Here is a list of the things I love: my family, my pets, my friends, coffee, my JOB. After so many years working in the corporate world doing things I didn’t really care about, I am now lucky enough to include my job in this short list of the things I love.
I’ve been painting furniture for over 3 years now and I REALLY enjoy what I do. When I’m not painting or taking care of my home and family, I am browsing beautiful pieces by other artists, researching new techniques, writing on this blog, facebooking, Instagraming (I’m sure this is a verb already) or pinning about furniture. It’s an addiction and an obsession. I feel that certain days my two boys and husband seriously consider running away if they hear me say the “f” word one more time. (In my house, the “f” word means furniture).
One of my favorite things is to find an ugly, beat-up piece and give it a huge makeover, but lately I’ve been too busy working on custom orders. It is OK too. My customers have a great taste and some of them trust me enough to let me try different colors and techniques sometimes. It is very rewarding.
If your are in Northern Virginia or Metro DC area, I will be happy to talk to you about your project.
I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I do! I love to hear your impressions, opinions, and questions.
Thanks for reading!
Patricia.
The Wood Spa by Pat Rios 
Hey I just bought the same paint sprayer u have. One HUGE QUESTION…what is your advice re: cleaning it out? I too want to use some bold colors, and don’t want one color left over in the sprayer when i’m ready for my next home project. THANKS IN ADVANCE!! MK
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Hi MK, the instructions that come in the box explain how to clean it. You have to wash all parts before using a different color. Also, don’t let it stay with paint if you will not use it after a couple of hours or the paint will dry inside the parts and damage the sprayer. I only use it with water based paint, so cleaning only requires soapy water. It takes about 10 minutes to clean it. Worth it. Good luck!
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May I ask what brand and model sprayer you have? I’m interested in purchasing one. Just saw your grey buffet linked on Friday furniture fix. Nice job!
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Thanks Kim. I use this one http://www.amazon.com/HomeRight-C800766-Finish-Fine-Sprayer/dp/B003VKFDEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460424867&sr=8-1&keywords=home+right+finish+max Very basic, but does a good job.
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Do you use the same approach to all your furniture refinishing projects? I see that some show how you did them, while others don’t? I’m really interested on how you did the French provincial set from jan. 29, 2015 I have a old dresser like that in my grandmother’s basement that I’m dying to make my project for my new home. Any advice for a newbie?
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Hi Jasmine, I’m always trying new ways to paint, so I now would probably have spray painted that set you mentioned 🙂 I do remember how I did it then. This was how:
1. Cleaned the piece and repair imperfections with would filler
2. Light sanded (220 grit)
3. Primed (water based primer applied with a sponge roller and Purdy brush for edges)
4. Rolled two coats of white latex paint
5. After it was dry, sanded the edges with a 80-grit sand paper
6. Antiqued with dark brown glaze (4 parts of Valspar clear glaze and 1 part of dark brown paint)
TOP. Because the top was laminate, I couldn’t restain it so I just sanded, primed and painted with dark brown latex paint. (Valspar dark chocolate)
7. Sealed the entire pieces with American Paint Company clear wax.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more questions.
Patricia.
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Hello!
How do you paint the hardware? Specifically the grey provincial dresser with the black glaze/white handles. I just picked up this exact dresser at the Habitat for Humanity store and am excited to paint it!
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Hi Melissa, I spray painted the pulls of that particular dresser. Rustoleum Metal Finish, silver. Have fun painting!
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Hi Pat – WOW am I glad I found your videos and website. I’m painting a tiny coffee table, for my tiny living room. It was given to me by a friend, and I treasure it. I’ve primed, painted 2 coats, and it needs a 3rd because I’m not very good. I’ll seal it with something made for latex, and then I’d like to try your wax technique. I haven’t used wax before so…does it dry hard? Or does it stay wax-y? Thank you for your inspiration and sharing your painting obsession with us. Nothing like bringing great old pieces back to life!
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Hi Leslie,
I’m happy you found my blog helpful!
Wax dries completely hard, although drying time varies depending on how much wax you apply and how much you wipe off.
