Many of you know that I lived in Italy for 4 years and the Mediterranean colors and style are close to my heart so this week I was inspired to by those colors and patterns for this Mediterranean hutch makeover. This was a piece that I had previously painted and I start this project out by showing you how to remove paint if you don’t like the way your piece turned out, or if you are tired of the look and want something new.
Supply List for the Mediterranean Hutch Makeover
Surf Prep Sanding Kit (Use coupon code BELLARENOVARE10 )
Step 1: Strip the Paint with a Heat Gun
I’ve shown you before how you can remove paint with stripper and a scraper, but you can also use a heat gun and it’s very effective. It’s important that you’re in a well ventilated area because there can be fumes when you’re applying heat to paint. And the heat gun needs to be close, but not too close to the surface. When it starts to bubble and lift, use a paint scraper to remove the paint and pull it all off.
This hutch had a few layers of paint but if you take your time and use the right tools, this will work! Even though I did get about 98% of the paint off, I do go back with a sander and 120 grit paper to make it smooth and get any little bits off. The sanding will make a really nice surface for the new paint job.
Step 2: Cleaning the Hutch
The next step is cleaning the hutch with White Lightening. There is a ton of dust from sanding so I get most of it off the first then, then go back with a clean bucket of water and a clean rag to get any residual off before I start painting.
Once that’s dry, I go over the entire piece with Boss which is a blocking primer. There are some areas that are going to be white with decoupage paper overtop so this is prep for that step. I want to make sure that there aren’t going to be any tannins coming through the paint and the decoupage paper.
If you want to know more about tannins coming through when you’re trying to paint your furniture white or another light color, I did a 10 minute video on why that happens and how to fix it or prevent it. You can see it here: https://youtu.be/HAkBerOgWDE
Step 3: Adding the First Colors to the Mediterranean Hutch Makeover
I’m painting Colonel Mustard on the raised areas of the cabinet and on the panels I’m doing Fluff (white). The decoupage paper is going to go over this white paint and by having this white background, it will keep the colors on the decoupage paper nice and bright.
Next up is adding Terra Cotta texture all over the entire piece. I’m using the Sea Spray Texture Additive, adding a bit at a time, then stir, add and stir until you reach the brownie batter-like consistency.
I lightly dab it on so that it’s a consistent thickness across the whole hutch. The only sections I didn’t paint with the Terra Cotta is the raised areas where I had painted the Colonel Mustard (those raised spots) and the white Fluff in the panels.
Step 4: Adding Blues and Blending
Once the textured Terra Cotta is dry, I take my In the Navy and start at the bottom, working my way up and try to make it as solid as I can, knowing that it doesn’t have to be perfect because I’ll be doing some blending.
Above the In the Navy, I add Cobalt Blue. Above that Cobalt Blue is Belle Blue.
For best blending results, I recommend watching the video (see below) to see how I start and finish each color of blue, since blending can be a little difficult to explain. When you can see it in the video, you’ll get a feel for how much misting you need to do, what brushes to use, how much blending and adding a little more paint is required to perfect it. It’s not hard, but the visuals make it easy to understand!
Step 5: Distressing the Paint on the Mediterranean Hutch Makeover
No Mediterranean hutch makeover is completely without a little distressing, so after the paint is dry, I take a 3M scouring pad, mist the surface and then go over it gently with the scouring pad so that it starts pulling out the colors that are painted underneath (in this case it’s the textured Terra Cotta and the Colonel Mustard on the raised areas).
TIP: When you’re using a scouring pad, it can look like there isn’t any paint coming off, but if you mist lightly and then wipe off with a microfiber cloth you’ll see that it’s working.
Step 6: Adding the Decoupage Paper to the Panels
We’re almost done and this is where all that color and pattern is going to come in! Next I take the decoupage rice paper and use my finger to crease where I’m going to cut it to fit into the panels.
TIP: I cut on the outside of the crease slightly, just in case I made an error with the size and then it’s slightly bigger than what I need. It’s better to have more to trim off than a piece that’s too small.
I use Satin Clear Coat to make it stick to the surface and using a foam brush to apply it to the paneled area that had previously been painted white with Fluff.
TIP: Before you stick the entire piece down, start from the top and smooth it out. You can use that same foam brush to smooth it out and to get the air out. This paper is forgiving so even some of it sticks, you can easily move it around to get the placement just right.
When you’ve got the decoupage paper just right, apply another layer of satin clear coat overtop to protect it.
Step 7: Adding a Dab of Yellow and Sealing it Up!
I wanted to add a little bit of color over the In the Navy because I felt like it was looking too dark at the bottom. I dabbed the Colonel Mustard yellow on and then wiped it back with a microfiber cloth so that it wasn’t too heavy and just added a burst of color. It looks so good in those ornate areas where the paint fills it in.
The final step is to seal the piece with Easy Peasy Spray Wax and it’s done!
YouTube How To Video
The Finished Mediterranean Hutch Makeover
Want more BellaRenovare makeover posts? Here’s one you might want to check out! https://bellarenovare.com/2019/08/awesome-nightstand-makeover/
See you next week and happy creating!
One of my all time favorites!!