Upgrading of a small wash stand using colour gradient (blending)
When I changed my vehicle and went from a sports car to an SUV, I thought to myself that finally I could go and get all the furniture I wanted. My mother had refinished a small wash stand and it had been majestically brightening up her bathroom for several years, and it made me want it. So when I saw this beauty in terrible shape, I couldn’t resist: I had to get it!
Steps to follow!!!
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Clean the furniture with Colorantic Cleaner and Varnish Remover then rinse with a clean cloth.
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Remove the drawer, doors and hardware.
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Strip the furniture with Circa 1850 stripper (outdoors or in a well ventilated room).
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Sand with 80 grit paper, then 120 grit, and finally with 220, wipe off dust and residue with a damp cloth.
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I first gave a base coat of the colour Sage everywhere (except the top which will remain natural wood.
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For the colours, I did some “trial and error” before finally finding the right shades for my “blending”. Dark: mix of Emerald and Nature (the front of the cabinet)
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Medium: blend of Nature and Sage
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Pale: mixture of Sage and Ocean (the outline of the doors) For the top of the cabinet
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I wanted to keep the wood natural, but the colour was too light, so I stained the wood with Varathane stain-varnish in a Gold Pecan colour. Apply a thin layer with a brush, or as I prefer, with a sponge, until the desired shade is reached.
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We finish with Colorantic Natural Beewax
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BLENDING: When I watched blending videos on the internet, it looked so easy. Think again! It takes a lot of patience and practice, but the result takes your projects to a whole new dimension. We must first give a uniform base coat, in this case SAGE. We have to work in sections, because the paint dries quickly, and we have to moisten with a spray mist to keep our paint wet. You need a brush for each colour, and a clean, dry brush for mixing the colours. With practice, nothing is impossible. Before blending on a piece of furniture, I advise you to try your hand on small pieces of wood. If the result is less successful, it is less work than having to strip and re-sand an entire piece of furniture, believe me 🙂