9 Reasons Why Velvet Finishes is the Best Paint for Old Furniture
DISCLOSURE: This post has been sponsored by Velvet Finishes. However, all opinions expressed here are my own honest review of my experience with this product. CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR “LUXURIOUS”, THE PAINT I USED FOR THIS FURNITURE FLIP.
Are you ready for a furniture paint that will rock your world?! Allow me introduce you to Velvet Finishes. Recall that few weeks ago, I announced that I would be refreshing my bedroom to make it more couple friendly. That means the pink and fluff from the last hypnotic bedroom update would be scratched for a more sophisticated palette.
Updating our old bedroom dresser was high on my list of changes. The only problem was that, for the life of me, I couldn't find one I liked. Everything seemed so cookie cutter and lacking in character. A quick visit to my favorite virtual garage sale app OfferUp changed all of that. If you follow me on Instagram, you, of course know the back story on this from my IG Stories.
An Heirloom Furniture Piece Gets a Makeover
On OfferUp, I located a used vintage dresser manufactured by Drexel Furniture for a mere $60. The heirloom piece had been in the seller's family for 3 generations, spanning 80-90 years! She estimated that her great-grandmother may have purchased it in the 1930's or 40's. But now, the family matriarch was relocating to California and there was no one in the small family who could accommodate all three pieces of this heirloom furniture.
I felt you shudder as you viewed that photo, but please let me explain.
What sold me on this dresser was not only its beautiful, graceful lines, but the rich history behind it. You see, it’s very rare to see an African American family that has been able to hang on to an heirloom piece for so long. The reasons why are too numerous to list.
Additionally, all too often African American heirlooms serve as reminders of a painful past. But this piece was special to me because it was reminiscent of something more lighthearted, yet authentic.
At some point in her life, this seller's great-grandmother saved - probably for months - to purchase a handcrafted, 3-piece bedroom set modeled after Parisian design. This dresser is part of that collection. What an honor to be able to purchase and restore this special piece of history.
9 Reasons Why Velvet Finishes is The Best Furniture Paint
You might be tempted to think that I'm tooting the horn for Velvet Finishes because of this sponsored product. Let me put you at ease. I have painted no less than 9 pieces of furniture using various products. Those products range from latex, to chalk paint, to milk paint and good ole fashioned spray paint. NONE of those come close to the rich luminous finish of the Velvet Finishes product.
Here are 9 reasons why you should consider using Velvet Finishes for your next furniture project:
1. No chalky residue
2. No long or sticky drying time
3. No sanding necessary (although I did sand this piece due to deep scaring)
4. No priming required
5. Easy to Use
6. No VOC (volatile organic compounds)
7. Great coverage with less paint
8. Super easy clean up
9. The sexiest velvety finish ever!
Of course the real proof is in the photos. The following photos were taken as the paint was drying.
The Process
To get the best experience using the Velvet Finishes paint line, I recommend using their complete 3-step process.
Step 1: Prepare your piece with Ready, a liquid degreaser/sander. This stuff is AH-mazing ya'll.
Step 2: Paint using the any one of their rich, velvety paint colors. I chose the color Luxurious, which is described as “the perfect shade of black”. Its more like a deep charcoal black that sometimes reads as a deep blue gray depending on the light.
NOTE: If you’re painting a furniture with drawers, I strongly recommend numbering the drawers and slots. Vintage furniture is usually handmade, so no two pieces - or drawers and slots in this case - are made exactly alike. Skipping this important step took about 30 minutes off my life as I worked feverishly to figure out which drawers matched their proper slot.
TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS FABULOUS PAINT CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VIEW THEIR COLOR PALETTE.
Step 3: Protect - This is a liquid poly with a satin finish. It will protect the furniture against the dings that come with daily use.
The transformation is simply jaw-dropping! But I credit the product and not me. The truth is the paint did all of the work. The coverage is top-notch and there are absolutely no brushstroke marks.
Finally it was time for le pièce de résistance, the crowning jewel of this restoration. To honor of the 3 generations of family members who preserved this beauty, I had a small nameplate created with the family names on it. It was the perfect touch. I can't wait to add this chez d'oeuvre to my final reveal. Stay tuned...!
Please be sure to also visit the 8 other ladies participating in this 5-week refresh challenge with me! All the deets have been included below.
