The other day, I picked up this darling vintage radio cabinet with the sliding doors………..

but a little too late I noticed a CARDBOARD back! (Calculating…… the work! eekk!)

To boot, she wasn’t cheap so almost immediately I had buyers remorse. You know that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach and you hear voices saying. “You’ll NEVER get your money and time out of THIS one!”

I took her home and set her in the garage overnight and bright and early the next day ripped off her CARDBOARD back! Mmmmm…..looking better already 🙂

Randall and Gail Rodgers, the owners of “Cottage Paint”, ( link here  )  had kindly sent me a package of samples of their products.  Randall, explained that their parent paint company, Protec.is a family run Canadian, business. Protec has been in business since 1950 and was started by his grandfather.

YAY! Family businesses

Gail, had sent me a sample of “Cottage White”.  I took a look at this piece and of course, immediately thought of “Shabby Abby, the Radio Cabinet”.  (pun intended)  But seriously what looks better than dark wood peaking through white paint!??

I had watched a few you-tubes that Gail Rogers, put up regarding, working with their paint (link here) so I was ready to jump in because I am NOT a patient painter. I  LIKE LOVE to jump in!

The first thing I noted was this incredible thick, tapioca pudding texture! Thicker than regular pudding that is why I added the tapioca. 😉 So I started brushing away!

I compared the paint to some “gesso” I had and it was thicker than gesso!

I knew this was going to be a honey from the first stroke. I liked how the paint was so thick it added instant texture and the coverage was one stroke. I was wondering if there might be some “bleed through” which is often the case with old pieces, but there was none.

I was concerned that my sample pot may not finish my project so I got some water and quickly found out this paint does one of the nicest washes, I have yet used. 🙂

So I painted and washed along…..

Water distressing is the very BEST process for showing dark wood underneath. Sanding actually penetrates the wood and takes away from the lovely aged patina of an old wood piece.

Now came the fun part! Gail advised a “rough rag” for distressing. So I got my rag and began this wonderful process. TIP: Make sure the water is thoroughly rung, or you get too much paint removed.

Another TIP: For best results when doing finer details, when you wet distress, wrap your finger around one thickness and gently distress those little curves and places.

WOW! To me this was turning into the ESSENCE OF SHABBY CHIC! I was Pleased WOWED to say the least!

I just love her!

My bunny “Vintage Lily”, who has her own facebook page and is an aspiring model, couldn’t wait to pose on it!

I love the results and I am looking forward to trying many more of the Cottage Paint products! Thanks for visiting my blog! Go visit Cottage Paint to find out how to purchase some of this wonderful paint!

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