Vintage French Provincial Nightstand Makeover
Hi there–happy Monday! I have a special post today, involving some free products that I received from HomeRight, a company that manufactures quality paint sprayers and spray tents. They gifted two products, which I’ve always wanted to try, to me (and 49 other bloggers) at the Haven blogging conference I attended in July. I used them both on today’s project: a vintage French provincial nightstand makeover.
If you’re interested in other furniture makeovers, check these out: a hutch, a desk, and a side table.
Until the conference, I had never even touched a paint sprayer, but HomeRight had one set up right in the hallway at Haven, and I had the chance to test it out. The idea of being able to quickly paint several projects at one time was extremely appealing to me, and by using the sprayer in conjunction with a very large spray tent, I’d have a protected area to paint in.
Day 1: Painting the Vintage French Provincial Night Stand
So here I am, looking very glamorous in my HomeRight #paintallthethings t-shirt provided by the company–with my tent assembled, my paint sprayer out of the box, pre-assembled, and my French provincial-style night stand (a $5 garage sale find), ready for her coveted, Adirondack Girl makeover. Unfortunately things didn’t go as smoothly as planned…beginning with the spray tent and having absolutely nothing to do with the product itself  but rather with the user, that is, me.
Here you get a sense of just how big the large paint tent truly is. I had planned to quickly paint several projects right in a row with pretty pale blue paint. Focusing on just how much painting can be accomplished in a short period of time with the “right” tools, like a paint sprayer and large tent, would be the focus of my post. However, as I mentioned, things did not go as expected. To keep it simple, I’m going to give you a list of what NOT to do when attempting a project like this one. Ready?
- Instructions: Don’t throw away the instructions for setting up the spray tent. As easy as it is to set it up, and it is easy, if you’re not the most mechanically intuitive person, you need those instructions. Fortunately, I found a video that Gail at My Repurposed Life put together providing some great instructions and set up took just 5 minutes. Phew.
[Hint: Set up is easier with a friend, like most things in life.] - The Paint: Don’t under any circumstances use homemade chalk paint with your paint sprayer. I promise you, things will not go well. In fact, if you use unsanded grout to make your own chalk paint, as I do, at first things will work fine, but then the spray action will stop and after fiddling with it repeatedly, you’ll realize you’ve done something terribly wrong. You’ll then run into the house to try to remove all of the gunk from your beautiful new piece of machinery, which I learned can be done, but only if you are quick and persistent. Phew.
- Weather: Check the weather before you decide to leave your tent up with your half-painted furniture inside of it, because it might rain, allowing water to puddle around not just the legs of your piece, but the drawer you left sitting out. The moisture might warp the drawer. I’m just saying, it might happen.
- Electrocution: Do not use your paint sprayer while standing in puddles of water left by heavy rain because you might electrocute yourself, even though I may or may not have actually done this myself. Use your noggin.
- More Weather: Check the weather. Because I didn’t learn my lesson the first time, I left my tent up for a second night, hoping to paint more things after the puddles had dried up. It’s just that mother nature sent gale force winds and blew my tent down. So yeah, check the weather.
So painting on Day 1 ended with me cleaning all the congealed chalk paint from my sprayer and then realizing that I had a meeting I had to run out to. I figured I’d finish the paint job the next day using straight latex paint, no unsanded grout thank-you very much.
Day 2: Finishing the Night Stand
On day two I filled my paint sprayer with latex paint straight from the can, with no additives or fillers and it worked like a dream. Seriously, I asked it where it had been all my life. It only took a few minutes to finish painting the piece, but then I realized that I was standing in two inches of water and that wasn’t too smart. (See point 4 above: Electrocution)
So as soon as I finished painting the stand, I emptied and cleaned my new best friend, aka the sprayer, and then laid out the tent and plastic drop cloth (my “floor”) to dry. From there I went about my business, planning to paint more later on. Didn’t happen. Before I went to bed though, I popped the tent back up into position and laid the drop cloth down again so it would be ready for the next day.
