Here are some nice neutrals that are nice for any updating of spaces or selling your home.

AF-90 (Harmony)
AF-95 (Hush)
CC-90 (Natural Linen)
CC-110 (Muslin)
CC- 308 (Thousand Islands)
HC-80 (Bleeker Beige)
OC-10 (White Sand)
OC-14 (Natural Cream)

    Just a quick entry today. I find this technique very useful when painting old furniture pieces and wanting an antique look around corners and edges that would normally be worn with wear. My tip: wax candle! The wax will stop the paint from curing on the piece and will sand off easily without ruining the underneath surface.

1.     Wood pieces that you want to paint and antique so it looks like the paint is worn off. You will start by lightly sanding the entire piece and clean it with TSP (degreaser). Take a wax candle and rub around areas that you want the wood to show once you sand off the paint. Prime entire piece including over the wax. Paint in the desired colour and paint product, I prefer Benjamin Moore Aura Satin (Latex), Para Cabinet and Furniture Malemine Paint (Latex) or if you like oil use Benjamin Moore's Collections Oil Satin. If it is a piece that you use regularly, you can add a clear coat overtop. I personally like Old Masters Satin Polyurethane.

2.    Furniture pieces that you want to paint and antique and see another colour paint underneath. Start off by sanding and degreasing the piece (TSP). Next, prime with a good primer (Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start is good and can convert old oil paint to latex if you are wanting to use a latex paint). Put two coats of the base colour on first, this will be the colour you see when you sand off the top colour on the edges and around the normally worn surfaces. Next, take the wax candle and rub on edges etc. where you want to see the first colour. Next, paint the piece with the top colour, suggested two coats to get the best finish. Next take sand paper, fine or course or even a sanding block, and sand off the top colour where the wax is. You can put an additional top coat overtop if you desire extra protection.

Here is a list of items I like to have when doing this type of project:
TSP (degreaser)
Sand Paper or Sanding Block
Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start Primer
Benjamin Moore's Aura Satin or
Para's Cabinet and Furniture Malemine or
Benjamin Moore's Collection Oil Satin
Any wax candle
Old Masters Satin Polyurethane (if you want a top coat)
Good paint brush
Mohair roller and cage (gives an amazing finish)

    Yes, if you already haven't figured it out, my favorite style is Traditional with a twist of Country. The traditional feel of a space incorperated with rustic pieces makes a space feel inviting and "homey," but still catching to the eye. Bringing the outdoors in is key in a kitchen for me.

    Rustic wood, painted and antiqued pieces, beams, and unqiue metals in my mind is the #1 space for me. My country girl comes out in this blog. But, many people that are decorating their homes believe the country look is pastel painted furniture and cabinets, tacky fabrics, wallpaper borders and rooster accessories. That's not the case! Here are some examples of Country Styles.

    Country Style #1 - Pastel coloured cabinets, mixed with fabrics, walls that are painted in a brighter colour, and mixing of different flooring, backsplash and accessories.
    
    A lot of people mistake this as the only type of country look, and many don't understand that most of the time - especially in a country home - this is what you will find if it hasn't been renovated yet.

    Country Style #2 - Starting to get into the more Traditional Country feel that most people are looking for, this picture shows an all cream kitchen with some pops of light blue and neutrals with a stainless steel faucet.

    A lot of people are trying to renovate their current kitchens to something along these lines with the clean feel and bright atmosphere. The large island is durable and is a great way to add storage and extra work space especially in a large kitchen. The natural hardwood planks and white beams add to this feel.

    Country Style #3 - Taking on the idea of Country Style #2, this kitchen has the Traditional aspect that people are looking for with that splash of rustic feel. Light cabinets that are slightly antiqued, rod iron pulls, butcher block counter top on the island, the texture in the woven stools add that outdoors characteristic that people are looking for.

    This is a very nice traditional kitchen that brings in the aspects of that Country Style people love. All this kitchen needs is more rustic hardwood, and natural wood beams and it would be my dream kitchen. Not over the top but still classy and open.

Which one is your favorite kitchen?


Enjoy!