Have you ever longed to achieve the perfect black paint finish? Like the worn black finish on Potterybarn/Ballard Design Furniture?
Well, I have. After years of trying different techniques, I finally got it down. Just in case anyone else has the same longing, I put together a quick video tutorial.
This video demostrates my technique for turning thrifted furniture pieces into Potterybarn quality furnishings with the perfect worn black finish.
(Please click on the frame if you need to view it larger).
The furniture piece used in this tutorial was not a thrifted item. It was actually a client project that was in pristine condition (it definitely did not stink :) )
It still however, represents the basic painting technique.
Do you have any secrets for getting the perfect black?
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Thank you for this video. It is exactly the technique I use and I am always getting asked about how I do it, now I can send them over to your blog!
ReplyDeletebeautiful work sara...=) i did a few antique pieces a few years ago. although i have used a similar technique as you have, i did these pieces a little different. there was little light sanding...it was the technique of the painting. they are teal and i had beveled glass made for the tops of each and added clear glass knobs for the top drawers and left the bottom drawer knobs the original wood knobs (painted as well), to add some interest to each piece. they are probably my favorite pieces in the house. =))
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing...her makeover looks awesome!!! Come by later today and share her at my NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY PARTY.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
It looks even better in person! Thanks Sarah for a great job. We love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat video! Love the music.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog, and I love it! Already on my blog roll.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Great video!!! Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeletehugs
Sissie
Great tutorial,thanks! I liked the song too... I'm going to have to keep this post on my sidebar - it's a keeper!!!
ReplyDeleteOK, I am totally bookmarking this for future reference and I must say the video was fabulous. I loved it! M.
ReplyDeleteFantastic Tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
xoxo
I also just found your blog, I'm loving it! This is amazing. I'm your newest follower. Please come and link up at my Mommy Monday link party here http://momommamoney.blogspot.com/2011/08/mommy-monday.html
ReplyDeleteHi there!! I'm new to Pintrist and I'm loving your blog!! I do have a question for you...
ReplyDeleteHow do I accomplish a perfect finish for pieces covered in laminate (fake looking wood)?
I have this amazing 30 year old sofa table my mom gave me. I was told at a large home improvement store that I could use lacquer spray paint (with no primer) to cover it; so that's what I did (in white). Needless to say, during a big move the paint started to chip off :(
Have any advice for this beginner?? I would like to save this peice.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting and for your sweet comments. I don't have a lot of experience with painting laminate pieces. I have painted a few and have always used a primer first. Here is a link to one of my favorite blogs:
http://nattybydesign.blogspot.com/2011/08/laminate-tops-embrace-them.html
This post is specifically about laminate pieces. Enjoy. Sarah
Good idea about the stain pen, haven't thought of that. Very smart!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful results! Have you used this technique on a table? I would like to paint my oak dining table either white or black, but wonder about the wear and tear of the paint on a table top.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial. Love the pictured piece and your instructions are perfect. I have to give this a try. I am your newest follower. So thrilled to have found your blog. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteNice tutorial. I've usually painting thrifted/garage sale pieces black, so this will be very handy. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI want to pin this to Pinterest, but I am running in to a problem (as I have with a few other blogs) saying that your image sizes are too small! Have you had this problem before?
ReplyDeleteThis one was right up my alley! I had everything on hand & I even had an old baby doll bed that I wanted to paint "someday." I wasn't originally going to paint it black, but then I thought, "Why not?! I can always repaint it if it doesn't turn out."
ReplyDeleteWhile I was in the process of painting the doll bed, my kids came in, one by one, and said "You're painting it black?!"
Then my husband came in. He said "You're painting it black?!"
I even had my own doubts about it. But, after it was finished, everyone liked it. It turned out beautifully & looks like an antique. I even found some lovely fabrics in pinks, grays & black to make bedding for it.
And, you're not kidding when you say this is 'addictive!' I now want to paint EVERYTHING black!!!
Well, I just thought I'd share this with you. I discovered your blog a couple of weeks ago & I'm having so much fun looking thru it. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Heather B.
Excellent Video. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeletewww.projectqueen.org
would it be okay to use a flat paint instead of semi-gloss? i am planning to do this to my headboard and two side tables.
ReplyDeletegreat video!
