Painting Furniture: A China Hutch Transformation

When my screened-in porch was nearing completion, I happened across a little hutch for a great price: $95.  It was just what I had in mind for storing dishes for dining out on the porch.

After getting it home, I got down to work. This was B.B. (Before Blogging) so taking pictures almost didn’t happen. Somewhere in the midst of sanding the piece, it dawned on me that it might be nice to take a “before” pic just to remember how it looked prior to painting. (Always, always wear a good mask when sanding anything.)

The photo below is of the lower half of the hutch, minus the drawers and brown metal knobs I’d already removed. You can see I had already started sanding to remove the shiny finish.  Whenever you paint a piece of furniture, after removing the hardware, you’ll need to lightly sand the piece to remove the finish/sheen.  This helps the primer adhere better, ensuring a better paint finish in the end.

Old Stained Hutch Sanded for Painting_wm

Here’s a side view after some sanding…see how it’s looking kind of dull?  That’s good, that’s what you want.  You want to remove the glossing sheen you sometimes see on stained furniture.

Once I had lightly sanded the hutch, I primed it using Zinsser Primer purchased from Home Depot. Here’s a view of the top half of the hutch, partially primed.  You can roll on the primer if you prefer.  I just used a paint brush.

Priming Stained Furniture for Painting_wm

Once the hutch was primed and the primer had dried, I lightly sanded with a fine grit sand paper to give it a nice smooth finish that was ready for paint.

Priming Stained Furniture_wm

I had to do all the painting of this piece in my kitchen since it was still late winter/early spring and very cold outside. The downside to that was I kept painting it the wrong color!  I learned the hard way, it’s best to paint a piece of furniture in the location where you will actually be using it.

I painted the hutch 3 different shades of green (2 coats of each) before I finally got the color right. The first coat was way too pale and the second coat looked great until I pulled the hutch out onto the sunny porch. It looked very different on the porch than it did in my kitchen.

So there are 6 coats of paint on top of the primer…learn from my mistake!   Always pick your paint in the lighting/area where you’ll be using the piece.

Stained Hutch Makeover with Paint_wm

A Few Tips on Painting Furniture:

I could have applied the paint with a small paint roller and that often helps with getting a smoother finish.  I opted to just use a brush.  I always spend a bit more and invest in a great brush if I’m worried about the paint finish.  I prefer Purdy brushes and that’s what I always use for painting trim, too.

A neat trick to getting a nice smooth paint finish with a latex paint is to add a paint conditioner to your paint.  Floetrol is a great one.  It helps latex paint to go on as if it were an oil based paint. It also slows the drying process down just a bit, which is helpful if you are a fairly slow painter like me.  I didn’t use Floetrol for this project, but just mentioning so you’ll know it is available.

The following pic was taken at night after the hutch was in its rightful spot on the porch. Of course, it didn’t take me long to start loading it up with fun things to display, including a collection of birds nest I’d found abandoned over the years in my yard.

Painted Hutch for the Porch_wm

 

The guys at the paint store recommended I use an exterior grade paint, even though the hutch was in a protected area. They said it would protect it from temperature fluctuations and humidity.

 

I hit just about every little antique and craft shop in town looking for whimsical knobs, until I finally remembered I had seen them at the “Queen of Hearts,” a little antique shop in Marietta, GA. I raced over there just to find out the booth had been moved to another Queen of Hearts location in Alpharetta, GA. After a 45 minute drive to Alpharetta, I had some cute knobs.

Decorative Colorful Knobs for Painted Hutch_wm

 

Aren’t they just the silliest knobs, ever?   I could have purchased six matching knobs, but I really liked the idea of mixing it up a bit.

Colorful Painted Knobs for Porch Hutch_wm

 

The inspiration for the color of the hutch came from the placemats and matching napkins you see below in this tablescape. After failing to get the color right two times in a row, I decided to look for an object around the house that was the color I was going for on the hutch. I remembered the green placemats/napkins and took a napkin to Home Depot and said…”Match this, please!”

Dining on the Porch_wm

 

Since I only needed one quart of paint (as opposed to a gallon) they couldn’t match to my napkin in their usual way. The HD guy told me that he cut the formula in half…or something like that. Here’s the top of the can in case anyone wants to know the color formula. The writing on the top says 50% because of the way he cut the formula. He didn’t match the napkin exactly but I loved the color…finalllllly! 🙂  Again, this is exterior grade paint since this piece would be subjected to temperature changes and humidity.

