You guys, I’m excited to share this month’s post in collaboration with Ace Hardware – it’s one of my favorites yet!
Did you know that The Paint Studio at Ace has color matching technology that can create a custom paint color from almost anything you bring to the paint counter?!
So this month, the Ace Bloggers were asked to choose an object with a color we love and bring that with us to The Paint Studio at our local Ace to have it color matched.
The Inspiration
Deciding on what to color-match was a no-brainer for me. A few weeks ago, I shared about my love affair with vintage and antique books with you, but crazily enough, one of my favorite vintage books ever didn’t actually make it into the post – this 1880 copy of “Little Women.”
I’ve always adored that deep teal blue color, especially paired with the gold accents. I can get a little weird when I talk about colors, I know, but something about that teal just makes me wish it were edible. Is it weird that sometimes I wish that certain colors were food? Because that teal is seriously delicious.
I was a little stumped on what exactly to paint, however, until I remembered this vintage post office box I found on Craigslist for $25. I never knew exactly what to do with it, so it ended up shuffling from room to room as an end table. In fact, I almost threw it back up on Craigslist in my recent efforts to get rid of anything extraneous!
It doesn’t look too bad in this photo, but the fleshy beige color of the doors really wasn’t my favorite and didn’t provide much of a contrast to the beautiful gold Greek key detailing.
I fell in love with the vision of the bold contrast of deep teal with those gold details, plus the black accents on the doors… In fact, it just might end looking very much like my beloved book inspiration!
After my awesome experience with Amy Howard One Step paint last month, I was excited to tackle another furniture painting project. As you might remember, the One Step paint can be mixed in custom colors, a feature I was eager to try out!
So I had a color, I had a “canvas” – the next step was hitting up my local Ace!
The Paint Studio at Ace
This is Robert. He’s the amazingly helpful guy who didn’t even bat an eye when I said, “I have an unusual request. I would like to have this book cover color-matched in the Amy Howard One Step Paint.”
Or later, when I asked if I could snap a picture for this blog post!
You guys, this is just my experience, but I have not had great success with special requests at certain other hardware stores that shall remain unnamed. So the idea of walking in with something that wasn’t an on-brand paint chip, but rather a totally out-of-the-box thing like an antique book, was a little foreign to me and I just might have been steeling myself for an “I’m sorry, that isn’t going to work.”
But nope, not here! The process couldn’t have been easier or more pleasant. The machine scanned the book cover, popped up a code for the Dark Base One Step Paint, and just a few minutes later my new friend Robert handed me my custom paint color!
Meet “Alcott Blue.” I’ve included a shot of the label in case you fall in love with it too and want to recreate it!
While at Ace, I also picked up two packages of these gold (what else!) caster wheels.
The Process
First things first, I used some E6000 adhesive to attach the casters to the bottom of the post office box. The whole thing is metal and I didn’t want to have to deal with screws/bolts, so we’ll have to see how the glue ends up holding. I let it sit undisturbed for a good 24 hours as recommended.
Then, just like last time, I gave the whole thing a good cleaning with Simple Green, followed by a wash with clean water.
Next, I pulled the box back inside because that was the week I was feeling pretty sick and crappy and marathoning Supernatural like nobody’s business. Thankfully, the One Step paint is no-VOC and very low odor, so I set up a little cardboard painting station in the living room in front of the TV and went to town!
Now, here is where I explain that I don’t consider myself to be a patient person. I’m a stubborn person, who tackles crazy projects, despairs halfway through, but sees them through to the end anyway out of sheer bullheadedness, but not a particularly patient person. I’m clarifying because sometimes I share projects like this and I get comments like, “Oh wow! You’re so patient!” and I can’t in good conscience let you think that when it’s just pure ornery-ness that fuels me to finish what I’ve started.
The post office box has, as I mentioned, these gorgeous gold raised Greek key details, and I didn’t want to cover those up with paint.
So this was my process for dealing with those areas:
Step 1: Use the tiniest artist’s paintbrush known to man to pull a bead of paint through approximately 1-inch of the gold detail.
Step 2: Swipe a clean fingertip over that area to remove any excess paint from the raised details.
Repeat ad infinitum for all. twelve. doors.
AND THEN DO A SECOND COAT!
I started to doubt my sanity after the first four doors or so, and had firmly lost it after around 30 episodes of Supernatural. But then again, who wouldn’t?vis
But overall, I actually enjoyed the process of painting this piece and seeing my vision unfold. It certainly beat a week on the couch mindlessly browsing Facebook. Although the detail painting process was tedious, it wasn’t difficult, and the end result was undoubtedly worth it, in my opinion!
Remember, One Step Paint doesn’t require any kind of top coat, but I decided to go ahead and add Light Antique Wax and Dark Antique Wax to this piece for both the subtle sheen and tint they provide.
Visit this post for a full tutorial and tips for applying wax!
I used the light antique wax for 100% coverage and then added the dark antique wax around the edges and around the gold details, working my brush into the nooks and crannies where dirt would settle naturally over time.
