Hubby started complaining right away that he missed the clock over the mantle. He doesn't 'get' the whole I-Need-to-Change-My-Mantle-Decor sickness and wasn't really worried that the Chinese could see it. Since then, I've been on the look out for a smaller clock for that room (it is soooo not going on my mantle no matter what the Mister says, thankyouverymuch). Found a solid oak clock sitting on the clearance shelf at TJ Maxx in the standard 'honey' color and knew I could show it some love. And here we go:
Here's my 'before' shot. Use your imagination to visualize the clock face under that tape.
Wearing her first coat of Espresso paint
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthIQmwnx5oDsJs_dK75dIzgnIqIv2wl8bYkJFDn_1HN5rjFI4DMEsd0Mf1W5PMV3RpBq-mysKfuKoRFcIe4K8hKhTMZP90nicWbD1AfOTiFV4AwzVqWfo-TQA1XzSd2k0KED8dlKxyqLz/s400/100_1370.jpg)
Highly technical method of rubbing candle wax over most of her grooves after she dried
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uIexLhNAYFVUX-YaO5PdRWAc88P1WNReISh5RtkZnmGKeBc50Ggg7Lzb-VGrPt7ZyfK9Jq64fxBaWSdHS4ZJrCBqBwdgs95a-PxrFCpmsRFfuBQI-0e_gOoUAvTRssft-5H_ORcLK1Y2/s400/100_1385.jpg)
Stiff bristled brush to wipe away excess wax lumps (stiff because never cleaned them after the last paint job)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AXWbmHekFAAWDMqHtHArE0DFI-AdUfnjTCHyvgPObls17B0XYEFQf0vNzc5-q0j9o7Plqu6WYHrssiqI4VIS4WLNw5q_UU6c0u25-kv1zG9AffNDrtoOLOKcTI0CQh4uJeZiEZpTn6kb/s400/100_1386.jpg)
Now it's getting exciting....I sprayed and oversprayed an ivory satin until it started crackling (usually when this crackling appears on an object I start using bad words, but this time it was on purpose)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4CLyb-fZ1uo5cSRE5G4yy-Td1PkTtEsmTHqE79gcz6c65iZtWvWTzm7fJiBL1YtnHFiIMm5_DWofNcoqh30YFgk8tLkffG6fWJqLXx-WBbXLNd4Wz5mr7tB_b264e4tcYaZXjhcZfbJx/s400/100_1388.jpg)
Once she'd dried, I took a course piece of sandpaper over all her curvies so the brown paint would show thru. That's what the wax was for. In some places I went down to the bare wood. I wanted this girl to be excessively shabby. Finished with a once-over using a 'between coats' fine sanding sponge, and my stiff bristle brush to clean her all up.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-MZ2DyiMfzH7ojhULLWlfUwemxZBQxfsDfHXokOV4iAuRwqkgbkZkPvopSL92ZO2phxarBTswjejwUJeY2faGgDNJaC8C-YmuWDtomzJ7Vpy2-0aapeK8ZbtpuE4GDhURhulFikxRcGy/s400/100_1390.jpg)
The result
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVANkPhZgO2CYeamPE-_ZsUw4gjDgaL-sYdxX411uxWAJ7p448o-cPyuoKYTiTT1kzeIzulRaEY3GnJPQ7D_h51WnwQ_Bic5FRgyQbpHTmVsIL4s95vnL-vaxKW21hG57ZKJ8twgm-HCtd/s400/100_1398.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbBfUMXBsfhsF80cyLkM7E8ss0bZqSrU-7XGlmduDxX7Br4uSUfV6wNQfzVV8LbEv7quP8EYzZVEMp1ZNnZqfmqjS8WKpaqw9NViizcqLFcwF9K1YirL7CgHWNg4raVjkXemY-qFEbg-v/s400/100_1399.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb8kvsqOEPB24zZfyIAUBFSX-GDUyZPnFHJUCCS9dJApePKtm51EhElbO6apdJLpMUsUg5zSLGgqj_2x-4gUGAoemgvSz7aVUnz0bp43T56DWcTPOGdlNlVddEULQSQJPXi0vufvZ-0SI/s400/100_1400.jpg)
Sweet! And I do apologize to all my Chinese readers who won't be able to tell the time anymore.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00UAIwciSD4urdbspGag-YD7hIa1vgjkLzsYCKpqBOwm-jvHGlMQ6UCxfWcpt_HadOFwKCf9d-W_TdtYHN0GVrJp4Bkg7xa_oeaEoSeEopZkVfirpNJQbWltODd0PmbA9DEBUMXNc0EMk/s400/100_1401.jpg)
This has been linked to A Soft Place to Land's DIY Day
If you're into all natural handmade soap....head over HERE for my first ever giveaway in honor of nothing in particular. I just like taking pictures of my soap. :o)
21 comments:
What a great project. The clock is just lovely! You and your Hubby can both be happy now. Thanks for the great ideas and for stopping by yesterday! Have a wonderful day!
OMG, I was cracking up at this post cause it sounds so like some of the conversations that go on here! My husband so does not "get" the whole decorating thing. I love what you did with that clock though. I am going to definitely have to try that with a few things around here.
Your clock is fantastic! What a transformation! Thanks for the inspiration and for stopping by.
Jane
She's a beaut!
Oooooh, Aaaaaaaah, LOVE IT. Can you please send it to my house? it is GORGEOUS!! I'm horrible at distressing stuff, I wish I were better.
Beautiful! I have never tried that wax treatment but now I really want to.
Your clock looks fantastic. If I saw it at Homegoods I would want it!! I have an cheapo wall clock waiting for a makeover- thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the encouragement to do a slipcover tutorial. I've been meaning to for a while and it seems a little daunting, but I've had a few requests now, so I guess I better get on it!
Great Job. I have a clock that needs some help too. I may borrow your idea. Thanks for sharing.
I love the clock! what a great job on it, so cottagy and vintage looking! Love your blog too, I can see we have a lot in common! Cindy
Very nice outcome with the clock. Thanks for the great tips. I like your blog site. Very cool. You got skills, friend. Keri
www.spitnglue.com
Love the clock.....AWESOME makeover. Enjoyed your blog and thanks for visiting mine and leaving such a nice comment.
Have a wonderful day.
Gail
You did a great job, it looks fabulous !
Wow that is absolutely stunning - I think this is the best clock makeover I have seen in a long time :) thanks for popping by my blog I have added you to my bloglines as I can;t wait to see more of your projects :)
Oh my! I love how she turned out! :)
Lovin' your new clock! It is beautiful - what a great transformation.
Chelsea
Your clock is beautiful! Love it!
R
What a difference!!! Now you can proudly display it...isn't it amazing what a little TLC can do???
Wow that is so much cuter than I thought it could possibly wnd up from where it started! Great job!
Oh - now following!
Love the clock...I have one similiar and I think this post has inspired me to do something similiar with it. I have not really liked the clock for a long time now but I might be able to increase it's status witha coat of paint. .. thanks for shareing.
Do you know I've had a clock in the basement for the last 5 years...it was a wedding present, but the finish is that PINK pickled oak, so early 90's. I am now inspired to spray it.
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