Wydeven Designs: Annie Sloan Project Update - Sale, New Listing and New Projects

I have become a passionate user of Annie Sloan Chalk Paints link and have written at least a dozen blogs on the subject including my earlier and somewhat difficult search for the much-loved paint product itself. It is pricey and not too easy to find. I have more recently been purchasing the product from a vendor at the monthly Scott's Antique Market (2nd weekend of each month - this coming weekend - can't wait).

Since my last blog, I have worked on several more projects experimenting with different techniques, have sold my first ASCP piece (YAAH) and have just listed the best completed project yet - a bergere chair and ottoman refurbished in old white with a slightly distressed finish and reupholstered in a lovely Waverly blue and white toile cotton fabric (not yet listed on my website but available through eBay).

Newly Completed ASCP set - link to website

I just love how this set turned out and am excited to use the slightly distressed process again. Just a few how to's on this one:

Apply at least two coats of paint to get a good color foundation
Distress slowly (I used a rather fine sandpaper) and move around the piece keeping a good eye on what you've already completed to make sure that the distressing is pretty consistent throughout the piece
Apply one coat of clear wax and buff about 24 hours later (once it is no longer tacky)

I started several more pieces. One effect I had wanted was to get as close to a dark black as possible. ASCP does not come in black - the closest is a dark grey called graphite. The advice I got on this was to use the graphite and cover it with the dark wax. Usually when using dark wax as an accent, you really need to apply a clear coat of wax first but for this treatment, that step is not necessary. Below is the chair (not yet reupholstered - so it looks a bit rough) but you can see the effect of the dark wax on the arm detail - the part that is darker has had the dark wax applied. The result? I like it but it is still not "black" - just a darker shade of graphite grey. I have will have to do some more research to see if darker than this is possible - I am guessing not.

Before and After Chair with Graphite and Dark Wax - see arm detail - part of it is waxed and part not to see the impact of the dark wax.

Another project I started is a cane-sided and backed settee - I am redoing this in the same chateau grey (slightly green) color and Chelsea Linen that I used on my recently sold chair. This fabric is a perfect match for this ASCP color and I have enough to do several more pieces, if used judiciously.

I picked up some more pieces this weekend to redo - three French-style chairs with a white-wasched (very 80's) finish - I am not yet sure which ASCP I will be using but am planning to buy at least several more colors this week including French Linen (a light grey) and another can of the old white which is just about all gone. I am loving this adventure!