Monday, March 23, 2015

Barn Door Frustration

I'm back after a wonderful and relaxing week at the farm. The daffodils were almost done blooming


 but the irises and dogwoods were starting to bloom.


I worked on the barn door and other projects while there. For the barn door, I had a look in mind - I wanted it to have an aged wood look with chippy paint. I used several pieces of leftover wood to try out finishes.

On some I just used stains-


others stains with paint:



and also multiple stains/paint:


I actually liked the last two. Bruce thought the one with red was too busy. I decided to try the last one which was Grey Weathered stain, Early American stain with a white wash over it. I knew it was going to look fantastic.

I don't know what I did wrong but I didn't get that look at all. It was a disaster. The paint clumped and was too heavy in areas, the stain wasn't rich enough and it just didn't turn out the way I envisioned. Ugh!


It just looks too busy to me. Sigh. Of course, I ran out of time and had to leave it as is for now. Frustrating!!

Have you ever had a look in mind for a project but it didn't work out? I think I'm going to have to sand the door and start over. If all else fails, I'm painting it to match the headboard.


19 comments:

  1. I actually think the door looks pretty cool...at least it does in the picture. To answer your question- I have had MANY failures over the years....lol...with paint and otherwise. xo Diana

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    1. Aw, thanks Diana. It's not that it's bad...it's just not the look I was after. I wanted it softer? I guess.

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  2. I agree with Diana, the door looks wonderful in the picture. We've all had failures but they can always be turned around into wins. And you have just what it takes, Cecilia!

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    1. Thanks Gail. It will be better one way or another. It looked ok out in the garage where I was working on it but when we hung it up, I thought it looked too busy. It frustrates me to have to leave a project hanging. I like to get them done.

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  3. You're not alone Cecelia! We've all had failures, although from the pic I hesitate to call your project that. Since you mentioned it looked good in the garage, I'm thinking it was just the bedroom itself that was causing it to look busy. Sometimes it's difficult to envision how something will look in the actual space. I'm thinking if you sand the door and are very conservative (you can always add more) with the paint you probably will end up with something you love AND looks like you want.

    I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing. Glad you had a week at the farm, and I'm kinda jealous your daffodils are almost finished blooming. We spent some time yesterday shoveling snow! lol

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    1. That's kind of what I was thinking, Doreen. Good to hear it confirmed though.

      Yikes! I think I would cry if I had to deal with snow right now. This Southern girl would never make it. :) sending warm wishes your way!

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  4. My projects rarely turn out the way I envision them. Even though this one didn't turn out the way you wanted, it still looks nice. I'm sure you will find a fix for it that will make it work. The headboard is nice so that would definitely work. You already know the color works in that room.

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    1. Thanks, Jeanna! We'll see if it ends up painted but I definitely could live with that! :-)

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  5. Oh, I;m sorry your door didn't turn out like you were hoping. I hate when that happens. It does look really nice, but I totally understand it isn't what you wanted. I hope you're able to get it redone next time you're at the farm. I know it's frustrating to have to leave a project unfinished. The daffodils are so pretty. I love the sunny yellow color! Have a great week...:)

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    1. Oh well, it happens. I just didn't want it to happen with my door. In the meantime, I'm working on the guest room and having fun with those projects. :) have a good week too!

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  6. Well I for one, don't get it - I think it's GORGEOUS exactly like it is Cecilia !!!
    Are you kidding me?
    It's so totally authentic - LOVE it !!!
    ( if you want to you could just use a white wash to tone it down - but I wouldn't - I thinks it perfection ! )
    xxx

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    1. It looks better in the picture than in real life...trust me. I think I'll just try sanding it down a bit and see if that does it. Seems like everyone thinks it's ok except me. Maybe I need to give it time? Thanks for the encouragement.
      Hugs

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  7. When you have specific vision in mind and it just doesn't come out to your expect ions (in which many of my projects don't!) you get a bit disappointed; however, it does cause you not to look at how it truly is beautiful....maybe just not how you envisioned it, but beautiful anyway!...

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    1. Thanks Shirley. Maybe it's a good thing I had to go off and leave it until next time. I can decide then if I need to do anything else to it. I'm working on some other small projects and will go back to the door next week.

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  8. I know what you mean - I often have a vision in my mind and if the project doesn't turn out that way, I won't be happy with it - so frustrating. I know you'll get this one the way you want to, though. On the up side, your daffodils are sooooo cheerful!

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    1. I really enjoyed those daffodils! I'm looking forward to all the irises blooming next. :o) As for the door, it's growing on me. I still plan on sanding it a bit more but yeah, it's frustrating.

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  9. Cecilia, I understand the frustration when the vision of your project falls short. Having said that, I LOVE your door! Sometimes a few days makes a difference--has it grown on you? Your daffodils are so lovely too! Hugs, Cecilia

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    1. It would appear, Cecilia, that I'm the only one who doesn't like it. We go back up Thursday, so I'll see if I like it better now that I've had time to let it be for awhile. :-)
      Thanks!

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  10. Nice post, things explained in details. Thank You.

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