Monday, February 28, 2011

Mermaid rescue and help with paint!

Hi Bloggerettes!
She was just standing there all alone, looking so forelorn....
She rescued the little fish, but no one had yet to rescue her....
It has been said that Mermaids sing to people.  Maybe she sang to me.  They have been known to distract humans in order to lure them into the depth of the seas....oh, how I digress..... 

Anyway....I bought her. Pretty isn't she. 

I found this desk/vanity at Habitat Restore.  It was already a golden honey color, so I added a lighter paint color using a dry brush technique, followed by sanding.  I then added stain and did more sanding....



I Do Not Like It!!!!!
I need your help.  What would you do?  Paint it white and then distress it?  Paint it another color completely??
Give it back to Habitat?

I think the reason I'm not happy with how it turned out is because I'm so used to painting pieces white or light gray.  This is so different and I'm not sure others will like it.

So, tell me what to do.  If you say to leave it as is, then I will.  If you say change it, then I will. 
So let's here it.

~~hugs~~
Sissie

43 comments:

Amy Chalmers said...

Hi Sissie! What about trying an aqua color? Like your mermaid but softer/ I think the desk looks ok but I know what you mean....

NanaDiana said...

Well, Sissie- Never ask an old person what they think unless you want a real answer-lol. I say paint it. I think maybe it was the bad base color to begin with. I think it would look fresher white. or even, *gasp* black and then distressed. But..that is just me and someone might come along and love it AS IS. Whatever you do, don't donate it back...it is not hopeless..just hopeful! Hugs- Diana

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I think it would look great either white or gray, Sissie! I would probably paint it if I had it.

Lynn said...

That is a very artistic mermaid Sissie, really cool! I'll leave the desk advice up to those that know better-have fun:@)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love the mermaid! I say paint it. Right now it's just 'ok' but I think it has potential in either white or I like the aqua color suggestion also. You have such a good eye, you will know what to do. hugs, Linda

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Hi Sissie, love the mermaid, she's very pretty... and about the color of the desk white, gray, or even a pretty pink! I know what ever color you come up with it will be beautiful! Sissie I wanted to thank you for your sweet comments on my post yesterday, and I was wondering too, if you received my email. Hope you have a wonderful week!
hugs~~~ Daphne

Ticking and Toile said...

Yep, white or grey.....then you'll be "ahhhhhhhh" that's better! :)

xoxo,
Shellagh

Tara said...

Your mermaid is looking a little sad, she must be waiting on Summer!
The desk has great lines. I don't think the color is that bad but I know what you mean about a piece not sitting quite right with you. You could take it to one of the booths, save yourself the work and see if it sells first OR you could give it another makeover. I think a bright aqua or a pretty fresh green could be pretty with Spring around the corner but black would be pretty with those handles. Maybe you need to follow with what your customer base likes the most. I think it's always fun to try something new though!

Rustic and White said...

Sissie, Absolutely you need to repaint it. I would say white...or maybe even a robins egg blue then distressed. Please don't give it back...it has such potential:o)
I look forward to seeing it again in another post!

the old white house said...

I'm with everybody else, paint away! I like the idea of a soft aqua like the mermaid or go all out crazy and black with distressing, those sound great. Your new mermaid is too sweet :)
xoxo

Grace said...

Cutie pie I love it but after you put your "magic" touch on it so yes paint it! I agree with "Rustic and White" above white or a robbins egg blue! Also PINK....lol I can not wait to see what you do with it. The mermaid is adorable...will you change her up? Grace xoox

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Well Sissie, your love of white furniture has been rubbing off on me lately. I say white and distressed. Pretty mermaid.

Debra@CommonGround said...

Well shoot, I likle it!! I like "creamy" furniture and I bet some others might too, The mermaid is a sweetie,
big hugs,
Debra

Caroline (Piorra Maison) said...

Sissie,
If you are not feeling it, then fix it. We all have our own uniqueness...You have yours and that is why people come to you for your style. Don't start changing now!!!! Do what you feel in your heart is right. You know what that is..... that is why we come to your blog! Be you!
Bonne Journée
Caroline

Anonymous said...

I like it! I would say, try and sell it first. It's a cute desk. Love the hardware and all the drawers. I've been looking for one just like it for my sewing/ sun room. Too bad you live so far away. I think if you really want to paint it, I would go with a soft gray and white hardware.
Hugs,
Michelle

Blue Creek Home said...

I'm with Debra - I like it. I do love white, but I also love creamy colors.
If you used an oil based stain, you might rub some of the stain off using mineral spirits and then dry brush with some white to lighten it some. Staining the top darker might look nice too.
I do love the suggestions of grays and soft aqua too.
You did a great job on it.
Rhonda

Ginger said...

I vote for white. I like you am not into the gold color. It would be fabulous white I think.

Ginger said...

I wasn't done....LOL.... I have one a lot like that and I crackled it with white. Turned out pretty.
Now I'm done!!!
Ginger

Low Tide High Style said...

I like it the way it is, but I agree that white, pale aqua, or a light gray might also be nice. You could always as Kim from Savvy Southern Style or Michelle from Emerald Cove, they are always painting something and it always looks fantastic! Of course you are the queen of painting things white and I love what you do!!

