You’ve heard you should always practice what you preach, right? Well, I’m always preaching about checking your paint color match at the store to make sure your color is dead-on right.
Well, I found two little side tables at a yard sale that I wanted to re-do for my younger daughter’s room makeover. They looked as if they came from an old office setting, maybe for beside reception area chairs? Unfortunately, this is the only photo I have it how one of them looked originally, and the quality of the shot is just awful. Sorry:
But I needed you to see its sad little cherry veneer self. Ok, so I prepped and primed the two pieces, as you can see here:
Then I went to Sherwin-Williams to pick up a quart of paint in a color I was excited to incorporate into the new room: Coral Reef SW6606, the 2015 Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year! I gave the guy at the counter the name and number of the paint and even handed him the paper paint chip. About five minutes later, I paid for the paint and headed home to get started on my little project. Then I opened the can . . .
ACK!!! Definitely NOT Coral Reef. Could they have been THAT off with the mix? I looked more closely at the can and saw that it wasn’t even close.
The can was labeled Sandtrap SW6066. Ok, you can see how easily someone could get the numbers confused: 6066 rather than 6606. But I would have caught it had I checked the color before I left the store. When I went back to get the right color, I made sure they put a smudge of it on the paint can lid so I could actually check it this time!
Now that’s more like it! Two coats of this yummy color and the tables were like new. I also painted the blackened brassy handles with Design Master spray paint in Brilliant Gold.
get the gold spray paint here
Can you imagine if you had a painter paint an entire room in the wrong color? I once had a client whose husband painted 11 gallons of paint in the main area of their home in the wrong color because Home Depot mismatched it.
Moral of the story? Duh, check your paint color match before you leave the store and certainly before you let anyone paint with it. Stay tuned for the full reveal of my daughter’s bedroom makeover – it turned out so great!
Hi Kristie – I noticed the can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the photo you included that shows your tables primed and ready for color. Do you use ASCP for a primer? If so, did you do any sanding after the coat of ASCP?
~ Sharon
Sharon,
Good eye – but actually the Annie Sloan paint was for a different project I was working on. Sorry to confuse you. I used a SW water-based primer on the tables after sanding.
Hi Kristie – love the tables! I am still in love with the bathroom remodel. Where did you get the wonderful floor tiles? I would like to order some. thanks
Stephanie,
Thanks!! I got the marble hex tile from The Tile Shop in Franklin, TN.
Boy, was I surprised when I saw that old book on your beautiful table! I read it when I was little girl, back when the nurses use to wear things besides scrubs. You know…back in the dinosaur days?
Shelly,
I’ve always been a fan of vintage children’s books and have been collecting them for years. Both my girls are big readers, and they’ve read all the oldies like The Happy Hollisters, The Bobbsey Twins, and of course Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys.
I love the side tables! One question, I noticed the lovely gold spray paint is not specifically for metals (such as say Rust-oleum). Have you used this paint before? Does it hold up well?
Angela,
I’ve used many different gold spray paints, and for these handles I just used what I had on hand. The Rustoleum one I tried was a bit brassy for my taste, and this is one of the prettiest gold spray paints I’ve tried (Design Masters Brilliant Gold). I don’t expect these handles will get tons of wear, and if it doesn’t hold up I can add another coat easily. But yes, ideally, spray paint will adhere better to metal if it’s primed or if the paint is specifically made for metal applications.
Thanks! I too love that color, so was curious 🙂
I LOVE the color of the tables, and the shiny handles are awesome! I, too, noticed the can of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I have never painted any furniture (only walls and trim), but am looking to redo a hutch or corner cupboard for my kitchen. I’ve seen so many DIY projects on Pinterest that use the ASCP. What’s so great about it? I’m clueless. 🙂
Cheri,
Chalk paint is so easy – it requires little prep before painting and no priming typically. The downside is that it is expensive, comes in limited colors, and results in a matte finish. I’ve done multiple posts about painting furniture is you browse around. Here’s a few: https://thedecorologist.com/mirror-makeover-with-annie-sloan-chalkpaint/
https://thedecorologist.com/one-of-the-most-shocking-things-you-can-paint/
https://thedecorologist.com/all-the-rage-annie-sloans-chalk-paint/
https://thedecorologist.com/bargain-table-makeover-chalk-paint-fail-fix/
I witnessed a major meltdown at my local Ben Moore dealer when a clerk took an order over the phone for 30 + gallons of what was supposed to be AC-41 (Acadia White) and heard HC-41 (they really sound the same). The homeowner had quite a surprise when she came home to an EXTERIOR covered in Richmond Gold. Ack! My specs are always written (name and number). The dealer had to eat that costly mistake!
So true. I had a client call me and say that the bedrooms color was horrible after their painter did it. I went over and compared it to what I had recommended, and it was not even in the same ballpark.
Beth,
That is definitely not a phone call you want to get!
Great reminder! It’s happened to me too! Looking forward to seeing that room!
Yikes! And just by keying in the code wrong…what a great lesson to show everyone. The tables look awesome Kristie!
Love the Coral Reef! Did you use a semi-gloss?
Yes, Patricia – the tables are painted in semi-gloss 🙂
What a nightmare!!! Yes, always include the number and the name of the color. I actually told the guy both the name and number, but he obviously only paid attention to the number. He obviously didn’t know anything about his company’s Color of the Year!
Stunning result, Kristie.
The coral really sings – perfect for spring!
I( love this color. Years ago I wanted to use this in my living room and it was nowhere to be found. I would love to be able to do my living room over now that this color is so available before it is our to style again! You posted a picture of pillows and fabrics with the corals, blues and yellows that got me excited to try again. Thanks!
Wonderful post Kristie and it’s happened to a number of my clients. Actually, just this week, a sample board for a color that was supposed to be a light brown for a boy’s room turned up looking nearly black! But last summer I had a doozy. They blamed ME when the color didn’t match the chip–AFTER the room was painted. I specified it with both husband and wife in attendance. [hubby failed to show up for the first consult. grrrr] and we all concurred that the color was terrific. I have no idea who this painter is and I fear that he cheated and used an off-brand. The entire house smelled of intense VOCs and all of the BM formulations are low VOC–at least here in NY. It’s the law!
But the pregnant princess was subjected to heavy fumes. The dude in the paint store was super defensive and said “it’s impossible for the color to not match.” What an arrogant p. He said that the “computer” never makes a mistake. Can you believe this? I said, well there’s a PERSON working the computer, right? He didn’t back down. What can you do? I felt badly and did offer to help them reselect, but they refused. The color in question is oyster shell 864. They wanted gray. It was green and looked like the color above it, 863. hmmmm..
Blessedly, the clients fired me.
PS: the nightstands are outstanding! Can’t wait to see the rest of the room!