My Mustache Cupboard and Ixnay on the Atcay Oopay Gel Stain

When I found this cupboard last week, I knew it would be really cool redone.  I really loved the detail in the {solid} wood and I’m a sucker for vintage, gaudy hardware {which, on this piece kind of look like mustaches…do you see it?}  Usually when I find a great piece of furniture, I immediately know which color I want to paint it, and can envision how awesome it will be.  This time, I could see it in turquoise {of course—everything would be awesome in turquoise}, yellow {either bright yellow or mustard} or white {heavily distressed and stained}.  I love colorful furniture, but this piece was begging to be white.

{Thanks to my 4-year-for this photo…there were about 30 of these on my phone, all almost identical}

I planned to do the usual:  paint it white, {normally I use a brush and regular paint, but needed just a thin coat of paint for distressing and so more would wipe off with the gel stain.  Spray paint is perfect for this} distress and stain…but I wanted to try a lighter stain, so that it would be more white than cream or tan.  So I picked up a light, natural gel stain, popped open the lid, and—I’m not kidding—it was the color of the stuff our cat leaves behind {pun intended} when her meal does not  agree with her stomach.  I thought to myself, “surely it will lighten up when I put it over the paint.” No.  Horrible.  Maybe if I mix it with a darker color.  No.  Too dark.  Back to Lowes, where I found a clear gel stain.  I bought it with the intent of mixing it with my dark stain that I love, so that it was lighter, and then rubbing with mineral spirits to lighten it even more.  Still too dark, and a real pain to apply and rub off.  So I tried just the clear gel stain on it's own, and really liked it! 

Right now, it will stay in our entryway, but can envision it in so many other places in our home. 

Have a great day!