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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SOOOO pretty. What a beautiful finish to use as we head into SPRING!!
That’s beautiful! Love it!
Love it! Need to find a store nearby that sells it, thank you!
Pretty, pretty! I love it! Lisa
It’s gorgeous! I’m with you on the love of all things shimmery :).
Wow..I want that!! Do you remember the price?
The paint to SO pretty! I’ll have to try it out!
I love love love that….gonna have to try it!
I love the pearliness of it!
ooo super pretty! I am also in love with mother of pearl
Oh Kate! You just saved my life! I am getting ready to paint stripes on my dining room walls and was looking for a pearl type finish. Ralph Lauren had a Champaine finish but Home Depot no longer sells it. Now I will check out the Pratt and Lambert! Yes! Thank you!
Oh no!!! What will Rustoleum do without you?! I loves it though!!! Really nice! I’m on the hunt for a super lampshade too…
What girl doesn’ like abit of shimmer??
I am also in awe of the power paint having recently re-done my kitchen!
What a gorgeous finish it gives. I love the lamp.
I can see why you are BFF!! :) The try is just fabulous, and I really do like the lamp. Your next endeavor will be a jaw dropper, for sure!
Pearlescence? In a paint can? Be still, my heart. It really does give things a beautiful finish, doesn’t it? Mmmmmmm.
Wow. That’s amazing! Can’t wait to get some for my house!!! Thanks for sharing <3
*taking notes*
A girl after my own heart…. I’ve used the Valspar version, and I loved it. My daughters’ room is painted apple green, and I put the pearlescent glaze over it. The glaze changed the color slightly so that it’s not quite as bright of a green but instead more of a shimmery mint. It’s gorgeous!
I may have to use your idea of glazing over white- very pretty!
I LOVE this! I’m wracking my brain trying to think of something to try this on!
I am obsessed with you and your blog. Will this work on ugly wood trim in my house I wonder? Please advise.
I love the look of the paint! Maybe you could become a distributor…I have called the places in town that carry P & L and they don’t have this particular paint. :(
Hello The Misses Says: It will work on trim. It even says on the can and I quote, “These shimering finishes create striking effects on trim and accessories”. Why yes, I think that’s true. What trim do you have in mind?
Amanda: it runs about $16 to $18 per quart (ouch) but it’s thin so it goes a long way.
Lori H: Have you tried Valspar at Lowe’s ?
LOVE this! Going to file this tidbit away for when I need some shimmer!
Those are both fantastic makeovers! Bubbly lamps are so in right now, I want two for the sides of my bed. I always use spray paint but that stuff looks so good, no brush strokes or anything!
Look at you with more great ideas, do you EVER run out of them!?? ANd with your new sassy mother of pearl card holder. Can’t wait to meet you too, it’s going to be fun. I’ll be there with my new mini-Moo cards, those were all the rage last year, so I got myself some this time around. We’ll be ready to mix and mingle.
PS You won’t have a lot of time for sight seeing with the conference schedule, I can tell you that. Just hanging out at the Opryland Hotel is a treat!
I just saw THE best lampshades at… Wal-mart, of all places. I wanted them for myself so badly, but husband forbade me since we are moving and it’d just be one more thing to unpack.
Oooooohhh– purty!! I love it too. Thanks for sharing!
Love that finish. Gorgeous! Thanks for the tip. I will be scouring the house looking for fix-up projects!
Thanks for the recommendation. Im attracted to shiny things.
Did you find it difficult to get the paint brush marks to dissappear with the pearl finish?
wow that is beautiful. where can you find pratt and lambert? I have some candle stick that are calling out for a pearly white finish! Do you have to buy a gallon or can you get a little can of paint?
Sorry Maura, that’s kind of important, oops ! I purchased mine at Orchard Supply & Hardware (OSH) in the quart size. OSH also has the entire line of ‘American Accents’ colored spray paints by Rustoleum. I pray they never EVER leave, they are my go-to source !