OMGosh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! Thank you!!! (and I also love "Back in Black" as the background music)
ReplyDeleteGreat work! Visiting from A-Z. Yours is way better than the Pottery Barn version. -K
ReplyDeleteLove your tutorial; it is awesome! I was looking for something and this tutorial happened to pop up on Pinterest! Thanks for being there! :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am in the middle of this technique on bedroom furniture right now and I can't quite figure out if I am reading it right. Am I correct in thinking I am to prime/sand once and paint black/sand 3 times? Or is it prime/sand once and paint/sand twice? Also, do I end with sanding prior to moving on to distressing/staining/waxing?
Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be sure I get it right! It's a lot of work and I want awesome results to be my reward!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Jennifer
Jennifer, I didn't see an email address on your profile so, I hope you are reading this :) Here are the steps:
ReplyDelete-Sand entire piece
-Prime once
-Sand entire piece lightly
-dust
-paint black
-sand entire piece lightly
-dust
-paint black again
-sand entire piece lightly
-dust
-paint black again
-sand only the edges
-stain
-wax
I hope that helps. You can email me at theyellowcapecod@yahoo.com if you have any other questions. I would love to see your project when it's done, I'm sure it's going to be beautiful! ~Sarah
Fun tute to watch. Your piece looks wonderful - I am a lover of Kilz Original - the best! I use it on everything. I have re-done many pieces, but never stained the edges with a staining pen. Great tip - Thanks so much - it really does make your piece have a PB finish.
ReplyDeleteMy best- Diane
Got it, thanks! I'll be happy to send you a pic when it's all done!
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble sanding through the primer. :( I tried the stain pen and its rubbing off where the primer is. But I just can't get all of the primer sanded all the way off.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, Try using a sanding block. It will help you to sand harder. You could also try sand paper that is a little more coarse. The stain will not stick to the primer, only bare wood. Please send me your email if you have any more questions or issues. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Sarah
Hi, have you ever used paste finishing wax over something spray painted? I sanded, primed and spray painted a laminate dresser and wanted to try the wax but I would hate to ruin all the work I have put into this already. Julie @ cc_blake@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I do not believe that I have ever used the wax over something spray painted. My guess is that it will work just fine. If you are worried, maybe you should use a spray poly instead. Best of luck with your piece. ~Sarah
ReplyDeleteExcellent tutorial. thanks for the video!
ReplyDeleteYour Tutorial Rocked! literally :)
ReplyDeleteI just love all your beautiful items...I'm thinking about doing this to my bathroom cabinets.. would I use a eggshell or gloss paint? thank you
ReplyDeleteYou rock and inspire me to get out the sander and make it beautiful! Thanks B
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing! I love painting furniture black too!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for featuring your free to view painting tutorials on your blog.
ReplyDeleteCould I do all the same steps but use a different color? I want to paint my daughters dresser pink with the same distressed look.
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong that I like your piece more than the Pottery Barn piece! :) Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTami
I love PB so this tutorial on Pinterest caught my eye. I just bought an end table at GW for $6.99 and couldn't decide if I wanted to paint it white or black, now after seeing this I know it will be black.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing:)
♥Rondell
Would it be possible to do this on a stationary piece? Our bathroom cabinet is in need of a makeover but it's attached to the wall.
ReplyDeleteWhat color stain pen do you use?
ReplyDeleteI can only find the wax in Natural for lighter woods is that ok? I am painting the furniture black, so wasn't sure if this is ok. Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteI did your technique on black krylon spray painted chairs and they turned out perfectly except I was not fully able to get past the white either. Have you considered tinting your primer black?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, I have never tried to tint the primer black but that sounds like a great option. Latex primer is another alternative. It comes off easier with sanding than oil based primer. However, I choose oil based primer for longevity. My furniture takes a beating so I want a tough finish. If you use latex primer it is easier to distress to edges and get through the white.
DeleteAlso, the waxing step helps to protect the finish but again, it is not necessary for a beautiful result.
I hope that helps. Thanks for the great questions/comments.
Best,
Sarah
So glad to come across your blog. You are such an inspiration. We are following you on fb and twitter. You have so many great ideas. We had to pass this on to all of our Pbchitchat.blogspot.com members .
ReplyDelete