Green Exterior Paint for Painting Furniture_wm

 

I’m always getting asked where I store all the china I’ve collected.   The hutch holds two sets of china I like to use out on the porch.

Dish Storage in Porch Hutch

 

Decorated for the 4th of July…

Painted Hutch Decorated for the 4th of July

 

Decorated for fall…

Decorate a Hutch for Fall in White

 

This was the first piece of furniture I’ve ever painted.  It was actually much easier than I thought it would be–well, except for that “getting the color right” part.  If I can do it, you can, too!

Painted Furniture for the Porch_wm

 

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Comments

  1. Hi Susan! I love your transformation and how the hutch turned out! It’s just perfect for your porch. You are cracking me up with the BB reference. Oh how I wish I was smart enough to take before and after photos before I started blogging :0)Even now I go full speed ahead and then have to hit myself up the side of the head for forgetting the before shot! I was really blown away with some of the metamorphosis’ last week. What fun…

  2. Hi Susan, thanks for posting the story behind one of my all time favorite pieces of furniture. The china pattern is pure perfection!

  3. santamaker says

    Your porch is magical and you should be so proud!
    Thanks for hosting, looking forward to seeing all of the great transformations!

  4. ~CC Catherine says

    Hi Susan, Loved the makeover on this hutch! What a new life she now leads… The knobs are perfect for her, like unique buttons on a favorite blouse! The color is perfect and looks great on the porch with all your other goodies! Love it! 😉 ~CC

  5. Unbelievable transformation! I am “green” with envy!!! Happy Monday!

  6. Gypsy aka Tam says

    Hi Susan,
    I just love your porch and your hutch turned out beautiful!!! Great transformation.Thank you for hosting this fun event for us.
    Have a wonderful Monday,
    Tam

  7. Happy To Be says

    Oh Susan as you know I fell in love with this piece on RMS and am so glad you shared it again with us here in blogland..and paint the first thing I learned as a very young bride was to paint every hand me down white..and now its called Shabby Chic and I did it because it was all I could afford at that time..Hey I was a trend setter and didn’t even know it 50 years ago..ok I”m linky up girl..thanks for hosting this Met Monday..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

  8. Momovthree says

    I love your little hutch. How fun to see how it started off! You did such a transformation on it and of course, the knobs are my favorite part!
    ~Michelle

  9. carolinajewel says

    Susan, I love the way you transformed that hutch! Those knobs are adorable!!!

  10. MeganSloan says

    Love the hutch makeover!

    I made a Met Monday link! I hope it works!!! 🙂 Now I have to check out all the others!

  11. The hutch project is an ispiration for me. Love the way you dressed it up. Thanks for sharing that you tried several colors before you got it right. I think it is easy to get discouraged with color when it goes wrong.

    Thanks for hosting, this will be fun and inspiring for us all.

    Kathy b

  12. Kristens Creations says

    your hutch turned out absolutly beautiful! And the way it’s decorated is just perfect. I just love it! Kristen

  13. Love this transformation. I love the color you ended up with and the knobs are perfect. This is so perfect for your beautiful porch. And thanks for the links to the furniture painting tutorials, I’ve got some bookcases (imagine that) that I’m going to attempt to paint. This will be a huge help. Thanks again for hosting this event, it’s alot of fun. Kathy

  14. prof en retraite says

    Oh Susan…You know I love it and I feel so special to have had the priviledge to see it in person!!! It’s a work of art…as is everything you create. I hope you had a good weekend! Hugs…Debbie

  15. Your hutch really is a charming piece for your porch or anywhere. What a soothing color! And I love the Queen of Hearts! Also, I posted my first Met Monday, however, I goofed, so I am #17 AND #18. Also, I posted it at the end of the post instead of the beginning, but I’ll get it right next time.
    Linda

  16. Susan, It may have taken 6 coats of paint but it is sheer perfection! The knobs are just too adorable for words! ♥ Diane

  17. Cottage Rose says

    Hey Susan; Love the green color. The hutch looks just beautiful out on your porch. In fact your whole porch is just stunning. Makes me want to screen in our patio off our family room.. hmmmmmm I know of a summer project for hubby… lol

