You need to be sitting down for this one….
Before: Decorative Chest, all painted the same. My fellow finisher pal Kathleen got this for a STEAL off Craigslist -
Original retail $1500-$1700., purchase price $225. 73″w x 55″h x 19″ d
Seriously… a couple hundred bucks? I am SO jealous – it is beautiful, even as is. Alas, that is not how it works in the Land of Finishers. We like to take things and make them over into even better things! Work our magic- Voila ! Poof! (wouldn’t that be great if all we had to do was say POOF?)
Kathleen saw a post awhile back that I did on a new Caromal Colours basecoat color – Pumpkin. She loved the color. That’s what she decided to use to refinish this lovely piece of furniture -
Yummy distressing - Kathleen used a Faux Effects Setcoat Brown primer/paint as the basecoat - she had extra on her workshelf (we finishers try to use up what we have left over). When that dried, she applied Caromal Colours Chipping Creme. Atop that went the Caromal Colours Textured Basecoat Pumpkin, some distressing, some Toner and voila-
She applied a cool custom rust finish to the iron-
I just might have to pay you a visit one of these nights, Kath … I have the perfect place for this piece!
OMGsh….that is to die for!!!
Patty…GOOD LUCK getting it out of my house, sista!!!! ;o) Seriously, Caromal Colours are so easy to use and fun to work with! The colors are to die for, but I am currently partial to Pumpkin. Thanks for the props my friend!<3
Marti…thank you so much!
Oops…the “<3" was supposed to be a heart….I'm sooo embarrassed!!!!
Kathy – I’ll help you get it out of her house and then you and I can duke it out later to see who gets to keep it! HA!!!! It is DIVINE!!!!!
Kath, I LOVE it! I am always amazed at what you do…..It looks great where you have it too! Coming to your house is always a treat….I get to see your newest works, and hear about all the projects you’re into! You’ve got a gift!
I am planning on painting my cabinet. Which product do you recommend Country Living or Reclaim?
Hi Priscilla,
The Caromal paint lines are two completely different types of paint – I like them both and recommend them for different projects/people. What kind of cabinets do you have? How many do you have? Do you want to bang it all out as quick as possible, or are you okey with taking your time? Reclaim is quicker – stipple it into cracks/crevices then roll the rest. It has added sealer in the product so it has built in protection – the CL line is brushed on , requires a light sanding before toning, and needs a topcoat if you’re going to be doing kitchen or bath cabinets. What color are you looking for? Reclaim comes in 4 (but several more coming soon) and the CL line has 12…. The CL COLOR colors cover great and will give you full coverage in 2 layers – the CL light colors (wisteria and parchment) are more work over darker cabinets and will require a good 3 layers. The Reclaim will cover in 2 (or bright white 3). Do you want it smoothest possible and even, or do you like some light (or more) texture? The Reclaim give you the best ‘even’ finish – the CL line can give you a smoother finish (with some work), to a slight or heavy texture, depending on how you apply.
This chart is helpful –
Patty, just LOVE your blog and all the info! I have ugly 80s melamine cabinets with wood trim and wood cabinet faces. Some of the melamine is coming up/warping due to water damage. I was going on the contractor’s recommendation to re-finish the wood parts, clean with mineral something (spirits? oils?) the melamine parts and “fix” the warped melamine by removing it and painting with latex enamel paint. He had suggested that this would be the most durable as painting melamine chips in his experience, not to mention, takes a lot of work (sanding, priming, painting). If the Reclaim line is so durable and easy to use, do you think my cabinets would be a good candidate? There are also a couple surfaces that are MDF by the range…would truly appreciate any input you have! Thanks! Cecilia in CA
talked to you on the phone Cecilia – lovely chat! And yes, we discussed how the Caromal paints are a perfect solution for you melamine cabs – enjoy!