Dressing Up a Hutch

I found the "perfect" hutch - but let me clarify...

It is perfect because:

1) It fits beautifully on that wall!

2) Great bones and structurally sound.

3) Gives me the exact space I needed for all my kids' paints, play-doh, crayons, coloring books, scissors, and other such paraphernalia.

4) And I have a vision for her.

The biggest thrill is seeing the beauty before anyone else can - to see the potential and build from it. Just as God sees us.

No one's life is refined without incurring some bumps, scrapes or mishaps. You can't make it through this life without them. Your scars are what tell your story - such as with furniture.

For it to be perfect doesn't necessarily mean it has to be the textbook definition of perfect.

I believe God sees our lives the same - all the chips and nicks are what make us so unique and who we are.

Look at this way - I know I am the perfect woman for my husband {and I'm positive he feels the same!} Does that mean I'm entirely without any flaws, defects or shortcomings? Uhmm, well . . . no! I'm full of those. But as his wife, I was made perfect for him. We are perfect for each other. AND that was the Plan.

I painted my "perfect" hutch but over the past several months, something wasn't jiving. The color was such a great match but it was just so flat! She needed more perfecting. So after a lot of consideration, I decided to distress her {with stain!}

In my eyes, she is once again perfect . . . for today. Since she does have great bones, I'm sure I'll change her up again. With style and decorating trends ever changing, so is my furniture. If I am supposed to pass her down to future generations, I'll have to keep her fresh looking.

Tools needed for this project:

• One awesome piece of furniture that needs some "perfecting"
• 1 quart of latex, flat paint in your color choice {flat is the cheapest of all sheens and your poly will give you your desired final sheen.}
• 1 good/quality brush {I only use Purdy}
• 1 pint of stain in your color choice {I like the choices you find with Minwax}
• several sponge brushes {easy to throw away when you're finished with them}
• several soft cloths
• Polyurethane {again - I like Minwax's Fast Drying Poly in a satin finish}
• and a small bit of faith that the final result is going to look fantastic!

As with my hutch, I will never be finished. I will forever be a work in progress. Never perfect, but just right for where God has me in this journey. 

What fun projects are you working on right now? How is God working on you?

by Kim