After allowing the wax to dry for an hour, I buffed the entire piece with a handful of clean cotton rags, creating a soft and velvety finish.
The Finished Product:
Eager to see how the color-matching turned out?
It’s so perfect I can’t even handle it!
Suddenly my Craigslist purchase that was pretty-cool-but-never-exactly-amazing became one of my favorite projects and pieces of furniture ever! I’m not exactly sure where it will end up, but I can tell you that it won’t be slipping onto my “purge” list anytime soon!
Tips for Color-Matching
If you have a special object with a color you’ve always adored that you’d like to see reincarnated as paint, here are a few tips from The Paint Studio at Ace:
- The item to be color-matched must be at least the size of a quarter.
- The color must be opaque in order for the machine to read it accurately.
- At least a portion of the item must be able to be flattened to fit inside the color matching instrument.
Beyond that, the sky is the limit as to what you can bring in! And keep in mind the custom color can be mixed in tons of different kinds of paints, whether you want to tackle an entire room, a furniture makeover, or a smaller painting project.
And guess what? Today you have the chance to enter to win a $100 gift card to Ace Hardware so you can jump start your own custom color-matching adventure… Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below!
*Open to U.S. residents age 18+. Giveaway runs 11/16-11/23. Winner will be chosen at random and notified by email and in this post. Winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
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I couldn’t be more excited to be a member of the Ace Bloggers panel this year and to partner with Ace on this post! Ace Hardware provided me with the materials for this project and I was also compensated for my time and this post. All opinions and positions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware. |
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Your vintage post office book looks so great! And the paint matching is perfect!
Thank you so much, Debra! The color-matching is really some amazing technology!
HOLY WOW, brynne! that is AWESOME! love the color, the piece, the gold… just amazing!
No, you’re amazing, Cassie! 🙂 Thank you sweet friend!
I would color match the wooded/paper divider I have in my living room and name it: Arabian Nights ( A deep blue shade).
Oh yes! Arabian Nights sounds like the most perfect paint color! I love it!
The color matches perfect and I love the makeover. So good!
Thank you Julia!!!
Love your postage box ! The paint color is beautiful and well matched! A nice addition to your room decor!
Thank you Georgia! I’m so glad you like it! 🙂
This looks AMAZING! I’d probably color match this african fabric I have (it’s like a dark plum/maroon/purpley color that I’ve never been able to pinpoint), but I’m not sure what I’d name it yet.
Oh wow! That sounds like it would make such a beautiful paint color! Now I’m kind of dying to see pictures of everyone’s colorful objects!
All your hard work really paid off. It Looks Fabulous. Ace Hardware my favorite paint go to store and if I had to match something it would be my glass case that is brown with a hint of dark red and I would probably call it Maggie’s Brown. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thank you so much, Kris! Oooh, a dark red-brown sounds like such a neat color! I wish I could see pictures of everyone’s inspiration – so many great ideas!
Gorgeous!!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda!
I tried to color match a color in a fabric. It didn’t turn out great. Your project looks spectacular!
Thank you Darla!
Love the color, love the piece, love the gold detail! You never cease to amaze me with your awesome Craigslist finds! Well done girl!
Aw, thank you so much Michelle! Those gold details make all the effort totally worth it in my book! I actually have another post office box (taller, with drawers) like this one that I might be crazy enough to make over as well at some future point!
you can purge that my way any time ha ha , i have this very old plastic round thingy that held powder and a puff it is a funky yellow and i would love to have some paint in that color and i would call it funky yellow lol xx
Haha! I’m pretty glad I hung onto it! 🙂 Love the idea of funk yellow – I’m wishing I could see pictures of all these fantastic colors you guys are describing!
Love love love, did I say love the color, Byrnne. And I’m so jealous of the piece too. I’ve seen several bloggers make over card catalogs lately and have a serious case of drooling lust for them. Thank you for writing about color matching. I knew about it, but had forgotten that it is a tool to use in creating our own spaces. Great post and even better, fantastic piece!
Oh yes, card catalogs are absolutely swoony, but I’m declaring that post office boxes are the new card catalogs! 😉 At least locally, they are much easier to acquire! So glad you enjoyed the post, Peg!
love love love the color….I have not tried all the new paint out there…I still use regular paint to paint all the furniture I collect…ive been doing furniture painting for about 18 years…and now they come out with such easy paint…will have to try…but love that piece and have never seen anything like it….thank you
Thank you so much, Lynda! The One Step Paint is so easy, it feels like cheating! 😉 But I don’t dread painting furniture anymore like I used to!
Good lawd, Brynne. You ARE patient. It looks amazing! Also, Little Women is one of my favorites. I watch the movie multiple times each Christmas and now I think I need to quit what I’m doing and watch it right now.
