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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: The Stain Game

| By John Petersik | November 8, 2012 | 218 Comments

Reader Redesign: The Stain Game

We just flew back from Boston (and boy are our arms tired, har-har) but since we shared our freshly painted bathroom with you guys this morning and we didn’t want to leave you hanging with just one post, we got this Reader Redesign together in the airport for ya (throughout all this travel, we’re doing out best to keep blogging as usual). I know we typically share full room makeovers, but this furniture upgrade had such a creative twist that we had to pass it along. We loved that Beth and Nick rescued this old to-be-trashed buffet with the help of some wood stain applied in an unexpected way. Here’s what Beth had to say about the project:

Hi guys! I love drawing with charcoal, and I decided that I was going to try the same techniques, only using stain on wood, instead of charcoal on paper. It came out so well, we just had to share it with you!

Stain 1 Before

We pulled this buffet out of a burn pile, repaired the burn damage and fixed a structural problem, prepped, primed, and painted the body. Then I drew out some flower petals lightly with a pencil on the top surface of the buffet and began staining with Minwax Ebony. I started with the center petals and stained each petal, starting at the center and working my way out toward the tip of the petal.

Stain 2 Starting Stain

As you can see I didn’t stain all the way out to the edge of the petals, because I wanted that to be the lightest portion of my ‘shading.” Using a dry cloth and my finger, I wiped away from the stain to allow a smooth transition from the stained portion to the outer unstained portion of my petal. Rubbing it to create that shaded look. I continued to repeat this process on each petal as I worked my way away from the center of the flower.

Stain 3 Process

I’m soooo super proud of myself. Hope you love it! – Beth & Nick

Stain 4 After

Stain 5 Just Blue

Isn’t that such a cool idea? For those who might shy away from the painted bottom, you could easily stain the front/sides of a piece and apply this treatment to the top as well. Makes me feel like such a staining novice. But now I’m kind of itching to think of a piece that we could try this on. And it makes me realize that if such an intricate design is possible, someone could attempt something like stripes or tiled triangles too (perhaps with the help of some painters tape?). So if you’re looking for more pics and details about the process, be sure to visit Beth and Nick’s blog, and if anyone else has tried something fun with stain we’d love to hear how it all went down.

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Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

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Comments

  1. Avatar for ElaineElaine says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    Reply
  2. Avatar for KristinKristin says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    That is incredible!!!!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for SuniSuni says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    This might just be one of the coolest redesigns I’ve ever seen for furniture!! WOW!! I love everything about it. Thank you so much for sharing…now to find a kleenex to wipe the drool of my desk.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for MaureenMaureen says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:06 pm

    Holy Schmoly… THIS IS AMAZING!

    Really, really beautiful!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for BrendaBrenda says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    What a fabulous, artistic result! So clever!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for lizliz says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Oh wow.

    THAT.IS.AWESOME. What a beautiful beautiful piece of furniture it is now… seriously – so awesome.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Emma (Broke Ass Home)Emma (Broke Ass Home) says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I am stunned, jealous, and in love. Way to go, Beth!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for kathykathy says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Wow. That is so insanely gorgeous! It looks like a custom piece!

    I’m totally art-challenged so I’m sure mine would look like a toddler doodled on the top with a Sharpie.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for AbbyAbby says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    WOW!!! I am totally impressed and inspired. This is gorgeous!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Kenz @ Interiors By KenzKenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    I LOVE Beth! She is so good at transforming furniture. She might as well be the furniture whisperer.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for hannah grayhannah gray says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    This is one of the collest refinishing projects i’ve seen! I just stained an old mid centrury modern tv stand a few weeks ago and would love to try something a little more challenging like this, but I’m no artist! lol

    Reply
  12. Avatar for andrea @ my kinda perfectandrea @ my kinda perfect says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    are you serious?! that’s GORGEOUS!!!! what a creative way to use stain!!! =)

    p.s. it was so awesome to meet you guys last night! highlight of 2012 for sure!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      Aw, it was amazing to meet you Andrea! We had the best time! Thanks for coming out in the storm!

      xo
      s

  13. Avatar for JennyJenny says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Wow! That looks fantastic! And my favorite part of her write-up: “I’m soooo super proud of myself.” As she should be!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I am picking up four pieces this weekend from CL – you can bet I am going to try something similar to this on at least one of them! Awesome share!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for AdrienneAdrienne says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Holy shitake mushroom….this is cool!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for CandiLCandiL says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    I do not have the artistic ability or patience to do this…but oh my word this is awesome!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Michelle M.Michelle M. says

      November 8, 2012 at 5:34 pm

      I mean, not sure really haven’t worked with stain, but if you wanted a different look thats easier you could try cheverons or circles or stripes… anything geometric would be easier and kinda subtle/cool. :)

  17. Avatar for JuliaJulia says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    WOW that is AMAZING!!! I would buy that buffet in a heartbeat. She should consider doing this some more and selling her pieces!! I wish I had the artistic skill to pull something off like that, but I don’t, so I do like your idea of doing a more simple design! I’m curious how she got those clean lines around the petals?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:22 pm

      They look so clean, right?! I studied the picture and it looks like she was using a small paint brush in some (maybe to get that crisp edge?).

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for CassidyCassidy says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:35 pm

      Julia, I have been following Beth’s blog for a long time, and they do sell their pieces!! Either you can bring them a piece and tell them how to re-do it, or you can buy from her “in stock already completed” collection. She is awesome!

