09/10/2026
I wanted paint colors that looked like they already had a history. So I made two. 📚
Meet Library Dust + Midnight Ledger — my two new colors with Legacy Paints, launching September 15.
Library Dust is that hard-to-pin-down, weathered neutral that lives somewhere between gray, brown, and olive.
Midnight Ledger is a deep, softened navy that feels aged instead of crisp.
I wanted both colors to work on the kind of furniture I actually love: old wood, worn edges, dark hardware, and pieces that already feel like they have a story.
And I’m really excited about the paint itself. Legacy is made for furniture + cabinets, with smooth leveling, built-in primer to help with adhesion + bleed-through, and no topcoat needed on most surfaces.
So yes. These are very much my colors. 😂
They go live September 15.
Comment PAINT and I’ll send you the release reminder so you don’t miss them!
And when you’re ready to order, use code DUTCHMAN10 at Legacy Paints.
09/09/2026
Save this and comment WOOD for the printable version sent straight to your DMs! ⬇️
If you’ve ever stripped or sanded a piece and thought “what wood even is this?” you’re not alone. Most DIYers don’t realize how much the species matters until something sands, stains, or finishes in a way they didn’t expect.
Knowing your wood species makes the whole project easier. It helps you predict how the surface will absorb stain, whether a finish is likely to blotch or stay even, why one board feels glassy and another feels porous, and what kind of prep will give you the best result.
A few of the easiest clues:
• Oak has bold grain and open pores
• Maple is pale with tight, smooth grain
• Walnut is naturally dark brown with softer grain
• Cherry has a warm pink/red cast that deepens with age
• Poplar can show cream, green, gray, brown, or even purple tones
• Pine is soft, dents easily, and usually has strong growth rings
• Ash can look a lot like oak, but tends to feel smoother and lighter
And two things beginners worry about that are completely normal:
• Veneer is not “fake wood.” It’s common in quality vintage furniture and is often used for stability
• Mixed woods are normal too. A dresser might have hardwood drawer fronts, utility woods inside, plywood panels, and veneer on the exterior
Once you learn to read grain, color, and construction together, you stop guessing. Prep gets easier, stain results get more predictable, repairs make more sense, and you can make better decisions before you’re already halfway into the project.
I put all of this into a printable cheat sheet so you can ID the most common furniture woods while you work.
Comment WOOD and I’ll send the full cheat sheet straight to your DMs!
And if you want the entire furniture refinishing process laid out start to finish, my guide covers sourcing, prep, repairs, sanding, paint, stain, finishes, selling, and the product decisions in between. It’s linked in my profile ✨
