Today’s guest blog comes from Linda of Q is for Quandie, and it’s a perfect example of how painted furniture can be a true expression of personality. With a bold mix of color and pattern, Linda takes a simple nightstand and turns it into something completely unexpected. Her thoughtful approach and fearless creativity show how paint can be used to push boundaries, have fun, and create a piece that feels one of a kind.
(The following is an excerpt from Q is for Quandie. Read the full article here).
This piece of furniture was in really good condition. Certainly better condition than 99% of the pieces I normally work on, and probably about 50 years newer. The only problem was a few water rings on the top, and well … that orange-y sort of stain color.
Step 1: Clean and PrimeSo aside from my usual prep process of scuff sanding and cleaning, I also opted to apply a base coat of Dixie Belle’s Bonding BOSS on the top before proceeding with the paint.
That brings me to today’s q tip: when you have water rings or other damage that has compromised the existing finish, that change in texture may be hard to disguise with just a coat of regular paint. You could end up seeing a ghost of those rings after your paint job. To prevent that, create a uniform base by adding a coat of stain blocking primer, like Bonding BOSS, before painting.
That did the trick on this piece.
Step 2: Paint and Stencil
I painted Viv’s nightstand in two coats Dixie Belle’s Chalk Mineral Paint in Gravel Road. Then I decided that the flat shelf at the bottom of the table needed a little something extra. So I pulled out two stencils from Dixie Belle, Basket Weave and Trippy Blocks, and applied them to a tester board to figure out which one I wanted to use.
I used Dixie Belle’s Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint in Black Sands for the stenciling. The color is a bit darker than the Gravel Road, and the sheen of the Silk paint is just a bit less matte than the chalk paint. Whenever I mention the Black Sands color, I like to point out that it is not black. It is a really dark grey, don’t be thrown off by that name. I’d tried this technique once before using their Midnight Sky and Anchor (which is the black from the Silk line) and loved the subtle results.
I decided that Trippy Blocks would do the best job of modernizing the look of the nightstand, which was mainly what Viv wanted me to accomplish.
Step 4: Seal
Once I had everything painted, I gave Viv the option of whether or not to distress the edges and in the end she decided against it. So after a very light sanding with 220 grit on the flat surfaces, I sealed this piece with Dixie Belle’s Easy Peasy Spray Wax.
It’s always so satisfying to me to see the massive difference a little paint and a change of hardware can make to a piece of furniture.
I think we definitely met our goal of giving this nightstand an updated look. What do you think?
Linda’s project is a great reminder that furniture painting doesn’t have to follow rules — it can be playful, artistic, and deeply personal. From the design process to the finished piece, her work encourages makers to trust their instincts and enjoy the creative journey. For another easy bedroom update that makes a big impact, check out our blog, An Updated Mid-Century Bed Frame.