  18. Avatar for Robin @ our semi organic lifeRobin @ our semi organic life says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    So beautiful! Who know such creative things could be done like this!? not me.

    Also I just found this out – you can make secret boards on Pinterest now. #hadtoshare

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:22 pm

      Oh yeah, so exciting!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for JenJen says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:49 pm

      whhhaaaat? secret boards?! I’m off to check it out

    • Avatar for EmilyEmily says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      You can?! How? I just got and have been staring at my boards for like 20 minutes trying to figure it out…

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 4:14 pm

      If you scroll down on the page that says “my boards” you can see three spots to add three secret boards. Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  19. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    Wow that is amazing…and she must be super patient! I think I would give up and just stain the whole thing :)

    Cant’ wait to see y’all in Dallas!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    That is SO cool. I absolutely LOVE it! I love the turquoise and that top is so pretty & different!

    We actually just finished transforming a mid-century dresser into an entertainment center. It was our first time using stain & I’m so pleased with how it turned out!

    http://www.bakecreatelove.com/2012/11/our-newest-furniture-project.html

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:24 pm

      Gorgeous! I love the lines of that!

      xo
      s

  21. Avatar for Amanda T.Amanda T. says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Whoa! That is amazing!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for AliAli says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    Beautiful! Way to go Beth & Nick! I would never want to sit anything on top of that design.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Anele @ Success Along the WeighAnele @ Success Along the Weigh says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    *picking jaw off the floor*

    That is simply gorgeous!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for SaraSara says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Wow! Stunning! What sort of prep do you have to do on painted wood to stain it? Strip and sand?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:21 pm

      You usually just have to sand it down enough so that it’s not glossy anymore so the wood can soak up the stain.

      xo
      s

  25. Avatar for Michelle KerseyMichelle Kersey says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    THAT’S AMAZING!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for SunnieSunnie says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Beautiful piece, and I love that they rescued it from being destroyed. I would love to try this technique out sometime!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for CareenCareen says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Holy Cannoli! that is amazing. they could charge big bucks and sell items done in that fashion. gorgeous.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for KrissyKrissy says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Wow, that looks fantastic! Really impressive. And I love that poppy color!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for carolinecaroline says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    That’s gorgeous! Can’t believe I never thought of this, but I would probably be too scared to try it. Mostly because I can’t draw and my flowers would be weird looking.
    I did do something with painter’s tape and stripes on my 50’s cocktail cart though, you can have a look here: http://bunniesandstripes.blogspot.fr/2012/10/after-after.html

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:21 pm

      Holy cow, that’s gorgeous! I love it!!

      xo
      s

  30. Avatar for Tamrah RyanTamrah Ryan says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    WOWOWOW! I am so impressed. Very. Cool.

    Reply
  31. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    That is ridiculously gorgeous. Amazing job, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    nice! a leopard print would be awesome!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      November 8, 2012 at 3:20 pm

      Ohemgee, someone do that and send me pics!

      xo
      s

  33. Avatar for Gretchen BrownGretchen Brown says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Oh Em Geee! That is BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for elizabethelizabeth says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    It’s like wood inlays for poor people… I LOVE IT!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for BrandiBrandi says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    Wow how creative! And she should be proud of herself. If I did that, I would beam with pride every time I passed by it.

    Reply
  36. Avatar for JennJenn says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    I WANT IT. Wow!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for stephsteph says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    In a world where pinterest has taken over making no idea unique, I must say, this is absolutely fabulous.
    This is 100% unique and so cool!
    What talent!
    I wish I had somewhere to do this… or at least try.
    Now…. off to pin this!
    :)

    Reply
  38. Avatar for AliceAlice says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    Whoa Nelly! Unbelievably amazing! The talent of people never ceases to amaze me.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for Gabriella @ Our Life In ActionGabriella @ Our Life In Action says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    OMG! That’s amazing!

    I could never do that – seriously, I would start out trying to do a flower and would come end up with some sort of mangled sun looking thing….oh the horror!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Donna JeanDonna Jean says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    wow! that is spectacular – and so much more awesome than the furniture redesign that my 2 yr old did this morning w/ our recliner and a pink highlighter! i wish i had the artistic talent to be able to do something awesome like that buffet – and i love the color they chose for the bottom of it, too. so gorgeous.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for Allison IronsAllison Irons says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    That is fabulous!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for TeriTeri says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    I wish I were artistic. I think if I attempted it I would have stain everywhere!! Such an out of the box idea!!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for Jennifer (iffles)Jennifer (iffles) says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    ooooooh, that’s SO AWESOME.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for LeynaLeyna says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Holy. Crap. A. Moly. That is incredible.

    Reply
  45. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:29 pm

    Wow, stunning piece! I wouldn’t even know where to begin to create a piece like that!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for Marissa CMarissa C says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    That is super impressive. I’d love to try this on a headboard.

    Reply
  47. Avatar for Katherine (@ KM Decor)Katherine (@ KM Decor) says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    AMAZING! I’m in awe! I LOVE this!! So beautiful!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for JoyJoy says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    Gorgeous! This is why I am in awe of artistic people. My math-brain only does stripes and solids.

    Reply
  49. Avatar for KristiKristi says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    What an effective design – and, of course, an amazing technique.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for marymary says

    November 8, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    Wow, what a great idea!! Was looking for something neat to do on my next little one’s dresser. We simply stained the drawer fronts and top on my boy’s and painted the body a Martha Stewart yellow-ish color… will definitely be pinning this for a future project idea!!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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