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    Sherwin Williams “Dress Blues” Painted Kitchen Island

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    If you have a small kitchen that could benefit from having an extra work surface in it or a place for kitchen storage, then you may like the portable kitchen island I found and how I painted and styled it to fit the decorating style of my kitchen.

    Last week I shared a post with you about the new kitchen island I bought to replace a metal one I previously had.

    I told you as soon as I finished customizing it in my own style I would show you what I did to it. I finished it and I couldn’t be happier with how it came out.

    This is what the very solid and sturdy wood island looked like before I added my style.

    There are many ways to customize this wood work table/island from simply rubbing wood conditioner on it, sealing it with a clear poly to staining it a wood tone or painting it a color.

    After looking at all these options, I decided to paint the base using Sherwin Williams Dress Blues paint.

    How I Painted the Table/Island Wood Base

    Normally I would have chosen to use Sherwin Williams ProClassic formula of paint, since I used it to paint the kitchen cabinets, but the guy at the paint counter told me the color couldn’t be made using ProClassic in a quart and recommended I try their Emerald formula.

    I decided to get it made up in a semi-gloss finish so the base would be easy to wipe clean.

    Here is what the back of the island looks like. This side is parallel to the sink.

    How I Sealed the Wood Top

    To seal the wood top, I went back and forth on how I wanted to finish it. Two readers mentioned they liked Waterlox for sealing Butcher Block and wood. A few others liked using food safe mineral spirits that is used mostly for wood cutting boards. Both are great options.

    Since I am not going to use the surface as a cutting board as I have a Boos Board Cutting Block to cut on, I decided to try a new product from Minwax called Polycrylic Max in an Ultra Flat finish.

    I love Polycrylic and have shared all the projects I have used it on over the years with you on the blog so I went for it.

    I LOVE how well it went on and best of all how it sealed the wood with no sheen so it looks like bare wood. I followed the directions on the label. I wanted to make sure it was properly sealed and used two coats – sanding in between the coats to make sure the second coat adhered well.

    How I Styled The Wood Island

    The wood worktable/island has a drawer and two shelves under the drawer. The shelves can be screwed in at a few different heights depending on what you want to store on them.

    The drawer had a plain wood drawer knob. I didn’t care for that so I replaced it with a brushed chrome bin-style pull that I bought at Home Depot.

    How I Organized the Drawer

    If you have followed my blog for a long time then you know I like to line drawers with pretty paper. I have used everything from fabric, wallpaper, book pages and even gift wrap to add a surprise pop of color where you normally don’t expect it.

    For the my new kitchen island drawer I used gift wrap and then sealed it with Mod Podge in a matte sheen that I had in my decor supply stash.

    I took my time to get this new island project done. First it took me quite a few months to find a ready-made one that would fit in the small space. Next I didn’t rush into choosing the color and styling.

    I made it a point to look over the images and clippings I have taken from Pinterest and magazines to make sure what I ended up doing, would be just right for my kitchen as well as my own decorating style.

    More Kitchen Project and Decor You May Like

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      in Decorating

      How to Paint Metal Furniture & Fixtures

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      Learn the techniques for preparing, priming, and painting metal to get a smooth lasting finish. I am showing how I painted my wrought iron kitchen table base to a glossy white, along with how to paint other metal items you have in your home. Knowing the right paint to use and the metal painting process, you can paint any type of metal to change the color or to simply freshen the look.
      Wrought Iron Metal Table Base Before Painting

      The number one question I receive about painting metal is – How do you get paint to stick to metal? The answer – sanding and a good bonding primer – once these are done on the metal surface, then applying the paint in a few light coats will ensure a permanent finish.
      Is it Better to Spray or Brush Paint Metal?
      Spray painting is the fastest way to paint metal and will provide a smooth lasting finish if you follow the manufacturer’s directions on the can’s label. It is my preferred way, but it is not the only way to successfully paint metal.
      I normally would have used spray paint to paint this metal table base, but the weather was damp and humid and I needed a work area with a well ventilated area out of direct sunlight to do that. Instead I decided to paint the table base inside with a brush so the AC would help the paint dry properly.
      Spray Painting Metal Furniture

