Year-end is the perfect time to review the projects you’ve completed throughout the year and to make a plan moving forward. I like to track the projects and finishes I used over the years to see the progression, trends, preferences and ultimately my specialties.
Keeping track of past furniture projects also allowed me to narrow down my preferred paint products over the years and perfect my technique with them. And I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to provide you with all of this wisdom in a 29-page ebook that I completed for you:
From 2014 to 2016, I did a lot of experimenting with color, layering paints and glazes, and different brands of paint.
By 2017, I was much more conservative. After 3 years of refinishing, I was able to narrow down the paint products to a short list. I also began using more stains and even introduced my custom naturally-aged wood finish.
2018 was a bumpy road. A car accident limited my ability to refinish for several months. But it was actually a blessing in disguise and I believe God’s way of telling me it was time for something new. I renewed my real estate license and started working with my brother in commercial real estate. It turned out to be a perfect fit for me because I do 90% of the marketing for the firm. I’ve been able to incorporate all of my marketing, copywriting, graphic design, website, and sales skills and I absolutely love it!
So while there’s been less time to refinish furniture, by 2018 I had perfected the use of paints and stains and was able to work on higher quality pieces. I opted for neutral colors and practical, durable finishes using topcoats, enamel paints, and stains.
2019 and 2020 was more of the same, but as I look back at the pieces refinished in 2020, I see I created fewer solid paint finishes and enjoyed layering stains and glazes more.
2021 kept me very busy with the commercial real estate so there was less time to refinish furniture. The few pieces I did refinish were very hand-picked and a labor of love. A love solid wood furniture built to last another 50 years.
Let’s take a look. Click on the image to see the full makeover of that piece.
Natural Wood
Tables are my favorite to refinish. They seem to take on the biggest transformation which is the most rewarding. I continued with my signature refinishing technique of a naturally-aged table on the two tables refinished in 2021.
As I find similar solid wood tables this is the one finish I will continue to produce.
Learn more about this sanding technique and the topcoat I recommend to protect it here:
Glaze Over Stains & Paints
As I was putting this post together, I realized this was the only dresser I completed in 2021 and never got around to writing a post about it. This one had a black glaze over gray paint.
Layering with glazes is fun. It brings dimension and color to solid paints. This table was created using a base layer of gray stain, topped with a layer of water-based white glaze.
This coffee table has a similar layered finish but the base layer was gray paint and then black glaze.
Classic Solids
Navy blue continued to be and will continue to be one of my favorite colors for furniture. It’s classic and a neutral that goes beyond black and white.
These grayish green-blue chairs were a custom project for a family member.
Moving Into 2022
We’ve now been in our home for 20 years. It’s now to at the point we’re we need to start doing some updates to the bathroom, kitchen, and flooring. In 2021, I started with some painting and that will continue into 2022. I’ll be sharing our updates, paint colors, and fixture choices.
While I have less time to refinish multiple pieces of furniture, there are still so many furniture posts I have to catch up on – posts that include tips, tutorials, and techniques so you can create custom furniture for your own home.
Finally, I am determined to complete the school fundraiser that’s in my head before God gives the idea to someone else. It’s more of an educational program that will live in the hearts of elementary school children and have a positive impact on them for the rest of their lives. At least that’s my hope.
Here’s hoping for an upcoming year that will be happy, healthy, fulfilling and prosperous.
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