Thursday, August 12, 2010

DIY Club Project! Lock 'Em Up - I'm a Big Kid Now

This project was one of my "life" priorities in the last couple of weeks. My little boy is growing up and he wants a big kid room {he has been asking for 2 years now}...and finally mom has opened her eyes and realized he is right...he needs a room re-do! These photos are not the final redo, just a piece of the much bigger puzzle. We'll be painting the walls, and furniture, and getting crazy soon...but for now....

A few weeks ago, I was at one of my favorite thrifty-junking hot spots - the dump - or more precisely The Last Chance Mercantile {this amazing store at our dump with the best prices and even better finds!}. My son always goes, but is usually not happy about it. As we pulled up I saw a locker and so did he...and I saw his face light up. He was actually begging me to get it...and I did.

The locker was in good condition, but the color was a hideous pukey-beige color. I figured it would be easy to spray paint it...NOT! It just was not working - I was not getting that shiny pretty - I mean manly - color. I was getting a blotchy mess that showed every imperfection - apparently pukey-beige is good at hiding imperfections.

About this time I realized I needed to take action. It needed a better finish, and as luck would have it as I was going through my Tickled Pink posts that week, I saw what Freckled Laundry had done to her nightstand - she faux-zinced it. I loved the finish and had most of the DecoArt supplies, so I figured might as well try it. So, I must give Freckled Laundry credit for the inspiration for this redo. This just shows how versatile this effect is - looks great on wood and, personally I like it for my metal too. I have a wood project in mind as well!
The yellow on the walls is not staying.
We have a little Percy Jackson obsession here
and the room is going all blue.

Lock 'Em Up - I'm a Big Kid Now
Click HERE for pdf instructions
Supplies*
DecoArt Americana Paint in Primary Blue, 8 oz.
DecoArt Americana Paint in Titanium White, 8 oz.
DecoArt Americana Paint in Black, 8 oz.
DecoArt Elegant Finishes in Metallic Silver, 1 jar
DecoArt Americana Glazing Medium, 8 oz.
Rockler, Norton Sanding Bug
Rockler, Foam Brushes
Rockler, Bag of Rags
Chip Brush
Spray Polyurethane
Wipe on Polyurethane
Drop cloth/newspaper/etc. for covering work area
Gloves (optional)
Locker or piece of furniture
Diy It!
1- If necessary, lightly sand and clean/wipe down your piece.
2 - Prime piece {or in my case give your project a bad spray paint job!}
3- Mix three colors of metallic paint {I used Primary Blue or your desired color}: a dark, medium, and light. MIX blue paint, Shimmering Silver, and Titanium White in three varying shades. MIX WELL!
4 - Use a rag to apply and blend the different shades. I began with the darkest {because I wanted it darker rather than lighter...usually I would begin with the lightest...does that make sense?}. There is no right or wrong here - my piece was big, so I used long vertical strokes and this paint dries pretty quickly - work in sections.
This is the locker and paint pre-glaze.
I could have stopped here and been happy,
but I wanted more texture and depth.

5 - Mix a glaze for the lighter patina. Use a 1:1 ratio of water and glazing medium. Add Titanium White and Shimmering Silver.
6 - Mix a glaze for the darker patina. Use a 1:1 ratio of water and glazing medium. Add black and Shimmering Silver.
7 - Rub on the lighter patina. Make it heavier in some areas. I used a combination of the rag and the foam/chip brushes.
8 - Rub on the darker patina. Make it heavier in some areas - like in the vents and handle area. I used a combination of the rag and the foam/chip brushes.
 Close ups of the finish...
after glazing with the lighter and darker glazes.

9 - Step back as you do this to see where you need a swipe or rub of the patina...trust your eye - then rub, swab, rag, or brush away!
10 - Depending on your desired look, you can alternate between the light and dark glazes.
11 - After your piece is completely dry, apply a clear coat of spray polyurethane to keep the paint from rubbing off - it is acrylic. Then finish it with a wipe on poly after the spray {that is a Miss Mustard Seed tip via Freckled Laundry!}.
 Thanks again Freckled Laundry 
for the inspiration!