Day 3: More painting planned
On the third day, I awoke only to discover that my tent had blown down (photo above right) and the drop cloth was nowhere to be found (sorry to the dear neighbor who had to deal with that mess). All around me the wind was blowing like crazy. I’m afraid I have to admit that I was pretty much done with painting, for the moment anyway. I was extremely thankful that I had, in all my clumsy ridiculousness, been able to complete at least one project, one that I’m very happy with. [Kitchen cupboards are next!]
She’s wonderfully curvy, just as you expect a French provincial piece to be. I gave her a little distressing so she won’t get too full of herself.
I’ve seen some furniture painters paint the “indents” with white paint, which really compliments these pieces well. However, I don’t have such a steady hand when it comes to details like that so I decided to make those elements stand out by sanding them. It’s good to know your own limitations.
The distressing (with ordinary sandpaper) actually took much longer than the paint job. The last step involved applying a coat of paste wax that I then buffing out after letting it dry for 15 minutes.
I think the distressing was well worth the effort. Do you agree?
I considered cleaning up the handles, using my tarnished metal cleaning techniques, but decided I preferred leaving them as is since they complimented the distressing so well.
So I had quite an adventure with my new painting tools, but am SO grateful to HomeRight for giving me the chance to try out these two truly wonderful products. Because of my own series of rather silly mistakes, I had a bit of a learning curve, but I know that next time (sooner, rather than later), I’ll be a pro.
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Diana, you had a trial by wind and water, didn’t you? My sweet husband bought me a sprayer 2 years ago for my birthday (a very expensive one from Woodcraft) that I waited almost a year before I tried it out. Yeah, I was intimidated! But once I tried it, I want to use it all the time. You are correct in the assessment of wind and rain creating challenges. Also I quit making homemade chalk paint a while back because it created too many challenges with sanding it smooth. I figured that the $10-$20 per piece to paint with ‘store bought’ chalky paint was far worth it in time and the way the finish turned out. In the end you conquered the sprayer and the tent and that’s your lesson you are teaching us, right? Pretty table, you’ll sell that fast! (And I agree with the steady hand on the inset grooves on the side. I just finished a table where I did that and had to use heavy distressing to hide my unsteady hand)
Gosh, I feel so affirmed Laura–thank you!!!! It was an experience, that’s for sure. I’m looking forward to a much smoother process next time.
Oh boy, what a mess! Im so glad you didn’t give up tho. The nightstand turned out great!
It was quite a mess, LOL–glad I stuck with it, too, Tania–thanks for the visit 🙂
Love your chippy nightstand….I haven’t done it by sprayer yet…great job!
I’m so glad you liked it, Terry! I encourage anyone to give it a try–it’s quite straightforward if you follow the directions, LOL.
The nightstand looks great. I am not a painter of furniture but love the look. I’ll be a buyer not a painter I think!
Thank you Linda!! I appreciate the kind compliments 🙂
I am sorry but you had me laughing throughout the post. I am intrigued and now want to use a paint sprayer but am going to keep this posting in mind! Your table turned out beautifully!!
I glad I could put a smile on your face, Caroline 🙂 🙂 I definitely recommend giving the HomeRight sprayer a whirl, just make sure to read the instructions thoroughly…
So many sites sometimes give the impression that a redo is easy, no problems. Thanks for all your disclaimers, you give ALL of us the reassurance that mistakes happen, keep going. I’m expecially glad you didn’t electrocute yourself! I shudder to think of it, but years ago, while driving home, a wire was hanging low over the road. Who got out and moved it? Thankfully, it was a support wire, not a live wire, but when I think of what I did….I shudder and thank my guardian angel.
Oh my! Yes, heaven was definitely looking out for you Susan (and me as well!). Glad you enjoyed my “keepin’ it real” post 🙂
I do believe you are a “normal” person. You are so talented I just knew you were a super crafter!!