    Hugs;
    Alaura

  18. I have always admired that hutch, Susan. Great job painting it. I thought it was always that color. I participated MM today. I hope I did the right thing. I am still a little confused if I should enter the title shortcut or the url address into Mr Linky. This time, I entered the direct URL address and it seemed to have worked. Please let me know if I am wrong Thanks for hosting this and allowing us to be a part of it…..Christine

  19. Barb @ GritsandGlamour says

    Susan – don’t feel bad I have painted a WHOLE room 3 times to get it right. (Okay, it was only once and it was a room over the garage with one little window.) LOL
    Love the hutch and the color, too. I also like the little peak inside your hutch. The knobs are so YOU! (that’s a compliment) 🙂 I envy Debbie for being able to see your home in person. Thanks for sharing, and also for hosting this event. I can’t wait to see what everyone posts. Blessings, Barb

  20. texasdaisey says

    Love that hutch. What a pretty color & I love the knobs.
    Debbie

  21. The hutch turned out so wonderful! I L- O- V- E the knobs! I would have driven all over town for those as well!

  22. Love the hutch and all the goodies displayed in it. The final color is perfect and the knobs are works of art. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, Marty

  23. Hi Susan,Your hutch turned out perfectly and you know how I feel about that green.It is so similar to my kitchen cupboard.The knobs have the Mckenzie Childs look to them.I love her whimsical pieces.have you ever seen one of her Poufs.Oh my goodness you might want one if you see it.I have always loved her furniture and lamps.OOOH a lamp would also look great in you sun porch,it is very whimsial.Thank you for sharing,hugs kathysue

  24. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    Marty…thanks so much for the comments you leave…they are soooo appreciated, always! 🙂 Susan

  25. Hi Susan,
    I love the hutch and the wonderful job you did on it. It looks like a very expensive piece you would buy at a cottage furniture store. I love the way you have it decorated too! The knobs are the final perfect touch. Cindy

  26. Wow! You’re morphs are amazing! This is my first time here and I LOVE this carnival. My post is about how becoming a vegetarian has “morphed” me. If only I could have spelled vegetarianism correctly in Mr. Linky! Thanks for hosting this carnival! I also have a Monday carnival and I would you to participate whenever the mood strikes you! Have a great one!

  27. Melissa Miller says

    ~PRETTY~ 🙂
    Love the precious knobs.

  28. Linda/ "Mom..." says

    ***** I admire you now even MORE than ever, SS~~~ I seriously doubt MANY of us would paint & REpaint three times like YOU did, just to get everything "just so"! (Then again, how many of us can "DO" what YOU do sooooo beautifully???). Thanks for sharing this~ a fun read and,of course, beautiful & sooooo pleasing to the eye!!! XOXO, Linda

  29. Susan, you are such a talented woman! I am so excited to be part of your MM and I know I will learn so much from you! Great job on the hutch! I went looking for one today with no luck but I won’t give up! Your home is such an inspiration!

  30. Kim Chalfant says

    Love your hutch transformation. I have a china hutch that I need to paint. It’s just that I can’t make up my mind if I want to paint it black or white.

    Hopefully someday it will be on my Met Monday post.

  31. Susan, you are so right! Another set of eyes sees things without emotional attachment. By the way, I am on the lookout for a bookcase to rescue and give a makeover – you have inspired me!

  32. Met Monday was such a good idea because I think we all love seeing beautiful transformations~~and your hutch is no exception!! Great job and love the whimsical knobs!! L~

  33. Greena sre tough. I actually had chosen a different green for my entrance. I started painting it and the whole time I was saying “this isn’t right”. After the completion of one wall and a lot of talking to myself I ran down to the hardware store to pick up the color I finally ended up with. Love the green hutch and your ceramic pieces look great with it!

  34. It looks absolutley beautiful! I just love it! I love the colr and I love the way you “filled it up” with such beauties.

    I linked mine today! Have a wonderful day!