Kat :)

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

I think the basic shape of the desk is great so I would not take it back but you're right....there is something about it that is just not "Sissie". So......I say paint it white, of course, then distress. Your mermaid is darling! ~Hugs, Patti

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Sissy, if it was for you I would say paint it because you will never be happy with it as it is. Now, for resale I think it looks great, it is way to much work for what we get back. Remember the ugly blue box, it sold in like 3 days and I am still hanging on to my little white table!

ps: I found a spot for the teacup picture!!!!!! I am sooo excited, it is just outside the kitchen so as you look at the picture you see the kitchen. It is perfect and I love it and have had company that loved it too!

Carol

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Hi Sissie, I resent the email to you, maybe it will go thru this time!
hugs~~~ Daphne

KAREN said...

Hello Sissie - I don't like it either. Thought I would until I saw the last picture. Paint it white or pink or aqua. I think you will like it better after painting again. Okay, off to the craft room . . .

Maureen said...

Well on the positive side, it's easier to bring into the shop. A lot of people like cream. Why don't you put it in the shop and see what happens?

The Old Parsonage said...

I think the color looks dated and not in a vintage way. I vote for white paint and distressed!

Love your mermaid though!

Leann

One Cheap B*tch said...

I like it! And the mermaid is just darling!

Jeanine

Pamela said...

I love that mermaid!!!

How about a french blue for the desk? Go out of your comfort zone...there's alot of beautiful pieces painted this colour in blogland!
Hope this helps!

Pamela xo

Mari said...

HELLO SISSIE GAL~I SAY PAINT IT WHITE THEN DISTRESS IT :)
I HOPE THAT WILL DO THE TRICK FOR YOU!!!
LOVE YOUR MERMAID... TOO CUTE!!!

XO~MARI

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Sissie, I also say paint it white with distressing. The mermaid is so cute.
xo,
Sherry

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

That mermaid is WONDERFUL! As far as the desk...maybe you should strip it and take it back to it's original finish. (HA! pick your jaw back up off of the floor Sissy!! We're just kiddin')
Well, it must of "sung" to you too...so we'd paint it white, or the gray and start all over :)

trash talk said...

I say offer it for sale as is. The lines are wonderful. If it doesn't sale...then paint!
I'd follow that Mermaid's siren song anywhere. She's gorgeous!
Debbie

Unknown said...

I usualy would say paint it white , but I like the black idea ( gasp!)I think black and distressed would be really nice .

Jane said...

Hi Sissie,
My thought is to see if it will sell first before you invest more time into repainting. You just never know who may walk in the store and fall in love with it just as is.
Love the cute little mermaid!!
Jane

Dorthe said...

Hi dear,
I like it, Sissie,--and I am sure lots of other people ,do too---but I know how difficult it is:my shop is what I like,-and not what others might like!
The mermaid will feel right at home, with all your beautifull sea shells -she is lovely.
Hugs and love, Dorthe

Victorian1885 said...

Good morning Sissie
I love your desk and think it would be Fab in cottage white! Have a great week.

Wanda

Unknown said...

Hi Sissie!
I love your little mermaid. She is quite a find. Sounds like you have plenty of suggestions with your little furniture piece. Maybe dry brushing white over it first, then going from there. I've done that before with pieces that just looked too (dirty) with their present color and had great success.

Anonymous said...

Sissie, I say paint it......the palest of pale of any pastel color. I think even a buttercup yellow would be beautiful and please distress it. You are so good at anything you paint so go for it.
Linda

Karena said...

Sissie I adore your little mermaid!

The desk I have to give some thought to. I have one in a honey color (you can see it on my blog) Maybe a soft blue/gray?

I have an Artful Offering and great interview on my site.You will love it!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Passionate for White said...

You know me...white, white, white. BUT, there is a real pretty blue by Benjamin Moore that I've used to paint a few pieces with - it's called Heavenly Blue #709. Be sure and let us know what you decide on!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Sissie,
I love your sweet mermaid, I have been looking for one too.
Is the desk for your shop, if so I would leave it as is, you just never know who will fall in love with it. What if you just added a bit of white and when sanded it and painted the handles white. Maybe the color of the handles is throwing you off. Its a great desk and I would keep it..
I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Have a sweet day and big hugs, Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

This may sound odd, but I don't mind the color too bad. For me, the problem is the hardware. It seems a bit dated and I think the contrast between the hardware and the desk is throwing it off.

I'd try drybushing it with white and maybe painting the hardware to blend in with the piece. That would be the quickest solution and if you really hated it, you could just paint over that.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

I say paint it in white and distress it but that is just the mood I am in right now because I am trying to do my upstairs room like that but not getting very far because of the ole back.
I love love mermaids. Probably because I grew up on the Gulf Coast until I left home. The sea or mermaids are calling me back. So wish I could find a place near the ocean that would not take my arm and leg. hahaha
Love ya
Maggie

Anonymous said...

I really like the silver metallic look. Paint it a dark grey then use Ralph Lauren Metallic glaze on top with his rag roller. This is a new look that is very popular now

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