Nightstand Makeover: #paintgreenforawareness

This basic nightstand needed a new look.

It was nothing to write home about. A quality piece in good shape. But it was time to give it some personality.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the ribbon color for which is green. Many of us in the flipping biz are painting furniture green (#paintgreenforawareness) in support of a colleague who recently lost a loved one to suicide. (If you’re struggling — you’re not alone; please seek help.)

Somebody got a new toy…

Long-time readers will know that there is little to challenge my love for my Surebonder® pneumatic staple gun. But I have a new tool to add to my favorites list now: a carbide scraper. This VERY sharp blade scrapes the finish right off in a few short strokes. No more sanding until my arm’s ready to vibrate off!

It took just a few minutes to remove the thick layers of varnish and stain and finish sand this top in order for it to be stained. Wow – what a time saver!

HANDY TIP: I discovered the nightstand wobbled. An easy fix if you have a piece that rocks is to remove the plastic cap that is nailed into the “short” leg, place a washer or two beneath it, and hammer the cap back on.

Staining

After applying Minwax® Pre-Stain Conditioner to prepare the wood, I dabbed Minwax® stain in “Espresso” on the feet and top. This is a rich, chocolaty hue that plays well with many paint colors.

Priming

I applied Zinsser BIN® shellac-based primer to prep the nightstand for painting. This allows for an even finish and good paint adherence.

Painting

At last, it was time for the green! This beautiful color is “Jacob’s Well” by Melange® Paints. After the paint dried, I used Minwax® Polycrylic to protect the surfaces.

Final Touches

Before I could tick the DONE box, I replaced the hardware with a bar pull to fit the new color. This is a clever and flexible hardware design. The brackets screw into the existing holes. The length of the bar depends on the distance between the brackets. Finally, I lined the drawer with a lovely print.