  35. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) says

    Susan, a woman after my own heart. Have to keep trying until we get it just right don’t we? Your bargain turned into something beautiful. I love the whimsy of the knobs. I hope to have the “office” ready for next week..but looking forward to TT Tuesday..Thanks for the visit and kind words..have a super one girlfriend. I’m off to work.. hugs ~lynne~

  36. Miss Janice says

    This piece is awesome–great job! Of course, I just love the color, the china display, and the porch! It’s all just too beautiful Susan–definitely magazine-worthy:-)

  37. paintergal says

    Lovely hutch! And the not-quite-matching knobs are so cheery.
    I added my mini-makeover to your MM’s. Hope I did it right!

  38. Wow, I love, love, love your screened porch and the hutch is a perfect addition! That must have been a lot of work, but you did a beautiful job!

  39. Susan, my Met Monday post is not your usual Before and After with decorating and/or a furniture re-do. However, I felt it “Met Monday” worthy because of the wonderful result I had from painting my grout instead of replacing it altogether!

    BTW, love your hutch (and the WHOLE PORCH)!

    Judy

  40. Oh Susan,you know how much I love “my” porch.It’s the prettiest porch in the entire world.And this cabinet fits perfectly on the perfect porch…Ann

  41. Diane@A Picture is Worth.... says

    Susan,
    You did a great job with your furniture makeover! This is a great looking piece of furniture…and so useful too!

  42. This is exciting, I didn’t realize you live in Marietta! I grew up in Roswell and love Queen of Hearts! We now live in Orlando, but my parents still live in Roswell, so we visit home alot. I love this before and after idea, keep them coming!

  43. Hi Susan..love what you did to the hutch,especially the color green. Thanks also for the link to the ladies that show you how it’s done, although yout pictures are pretty good. I have an old 1960’s dark pine chest that I have been dying to paint red. This is just the inspiration I needed since my husband told me it was impossible to paint over a heavily stained piece of furniture….what do men know….Sue.

  44. Morning, Dear One! I never tire of seeing your porch and I absolutely love your green hutch! It’s just perfect on your porch and you know how I love those dishes! Thanks for hosting Met Monday, this is fun!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 🙂

  45. Debbie @ ribbonwoodcottage.blogspot.com says

    Susan, I can’t tell you how much I love this post. Your hutch is just beautiful and I absolutely love the things you have put on it. It looks perfect where you have it. I am saving these pictures to my computer, they are so lovely I want to look at them over and over. I am glad you are doing this every Monday, it is a wonderful idea. Thank you!

    Debbie

  46. Shannon @ Silver Trappings says

    Wow, beautiful job. It looks so pretty in your room. Love it.

    Shannon

  47. Pat@Back Porch Musings says

    Wonderful Met Monday, Susan. I love this transformation. Perfect color, beautiful piece and practical, too. The display is gorgeous.

  48. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says

    Susan, I just LOVE your newly painted green hutch. I've been dying to paint something this color. It turned out perfect, even after 3 tries. I have had the same problem with greens & blues over the years, finding the right one.

  49. Hi Susan! I remember seeing that hutch makeover before and I adore what you did! Just beautiful!

    I just realized you were partying today 🙂 and it’s perfect for the post I had scheduled for this morning. I’ll go back when I get a moment and add a link to your party.

    Kimba

  50. I have loved this hutch for many, many months and loved seeing it again. I lived in Marietta for a year in the late 90’s and totally fell in love with the shops and the Square!

  51. Good Morning Susan… What a beautiful transformation of the hutch… You are so talented and I really LOVE your porch… I can just close my eyes and imagine sitting there and sipping on a mint julep…. LOL Have a great Monday

    (((HUGS)))
    Donna

  52. What a beauty this hutch is…and it does true justice to all the pretties it holds inside & out…
    😉 Bo

  53. Glenda/MidSouth says

    A beautiful transformation. You have more patience than than I do – I would have given up and not painted it so many times.
    Glenda

  54. Dixie's Whimsey says

    Susan… you are an amazing woman… I love the way you see the beauty in something and then find a way to reveal it… what a wonderful gift…

    thank you for all your inspiring posts… you are a gift to the rest of us old gals trying to beautify (and to coin Miss Debbie’s buzz word of the day), Frenchify our lives…

