Hello friends!
If you are familiar with my furniture work, you know that most of my pieces have a very simple finish. I normally spray paint them in one or two colors, and a few of them have stained top and/or maybe some distress or antiquing effect.
This time I wanted to try something different. I decided to do go for a more artistic look, and with the growing number of furniture artists out there, it is not hard to find inspiration. I was also very inspired by what I’ve been learning in my watercolor classes.
As a kid and teenager, I loved drawing and painting, but as I grew older and it was time to choose what I wanted to be when I grew up, I discarded the “artist” option completely. To me, and to everybody else I knew back then, being an artist meant you’d inevitably become an art teacher if you needed to make a living and pay your bills. And I didn’t want to be a teacher. Long story short, I graduated in marketing and had many years of a boring and stressful career in the corporate world.
Well, 30 years later, here I am. Flirting again with my teenage years crush… art. After we moved to Virginia, I found myself with more free time, so I decided to use that time to learn something new. My choice was watercolor, and I’m totally hooked!
I’ve been drawing and painting every day for the last month and it has been a lot of fun. Very challenging as well as I’m trying different media for the fist time. Ink, watercolor, acrylics… I decided to create both an Instagram and Facebook account to post my art projects. Feel free to follow me and watch my progress over time, because I intend to keep doing this for a long time. Constructive feedback is more than welcome and if you also post your art on social media, please leave your link in the comments below!
OK, back to my nightstand! (This post contains a few affiliate links)
I forgot to take the “before” picture of it, so you have to use your imagination.
I used three colors by Fusion Mineral Paint for this project. Midnight Blue
First I painted the entire piece in lamp white. When it was dry, I blended the three colors in my brush and applied it to the piece in circular movements, without aiming for any particular pattern, though I wanted it to vaguely resemble a cloudy sky.
From time to time I dipped my brush in water to help with the blending and avoid harsh brush strokes.
When I achieved the look I wanted, I let it dry, then sealed it with General Finishes Top Coat, satin.
I also replaced the dated knobs with these super-cute swallow knobs I bought from this Etsy Shop. I was not happy with the dark color of the metal knobs, so I used the leftover Modern Master Metallic Colors I used for this project and painted the swallows in black, blue and pewter.
This piece is for sale. If you know someone who might be interested, feel free to share the link to my shop. (Shipping within the US can be arranged for a fee).
And now… the pictures.
Thanks for reading!
Patricia.
I’m sharing this post on this awesome link parties!
Friday Favorites (Remodelaholic)
The Wood Spa by Pat Rios 
Another beautiful piece, Patricia… and how meaningful to now be returning to what you loved as a kid (though I suspect the subtle and sophisticated touches you give your furniture pieces are evidence that you already had). If you were here on the west coast I’d suggest looking for a buyer in San Juan Capistrano (famous for its Swallows). I could see a lovely inn grabbing it up! I imagine this will very soon find an appreciative home in any case.
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Thank you so much for this nice comment, Ginger! I googled the place you mentioned and they would surely be the best town for this nightstand to be! “Home of the swallows!”
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Your work is always beautiful. You always amaze me. This piece is so unique! I’ve never seen anything even similar. On top of its uniqueness, it is absolutely gorgeous in such a Jackie Kennedy class sort of way – it just oozes that class & is so chic. Subtle but with that something special. If it were mine I don’t think i’d be able to sell it!
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Thank you so much. You made my day with your kind words! I’m not in a hurry to sell this piece. It will have to go to a person who really likes it, since I put a lot of labor and love in it.
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OMG, your creativity is breathtaking gorgeous. I love this project. I would love having it in my home. Wow!
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Thank you so much for your kind words Ivory!
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Oh my goodness, Pat! This is the most beautiful piece. It really does evoke a watery appearance. You are one talented lady!
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Pat your nightstand is also da bomb! It has an ethereal quality to it. Almost like the bird, it too is ready to take flight. Looks like it has been brushed with a feather. I hope you do more creative things in the future. You are very inspiring.
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Oh Mary, your coments are always the kindest and they make my day 😊
Thank you so much!
I hope you are adjusting well to your old/new home.
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Beautiful, just beautiful Pat, but then again your furniture pieces always are. You can definitely see you have loads of artistic talent. Did you paint the watercolor on top of the nightstand too?
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Thank you so much! Yes, I painted that little bird too. Watercolor is so much fun!
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It is although I’ve never really master it as well as you have.
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Another beautiful example of excellent blending, so serene. So well done in overall execution and presentation. The artwork, and hardware are just sublime and it’s this weeks feature at #fridaysfurniturefix. Thanks so much Pat for sharing your talents, always a pleasure!
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Thank you so much Brenda! It’s always so flattering to be picked by you!
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Beautiful! You really did capture the essence of clouds. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Thank you Cynthia!
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I don’t know what to say – this makeover is just stunning and the nightstand looks amazing! Really beautifully done!
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Thanks you so much Elise!
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