Thank you so much, Dena! I always loved Little Women and always identified so strongly with Jo growing up! I think I’m due for a move re-watch too! Today is cold and dismal here – perfect weather for curling up on the couch with a heartwarming movie 🙂
Not only is that postal box amazing, but it looks like it was born to be that color right from the start! Let us know how the wheels hold up. It’s an amazing piece!
I’ll try to remember to give an update on the wheels! Fingers crossed the glue holds! 🙂 Thank you, Jo!
Great job!
Thank you Jennifer!
What a beautiful color! I love old books, too, and Little Women is a particular favorite. I have a labradorite necklace and would love to have a similar color of paint. These semi-precious stones are a purple gray with a hint of green in them. I would call the color Labradorite, of course! Thanks for sharing this lovely project.
Oh wow – that could be a truly amazing paint color! Thank you Suse!
I love it! But then, I firmly and passionately believe that everything is better teal 😉
You know, I think you just might need some “Alcott Blue” in your life, Tanya! 🙂 Thank you!
love love love the color! and one step, even better!
Thank you so much! The One Step is awesome – a good cleaning first, and you’re good to go – no priming or sanding!
Love the look! If I could have a special paint made it would match a lovely Chinese vase I have . It would be called MING RED. Beautiful color.
Oh yes! I would certainly buy that color if I saw the name “Ming Red” on a swatch! Love it!
You are my hero! This piece is incredible. Let me know when you get tired of it! Haha.
Thank you so much, Ellen! I am known to rotate through vintage finds… We’ll see if I ever need to find a new home for this one 😉
Your Alcott Blue is pretty darn close to perfect for me too!! It would match quite well the quilt that I am making for my bed!!! LOVE IT!!!
Oh how fun! Let me know if you ever use the color – I would absolutely love to see photos! Thank you, Susan!
Wow – love how that turned out! I can so identify with being impatient – I’m impatient too!
Thank you Jan! It always cracks me up when someone says, “You must be so patient!” because it’s so far from the truth! 🙂
I would color match my headboard on my bed name it midnight turquoise
I love the name, Ali! So fun!
Wow this is amazing! I have a shirt I got from Turkey that I would love to color match. It is a burnt orange color so I would call it Fall on Fire!
Thank you so much, Dianne! That sounds like an amazing color and name – I would love to see it!
You did a fantastic job on this. I love everything about it.
I have a blanket that I would like to color match. I am not quite sure what I would name it though!
Thank you so much, Kenny!
The gold detail is spectacular. I am not sure what I would color match (maybe an article of clothing?) good idea!
Thank you so much, Denise! The gold really stands out so much better with the new color – I’m so thrilled!
Vintage mailboxes have a special place in my heart from where we spent time during summer vacations. You took an interesting piece and made if phenomenal! The color, the detail – oh my!!
Thank you so much, Holly! 🙂
Love how you did this. Looks great. Just curious, do you store anything in particular in this? I have a small section of 16 smaller boxes, but can’t figure out what to do with it to make it more useful. Thanks.
Thank you Cheryl! I actually used this box as tool storage for a little while and simply accessed them from the back, which is open. It’s currently empty, however. Now that I have some good tool organization in the garage, I’ll have to think up a new purpose for this!
Wow, that turned out great. Love the color and your attention to detail.
Thank you so much, Jon!
I would match a blue scarf I have. The color is so pretty. I’d name it Antartic blue.
Oh, I love that idea, Nicki! Great color name!
I love the paint color you chose. I think I would color match the color of my car. It is a really pretty steely gray.
Thank you, Susan! I love car paint colors – it would be so neat to see one color-matched, although you might have to get very creative about bringing a piece into the store, haha 😀
I would color match these gorgeous green earrings my grandmother gave me and call it Brazen Green 🙂
I love it – both the inspiration and the color name!
This piece turned out just stunning! I would love it if you would share it at Friday’s Furniture Fix. Have a great weekend! http://www.patinaparadise.com/2015/11/fridays-furniture-fix-17.html
Thank you so much, Lucy!
I would color match my favorite green sweater, and name it “enchanted forest.”
Entered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Oh lovely! I don’t think I could resist a paint color called “Enchanted Forest”!
I’d color-match this lovely green-blue perfume bottle I have. It’s vintage…so an appropriate name would likely be Glass Staircase.
Now I need to try that one coat paint for some projects! And I can’t believe you almost listed that beautiful piece, of course, I have trouble letting go haha!
I just pinned this to my color attitude board including the lid information. This is a wonderful project. I don’t care for gold as a rule but this project was absolutely made for these colors together. Excellent eye and great job on the tutorial.
I cannot believe how amazing your piece turned out!! Such a happy dance must have occurred not only after it was the perfect shade but also all that detail work.
Hi! just subscribed to the gathered home. FYI for Canadian viewers – take you coloured object to Rona for paint match. if you didn’t know, now you do.
How did I miss this post!? This piece is incredible! I wish I could kidnap it for my home. The color is beautiful. I’ll have to pick some up once I finish up the paint collection I’ve got now. Need to try this brand!
It’s lovely! Amazing color! Thanks for sharing this. 🙂