Yes, I can see how that could get addictive.
Looks wonderful.
Beautiful! Might be just the “bling” I need for my family room! Thanks, Kate, for sharing. See you next week!
Kate, it’s absolutely lovely. Shimmery without being gaudy. VERY VERY classy. Thanks for the heads up.
Where do we buy it? (you said Valspar is at Lowes….is this also at a Home Improvement shop?)
xoxo MMW
A fresh coat of paint and a fresh application of lipstick does wonders! But this paint is like also adding shimmery lipgloss! Oooooh, I could think of so much to do with this! I have a dresser I want to paint white. It is going into my Gable guest bedroom. Walls painted a light peach. Milkglass accents and white linens. I have an oak dresser, so this would look just dreamy!
You first- I’ll be looking for your big piece, then I’ll transform mine. I know- wimp- well maybe just a little!
Thanks!
Yvonne
I found a can of this at the Habitat ReStore for $1.50. Now I wish I had bought more. I hadn’t really thought of using it on decor items. Silly me. I originally thought I would put it on my bathroom walls but changed my mind. If you haven’t been to one, it’s a sub of Habitat for Humanity and they take donations like a thrift store except its home materials and supplies. Doors, paint, pieces parts, changes all the time. If you can find one close they are a great resource. Thanks for the great ideas. Keep ‘em coming!
That is lovely!!
Gorgeous! I’ll have to remember that one!
Oh how it shimmers and shines! I wonder what it would look like over an accent wall?!?!
Oh my gosh, it’s so shiny. I must have some of this, now. Must. I want to do some furniture in it but I’m worried at “just how shiny” it’ll be…. you can’t be TOO shiny right? No way! I’m doing it. :) Oh yeah, I better go get some before my confidence goes away.
I’m looking forward to seeing more of what you do with it! *love it*
I can’t wait to try this . I am inclined to do the pearlescent gold!
I’ve seen this at my local hardware store and now I must try it; this finish might just be what my dressing area vanity needs.
I’ve become highly sensitive to chemical smells and sometimes have felt the P&L paint a bit strong; does this have much of an odor / lingering smell?
Thanks so much for your inspiration.
I love the paint! I, too, adore pearly colors, and I think you did an amazing job with the whole let. Makes me really want to sit and have some tea!
P.S. I love what you’ve done with the blog!
I added this to my “Favorites” right away. This paint looks awesome, and so do your projects!
OMG so great! Wonder if that will work on ceramic…
Oh my that stuff is dreamy! I really love that lamp base.
I don’t know about you but it always annoys me when I find a great deal on a lamp base and then have to spend 4 times as much on the shade! I’ve seen pretty, cheap lampshades a few places lately so I thought I’d share! Do you have Tuesday morning? They have some cool lampshades for half of what a new shade at Tarjay would cost. The other day I was in Ross (owned by TJMaxx) and they had overstock Martha Stewart for Kmart shades for 2 and 3 bucks each. The finishes weren’t great (nothing you couldn’t change!) but the shapes were nice and they had a variety of sizes, Yesterday I stopped by my local Kirkland’s and they were going out of business. I don’t know if all the stores are closing or just a few, but all their lampshades were $5 each. Happy Hunting!
That’s amazing! I can’t believe how elegant that red wood tray looks now.
I discovered the valspar version a few years age. I used it on a ceiling medallion in the dining room and it glistens when the chandelier is on. There is a reflective quality to the medallion! So, then I added the pearlessence to a glaze to thin it out, and I rolled it on my entire dining room ceiling which is white. The shimmer wasn’t as noticeable as the medallion, and I didn’t want it to be. However the effect is just so beautiful and reflective with candle light. I have also used it to highlight detail molding on my fireplace. The corinthian column caps of the surround just pop with the shimmer. It is an amazing discovery!
Drool, I’m going to steal your best friend. Wow, I LOVE it! Drool.