This post is sponsored by DecoArt. I only work with brands I know, use, and love, so you can trust that the information I’m sharing about Americana Decor Satin Enamels is reliable.
Nightstands Makeover With Americana Decor Satin Enamels
This is the last in my five-part series of posts where I feature projects using paints from Americana Decor’s brand new paint lines. You can see my previous four projects below:
Top: Nesting Tables // Trunk Bottom: Map Art // Ceramic Pot
Today I’m sharing my nightstands makeover with Americana Decor Satin Enamels in Classic Black! (Plus a little hardware upgrade.)
But before we get to that, I want to talk a little bit about this paint. Since the Satin Enamels line is designed specifically for painting cabinets and it cures to a durable finish, it’s perfect for high-traffic areas like our nightstands. We use them a lot–they don’t just sit in our room and look pretty. So they need to be durable!
I also want to talk a little bit about the different neutral colors in the Satin Enamels line. When I’m looking at paint colors, one of my biggest worries is that the computer-generated color swatches won’t accurately represent how colors actually look when they are painted and dry. If you’re looking for a solid gray, just a pinch too blue can ruin it. Likewise, beige can come in many different shades and tones. All colors look a bit different with different lighting, but I still think it’s helpful to see the actual colors painted on to something. So here are some samples–I hope seeing them helps you decide which shade is right for your project.
Top (L to R): Classic Black, Rich Chestnut, Natural Sable
Middle (L to R): Grey Taupe, Neutral Beige, Dove Beige
Bottom (L to R): Smoke Grey, Warm White, Pure White
As part of a mini bedroom makeover I am working on, I decided to paint our nightstands using Classic Black. This simple update gave them such a nice sheen, and coupled with the new hardware I picked up, they look seriously fly.
So here’s what I used for this project:
(Affiliate links below; read more about those here)
- Nightstands–we have these
- Americana Decor Satin Enamels in Classic Black
- Water-based primer
- Roller Lite Tiny Touch-it-up roller and extra rolls
- Wooster 1.5″ Golden Glo Angle Brush (here)
- Decorative knobs
And here’s how I did it.
(Remember to wear an appropriate mask while working with paints, stains, and finishes. Follow the directions and warnings from your particular brand.)
Step 1: I removed the drawer knobs, wiped the pieces down, and flipped them upside down. This will help you get into the crevices a bit easier.
The Satin Enamels instructions say to sand lightly between coats when painting on raw wood and to lightly sand already painted or sealed surfaces before applying. However, the nightstands had really slick surfaces–much like the finish you see on a lot of Ikea pieces–so I decided to do a coat of primer instead of sanding. Then I brushed on the first coat of paint.
Step 2: For the second and third coats, I decided to switch to a roller. I wanted the black to look super slick, and I was worried that any brush strokes would muck that up. I used the paint brush to cut in and around the crooks and then rolled the paint on. Make sure you use a fabric roller, not a foam one, and a fine-bristle brush so that there isn’t a huge difference in texture between the roller-painted and brush-painted sections.
Step 3: I let these dry and then set them aside to cure for a few days. Again, these are high-traffic pieces, so I wanted to make sure they were ready. After curing, I screwed on the new hardware. Good as new.
And here they are looking lovely with the plant gang:
Want to test these paints out for yourself? The Americana Decor Satin Enamels are available in Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores right now. Start checking A.C. Moore by June 24th and Michaels in August!
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Brittany is a seasoned DIY home and garden expert, running a creative brand since 2014 that inspires others with approachable plant care guides, woodworking tutorials, and decor projects. She is a certified project manager and has completed extensive coursework in the art and science of growing your own plants. Her work has been recognized by major publications, and she routinely collaborates with fellow DIY industry leaders—but her favorite thing to do is inspire you! Learn more about her here.
How much paint did you use?
Loving that new hardware! Nice project!
Thank you 🙂 It’s from World Market!