to cure for about a week before allowing it to be lightly used. The painted surface will be fully cured within 30 days and will be durable enough for daily use.
PRO TIP: I recommend not using any chemical cleaners to clean....just a damp cloth to wipe off dust or wipe up spills is all you will need.
I enjoyed this project WAY more than I thought I would.
I guess no matter how old our children get....we never grow tired of watching them challenge themselves and learn new things.
I am so appreciative of his participation in and support of my business! He brings a whole new element to the scene!
It is my hope that he has given you the courage you need to open that jar....dip that brush....and make that first swipe with paint.
As Brody says......'that was so satisfying"!
More Inspiration: Painted Nightstands
Here are a few more painted nightstands for your inspiration! What will you paint next??
Silk Nightstand - how you tried creating with Silk all-in-one paint?
Shimmery Bedside Table - sometime the tiniest projects bring the most joy
Gold Leaf Ombre Nightstands - Brody's bedroom makeover nightstands
Bonus Inspiration - Brody!!
While Brody had never, until now, painted a piece of furniture, he has helped me with various design projects over the year. Here are a couple that I thought you might like to see!
Rainwash Mural Master Bedroom Makeover - a statement wall for a serene bedroom makeover
Sophie's Bedroom Makeover - a calming rose gold retreat
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