Monday, October 26, 2009

Curb Alert Coffee Table Makeover, Purdy Paintbrush Review & Giveaway!

 

Lots going on here today. DYI, paint brush talk, wait for it.... Purdy Paintbrush giveaway!

First up a good n' thrifty DIY transformation. This coffee table that I got for free at a craigslist "curb alert" was a hot mess with several layers of scratched up drippy paint. The "thingy" that helps the drawer slide smoothly was broken and jerry-rigged with just a few nails.

Voila! The color is Beach House Brown by Dutch Boy. Five bucks and change for a sample sized container that has plenty left over after three coats.


Here's a sassy little pink drawer just because. Now that I have discovered the pick me up of a shot of color in a drawer, I don't think I'll ever have a naked drawer again. The pink is leftover paint from the pink kitchen.
I love it so much I am tempted to keep it, but I won't because it's for my dear Ms. S at school. Total cost- $5!

Next up- Purdy Paintbrush review and story along the way. So, a month or so ago I entered a drawing for a Purdy paintbrush on another DIY blog. I commented that I had spent much time picking out paint brush hairs from my project. I didn't win the contest, but to my surprise the Purdy people wrote to me and offered me a trial brush and roller set! Whoo hoo!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I went garage saling one Saturday and found a Purdy paintbrush for sale. This was before I recieved trial kit in the mail. I was checking it out when the seller told me that it "was the kind the pros use." So we got to talking. The man's father was a professional painter much like my husband's grandfather and he was cleaning out his garage. After a while I just had to buy the paintbrush. It was a steal at $5. Since I don't have any walls to paint, I have decided to test the garage sale brush and offer the roller and brush pack as a giveaway. Read on for more details.

This past weekend- the coffee table project was my first chance to try out a Purdy brush. I prepared to prime the coffee table. I wish I could say that I sanded the whole thing lovingly. Or at all. But I barely did. I don't really trust old paint to be safe, so I just sand the worst of the drips and prime away. My usual dollar store paint brushes shed and shed and I pick and pick.The upside, they are disposable and cleanup is a breeze. Remember, I don't have a garage and have to clean up in the kitchen sink.

The Purdy brush shed exactly one hair on the first stroke and not another. Not one other hair shed through one coat of  primer and three coats of paint! That right there is worth the price! And I mean the real price not the garage sale price. (Although if you should be so lucky to find a Purdy brush at a garage sale snatch that brush and don't look back!)

I did have a major problem. I held off painting for several weeks while LA had a heat wave. Finally on Saturday the weather girl predicted a "cooling trend" of just 80 degrees. I got started early so it would be cooler, but by the time I was mid deep in primer- a the suns rays came laser straight to my balcony workshop and created what can only be described as a solar oven. I could not paint fast enough!

When I was done and went to wash my brush I was reminded of the other reviews of Purdy brushes and was looking for tons of paint to wash out. Nothing came. Nothing! My latex primer baked onto the bristles of my precious brush! Turns out it was a "quick dry formula" I'll say! I seriously wanted to cry. Thankfully, the Purdy packaging mentioned brushing the brush if you use oil paint so I decided the brush could handle a good scrub.


 I washed it in hot water, soaked it, and S-C-R-U-B-B-E-D it hard! I was like Lady Macbeth with that brush! Out, out damn paint! Slowly but surely the paint crumbled and came off.

Too bad I didn't just check Purdy's awesome "Help from the Paint Doctor" page. My very same situation is addressed and The Paint Doctor reccommends using a green scrub pad.

How many hairs were shed over this incident? Maybe ten. Maybe. I counted them as I noticed them coming out, but very few came out in the bursts of hard scrubbing I gave it.
 
Here is an after picture. You can see that some primer still remained. But as we say in Hollywood, "The show must go on."

I waited till dusk to paint the brown. Finally, it was truly a "cooling trend."

The Purdy paintbrush stood the test of the scrub brush and was completely shed free. I greatly enjoyed the absorbancy of this brush on the sunken drawer detail. Those bristles soaked up excess paint in the grooves so well.
 
This is what I like to see! Liquid paint washing out like a dream. Whew!

A few hours later I painted the pink drawer and again painting was shed free and clean up was easy.

I will never use oil paint as long as I am an apartment dweller. I already push the limits by painting and sawing and such on my 3' X 6' balcony. So, I can't tell you how the brush handles with those elements.However, for regular latex paint -painted in normal Earthly temperatures, clean up was a breeze.

