Master Bedroom Makeover...starring The Nightstand!!

(Please stay with me until the end...when I ask some questions, and your opinions on some AFTER pics!)

Well, I am just sooo excited, I can hardly contain myself. However, that excitement is a little bit tempered by by my intimidation at "putting myself out there"--you know, in showing my skillz (love you, Napoleon D)

Today is my FIRST ever DIY Showcase post. Eeeeeeee!!!

Now, I could bore you with all sorts of personal issue disclaimers...like

* With a house full of craziness (I top the list), home projects are completed in little snatches of time. This poor nightstand was like a 5-day project...where most people could have finished it in a Saturday.

* Projects never, I mean NEVER go perfectly for me the first time. I am the Queen of Improvise! Well--Learn a good lesson, THEN Improvise!

Oh, but wait! I wasn't going to bore you with my disclaimers. So, without further ado, I present to you the BEFORE PIC of our Master bedroom nightstand (of the Master Bedroom Makeover on a Shoestring Budget fame!!!)

...Brace yourself--1990s room decor warning!!!...

That's the nightstand in question, on the left side of the bed.

Okay, let's HURRY ON to the AFTER pics, so we can forget this embarrassing picture....

First, I hauled the cute little nightstand outside because it was a beautiful spring day! Then, removed hardware, and applied a liquid sander product to take away the glossy finish.

Note: Sonic sweet tea highly recommended when completing these types of projects!

I primed the nightstand with 2 coats of Benjamin Moore All-Purpose Primer. I made sure the 2 coats completely covered the brown, because I didn't have a ton of my topcoat paint, and wanted to be sure to get a good coverage. (I also saved on my shoestring budget--I already had this primer and my topcoat from an earlier kitchen remodel! Hooray!)

Between coats of primer, and before starting the topcoat, I very lightly sanded with a fine grade sandpaper (final sanding was with the steel wool). After sanding, I used the yellow microfiber cloth to wipe off any residue. Since I was painting outside, there were some nasty little pesky bugs that flew straight into the painted surface, and their sudden demise. (May they rest in peace.) Because of that, and because on some areas the paint was not smooth, I did the sanding. The sanding really paid off with a nice, smooth finish!

And now, for the gloriest of all glories Topcoat paint...*cue the harps*...

I used Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo Alkyd Low Luster Enamel paint. This paint is the silkiest paint I have ever used! (Thank you, Uncle George, for the amazing recommendation!) The Satin Impervo leaves a beautiful, glossy smooth finish. Amen.

At this point, I first start to realize...Hmm, this paint is going on much whiter than I thought... I was really hoping for an antique white...

Keep that in mind as you view the AFTER PICTURES!! Also, please stay with me, and answer some questions at the end! I need the HELP of experienced painters and designers!!! (aka, free consultations!)

And...drum roll for the AFTER PICS...

Isn't she a beaut? I think the graceful lines of the nightstand are even prettier with the glossy white paint, don't you?

Oh, and do you see the New! blue walls and ivory linen curtains and lovely duvet cover! They just make me smile every single day. Love them!!!

Here are my questions: I would LOVE your input! (pictures below to compare)

1. Since the nightstand turned out whiter than I thought...what are my options?

a) leave it--the contrast is nice... Possibly do a picture grouping over the bed, using white frames. Also--paint the opposite nightstand same color (I plan to do this anyway).

b) Buy a small can of Satin Impervo in a creamier color - just a bit closer to the curtain color. Painting experts--can I just repaint another color topcoat over this? Please, please don't tell me I have to sand and start over!

c) Rub on a little tiny bit of brown furniture stain - to create a "distressed" look, which will darken the white just a bit.

2. Nightstand decorations? I shopped around the house, to see what I already had. Please vote on your favorite arrangement below - OR suggest other ideas to purchase!! (Also note--I am shopping for a new, sleeker alarm clock. Just haven't found the right one yet...Stay tuned in the days to come...)