The softer the wax, the better to work with, especially if you are a beginner. It gives you more time to work and it’s easier to remove.I love American Paint Company waxes, and I heard that Miss Mustard Seed wax is also very soft.
Have fun and send me a picture of your little table when it’s ready!
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My wife and I have recently inherited a cabinet similar to the “cute china cabinet” that you put up for auction at school. Ours isn’t exactly like yours in that the bottom half is a totally enclosed cabinet with a centered door. The top half, however, is almost identical. Until I saw this blog, I had never seen another cabinet similar to ours. Do you know who the manufacturer was or the era in which it was built?
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hi Chris,
Unfortunately I don’t know many details about this piece. All I know is that the style is called Jacobean and it was created in the 1920’s although some Jacobean pieces may have been built years after that.
Jacobean style main features are those rounded ornate legs and I absolutely adore them.
Enjoy your pince.
Patrícia.
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I’m starting new project so right away i look at your website. I love it. We are building a bathroom vanity for our adult daughter. She knows what she wants and I have to figure out how to do it. Ha. She wants that brown/black “pottery barn look”. I don’t want to chalk paint this. Either a solid stain or paint? Any ideas? Hope you can help. I want to try a gel stain but not sure of colors to get this look. Also this is on new wood. Hope you can help
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Sorry Elaine, I thought I had replied to this message!
I’m not sure what exactly is the finish you are talking about. Maybe if you send me a picture I could say how I’d try to achieve that look.
Have you tried anything already?
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I’m sending you a picture of the finish I’m trying to accomplish. Hope you receive it. Thanks I appreciate any input
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I haven’t received it! Try this email address: patricia@thewoodspa.com
Or message me on my Facebook page https://facebook.com/thewoodspa
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Hey,
My name is Katie. I was wondering, do you accept guest posts on https://thewoodspa.com? It’s about home improvement and stuff, so it would be a perfect fit for your blog and would greatly increase the traffic on your site. I’ll gladly send you over some sample articles if you like.
Will be waiting for your response.
All the Best,
Katie
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Hi Katie, I’m still not taking guest post at this moment. I appreciate your offer and will keep your contact.
Thanks!
Patricia.
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I’m wondering if you have any suggestions/recommendations for the best finish stripper? I have a large dresser and 2 antique wash stands that someone painted and antiqued in a rusty red/brown that I’d love to lighten up…
Cheers
Karen
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Karen,
Many people love Citristrip, which is a natural, non harmful stripper. I find it messy and ineffective but you could try it.
I use zip strip. Very effective but very harsh, so make sure you wear thick gloves, closed shoes and a respirator. Good luck!
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This pretty much confirms for me that I’ll have to wait till spring and do it outside!
Thanks so much!
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Ha, I’d do the same. Unless you want to give Citristrip a try. Good luck!
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Hello! Oh my goodness, you’re amazing!
I was recently given (yes, free!) two matching mahogany Pembroke tables. I’m pretty sure I’m going to paint them some sort of gray, with some kind of wash/glaze to pop some of the detail. This will be a first for me, and aside from my general anxiety about the whole thing, I’m wondering… what does a room full of painted furniture look like? Can it get to be too much? Can you combine painted end tables with a painted coffee table (I have one of those free too…). We have so much upholstered mismatched furniture that I HATE, I don’t want to reinforce the effect with a hodgepodge of painted surfaces.
Any advice you have at all would be great. Thanks for the inspiration and advice! Cathleen
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Hi Cathleen,
Thanks for your kind words. You’re so lucky to get those mahogany gems for free! I love mismatched styles in my home and also when I see it in other people’s homes. As long as it isn’t too much. In my own kitchen I have a couple of pieces painted and others in stained wood and I wouldn’t change a thing.
You can’t go wrong with gray. Either with a stained/washed top or entirely painted gray. a little distress and some dark wax will give it a shabby chic look if that’s what you’re looking for. I have several tutorials on YouTube on how to achieve different finishes.
Check them out and you may find something you feel comfortable to try ( https://www.youtube.com/c/thewoodspabypatrios ). You can always practice first on a small piece of wood or a small cheap piece of furniture.
Good luck!
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