      If you decide to use spray paint, use a metal primer on the metal first or a “primer & paint in one formula” of spray paint.
      For spray painted inspiration for metal items, check out these posts to learn how to paint metal using spray paint:

      How to Paint Metal With Brush-On Paint
      The key to getting a very smooth brush-on paint finish on metal surfaces that are rod like or rounded like the base of my table is to use a high quality small, flat paint brush.
      After Painting: Black Metal Table Base Painted White
      Using a small brush will better able you to apply the paint in thin coats and avoid paint drips from happening.
      If your metal surface area is flat and larger, you can use a foam paint roller to apply the primer and paint instead of a brush.

      A paint brush with long flexible bristles like this one work well on wrought iron items. I bought this paintbrush in the fine art section at the craft store.
      supplies needed:
      Bonding primer – KILZ AdhesionLatex paint in semi-gloss – Sherwin Williams ProClassic in Pure White100 and 220 fine-grit sandpaper or self-etching primersPaintbrushDetergent, bucket and hot waterSafety googles and glovesOptional: Wire brush or rust remover will be need if metal is rusted or shows signs of corrosion. If the piece has been previously painted – use the wire brush to remove any loose or peeling paint.
      Time needed: 23 hours. How to Paint Metal Furniture or Fixtures Prepare the Surface Sand the metal surface with 60 –100 grit sandpaper. A quick, but thorough going over to rough up the surface is all that is needed. I prefer using sandpaper, but you can also use a self etching primer following the manufacturers directions. Clean Surface Clean the surface well with a rag dipped in hot sudsy water. Make sure to remove sanding dust, dirt, grease and any old paint with a wire brush or paint remover and let dry.Rinse off soap residue with a damp cloth. Let clean surface dry.If the Surface is Rusty – you will need to use steel wool or a rust remover. I find that Brillo or SOS pads work very well to remove rust from metal without having to use caustic chemical products. Prime Surface Brush on one light coat of bonding primer. Let dry. Lightly Sand When the bonding primer coat is fully dry, go over the surface with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth any ridges that may have occurred in the primer as it dried. Add Another Coat of Bonding Primer Brush on one more light coat of primer; let dry. Brush On Paint For full coverage, you will need at least 2 light coats of paint. Brush on 1 coat of paint. Let the first coat dry, before applying a second light coat of paint. Let dry. Optional: Seal Paint If you used a semi-gloss or gloss paint you don’t really need a sealant. If you used a flatter sheen of paint, use 1-2 light coats of non-yellowing water-based polyurethane over the painted surface to add protection. Let Paint and Sealer Cure It may take a few weeks for the paint to cure, so be gentle with your painted metal item for the first weeks of use.

      I painted the metal table base over 7 years ago and it still looks good, even after a move to a new home. Right before I painted the metal table base, I stripped the wood top to lighten it. Then recently, I made an entire new top for the metal base to give the table top a new look.
      More How to Paint Metal Instruction Posts
      If you are thinking about painting a metal object in your home – you may find more metal painting tips, technique and effects that I have used successfully in these posts:

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      in Decorating

      Valspar Bistro White Paint: View Real Room Photos

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      Bistro White by Valspar (7006-4) is one of the best white paint colors to consider when decorating a home.
      It is one of my favorite white paint colors for interior walls and trim in almost every room of my house.

      Valspar Bistro White: RGB, LRV and Undertone
      The reasons I like Bistro White over other popular decorator shades of white paint is the paint color, Bistro White has a warm quality to it, but has no yellow undertone.
      It is truly white and has a nice light reflectance value. It lacks blue undertones which can make a room feel cooler.
      Many warm whites – can look too beige. Ultra whites can look grey, especially in a north facing room. Bistro white falls right in between.