    Blessings. Dixie

  55. Hi Susan, I am writing nfrom Fl. now…we are here visiting Joe’s dad who will be 95 on 2/3!!!!! Now, you KNOW I love this hutch after seeing it first on RMS, and now to hear that you painted it 3 times….well, you have the patience of Job!!!! It is so beautiful and in the PERFECT spot! Thanks so much for sharing! Hugs, Pinky

  56. Susan, viewing this Met Monday post is just delightful. I love your whimsy in the knobs and the whole way you have of displaying items so artfully! Makes me smile!!
    Blessings,
    Becky

  57. Cami @ Creating Myself says

    Your hutch is beautiful…love the knobs & the color! And of course, I'm loving teh dish storage it provides! ;o)

  58. Your hutch is beautiful! I love it!

    I posted my link and am keeping my fingers crossed that I did it the right way! 🙂 Thanks for hosting Met Monday!

    ~Karla

  59. The pain job on the hutch is great…and the ceramic knobs go very well with the things you display on the shelves of the hutch.

  60. Judy @ In His Grip says

    I simply love before and afters. They are so inspiring. My problem is I forget to get the before pictures. Also, I do not kow how to put the button in my sidebar without that wierd little code.

  61. Great metamorphis! That is the perfect color, and I love those silly knobs!

  62. Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda says

    Hi Susan, I absolutely love your hutch! In fact, the entire room is a dream! Just beautiful!

    I added my post, but it is 2:30, …I am a little late! I will add your button when I get back to my computer, (on daughter’s laptop right now!) Thanks for hosting this fun event. I’m off to check out the other posts! 🙂 ~Rhonda

  63. Lady Katherine says

    I always loved your hutch on your porch, I would never thought it looked like the before! I love the knobs!!! I love how you have shown where you keep your dishes for the porch! Very clever, I learned a lot just from how you have stacked the dishes! lol Great view of your lovely porch.

  64. Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity says

    Susan, I have always loved your beautiful hutch. You have it accessorized so pretty. I love the knobs. They are prefect. And you have great storage. Your porch is such an inspiration. Maybe someday!
    Hugs, Terrie

  65. I am so glad that you had a few pictures of the before look of the hutch to show. You see, keeping a sister up to date on what you are doing has it’s advantages. Thank goodness that you kept me advised via e-mail and accompanying pictures of some, if not all, of your progress.

    They do say the third time is the charm, and I guess they are right. In any event, it turned out beautifully.

  66. Your hutch transformation is awesome! I really love it and although I never would have imagined the hutch in its first life turning out so beautiful, it has inspired me to try this for myself. Also, I LOVE the green! Your porch is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I know you must love every moment you spend there.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Colleen,
    Louisiana

  67. victoria ~ auction girl vintage says

    Beautiful work, Susan, as always. I want to come and LIVE on your porch, up in the air among the trees-ez and breezes :o)

    Victoria
    xo

  68. Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda says

    Hi Susan, My link disappeared from your list left earlier today, and I just tried to add it twice, and it won’t take it. So, I don’t know what it wrong. ~Rhonda

  69. Ma'dame French says

    Paint is a wonderful thing…love the little knobs they are adorable! I just recently took on painting an entire dining room set for a friend and recovered the chairs as well looks like a completely different set! Are you doing TT tomorrow or Thursday? Just wanted to know;) Hugs French

  70. Kathleen Ellis says

    LOVE this hutch…it reminds me of the numerous furniture painting projects I have waiting for me! not to mention all the trim!
    Are those knobs by Mackenie Childs?
    Have a happy week!
    ;-D

  71. Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda says

    Thanks, Susan, for taking the time to straighten that out! So glad you started this event! …and I’ve enjoyed everyone’s post! 🙂 ~Rhonda

  72. The Bliss Journey says

    Hi Susan,
    You did a wonderful job. I love the color, green is my favorite.
    Kathleen

  73. laurie @ bargain hunting says

    Susan, I’ve always loved this hutch, and I’ve always been amazed at what a perfectionist you are! That tells me why your home looks so beautiful, and mine looks so “thrown together”. I would never have had the patience to keep trying to get it the “right” color! After the first coat of paint, I would have loaded that baby up and lived with it that way forever! Hmmm, maybe that’s why nothing in my house goes together! laurie

  74. I love your hutch, it is perfect for your porch!
    You did a great job…
    And it is great it holds 2 sets of dishes…that’s a “good thing”!!!

