REPAINT A CLAWFOOT TUB

Painting the outside of a claw-foot tub can have dramatic results for a simple process. Carey found her two tubs through online sellers, and here’s how she repainted them.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Claw-foot bathtub

• Stain remover, such as SoftScrub • Painter’s tape and tarps

• Mask and gloves

• Medium-grit sandpaper or sanding block • Paint of choice (Carey prefers Rustoleum 2x Ultra Cover)

• Optional: paintbrush

• Optional: wax finish

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

1. To clean up the tub’s interior, use a stain remover. Often, a lot of elbow grease is all that’s required in lieu of pricey reglazing for the tub’s interior.

2. Tarp off the area, and tape off any porcelain areas that won’t be painted.

3. Sand the exterior by hand using a medium-grit sandpaper or sanding block. Wear a mask, as the finish may include lead paint.

4. Now it’s time to paint. Use chalk paint or milk paint with a brush, or a spray paint to cover the outer surface area of the tub.

5. If you’re using chalk paint or milk paint, finish it with a wax to protect the surface. You can use a clear or tinted wax, depending on your desired finish.

(above, right) The wide planks on the bathroom floor lent themselves nicely to stripes, which Carey painted on a whim. “It really catches your eye when you walk in there,” she says. Having an antique chandelier over each bathtub adds an unexpected opulence to the bathroom. (opposite) A rustic galvanized steel ceiling contrasts with the elegance of the crystal chandelier in the master bathroom. Carey rescued the barn door from an old barn the couple was commissioned to tear down, and it now gives the wall dimension.