Even though I am cheap super thrifty...in the end I am sold on Purdy paintbrushes.  They are made in the USA which feels really good. In fact they are made right here on the west coast in Oregon. Clearly from my review you can see they can take some real abuse. I  am far enough along on my DIY journet to see my tools as an investment. I am happy to have a brush on hand that can wash up and return to duty quickly. I can see this brush lasting a long time and maybe even saving money in the long run. At the very least it made painting much easier and more enjoyable- and isn't that what a hobby is all about?



So, here we are finally at the giveaway! Thanks for sticking around! Would you like to win a Purdy Paintbrush and Roller? Just leave a comment and I  will do a drawing on Sunday.




DIY Day @ ASPTL















48 comments:

Nicole A. said...

I can't believe that coffee table was FREE! Awesome awesome find! Your redo looks Fabulous!! Now I have to find me one of those paint brushes, I have the worst time with them too! I usually use foam brushes and need to find a good one! Thanks for Sharing!

Meg said...

I could always use a good paintbrush. I love the coffee table transformation--one thing, though--I grew up down south, and it's "nekkid." Which is actually different from "naked." Which is way more than you wanted to know! Great job!

cindy@cottage instincts said...

Free and sassy! Love the redo. And the paint brush info. Love Purdy! Would love to have another one to keep my 2.5 angled one company. :O)
peace.

Anonymous said...

What a great job on the coffee table! I'd love to find one and end up with that beautiful result. I borrow my husband's paint brushes and would love to have one of my own. --Laura

Jenn @ Livin' the Simple Life said...

Just found you via A Soft Place to Land, and I love your projects! I definitely need to invest in a good brush - I have one that's not a cheapy disposable one, and it's overused already! :)

Karen said...

I've been wanting to try the Purdy paintbrushes for a while after reading about them on several DIY blogs. Then I saw how much they cost.....sounds like a good investment though! I would love to win one. Thanks for the opportunity!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love the table and that touch of pink inside the drawer ~ whimsical!

Shanty 2 Chic said...

Love the lines of that table... What a great find... Lucky You!!

~Whitney

the Schmidts said...

Wow, great looking table! I reall like what you did with it. And I'd love a purdy brush! :) Nice job!

Sarah @ Hennessey House said...

VERY nice job, even in the face of a solar oven :)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a fantastic project! It turned out so well. I love the color of paint that you used too. Beautiful!

XOXO
Jen

Kristy said...

I love the idea of painting a fun color inside the drawer - I'm definitely stealing that one.

I have this great little black and tan purse that I love - its simple and classic and goes with almost everything because its so neutral, but inside the lining is bright green, and it makes me smile every time I open it. I wonder why I never thought to do that to my furniture?

Holly said...

The coffee table looks great, and I love the pink drawer!
After your review, I'd be very excited to win a Purdy paintbrush!

Nutsy Coco said...

Your table turned out great and I love the pink drawer! Quality paint brushes are definitely worth the money. Some things are ok to skimp on, but a good paint brush saves so much aggravation.

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

That DOES NOT look like a free curb alert coffee table. Just Sayin'...

I could use a decent paint brush and roller. I need to paint my kitchen and new tools might convince my husband to help me.

BAILEY said...

You get so lucky on your craigslist finds. I am ALWAYS looking on craigslist and never find stuff like this for free, even really cheap!

Keep up the amazing work! LOVE IT!

Kristi said...

I have yet to dive into the world of painting with a brush. All my projects so far, I have used a good ol' spray can. I do have some pieces that will need to be brush pained, so I really hope I win!! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win such a nice set.
kristidorman at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

That table looks super! I love the pink drawer. Makes me wish I had painted a different color on the inside of the cabinet I just painted last week.

Speaking of the cabinet, I'd love to win the paintbrush set! I started out using an expensive Prager brush but it shed and left brushmarks, so I had to go and buy a sponge roller. I was really disappointed because I know it's an expensive brand. I'd love to try the Purdy brushes!

Mihills Family Blog said...

I've never heard of a Purdy brush. Would love to try it!!

Debbie
rlmdam@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

would love to try out the Purdy brush!
loved the coffee table..I have had a tough time with Brown paint, seems thicker than others. Will be repainting a desk because it is too thick and starting to peel, guess I need to bust out the sander.

Tina said...

Would love to try the Purdy brush! thanks for the chance...
Tina

Anna said...

the coffee table looks amazing!
and I would love to win the paint brush :)

Amanda said...