Click HERE for pdf instructions
So what do you think?
My hubby is not sure.
I love it,
but more importantly my son thinks
it is the best thing ever -
that does not plug into a wall or play Pokemon games!
It seems like a lot of steps, but honestly it goes quickly.
I cannot wait to faux some more furniture!
Signature
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The August link end Thursday night {8/12}!
DISCLOSURE: As part of the DIY Club, I have been supplied with vendor sponsored products to complete my projects. The opinions are projects are my own. See, my disclosure policy for more information.
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27 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:38 AM

    I adore them! Whatever you have in mind for the room is going to be gorgeous, ahem, manly.

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  2. Its wonderful.You have done a great job!!!very well,Your boy is happy now!!!he must be enjoying you effort

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  3. It's awesome Holly, what little boy would not love this? Can't wait to see the end result. Debbie

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  4. Love it !! they looks great! you did a really good job on them!

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  5. Very cool! Can't wait to see the whole room once it's put together!

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  6. I love them! Growing up, I always wanted my very own locker in my room, but never got one. Lucky kid!

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  7. such a cute idea, the locker..you are creative girlie!

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  8. I love how it turned out!! What a great find, the lockers!!!

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  9. I love it! I always wanted lockers too and last year I got a cubbyhole one at a garage sale for 2 bucks! This reminds me it is still in the back of the garage and once it cools down around here I'm gonna refinish it!

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  10. That is just so awesome! What a fun thing to have in your son's room. Glad he likes it.

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  11. I love it! Jami is one of my favorites. She has great ideas for crafts and repurposing!

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  12. A great makeover, Does your son like wresling? They remind me of the Toy lockers my son had :-)
    and at that time he would have loved to have the real thing in his room. I hope you will be sharing the final room with us.

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  13. I LOVE IT! Beautiful. can't wait to see the end results.

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  14. I think it looks awesome!

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  15. Fabulous finish! I love it! I've been on a project kick lately so I may just try that technique on something. Not sure what, I may have to go shopping....

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  16. Those boys grow up fast, my oldest is 32, today! Love the lockers. You did a great job on them. I have some in my youngest son's bathroom, upstairs. They came from his school. They are on a trend of doing away with lockers. Can't wait to see the whole reveal. Lezlee

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  17. I LOVE lockers... and the glaze effect looks awesome! I would bet the lockers will be pieces that will be keepers forever. I would love for you to link it up my Favorite Things Friday blog party!

    Carol

    antiquetexan.blogspot.com

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  18. What a neat thing to have in your bedroom! It looks fantastic - great job!!

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  19. Holly, I always wanted a locker in my room when I was a kid. Seeing you transform this one brought a vicarious joy to my inner child ;P

    It came out fabulous! I love the zinc glazing and can't wait to see how the whole room turns out!

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  20. I LOVE IT HOLLY. I have been wanting to do lockers in G1s room (baseball theme)
    Those look so awesome.

    Cheri

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  21. Holly, Why would you be scared to link this up?!? The finish is so cool and very appropriate for a locker. I love how it almost has the look of jeans. Great job! :)

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  22. Fun! What a great project! It takes me back a bit, in a good way. :)

    Thanks for your comments on my tree branch wall art! I am so happy with how it turned out, I feel a bit lucky that it was like I had pictured it in my mind, a rare thing!!

    Your spoon and fork stencil will be adorable on the pallet wood!! I love pallet wood, worn in such a nice way. Can't wait to see the finished project!!

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  23. So cool! I love that faux zinc tutorial from Freckled Laundry too - reminds me of when I wanted faux mercury glass everything last year! lol I'll also be giving this technique a shot but now I wish I had cool lockers! :)

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  24. Ooh, the lockers turned out great, Holly! I'm loving the color added. It gives it a weathered, rustic, all boy finish. So very cool. A pdf tutorial is a fantastic tool. Thanks for the shout out...you are very welcome!

    Jami

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  25. What a fun piece! I bet all of his friends will be jealous =)

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  26. Great idea for a boy's room. As for the color...I sort of liked the brighter blue (but I'm a girl) but the main thing is what does your son like. If you made him happy...you will be happier and it looks great!

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  27. These are AWESOME!! I must go find some old lockers now! Stunning, really stunning. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    ~♥~
    Kristal

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!