  75. Susan,
    I had to link a second time because somehow I disappeared. I don’t know what happened.

    Anyway, thanks for hosting and the hutch transformation is wonderful. It looks really lovely with the pieces you placed in/on it. Great transformation!
    Linda

  76. cityfarmer says

    FABULOUS….

    my kitchen makeover blog is on the stove simmering.
    I’m quite sure u will like it

  77. Love your hutch redo. The green is just perfect and I love the heart shaped topiary.

    I added a link to Mr. Linky. I’m enjoying all of the links.

  78. Paula @ the Little Young House says

    Oh Susan! What FUN! I love the transformation of the hutch. It’s just gorgeous! And I have had a great time exploring all the other befores and afters! Thanks so much! Maybe someday some of my projects will actually get finished so that I can post something! 🙂

    Paula
    http://paulasserendipity.blogspot.com

  79. Fabulous as always, the hutch goes so well with the dinnerware and so on!
    Just am in love with your covered porch area, so peaceful looking!
    Linda

  80. That turned out great. I love the little knobs you picked. You are so lucky to have that sunroom. It must be a great little getaway place. 🙂

  81. judicreations says

    Your metamorphosis is wonderful! That cabinet looks so good. Wow you sure did a lot painting 6 layers but it looks perfect to me now!
    You have such a great spot to put those pretty outdoorsy indoorsy things in. The room is just lovely.
    I will have to find out how to paint furniture like this as well…I’ll click on the ladies you suggested.
    thank you for sharing.
    Judi

  82. imjacobsmom says

    Ah yes! The hutch. I’ve always loved the hutch. I love the color I’m glad you finally got it right! ~ Robyn

  83. new every morning says

    I’m looking for a hutch for my porch tomorrow!
    What an awesome inspiration!!!

    The color is perfect!
    We use our porch just as much as any other room in our house, so why not make it comfy

    Thanks for linking up … I know others will be inspired from you

  84. Your cabinet looks great! I LOOOVE the knobs! Come over and join my party on the 25th! Jen

  85. Oh heavens! I could sit in that room and read for hours while I admired the hutch. It turned out beautiful. I’m so glad you linked up with me today! You have a fun and inspiring blog!

    Hugs and love,
    edie

  86. Missed this post, but I love how this piece turned out. It is one of my favorite that you show in the blog. I would have never thought that piece would look so good in green. Anthropologie also has some cool knobs.

  87. I like the green you ended up using. Actually I'm looking to paint a oldish 5-drawer chest of drawers we have a similar green. I'll remember your tip about testing the paint in the place the piece will be "living" 😉 Thanks~

  88. Pretty Unique Furniture says

    thanks for the comment 🙂 you are right – we chose the same colour of green and your hutch looks fantastic. great minds think alike!

  89. Marianne says

    Hi Susan, Thanks for sending me the post….the entire porch is decorated just beautifully!

  90. Looks so cozy! LOVE IT!

  91. SavannahGranny says

    Hi Susan, I remember seeing this hutch on your porch. I have always thought it was beautiful. You did a great job. Hugs, Ginger

  92. Tombstone Livestock says

    I think I need to stop reading your blog, lol, I now have 2 more projects due to this hutch. After seeing it on your porch thought I would add one to my porch, it is enclosed with windows vs. screened. Well I ended up buying 2 hutches on Craig's List. Both are homemade, one is out of barn board and with a whitewash/yellow finish on the rough wood. There is no backing behind upper shelves, thinking about putting bead board there. It has just one open shelf on the bottom and I wanted it enclosed to store plastic storage bins for other projecst. Decided I like it so much I am going to hang curtains on the bottom using tension rods. The 2 drawers have 2 glass door knobs on each drawer. The other hutch looks similar to yours but shelf backing is old combed plywood circa '40-50s. I will repaint it, haven't decided on color yet. Larger barn wood hutch will go on front porch other in the little studio apartment out back. Will take before and aft pics of both one of these days.

  93. Hi Susan, Thank you for shaing how you painted your hutch!! I’ve been afraid to paint an electric fireplace in my family room as I just wasn’t certain what to do. You really make it sound like it’s not too difficult. I have a question for you though….. since you sanded it in the house, did you have an issue with the lose flying dust when you sanded it? I’m in South Florida so I could easily do it on my patio but the piece will be staying in the family room. Have you ever tried a stencil on top of something you’ve painted?I love your blog!