Love that coffee table! I especially like the pink drawer. I'm planning on painting an antique dresser in the near future, and I might just have to paint the insides of the drawers too! I would also LOVE a purdy paint brush. I'm just starting out (sort of) in the DIY department and would love a quality brush and roller!

Unknown said...

Well, first of all, the coffee table makeover turned out FABULOUSLY! I really love that color. Secondly, :), I've never tried a Purdy brush, so I'd really love to win one!

Unknown said...

You are now officially the Poster Girl for Purdy! You should send them the link to this post; they would be thrilled on your review and I hope I win the drawing! Painting inside the drawer never looked so good. The contrast of the colors makes me sold on doing this on my next furniture project.

I am going to definitely go click your "Follow" button to come back more often. Please stop by and browse; should you like what you see, be sure to click "Follow" so that we can share our creative juices often.

Jennifer said...

I would love, love to have the set. I plan on using your tutorial and inspiration to make my daughter a play kitchen for Christmas. This would be super helpful!

Thanks!

Delightful Dwelling said...

Great find and makeover of the coffee table! Thanks for the review on the paintbrushes, I'll have to try those.

nikihas3 said...

The things you find and transform are amazing!

QuiltChick said...

I just love that table! And the pink inside the drawer is brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Count me in for a paintbrush!!

I love the surprise when you open the drawer on your coffee table of the yummy pink color! Great idea!

Goings on at the Glenn's said...

I love reading your blog. It is so fun, I think because you sound a lot like me. I can see myself doing some painting projects here real soon for Christmas presents. BTW I LOVE LOVE LOVE the coffee table. It looks great! And SOO different from the original pictures.

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

Your table looks great. I love Purdy's brushes.

good goods & co said...

What a fun blog you have and I commend you for doing all this work on your small balcony--can tell you're a kindred spirit!

I've never tried a Purday brush but would love to. I let my favorite brush go dry w/ paint on it and....well, I still miss it!!

The pink drawer is wonderful on your coffee table is the perfect surprise!!I'm using that idea sometime-ok?!!!

Best,
Cheri

littlemissmk said...

cute coffee table! you have a very creative eye- seems you always turn other people's "trash" into awesome treasure. your friend- miss s- is a lucky duck!

Varinia said...

The coffee table is so cute. I need to make some kind of magic to get my coffee table to look like that.: ) good job! I would love to win that paint brush. maybe it will give me some inspiration.

Stef said...

Your transformations are always amazing! I can't believe you do it on your apartment balcony!

Always, Hannah said...

I have so many projects and could use some good painting tools.

Felicia said...

I love your transformation. I have never been on your blog and seen your diy projects but i will be visiting again and again. Thanks for sharing. dflcooper@yahoo.com

Mandy said...

The table is gorgeous! What a find! You did a great job :)

Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State said...

That table looks awesome now!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

that coffee table is beautiful! Love the splash of pink! great idea!
I would love to have a REAL paint brush. Please pick me! :)
gail

Life's Journey To Perfection said...

You are such a creative person! I love how you can take something and turn it into a master piece! I love your kitchens!

Sadie @ said...

Have hard great things about these brushes and would love to try one for myself-thank you for offering the chance to win one!

Anonymous said...

Free? LOVE free! and I love the makover! I'm going to include it in my coffee table post, if that's okay.

pk @ Room Remix

Ruth said...

OMG!! They sound amazing. I would definitely love a chance to win one of these great brushes. I had never heard of them. I will definitely be interested no matter how frugal (cheap) I am.

Ruth

Laura said...

Love the table. I am on my way to pick up a Craigslist table today!! :) I really like the brown you used. I may have to check that out. I am always debating between white or black paint for my furniture, but I like that subtle softer look of the brown. hmmm....
Been thinking of painting my cheap, Sauder stuff too since I can't afford to replace it all yet. Wonder if brown may be the best.

I LOVE to paint! Have mostly painted walls until now (can't have a white wall in this house!), but am venturing into furniture. I would love to try a really nice brush and roller. I have always just used the cheapy ones from LOWE'S. If I win, I can promise you they will get lots of use!! :)

Sam said...

What a great find for FREE!!! Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

artybecca said...

I'm late to this game but I am an evangelist for Purdy brushes. I won't use anything else. I have never taped any room I've painted since discovering Purdy. I can paint a straight line with one of the angled babies. Worth every cent of the price.