My New Best Friend
January 26, 2010
I have a new best friend, and it is a can of paint.
You’re surprised ?
My friends, I’m here to tell you about a can of semi-gloss that sets my heart awhirl. It’s made by Pratt & Lambert and it’s called ‘Opulence Pearl’ (also available in silver and gold). It can be tinted or used just as it is. Valspar has a comparable product available at Lowes. This version from Pratt & Lambert is a semi-translucent paint that gives just that subtle pearlescent finish that I adore. Like a moth to a flame, any accessory that shines with a mother of pearly finish and I go gaga. (Hence, the recent vintage case purchase.)
“Hello, my name is Kate and I’m addicted to shimmer finishes.”
I wanted to try it out on a few pieces before using it in a larger project. Take a peek at these $5 dollar Goodwill finds transformed with two coats of white paint, and two coats of Opulence Pearl.
Lamp, Before and After
Looky loo at this new pearly shine. So puuuuurty.
How about this beat up old tray ?
Pretty shape. Didn’t like the red oak.
Luster is luscious.
Brand new accessories for my living room.
Now the quest for the perfect lamp shade begins.
I never tire of the transformative power of paint.
Opulence Pearl Latex Semi Gloss, will you be my Valentine ?
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I want that tray! Nice job!!
lovvvvvvvvvvvvvve!!!
Ohhhh…how lovely! I will have to get me some of that! Thank you for sharing!!!
You are amazing! Love, love, love the opulence pearl!
Love the pearl look! I am a big fan of paint – makes everything fresh and new!
Love that paint!!! I’m going to have to find some!
I can’t believe you are cheating on spray paint! That finish is gorgeous, I can see why you strayed.
Ooh!!! Me likes!!! Very pretty!!!
Love, love that lamp. Just gorgeous!
Glimmer makes everything better! That’s my motto
Thanks for sharing this product, makes me want to run out and paint something ASAP!
You are amazing! Love that lamp, such a brilliant idea.
Who would have thought paint would make your heart skip a beat! Love the transformations. — From a new follower
OMG! This spring I’m painting a dresser and bed for little girl and I am going to use this paint! You totally inspired me with that lamp base, she has a 4 post bed… So excited! Thank you-thank you-thank you!
Sometimes, you have to declare your love, don’t you? Especially with a finish this gorgeous.
ohhhh…I love it…where do you find that brand ?
Your pieces came out lovely.
~deby
We love that paint. Do you think it would look good on a wall? Or would that be too much?
When can you come to my house and tell me what to do? That looks fabulous!
I love your site! This project came out beautiful!
Kate; I think with a bit of rest your going to be just fine. FYI….the going buzz is “all white rooms” are on their way out. NOW I think that’s great, you may have to find a new best friend and fave colour.
Keep on Kate’n .
Wow, that is lovely! I wonder if it is mixable with colors (are all paints mixable? I am not a paint guru). That is gorgeous though….I’d love a dresser in that!
swoon!
Do you have Ross, Marshall’s or TJ-Max out there? I have been impressed with their lamp shade selection. Last week I bought two at Ross for $6.99 each! I haven’t seen a cheaper price anywhere and they are really nice looking ones.
The tea set is just lovely. I saved the picture – it’s something I want to remember and imitate. Hope you don’t mind.
I’ve never seen a paint finish quite like that. It is very pretty!
I have a questions for you about lamps! I just refinished some great vintage lamp bases, but cannot find any shades that will fit on securely. I also have some target bases, and pottery barn shades, and they shades wobble as well. Is there a trick to this? You must (I hope!) know since you mix old with new a lot!
Love all your projects!
-Ani
Beautiful! I love shimmer too. How was the quality of paint? I just went to my local store to buy 2 gallons of Benjamin Moore and was told they’re phasing out their BM products. I was heartbroken and left empty handed. They said P&L gave them a better offer but I didn’t check out the colors since I wasn’t sure of the quality and already had my BM color chosen.
I LOVE it! I had never seen that paint, but it really makes it look polished and not like you painted an old lamp white. The shimmer really makes the difference. This paint is going on my wish list.
Will the shimmer work with other colors? Lov-er-ly!
I saw this used in a decorator showcase home in a baby room. All the woodwork was painted white and then given this pearl finish. It was by far the most beautiful dreamy babies room I have ever set eyes upon.
I really love the first and last images. Fabulous!!! Now where to use these finishes!!
Karen
This paint is great! Ive been painting picture frames with the tiny bottles of pearl paint, I wasn’t aware they made such large cans of this paint. I def have to pick some up.
[...] at the local St. Vincent de Paul thrift and brought it home. As you know from last week’s ode to Opulence Pearl paint, I got to thinking that I could refinish the piece in a cream color, then glaze it with my [...]
Do you think this paint would be good to use on closet doors I belive they are made of metal or tin ??? Well I’m not sure what they are made of but its not wood. And can this be used a wood closet doors as well.
Oooooh!!.. I’m liking this A LOT!!! VERY pretty, and I will have to see if I can find some now too! Have a great weekend, and a very Happy Valentine’s Day! ~tina
I LOVE this paint! It’s so pretty! I went out and bought some and can’t wait to start using it! But I had to tell you, I was googling for project ideas to use the paint with and I stumbled upon a wondrous discovery… Krylon Pearlescent Paint! It gives the same pearly sheen, but it’s spray paint! And knowing your love for spray paint, I just had to share it with you.
http://www.krylon.com/products/make_it_pearl_pearlescent_paint/
[...] Lucy used pearlescent paint to add a little shimmer to her daughter’s vintage [...]
So can you add a little color to the paint and it still work? I’ve called all the paint stores around here and none of them carry the P&L version. Boo
So I may have to try Valspar instead.
Hi!
I need help with three things
1) A good paint to go with a black bed, creme comforter and lots of black and white toile wall decor. I thought I should go white/creme(Dover White -sw), but I’d love to do a yellow , khakie or blue. Would that work?
2) A dining room paint for a room with little light. I’m looking for a yellow/khaki mix. I have yellow everywhere right now and would like a transition in there. The yellow I currently have in the other rooms leading into it is called Light Toast from Sherwin Williams, I think.
3) What’s a neutral non-pink khaki for hallways?
thx
Allison Williams
Memphis
I am officially in love with paint!
I was frustrated I couldn’t find a Pratt & Lambert retailer that was convenient in location. However, I have learned that Sherwin-Williams owns P&L as well as Dutch Boy. My local hardware store carries a Dutch Boy Dimensions Metallics paint with a Pearl Luster finish. They had painted wood samples on display with both warm and cool white colors. I read a lot of reviews for Valspar online that made it seem it was difficult to work with in order to achieve the smooth shimmer effect of a pearl surface. At any rate, I’ve got a bedroom set in my daughter’s room that is screaming to be painted a nice soft shimmery white. I’m going to give Dutch Boy a whirl and let you know how it turns out.
http://dutchboy.com/products/interior/wall/special-finishes/metallic/index.jsp
[...] you could use the gloss version of your base paint for a subtle effect, or a pearlescent paint like this one. One bottle of $2 dollar craft paint covered the entire wall ~ my other tool was a high [...]