Aqua and Turquoise Nightstand Makeover

I’m making slow but steady strides on the decorating front in my almost 10 year old girl’s room.  You may remember that she picked out some new bedding and has made it known that she wants a good dose of aqua and turquoise in her room.  The plan was to paint the walls a light grey almost white color (Sherwin Williams Shoji White) and give her bedroom furniture a refresh in a bright and happy color.

Here’s a look at her nightstand before.  The picture below makes it look better than it actually looked.  In person it looked pretty beat up and the top was covered in scratches as well as one white ring from a glass of ice water she left in her room overnight…………..It really needed a refresh.

I decided to use Amy Howard at Home’s One Step Paint, which I’ve used on my dresser/buffet and the trunk in my bedroom.  I love working with this paint as there’s no need to prime first which is a step I always hate doing.  Plus, if you’re going for a slightly distressed look this paint makes it really easy to achieve that look.  I also like being able to run into my local Ace Hardware to check out the color selection in person.  My little girlfriend couldn’t decide which color she liked better between Tick Tock, a bright shade of aqua, and Vintage Affliction, a more muted turquoise blue.

I suggested that we use both colors, painting the drawer one color and the body of the nightstand the other.  After cleaning the nightstand really well with a damp soapy cloth, I gave it one really light first coat.

I let the paint dry really well before adding additional coats of paint.  I did two more coats to give it a really full coverage.  I removed the hardware and sanded (with a fine grit paper) the entire piece one time before the last coat of paint.   Then I sanded again (with heavy grit paper this time), distressing the edges, wiped it down and then applied one coat of the gloss sealer (also from Amy Howard at Home).

The whole process start to finish, even with drying time, only took a couple hours!  That’s another reason why I love this paint so much.  It dries so fast that you really don’t have to wait too long between coats of paint.   If you’re someone who likes immediate results you will really love working with this paint.

I’m glad we decided to paint the drawer different from the rest of the piece as it adds a fun, unexpected vibe.   The drawer front was so scratched and dented up, but instead of filling the scratches and dents I just let the paint build up over them.  Then when I sanded, I sanded in both directions which gave the paint a really cool finish.  It looks rough but it’s smooth to the touch, and it made the paint job look old like this piece had been painted years ago.  I also really love the way the distressed look juxtaposes the more modern elements in her space.

Now we have to decide whether or not to paint the bed.  If we paint it, we’re thinking of painting it white.  What are your thoughts?  Paint it white?  Or leave it as is?

So now the walls are painted and her nightstand has been refreshed.  Next on the list is to tackle her dresser, which will be painted as well.   We’re not sure if we’re going to have the dresser match the two tone look of the nightstand or if we’re going to choose just one shade for it.  What do you think?   Would you do it all one color?  If so, what color would you choose, the aqua or the turquoise?

*Thanks to Ace Hardware for sponsoring this post!  All thoughts and opinions, and love for this paint, are 100% genuine!