Industrial Furniture Painting Technique! {EASY as 1.2.3.}

One thing I can promise you is that my house is not boring! I bought these IKEA barstools almost a year ago with this tutorial in mind. But, for some reason, I kept putting it off! Plus, I didn’t know if my vision would actually work so it took a back seat on my to do list.  I caught a wild hair the other day and glazed all four of these barstools in less than 30 minutes. So, when I say this tutorial is as easy as 1.2.3…I’m serious. There are only THREE steps! I promise glazing isn’t hard!

IKEA Barstool

Before I began the process, I cut some vinyl with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 with my Silhouette to go on the top of each barstool.

I wanted numbered barstools for two reasons:

1. My kids fight over where they sit and this would regulate that

and

2. I liked the fact that the metallic glaze would miss the numbers and make the numbers stand out.

So, I covered the tops with vinyl numbers and went to work.

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As you can see, after a year of wear and tear, the barstools had some scratches and dings. {I think it just adds character.}

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I am so pleased with the results! They look industrial, and they remind me of tarnished metal!

The process was super easy and all it took were these three easy steps!

Step 1: Mix your glaze medium with metallic paint. I used Martha Stewart Glaze and mixed in a bit of silver craft paint that I had on hand. I would say that the ratio of glaze and paint is approximately 1 part paint to 2 parts glaze.

Step 2: Apply glaze to your brush and wipe most of it off on a dry cloth. {You want your brush to be mostly dry}.

Step 3: Using even strokes, apply the glaze to your furniture. See video below for demonstration.

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I started taking pictures of the process, but it was tough to see what I was actually doing. So, I decided to make a video and show you by demonstration.
)
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I think they turned out pretty awesome and unique!

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The color in my kitchen is called Sherwin Williams Raindrop.

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LOVE IT!!

xoxo,

Brooke

Published on March 12, 2014

27 thoughts on “Industrial Furniture Painting Technique! {EASY as 1.2.3.}”

  1. WOW that looks awesome! Great job! I don’t know if I am brave enough to try that myself, but yours look so good I might just have to try.

  2. These stools — the technique and finish — are SO eye-catching! Great idea. Very, very cool. Makes me wish I had a bar in my kitchen, I’d be all over this project.

  3. LOVE!!! Amazing job! I have a huge list of projects that I’m not sure will pan out or I’m not sure I will love so they just sit…unfinished. Maybe I should dig into that list and one will surprise me! Love this!

  4. They are awesome! And totally unique. Until I completely copy you. I’m serious. I want to do this exact same thing. I have been thinking about what kind of barstools I want forever and those will be perfect!

  5. I’m so impressed with this! What an awesome idea! Can you tell me how long the drying time is once you’ve finished all the painting and do you put any kind of poly or anything like that over it to seal it? I guess I’m just wondering how strong the finish is and if I need to do anything extra after painting. I really want to try this! 🙂

  6. Hi Brooke,

    I think these look AMAZING! Will this also work on a black file cabinet? I have done his technique on wood furniture before, but I wasn’t sure if I could do the same to a metal file cabinet (that is already painted black). Thanks so much!

  7. These are incredible! I am trying to find industrial oil rubbed bronze stools – do you think this would work if I just switched from silver to oil rubbed??? Did you seal it with a top coat?

    1. Yes that would TOTALLY work. And yes, I would definitely use a top coat. Ours have significantly lost their shine because we didn’t seal them.

  8. Hi Brooke! I love your stools. I was wondering if you thought this would work on a table base that is a dark wood color? Would it still look metal? Thanks!

  9. Hi,

    I see the martha stewart tintable glaze that you used on these industrial barstools has been discontinued. What Can i use to get same results?

    THanks so much

    Lisa

  10. Also what type of black paint would you suggest to go over metal letters? to do this effect? A spray paint and if so what finish?

    THanks,

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