I like to work on furniture and have a blast finding antique and vintage goodies. Whenever I’m trying to decide which piece to work on next from my stash (and believe me I always have a stash), I go with my mood. My favorite style is a potpourri of French, Nordic, Cottage Chic, and Farmhouse style all rolled into one. (Is that possible?). But every once in a while, I veer off my norm and like to try something different. Well…here she is with my DIY zinc finish.
Ta da! My latest redo of a 1930-1940’s waterfall dressing table/vanity. I seem to have quite the collection of waterfall furniture to choose from in and around where I live. Maybe the style was such a trend that everyone had to have one…or could it be that it was a more affordable way to go? Let’s go with the gotta-have-one trend, it’s more fun.
So, to begin with, this piece was in a nearly-ready-to-work on state when I acquired it. Most of the pulls present, minimal damage to surfaces, complete set (chair included), and that large beveled mirror in divine shape.
I do, honestly, have a thing for natural wood and love when veneers are mixed together to make patterns, such as done on this piece. But, when there is damage that would require replacing veneer and such, I typically head to my paintbrush. Even though veneer is not that hard to patch, sometimes girls just wanna have fun. (does that date me or what?)
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post contains affiliate links so you can find the products I love to use too. (see full disclosure)I decided to have a go at a DIY zinc finish, and I must say that like how it came out. I had viewed the wonderfully detailed tutorial by
Freckled Laundry and loved the improvisation of
The Salvage Collection tutorial – both full of techniques and information. However, I decided to try another technique instead that stemmed from previous pieces I had done. Not too hard to do, and gives it a naturally-occurring element look. Almost like galvanized metal as well.
To start out, I painted the whole piece in two coats of
Marta Stewart’s Metallic Silver Paint
. Next, I thinned out Martha’s coffee-colored metallic glaze using a 1:1 water to glaze ratio. Then, using a soft cotton cloth (t-shirt) to dip in the glaze and “pounce”, working in small sections. Immediately after I applied the wet glaze, I then took a dry cotton cloth and pounced back over the wet glazed area.
* note: By going back over the wet glaze with a dry cloth allowed the extra glaze to be picked up and leave the subtle flecking.
The matching vanity bench, on the other hand, just needed some refreshed padding and new fabric. I love the fabric, called “Antique” by Berne. It really helped to tie-in those amber Bakelite and brass pulls (I was able to find an exact match to replace the missing one on eBay…woo hoo!)
I’d love to hear what you think of my DIY zinc finish. The dressing table has sold, but stop by and check out my other pieces currently available in my
shop. Stay tuned for my next project and receive my FREE furniture shopping checklist, and get a discount to my shop by signing up for my newsletter via the sidebar or bottom of this post.
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More makeover goodness like my DIY Zinc tutorial:
Licorice Stick gloss red to be exact. Only minor sanding and a bit of veneer repair was needed as prep work.
Isn’t it fun?! I love what I do and that my client fell in love with it.
.JPG "Zinc Faux Finish Tutorial via http://www.prodigalpieces.com")
. Next, I thinned out Martha’s coffee-colored metallic glaze using a 1:1 water to glaze ratio. Then, using a soft cotton cloth (t-shirt) to dip in the glaze and “pounce”, working in small sections. Immediately after I applied the wet glaze, I then took a dry cotton cloth and pounced back over the wet glazed area.