      Finding The Right Shade of White Paint
      I like white walls in my home and have used many shades of it – even white paint right off a store shelf labeled “White”. I don’t recommend using this though.
      At first glance – white paint can look all the same, but when you hold up what you may think is a white paint chip against a white piece of paper you can see a strong undertone that makes the paint look more beige or blue.
      For most paint brands ready-made off the shelf white paint that is simply labeled – white – almost always has a blue tinge to it.
      For a true white paint, it is best to get it mixed at the paint counter using a color from all the white paint chips on display in the store. Look for paint colors with names like Pure White and True White.

      Valspar Bistro White in Entry
      Valspar Bistro White is one of these true whites. It looks good in natural light during the day.

      And just as nice in the evening. The shade will change a bit depending on the warm/cool factor of the lightbulbs used in the room. The far wall and trim are Bistro White.

      Examples of Valspar Bistro White Paint in Real Rooms
      In the following photos you can see how I used this perfect white color in many rooms in both my previous and current home.

      Bathroom Board and Batten & Trim

      I first used Bistro White in the hall bath in my previous home. It is on the board and batten, doors and trim in the perfect sheen – semi-gloss.

      Fitness Room

      When I was turning a bedroom that was no longer being used in my previous home into a fitness room. The previous color was lime green so a primer was needed for coverage so no green undertone would show through.
      I rolled on the walls in an eggshell finish and brushed it in semi-gloss on the doors and trim for durability.
      The color gave the room cheery energy – just what was needed for workout motivation.

      Dining Room Walls

      After trying many moody dark colors in my dining room, it was not until I painted the walls in Bistro White that the room finally came together in a way I loved.
      The color transformed a dark dining room into a bright and pretty one where I used pops of fresh and vibrant color accents.

      Living Room and Kitchen Walls

      When we moved to live on Lake Murray in SC, I made the mistake of having the paint color mixed at a local paint dealership that did not sell Valspar.
      Valspar is a Lowe’s Home Improvement specific paint brand and is available at all their stores nationwide, but I didn’t live close to the store anymore.
      I was told at the local paint store, that their computer could match any formula of Valspar paint colors, so they could make the color for me.
      I was happy with this until I got home and started rolling the paint on the walls and realized it was not Bistro White – it had too much beige in it.
      Lesson learned. I wasted money not buying the Valspar brand with their exact tint formula.
      The next day, I set out for a 45 minute trip to Lowes to get true Bistro White made up in Valspar’s Signature line of paint. It is an acrylic latex, interior paint designed for “ultimate hiding.”

      I also used Bistro White on the vertical planking surrounding my living room fireplace.

      Craft Room Walls

      Bistro White in eggshell on walls. Sherwin Williams Pure White in semi-gloss on Trim.

      Entry Walls

      Freshly painted Bistro White in a satin finish on the walls in a foyer. Semi-gloss on trim.

      GATHER PAINT CHIPS – Every computer monitor will read white paint colors viewed online in images differently. It is always best to bring a variety of white paint chips home that vary in hue from warm to cool. TAPE TO WALL – Tape the paint chips to all four walls in the room, not just on one, as each wall gets different light. Group the warm white colors together and the cooler ones separate. Make sure you like how the white looks on all the walls during all times of the day – morning, noon, and night.PURCHASE – When you have edited the colors and decided on the right white color, buy a sample jar or a few paint samples of the paint in the sheen you want so you can paint it on the wall or a poster board to make sure it will look good in the room.  Once you see the actual paint on the wall and like it – then that is when you should buy it and start to create decorating magic with a roller or brush.

      My Other Go-To White Paint Color
      When I can’t get to Lowes to buy Valspar paint, my other go-to white paint is Pure White by Sherwin Williams.

      You can see it here on my kitchen cabinets: Pure White (7005) Sherwin Williams. It is a pristine white.

      I also used SW Pure White on my staircase makeover and hallway.
      Another reason why I like Valspar is as a manufacturer of paint – their paints are more affordable.

      Both of these white paints are not too yellow and not too blue and go with any color which makes them the perfect white paint to use when decorating your home.
      What are your go-to white paint colors for your home?

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