Monday, March 1, 2010

Leapfrog

Hey guys!  I am DONE painting my Cameron Storage System!!! 
I got the plans for this system free at Knock Off Wood!

Now for my paint choice!!!  This is going in my playroom/gameroom so I really wanted to pick a fun and bright color.  Green came to mind so off to Home Depot I went.

I didn't want plain green but a bright pea green.  I found the color Leapfrog by Behr and it was exactly what I had pictured in my head....  I had them add a primer to it for about $9 and I am so glad I did!!!  MDF soaks up paint like a sponge and I still only had to use 2 coats!  It took the entire gallon of paint!

I was going to paint it on with a paint roller but I was guided towards this paint brush as a better alternative by a nice man at Home Depot.  He didn't work at Home Depot but he had a Dupont Paint jacket on so I assumed he was legit!  It took many grueling hours of painting but the finish turned out awesome.  This brush is angled so it made edges and corners so easy!

Here is the system dismantled and painted.  I will admit I was very worried that I picked the wrong color after opening the paint lid but I LOVE LOVE LOVE this color now!!!  I'm so glad I stepped out of my safe zone and went with a bold color:)

I can't just leave it alone...gotta distress it!!! 

I used my 3M sanding block on all of the edges.


Next, I used a foam brush to wipe Minwax stain over the distressed area and then wiped off the excess.  As far as the color stain I picked, I just used the Red Mahogoney that I already had.  If I were to have gone out and bought some for this project I would have picked Dark Walnut.  This was free and there was not a big area being stained so it didn't make much of a difference to me.





Such an easy technique and it makes such a huge difference!  1 down 8 to go!!!  I'll be back soon with a tutorial on the drawers!!!

~Ashley

 
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39 comments:

Ann On and On... said...

Amazing. You are driven!

Sjn said...

I love it with the black distressed edges! Great job!!!

shara said...

awesomeness! love it~ must go now and find something to paint and distress... you've inspired me today~ happy monday

Crib Tales said...

STUNNING!! I love the distressing. Don't you just love that Behr paint and Purdy brushes??!

Sarah @HarriganHowdy said...

So inspiring! Seeing the plans is one thing... but actually building it yourself- wow. And that green is perfect. Love how this is turning out.

Blessings-
Sarah

Stephanie Saunders said...

So I've been wanting to make some of the stuff from Ana's blog, but I was worried about the "fuzzy" edges that come from using MDF. But I just read an article in the Family Handy Man about using MDF. He said that if you want smooth edges without the fuzzies, sand the edges with 100 grit, prime ONLY the edges, sand with 100 again, and then prime again, you'll get a smooth edge. Not much help now since you already painted, but I figured that you'll probably be building something else from her awesome plans. And who can resists? I love the color, by the way :)

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

woohooo! I have the bunk beds from Knock off wood in my garage waiting to be painted as well. Way to get it done! They look great, and I love the color you picked.

Cindy said...

Wow! That is gorgeous! I especially like the distressed edges! Gorgeous!

elisabeth (bovagoods) said...

this is looking great! i can't wait to see it in the room!

courtney said...

that looks amazing and i love the color!

Crystal said...

I love the color! It looks great.
-Crystal

Tina said...

Ashley, that looks awesome! I love the colour and the distressed edges, amazing job on your part!!! ~ Tina x

Tausha said...

OH MY HECK! It looks fantastic and I think that I am in love with the color now. Your fantastic system has got my mind going for a craft room system! Thanks as always for the ideas! Keep them coming!
PS-So impressed that ou painted that whole thing with a brush! I would whipped out the roller after an hour of using a brush. You rock! I hope that u had lots of chocolate to help with the sanity side!

Heather said...

That looks fabulous! I love the bright paint color and you're right its very fun! I can't wait to see the whole system done! Knock Off Wood is amazing too. I've built the better homes and garden bench as well as the Thomas narrow hutch and cabinet! Love her site as well!

Samantha2818 said...

This looks awesome. I have spent thousands on having furniture made in my house (and for my shop when I had it) and it would never have dawned on me that I could make it myself. I am so inspired by the fact that you've made this too and am just about finishing drawing plans to make a Logan media base. I've had to alter Ana's plans as I need to make it a bit smaller to fit a space. Seeing what you've acheived is really giving me confidence. Love the colour and can't wait to see it in place.
Sam x

Miss Obara said...

That turned out awesome. I LOVE the color!

The House Creative said...

Way to go! This looks like it was quite the undertaking! Great job. Love that you painted it green too. very fun!

Anonymous said...

WOW! The color is fun and the whole job is amazing!!!

Sara said...

looks fab! love the distressed edges

Indiri Wood said...

Oh, it's coming along beautifully! Can't wait to see it all assembled and filled up!

Unknown said...

LOVE it!!! My kitchen walls are a similar color-called Punk Rock! :) Green is my FAVE!!! :)
Great job! I still haven't decided what to make from Ana's blog first! :)

Tempest Ahoy said...

Looks so great! I really need to make some stuff off Ana's site too. Just love her blog.

Janie said...

Very nice, we're in the middle of cabinet project too and I just filled holes and sanded and this weekend staining - yipee! Oh, and then sealing - yuck! We have to match our bookcases or else I'd be painting!

Taija said...

K, I was a little nervous when you said bright pea green color... But man, you worked it out! That looks awesome!!! The distressing rocks, I love it!

Hutchings Home said...

Quick question for you. I know MDF is rough to paint and takes many coats, so I am wondering what your thoughts are on priming the cut pieces of MDF before you put them together. I am planning on building one of Ana's office systems and am just wondering what your thoughts are on now that you have had the experience of building this. Thanks so much. It has been fun to watch your progress on this project.

Unknown said...

Aren't those paintbrushes excellent? The rollers are great, too.

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I love the color...so fun! I'm working up the nerve to start on the Bedford Collection for my office.

Amy

Amy said...

Wow Love the color you picked. I looks amazing with the distressing! Great Job!

Tomena said...

CAn't wait to see it in the room!

Jami Schoettler said...

I gave you a little award on my blog. Check it out if you'd like! Jami

http://theschoettlerfamily.blogspot.com/2010/03/wooohooo

Morgan//Nuts and Bows said...

this turned out so great! i just love the color i am thinking about doing my dvd shelving thing in that color too! thanks for the post i just love your blog!

~Morgan
http://meetvirginiaandroo.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeetVirginiaShop?page=1

Heidi said...

I would be super scared of this color! But it looks so cool on your shelves, and I especially liked how you distressed the edges a bit. Very nice!

Barbara Jean said...

Love it!
Great job. Very professional looking.

Having trouble finding plans on site you mentioned, but will keep looking.

What day are we supposed to link up to show our projects?

thanks and blessings

barbara jean

Pat said...

Love the media center! When you say you had them add primer to your paint what does that mean? You had them mix primer into your paint color?

Nancy said...

Excellent!

Low Tide High Style said...

They turned out great and I love the fun color you picked and the distressing, so pretty!

Kat :)

Room to Inspire said...

It looks amazing! You have inspired me - the color looks great.

Chelsea

Anonymous said...

OMG you never cease to amaze me with your transformations. This one is fantastic! I cant wait to see it completed.

Allison @ House of Hepworths said...

You. Are. Amazing.

I love your storage system and I really love the color. How fun!!!

Allison

 
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