Instead of “Diana” in this post, you could put “Sharon” as this sounds like how a lot of my projects go. Thank you so much for all the good information. You are still my “super hero” in projects! Blessings!!
Aww, Sharon, you are so sweet 🙂 I never in a million years imagined that I could be someone’s “supper hero.” You made my day!!
That said, it is true that I am quite “normal,” and I don’t ever want to give the impression that I have special abilities. The projects I share I truly believe ANYONE can replicate. In that sense, I guess we’re all super heros, LOL.
And after inserting Sharon’s name, you can insert mine! Thank you for admitting your peccadilloes! The How-Not-Tos are just as important as the How-Tos in my book. Nightstand came out gorgeous! Got compliements on my version of your upholstery with wreathe ornaments today; Ladies Aid started pricing stuff for our bazaar.
Ha ha! Glad I’m not the only one that takes a mistep every now and again 🙂 I agree 100% Kathy–any warnings others can give me before attempting a project, I am grateful for. Yay for the compliments on the jute/wreath ornaments!! Woo hoo. Now when are you going to post some pics of them in the FB group???? You said your jute was green, right? Would love to see it–
Well, that was quite the experience! I’m so glad you weren’t electrocuted! And that you were able to find your tent after it blew away. (sorry about the drop cloth) The scariest part for me would be the chalk paint gunking up the sprayer! But it all turned out okay and the little table is beautiful.
Thanks for the informative and humorous post, Diana! And apologies for laughing at your expense!
Yes, it was an experience, Naomi! I appreciate your laughter because means I did a good job writing the post 🙂
Honestly, you sound like so many of us trying a new product……..but your results are beautiful. Thank you, there is hope for me to at least try!
I like to keep things as real and true to life as possible, Marcy 🙂 Glad I could give a little “you can do it too” inspiration!
Looks great! I, too, lack a steady hand and have been dealing with a spoon carved commode that I can’t get right. Since I’m not usually a distresser it didn’t ocurr to me to sand those areas in order to highlight and I didn’t like the way dark wax looked. You’ve inspired me once again…time to pull out the sandpaper and see if I can get it right.
I like both processes–distressing and dark wax–and often use both on the same project, depending on the look I’m going for. Here’s hoping you “get it right” Melissa!!
It sounds like the type of painting adventure I would have. Thank you for sharing so we know we aren’t alone in mishaps.
You’re so welcome Carrie 🙂 And thank YOU for sharing that you can relate so I’m not all alone either!
WHAT TYPE OF LATEX PAINT DID YOU USE SINCE THE HOMEMADE CHALK PAINT DID NOT WORK TOO GOOD:) THE FURNIATURE TURNED OUT BEAUTIFULLY! THANK YOU FOR BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF AND NOT GETTINGHURT.
I used a can of oops paint I picked up called “Summer Sky”–Sherwin Williams Infinity (one coat perfection). I’m so glad you enjoyed my final result, Ann!!
Hi Diana…you look so cute in your home right shirt. 😉 Nice post…you’re a great writer. I’m gonna follow you close cuz you really have it together…good job.
Hi Mimsy!! I’m so glad you popped in for a visit 🙂 It was delightful to meet you at Haven and I hope we can stay in touch. I’ll be popping over to your blog for a visit ASAP.
You are SO sweet to say such nice things; I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Thank you for the play by play. I felt so much better when I read the list of things not to do, like I have a soul sister out there somewhere thst would understand my booboo’s. I love reading your blog!!!
Hi Diana….I’m just catching up on my back mail….I so enjoyed this blog….your disasters and how you were not embarased to share….my husband looked at your sprayer and said ‘oh I bet that’s a noisy little bugger’….I’m dangerous with a spray paint can so I don’t think I’ll be using HIS sprayer in the future…I drive him nuts with way I paint hahahaha…..your end table turned out lovely (as always) and I’m sure it’s been with a new owner for months now. Love your sense of humor Diana and how you put it on paper….take care!