TUTORIAL: Step-by-step beautiful finish with Rustic Owl Furnishings!

Guest post by: Lindsay of Rustic Owl Furnishings
STEP 1 - It's all in the prep!
- I'll start out by saying, Prep is key! Your finish is only as good as your prep. I would say 85% of refinishing is prep work.
- The first thing I did before starting on this hutch was assessing it for damages. There were a few pieces of missing veneer on the top, the side was coming apart from the structure, and some of the trim pieces were coming loose. All purpose Bondo is my number one hole filling, gouge replacing product. I filled the holes and the missing patches of veneer with it.
- Once the Bondo is set, I sand with a 220 grit to the desired finish. I then used wood glue for the trim work and to put the side back in place, all held with clamps. I left this for about an hour to be sure the glue was dry and then removed the clamps.
- I took the shelves out that were nailed in, took off the glass doors and bottom cabinet doors and removed the drawer. I like to remove all parts to ensure a proper sanding is done and I don't miss a spot when painting.
- I used my Surfprep sander to sand the entire piece to bare wood with 120 grit sandpaper. I find the best lasting finish is done when the piece is sanded to bare wood.
- Once every thing is sanded, I use Krud Kutter degreaser and a microfiber rag to clean the entire piece. Scotch blue pre-taped painters plastic is perfect for covering the glass on the doors so I don't get any paint on the glass. It is also great for covering drawers to ensure paint doesn't splatter inside them! A must have product!
STEP 2 - This is important!
- Once everything is cleaned and dried I sprayed the piece with shellac 2 times, as this piece is mahogany, it will bleed through. I then primed it with cover stain oil based white primer.
STEP 3 - Time to paint
- Once every thing was dry, I painted the inside with The Chippy Barn Amulent Decor Paint in the color Craftsman White. I then painted the outside, the doors and drawer with The Chippy Barn in the color Lakehouse. It is a gorgeous light blue with grey undertones. The two colors compliment each other well.
STEP 4 - Interiors
- I sanded the two shelves to bare wood and stained them with white stain. I revitalized the inside of the drawer with The Chippy Barn's Wood Nectar in orange scent!! YUM!!!
STEP 5 - Seal your work
- I let everything dry overnight and then sprayed the entire piece with The Chippy Barn's Ultra-Tough Topcoat in Flat for a flawless finish!
I am in love with the finished piece! The Chippy Barn has awesome products. They always give a flawless finish, every time!
Check out Rustic Owl Furnishings for more great content!

I wear several hats in my day to day life. I'm a wife, a mother of 4 and I work full time as a pharmacy technician trainer at a major hospital. When I'm not doing any of those things, I run my business, Rustic Owl Furnishings. I started it 2 1/2 years ago and it's taken right off! I'm very thankful for that, because this is what I truly love. I love treasure hunting for antique decor or that perfect antique piece of furniture. Refinishing furniture is a lifestyle to me. I love finding antique or vintage furniture, imagining the transformation, and making it come to life!
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Craftsman White
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Formerly known as Serenity White, Craftsman White is a simple, bright white with no noticeable warm or cool undertones. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with...
Country Cream
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Formerly known as Cottage White, Country Cream is a warm creamy white. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required....
Putty
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Formerly known as Gabriel's Gray, Putty is a beautiful greige and a gorgeous neutral! Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work...
Fawn
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Formerly known as Willow, Fawn is an earthy dark greige, the perfect mix of gray and brown. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability...
Cashmere
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Formerly known as Cardigan, Cashmere is a light warm gray. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required. Whether you're...
Cobblestone
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Formerly known as Est. 1834, Cobblestone is a soft gray with the slightest of green undertones. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no...
Misty Mountain
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Formerly known as Winter’s Haze, Misty Mountain is a beautiful cool medium gray. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work...
Obsidian
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Obsidian is a specially formulated deep black. Quick drying, Great coverage, and a Perfect black for painting in the summertime heat! Blacker than the color Coal, Obsidian is the next generation of black! Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a...
Delta Dawn
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Delta Dawn is a muted soft yellow. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required. Whether you're brushing it, spraying...
Amelia
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Amelia is a unique mix of tan and blush to create an understated and muted pink. It's feminine - but not girly. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually...
Paris Pink
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Formerly known as Himalayan Pink, Paris Pink is a warm blush pink. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required. Whether...
Coppersmith
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Coppersmith is an earthy clay-red. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required. Whether you're brushing it, spraying it, or...
Morning Glory
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Formerly known as Blue Ridge, Morning Glory is a refreshing light cool blue. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required. Whether...
Balsam
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Balsam is one of our best-selling blues. It's the perfect balance of muted blues and greens! Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with...
Avondale
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Formerly known as Blue Suede, Avondale is a dark dusty blue. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work required. Whether...
Patina Shadow
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Formerly known as Lamb's Ear, Patina Shadow is a wintery and blissful light green. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work...
Times Past
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Formerly known as Restoration Green, Times Past is an earthy green with strong brown undertones. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no...
Off The Vine
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Formerly known as Sweet Pea, Off The Vine is a lovely and fresh, medium green. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no...
Juniper
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Formerly known as Eucalyptus, Juniper is a smokey green with just a hint of blue. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep...
Ever After
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Formerly known as Seaside Cliff, Ever After is a smoky, muted deep green. Virtually VOC-free, Amulent Decor Paint is created with a special type of ceramic technology formulated to give you amazing adhesion, a virtually brushstroke-free finish and long-lasting durability with little-to-no prep work...