A shabby chic nightstand is a DIY project that provides needed bedroom storage.
A nightstand can be so much more than a table for a bedside lamp and a growing collection of clutter. Use a storage piece to maximize the space next to the bed. A cabinet works well for a single bedside table. A dresser between two twin beds provides nightstands and clothing drawers for a children's room. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find a ready-made cabinet in a discount furniture store or thrift shop, or move that old dresser from the guest room to the garage so you can work on it. Remove the drawers and hardware, and wipe the piece down.
2. Sand the existing finish lightly so it will grab a new coat of paint. If the furniture is black or has a dark stain, prime it before applying the top coat paint.
3. Spray or brush the first color of paint on the cabinet or dresser, and let it dry to a hard finish. For this color, choose something darker than the eventual top coat and let it echo or contrast with the rest of the colors in the room's d cor. Paint the fronts of the drawers the same way.
4. Brush crackle glaze over the edges of the drawers and the edges and some side and frame surfaces of the main cabinet, including the feet. As the glaze begins to get tacky, apply the top coat of color with a brush. Stroke in one direction only, and don't double-coat. Good top colors are cream, white or a light shade. Let the paint and glaze dry together.
5. Trace a stencil design on the drawer facings and on the top of the cabinet or dresser. The design can be a geometric pattern, alphabet letters, giant sunflowers or anything that echoes the rest of the d cor. For a dresser separating two kids' beds, use the stencil to label the drawers for each child to prevent squabbling and misdirected clothing.
6. Fill in the stencil design with hobby paint. These designs decorate the smooth surface of the top and drawer fronts. The crackle glaze will have crazed and revealed the color of the paint beneath it. When both stencil designs and crackle glaze are dry, add to this aged effect by lightly sanding the edges of the piece so all the paint colors show through. Use a light touch so you don't obscure the crackle glaze effect.
7. Cover the nightstand with a clear protective coat, and allow the piece to dry thoroughly. Replace the hardware with fantasy or reproduction hardware to complement the new design. Replace the drawers, and position the nightstand in the bedroom.
Tags: crackle glaze, cabinet dresser, coat paint, color paint, stencil design
