It’s been a while since I’ve shared a furniture makeover. The cold weather, and a lack of yard sales, has put my painting on hold.
I’ve had a clients’ nightstands hanging out in my garage for way too long, so on the eve of our last snowstorm, I hauled them inside and gave them a makeover using Martha Stewart Metallic Glaze in black coffee.
The two nightstands were good sturdy, solid pieces, manufactured in the early 1990s by an American furniture company. They are solid wood, but the factory finish was definitely dated.
My client wanted a dark espresso finish, but I was worried that plain brown paint would be dull, flat and uninteresting. After seeing a mirror my mom had painted in Martha Stewart Metallic Glaze in Black Coffee, I thought it would be the perfect finish to update these nightstands. After seeing a sample, my client agreed.
Normally, glaze is used for antiquing. You apply it over a painted finish and wipe it away, but for this project, I used it as paint.
I wanted that dark espresso finish with a metallic sheen.
To achieve this look, I first wiped down the two nightstands to remove any grime and debris. Then, I lightly sanded them to ensure the glaze would adhere to the stained surface, and removed any sanding dust.
The Martha Stewart metallic glaze is thicker than regular paint, and it takes much longer to dry.
For the best results, I recommend applying several thin coats, allowing to dry completely before applying another coat. I worked on these nightstands over a period of days, finding it best to allow 12 to 24 hours for one coat of glaze to dry before applying the next. At first, the glaze goes on very sheer, but as you add more coats, it becomes more opaque. You may be able to see some wood grain and dimension in your brush strokes.
I sealed the finish with furniture wax, then buffed to a shine.
The finished nightstands are the color of a freshly brewed espresso, and they have a wonderful metallic sheen to them that highlights the wood grain. I can’t wait to deliver them to my client.
He does plan to replace the hardware to give the nightstands a more modern and cohesive look.
I can’t wait to makeover another piece of furniture using the Martha Stewart metallic glazes. So many possibilities…
Pat
I LOVE this finish! did you use just stain for the first step or did you start with the metallic finish? Thank you for the idea
Atta Girl Amy
I just used the glaze for the finish! No stain first. It took forever to dry, but I love how it turned out.
Angela D
I love, love, love these nightstands!!! Martha Stewart has discontinued the Metallic Glaze in Black Coffee, soooo I ordered another glaze that was recommended to me. I was told that it was identical to MS Black Coffee, but it is gold! I had to repaint the top of the piece I was working on – gold just wasn’t going to work. Do you have any suggestions as to which glaze would be a good substitute for the MS Black Coffee? I have a dresser that I would love to redo in exactly the same way you did the nightstands. Again, they are absolutely gorgeous!
Atta Girl Amy
I was totally bummed when they discontinued the Black Coffee glaze, too. I have a bit left, and I’ve been safeguarding it for just the right project.
How disappointing that the “substitute” recommended to you had gold in it. I hate when I have to repaint something I’ve already put a lot of work into.
Unfortunately, I don’t know of another glaze that is an exact match for the MS Black Coffee. But have you seen the new metallic furniture paints from DecoArt. I’ve not tackled a big project yet using them, but I’ve done a little test and have liked them. I wonder if you layered the Antique Bronze over black if you’d get the same color. Might be worth a test. Here’s the link to their metallic paint. http://decoart.com/americana-decor/metallics/paint
You may also want to check out Modern Masters. I’m thinking their English Brown metallic paint might be a match. http://shop.modernmasters.com/c/metallic-paint-collection_paint I’m pretty sure they offer sample sizes, and I think they’re sold at Home Depot stores.
Vanessa Yorba Jones
Two questions. Would this paint work on blonde 90s furniture. And does it need to be primed.
Lilli
Hi I love this ! It looks wonderful – I have a question – I painted a piece with 2 coats of graphite – I can’t use wax because it needs poly. But I wanted it to have some depth. So I pulled out the MS glaze – same as you! I want to put a thin layer on just to give it depth. I need to polycrylic it and have it dry by tomorrow! Any suggestions???
TIA
Holly
The nightstands look amazing Amy! I would have never considered using the glaze as paint, but love the result… and now you’ve got me thinking about where I can give it a try. Hasn’t this winter been the WORST.EVER. for furniture painting??
Atta Girl Amy
Yes, the absolute worst ever for furniture painting and for finding furniture to paint. I did see a yard sale sign last weekend, so maybe painting and treasure hunting weather is right around the corner.
I was really pleased with how the glaze turned out of these pieces. I’m now eyeing the downtrodden end table in our family room. I painted the top because it desperately needed it, but I’ve never been satisfied with the finish. But I think it might look amazing in this metallic glaze. I am suddenly in love with all things metallic.
Marty Walden
The furniture looks amazing! Makes me want to go yardsaling!
Cynthia
These turned out fantastic and I love the color. Great tutorial, I usually use thin coats when painting furniture and try to be patient and let is dry. This process seems to come out with great results. I love the piece behind the tables, GORGEOUS!!
Cynthia
Atta Girl Amy
I remember my first chalk painted piece. I slathered on the paint so thick. I’ve learned a lot since them. Thin and patient is the way to go — but this glaze required more patience than usual. Thankfully, I had several other projects I was working on at the same time, so I could let these sit and cure.
BTW, the piece behind the two nightstands are two broken armoire doors that I painted with Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. I have them propped against a wall in our living room to hide the thermostat. I love how the milk paint chipped on them.
Have a wonderful week.
Kathy, Petticoat Junktion
Good Morning Amy, Thanks for the tutorial. The nightstands look great! I am going to email it to one of my readers. She is using the glaze and having problems with the drying time. I haven’t used the glaze…only the Martha Stewart Precious Metals paint. My reader thought she was using the same product I did. Thanks again and have a great weekend!
Atta Girl Amy
Kathy, assure her that it will dry — eventually. I put my first coat on a little thick and the humidity was high in the air, so I actually waited a few days before painting the second coat. I had a bit of a panic moment, too, but I called my mom, who had used the paint before and she assured me, “It will dry.” And it did! It was just hard for an impatient painter like me to wait for that to happen.
I haven’t tried the precious metals, but I remember your original tutorial about that. That’s definitely on my to-try list.
Marisa Franca
I love that metallic look, We have some solid oak pieces that are just so dated. I’d love to do something different. Thanks for the inspiration.
Atta Girl Amy
I think this paint/glaze would work wonderfully on your oak pieces. Just give it ample time to dry between coats and you’ll be fine. You may think if won’t dry, but trust me, it will. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods
Oooo! I love the metallic look the paint gives the two tables. Well done!
laura@top this top that
I like the finish on the pieces. did you use a sprayer or use a brush?
Atta Girl Amy
I used a brush, Laura. I was working inside, and I’m not as good a prepper as you, so I went with the brush. Not sure how this would do in a sprayer. It’s a bit thick, but you’re the sprayer expert. Try it and let me know. 🙂