Retro Twin Bed Turns Shabby Chic

Once there was a bed...and it was ancient (in the not so good way).

But it was $30 (rock on Habitat Restore!).

So the question is not whether to buy it, but rather...

...whaddyagonnadoabouwdit?

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At first glance...

• Pros: solid wood, interesting shape with lots of "distressable" features. 
• Cons: circa 1978-1982 ooooggglllehhh faux wood grain textured in...arbitrarily, no less. (It's real wood crazy faux grain maker people...!)
• Up-In-the-Airs: What to do with the "bear claws"?

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Took a first run at chalk paint. Decided I liked the "bear claws" after all, but perhaps a little less dramatic-like.

A little vinyl spackle works wonders. 

Next, after the white paint...

• tried some gray in the outer border crevice...
• decided I didn't like it... 
• attempted to wipe it with a wet paper towel... 
• it only partially came off and... 
• I LOVED IT!

So I did it super lightly on the interior crevice of the 4 panels to add a bit more depth there, too, and then repeated on the other piece. Yay! 

...right before the wax, right after distressing... 

(which is a super easy process: 220 sandpaper lightly all around, concentrate 

on corners and borders to chip the paint... #reasonsilovechalkpaint )

Finally...my favorite part (besides distressing)...the wax! You can't imagine how luxuriously smooth, rich, and satin the finish feels after the wax coat.

The wax also gives it a really rich, luxurious sheen...love love love... 

*confetti*

Add $10 metal rails I found on Craigslist, and you have a bed!

 &

Up next: see that not-quite-Wedgewood-blue-but-trying-to-be side table?

I'm thinking...a nice French croissant gray...