    • Thanks!
      I actually sanded it outside in the garage…just painted it inside the house. If you have to sand it inside, I would just covered all the furniture/tables, doorways with the heavy plastic you can buy at Home Depot and Lowes, before you start. It will definitely create a mess. Also, be sure to wear a masking whenever you do any sanding…so important!
      If your fireplace is metal, you’ll want to make sure you buy paint that works on metal and can withstand high temps. Not all all paint can handle the temps and not all paint will work for metal.
      I haven’t done any stenciling but I bet that would be beautiful! Send me some pics when you do it…I would love to see the Before and Afters!

  94. Lovely finished hutch! You said you used latex paint, but didn’t mention whether it was semi-gloss, eggshell, satin, or flat. I think a see a slight sheen, so perhaps satin?

    Also, do you have any experience painting a wrought iron bed frame? I have one that needs to be repainted, and it seems to have a flat white on it now. I plan to do white again, but don’t know about the sheen. Thanks so much!

  95. I think your piece turned out darling and they gave you great advice about exterior paint. It is really fresh looking and sweet!

  96. pam ~ crumpety cottage says

    Susan, thanks for the tips about painting. You are so right about choosing your color in the light of the actual area the paint will be used! And thanks for the hint about Floetrol. I’ve never heard of it, or even of paint conditioner! That sounds very helpful. Speaking of birds nests, we had the cutest little Robin babies outside the kitchen window this past spring. Momma bird had built her nest at the perfect height, so I could watch as she fed them worms and sat on them. I named the babies, Horatio and Algernon. They were sooo cute (as are all babies, it seems) 😉 Anyway, this weekend my husband was doing some pruning and really needed to remove the branch where momma bird had set up housekeeping (but long since abandoned) 🙁 and he was concerned I’d be unhappy since the nest was still there. We decided to retrieve the nest, but when we tried to take it out from the branches, it began to crumble. 🙁 I’m glad you got to have yours though. There is something so sweet about them. 🙂

    Oh well, by next year a new branch will have grown and maybe even Horatio or Algernon’s wife will be setting up a cozy little home. 😉

    • Pam, don’t you worry! This was the perfect time to do the pruning since all the birdies are done nesting now. I do hope the limb grows back so you’ll possibly have another birdie (or she same one) nest there again. What fun to be able to see them up close! I opened my front door one evening when a friend was getting ready to leave and a teeny, tiny owl was sleep in the corner of the porch. He was sooo cute. By morning, he was gone. I hope Horatio or Algernon bring their wives back to nest. 🙂

  97. I love how you link back to all your posts so we can see what you did and how you did it. Thank you.

  98. KathleenfromCA says

    Susan, thanks for the fast reply and putting this link. You are so determined and dedicated to getting it “just right”. I don’t know if I could repaint that many times! I will have to access the hinges. I have a pie safe I painted over the hinges and it is holding up. Seems so much easier to paint with the doors hanging off something rather than putting them flat on saw horses. I too found (what I think) the perfect knobs. They are painted ladybugs for the 6 doors and I found some butterfly pulls at Hobby Lobby for the 3 drawers. The butterflies are white but I may paint them red to match the ladybugs. Plan on blue paint for the hutch as I have my grandmother’s blue willow to display. Making the back white so the dishes pop. I even have lights inside this hutch. Looking at your hutch just gives me so much inspiration and your details make it seem/look easy (I hate to paint). Love your blog!

  99. Nancy Louise says

    Susan, I love the hutch and how you detail your steps from start to finish. Your porch is inviting! It is indeed a pleasure to read your blog, that great personality shines through and makes my day. Looking forward to hearing about all your ideas. I have 2 wooden side chairs I would like to refinish. I have heard about chalk paint. They were originally cane seat. When I inherited them the cane was removed and each chair covered in a dfferent fabric. Wish I could send you a pic.

    • Thanks so much, Louise! You are a sweetheart! You could send a picture to my email at: [email protected].
      I don’t know very much about chalk paint. I know that the Annie Sloan paint is very popular, a lot of bloggers use it when painting furniture. I get the impression that it’s pretty easy to use.

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