I am seeing RED!

Jackie Hill April 21, 2014 2 Comments

A red painted sideboard for the kitchen.

I got this sideboard for $5 at a garage sale. I had to call a friend to come pick it up for me, he had a station wagon. This was at a time when I had a small business painting furniture. I would get things at garage sales, thrift stores or by the side of the road. Sometimes I would come home to a chair or table on my front porch. It’s nice when people just give things to you.

This is the third time I have painted it. The first time it was a sage green, with black and white checker board accents. I then stenciled a floral pattern on top of that. Sorry no photos to show, long before I had a digital camera or a blog. Everyone loved the light colors. No one had room for it in their home. It became a no sale that stayed in my home for about 9 years. But the colors were not for me. I have always gone for brighter colors. After the first couple of years, I washed a cobalt blue over the top. It stayed like that for a couple of more years, then I started painting out sections black. But I just didn’t love it anymore.

When we got this house to rent, we knew we would need more storage in the kitchen. I knew this side board would be great. I stripped the  blue and black paint off, and I wanted to go bright red. I never had a piece of red furniture before. Red is not a color I am usually drawn to. I love blues, greens, grays, blacks. But I could see it. A bright red sideboard would really stand out. Fire engine red, thats what I wanted.

Then I started to paint. Have you ever painted anything red? Lots of coats. Many coats. It just wasn’t looking right. I even made my own “chalk” paint with drywall spackle. That went on like a dream. It covered so much better. But the color was wrong.

I had to come up with another plan. I then started to paint out the details in different colors. Green, orange, yellow. I did it almost on impulse. Just to see….

Different sections of the moldings, different colors.

I then made a wash of purple. I painted the whole thing with the wash. I really concentrated on the handles. I wanted them to be really purple. And pop!

I then fell in love with it again. I love that it looks old. And it reminds me of Mardi Gras for some reason. Very New Orleans. 

The trash can is for recycling. I always put in a galvanized metal if I can.

It’s great that it is counter top height. More storage, and counter space.

Puente painted and hung the shelf above. More purple and green. More color, love it.

Turquoise and yellow bowls to hold fruit and vegetables.

I also painted the inside of the two door cabinets a light purple. It’s a fun surprise. I was happy to reuse something I already had. It gives us so much storage. And the only new cost to me was the drywall spackle for the chalk paint- another $5. It’s the best $10 I have ever spent.
Thanks for stopping by for another small look at the kitchen. I hope you enjoyed it.

2 thoughts on “I am seeing RED!”

  1. Tres New Orleans, baby!
    I love this & it reminds me of a project I have in my head. I have a desk that I really want to paint but I'm…well…chicken. Also it's rumored to be a Duncan Phyfe & if I ruined it I would be heartbroken. How do you feel about milk paint? This thing is old as sin and in need of love. I'm going for a vintage green patina.

  2. I have not used milk paint but I hear good things. I say just go for it!! If you want to paint, why would it matter who made it? It should make you happy, not who may have it next. It is just paint. If you try a color and it's not right, try again. It is just paint. GO FOR IT! It may just be what you want, and you will love it. 😉

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