You can color wash painted furniture. That’s right. I know you’ve heard of white wash. Well, I did a green color wash and a white wash over turquoise paint. The color wash finish looks great although I do have a tip for you about the type of paint to not use. I filmed a really short video of the color wash technique and you can get a good look at the process.
Today is the Furniture Fixer Upper tour and we have some great makeovers for you. The tour links are at the bottom of the post.
What a pretty color. I had to work on the turquoise color before it was just right. That happens sometimes but the great thing about paint is if you don’t like the color, try again, and maybe again.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve painted this cedar chest but it’s a bunch. Maybe 6? This piece has been in spots all over the house….except maybe the bathroom. Time for it to go and it needs a new color.
How To Color Wash Painted Furniture
The first coat of paint didn’t cover that black very well. I was using FolkArt Home Decor Chalk, color Patina. The chalk finish usually covers really well.
I applied a second coat and a third coat. I wasn’t feeling the color, too light.
I mixed a darker turquoise color with the Patina color and it was perfect.
These are the two FolkArt colors I mixed together to get just the right color.
Now it’s time for the magic. I diluted green paint with water to make it very thin. Then I poured a bit of the thinned green paint on a paper plate.
I dabbed a bit of the thinned green paint on a lint free rag and rubbed the paint wash on all of the raised details.
I let the green color wash dry then used a lint free rag to apply a white wash (thinned latex paint) over the green wash. This is where I ran into a problem and I should have known better.
I used a green acrylic paint. The kind that comes in little bottles at the craft store. I've found the paint tends to wash off when it gets damp. That happened to me once upon a time with a stenciled design on painted furniture.
That is what happened to a lot of the green wash on the cedar chest. I didn’t have any green latex paint and I used the acrylic paint instead. Live and learn.
The piece still turned out pretty, just not as much green as I would have liked. You can see in the photo above that I also brushed some green paint along the sides of the chest.
The details on this cedar chest are too pretty not to be highlighted.
Watch the short video showing the color wash and white wash technique...
How To Color Wash Paint
What do you guys think of the chest? I should have bought some latex paint and added more green right?
This is a safety alert from Lane.....Since many of our cedar chest products have withstood the test of time and have been in homes for decades, there have been cases where children have climbed inside chests with old style latching mechanisms and locked themselves in, and there have been incidences of suffocation inside chests. As a result of this important and urgent safety concern, Lane has launched numerous successful programs since 1987, all concentrating on lock replacement. However, based on our best records, there are still an estimated 6 million chests owned by consumers that may require the new lock upgrade. Please click here for more information
To see 13 more of my best cedar chests makeovers click here.
Time to visit my furniture painting friends. Just click the links below the “before makeovers” photo collage…..
Girl in the Garage
Confessions of a Serial DIYer
Just The Woods
Salvaged Inspirations
As always thanks for being here, Kathy
Marie
I LOVE the bright happy summery colors you painted it, Kathy!
Fonda Rush
Gorgeous color! It turned out so nicely!
Kathy Owen
Thanks Fonda! Great to hear from you!
Marcie Lovett
I think it has just the right amount of green as it is. Great combination! How did mixing chalky paint and outdoor paint work for you?
Wendy
Turquoise is my favorite color. It looks fabulous. Oh, the places I could use that piece!!!!
kandice
this is so bright and cheery now. Love the color!
ROSE LEFEBVRE
Love this piece and how you made it look! Nice recovery!
Christy James
I love the turquoise with the bits of green! The staging is lovely too! XOXO
Jen @ Girl in the Garage
Kathy I love the colors you choose for this chest. Reminds me of the Caribbean... ??
Stephanie C
The color is perfect. Great job.
Bev
Oh wow this stole my heart. Love it!
Denise - Salvaged Inspirations
What a great 'spring' makeover... the colors are fresh and beautiful Kathy! Pinned! XOXO
Sherry Martin
I love love the color.