Painted Mantel – The *BLEEPING* Reveal!

[Que the dramatic music as we pick up where we left off yesterday...]

Why is it that I always, ALWAYS, think that painting is a small project?

“Oh I’ll just throw some paint on there and it’ll be done in no time at all!” are typically the words preceding my demise. Sigh.

I forget about the #@$&* sanding, the cleaning, the @*$& priming and finally, the several coats of *BLEEPING* paint.

But usually the end-product makes it all worth it. Usually. This time I wasn’t so sure…

The wood was very smooth and had a fairly glossy finish–there was no way I was getting away with not sanding.

BLEEEEEP!

I usually don’t tape anything off when I paint. (You can send emails explaining how stupid that is to Carin. I don’t need to hear about it.) But this project required some tape or else the wall and brick were going to be a MESS.  I reluctantly taped the wall and brick off while I spit out more swear words left and right. (FYI: The kids were at school, besides I think they taught most of them to me.)

Ugh. At this point I was ready to wipe it all off. It looked SO horrible with only the primer on there. I was thinking: What have I done?

[Insert more curse words here.]

Not good. Not good. AT ALL.

After the first coat of paint I felt much better. But I still applied an additional coat just to be sure it would hold up.

And here it is with all three coats, and all decorated, of course:

I feel obligated to remind you of the before:

[Applause!]

HOLY *BLEEEP*!  I don’t think there is any comparison AT ALL.

I’m so glad I thought of whitewashing the brick first because I think that really helped the overall look.

I love it but I am SO glad that project is over.  Now I can put an end to all those horrible curse words.

Although such a pretty mantel makes me think that now I might need all new furniture.

$#*^!!!!

NOTE: I used KILZ Primer and Sherwin Williams paint. Despite thinking things looked horrible in the beginning, I’m certain that a lesser quality paint would have been an absolute NIGHTMARE.

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