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Thursday, 28 February 2013

I'm on a roll...

I'm on a roll of projects not turning out as good as I'd hoped.
First my brothers curtains were not as symmetrical as I had expected.
Then my own simple curtain shortening was anything but.

I thought I'd get on with my Ikea Bekvam step stool and guess what? It's turned into something really uninspiring.

Let me refresh your memories of the step stool as it comes...

I decided to begin with staining it walnut as I wanted to use my milk paint for a bit of hardcore shabby chic, and I like the wood that shows to have a strong contrast with the paint.

So here's the walnut:

 
Already looking better I think as the wood takes on this richer tone. 

Then I mixed up my milk paint and started to paint. Several coats later, NOTHING was happening. Not a single hint of a crack.

I blame the unfinished wood. I hate to waste my milk paint on things that go wrong. It's very expensive, whether you buy it here in the UK or import it yourself from Canada to save some money. I could have used a tester pot of emulsion from Wilkinsons for the same look. Nice smooth paint. I made it really thick and there was no change.

Distressing therefore doesn't look beautifully natural and chippy, just a bit forced.

I was hoping for some of this:


And I ended up with this:







Meh! Nothing special.

Anyway, there are plenty of other ideas on pinterest if you're into colourful, floral, or work that people are actually quite proud of.













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16 comments:

  1. Vix28 February 2013 at 18:26

    I'm sorry you're disappointed after all your efforts!
    I'm wondering if it's a bit too square to work with the shabby look, is there any way you could bash up the corners to make it look more aged? x

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  2. Hook, Line and Sink Her28 February 2013 at 19:09

    It still looks great- and I'm sure it will "shabby up" over time as it gets used. I'm sorry you've come across problems with your latest projects; maybe have a look at Craft Fail to make yourself feel a bit better? :)

    It can be disheartening when things seem to be going wrong a lot- just remember you are excellent at makeovers and making things!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 February 2013 at 19:26

      Thank you! Craft Fail sounds fab! Heading there now!xxx

      Delete
    2. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 February 2013 at 19:34

      Pa ha ha! Zombie santas really cheered me up! Thanks Katie!

      http://craftfail.com/2013/01/zombie-strawberry-snowmen/

      Delete
  3. gill28 February 2013 at 20:35

    well I like it...it looks good to me so perhaps you can allow ii to stay until you're in the mood to tackle it again. But what I was really admiring was the floral fabric the stool is standing on...is that a cotton sheet? Perfect for patchwork!

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 February 2013 at 21:06

      Haha! No it's actually a plastic tablecloth which allows me to paint in the living room! x

      Delete
  4. Kate Pirouette28 February 2013 at 21:54

    Whether it officially worked or not it still looks way better than the original. I'd be chuffed with it :)

    So what's next on your list?

    Kate
    Just Pirouette and Carry On...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 February 2013 at 22:04

      I'm worried now... what else can I screw up?
      Perhaps I should do a crate to get my mojo back!

      Delete
  5. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]28 February 2013 at 21:55

    I bet someone would still be more than happy to take it off your hands. Sorry you're disappointed - most of my ideas don't quite come to fruition as I'd imagined though!

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  6. chalkysoil28 February 2013 at 22:35

    I've never used milk paint yet(I'm vegan,lol) but I wondered if you had varnished the stained wood first, if it would have done it's chippy thing.Or waxed it? Did you paint the underneath of the step or is there as a test area. I think it still looks cute as it is. Paint can be very surprising. I painted my emulsioned bathroom wall with Dulux emulsion - and ended up with crackle glaze all over it. Even Dulux had no idea why.
    ps really enjoying your adventures on this blog. ♥

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  7. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 February 2013 at 22:45

    I did do some tests with other paint as I was initially going to whitewash it like my crates but it looked cr@p so I did the milk paint instead. I don't think you can use milk paint over wax but, yes, I think, had I varnished it, it might have worked.
    Ah, crackle glaze happens when you're either doing too thick a coat or your first coat hasn't dried fully before the second is applied!
    Glad to hear you're enjoying it but I'm feeling the pressure to do something blindingly good soon! xx

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  8. Curtise28 February 2013 at 23:07

    I like it, but it's a shame you are disappointed after putting effort and time into it (and expensive milk paint!)
    Never mind, there will be other projects and wonderful successes!
    Yes, I need to check my traffic stats to see who my knockers and pussy pics are bringing to my blog... I bring it on myself, don't I? And my frowny faced black and white cat says she likes you too. And that's an honour, cos she doesn't usually like anyone! xxxx

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  9. Sarah1 March 2013 at 02:34

    What a shame - I can see what you mean. It's got a kind of sanitized shabby chic rather than a shabby, shabbyness. Having said that, it is a look that lots of people really like so if you cant get it as you want it then maybe you could give it as a present to someone?

    I wouldnt worry too much, your successes far outweigh anything that doesnt come off quite right.

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  10. Fiona1 March 2013 at 07:22

    Never mind, at least it was not an expensive piece of furniture and I think it looks much better than 'before' anyway.

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I love to hear your comments!