Sideboard-schmorgusboard

Do you ever get the feeling that something is missing? Not your car key or your wallet (although I certainly do get that feeling sometimes), but rather that something is missing to complete a room? That's exactly how I felt in my living room...

...Until I found this beauty!

This unfinished sideboard came into the Habitat ReStore in Mooresville for less than $70. It's got two doors, one on each side, both of which open to reveal lots of glorious space! I couldn't pass this sideboard up. 

It was exactly what I had been looking for at a price that matched my budget. And I knew that I wanted something that I could customize to my house and make my own color, so this was perfect!

I immediately hit Lowe's Home Improvement and picked up a can of stain: Rust-Oleum's Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona. Actually, my intention was to only pick up one can, but I couldn't decide on a color, so I picked this one and a Red Wood also. Ultimately I ended up using both. On the workbench below the can of stain you can see samples of the Kona and the Red Wood. . 

Luckily the sideboard was in pretty good condition when I brought it home. It only needed a light finishing sanding with a 220 grit sand paper. Then I removed the doors and any hardware, and got to work. 

I started by staining the top with the Kona:  

After two coats of the Kona had dried I put a coat of the Red Wood on it. The Red Wood has a varnish in it, which was nice since I didn't have to do it later. However, it did make the staining a little difficult. I had never worked with a stain+varnish before and its a little like working with honey. It's thicker than stain, but not quite like paint... just a whole different ball game for me.

Anyway, I eventually finished painting staining the sideboard, inside and out. I'm so thrilled with the way it turned out, especially since this is pretty much the first time I have ever stained anything.

I do wish that I hadn't put a second coat of the Kona on because it makes it look close to black. I would rather have had a little more red would show through. And the one thing I would caution with the stain+varnish is that its hard to make sure no bubbles pop up on the surface. I could probably do a light sanding and another coat of Red Wood, but I'm pleased enough with the sideboard and will probably leave it this way for quite a while!

Please excuse the muddy paw prints! My little princess has decided she likes to roll in the mud when Mommy and Daddy aren't home, then run through the house!

Have you stained any furniture recently? Leave a comment and share your experience!