Before and After - Annie Sloan Chalk Project - Two Settees

Annie Sloan Chalk Paints - I have Old White, Old Ochre, Duck Egg Blue, Cream, Paris Grey, Chateau Grey, Coco and Graphite. 

It has been some time since I have shown a "before" and "after" Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) link to her site. I have worked on just a few projects recently but am gearing up for quite a few more. This posting is about one of my favorites to date - a set of great French style settees manufactured by Henredon - a high-quality USA furniture maker.

I bought these two settees off of a craigslist add and was just lucky enough to be the first one to respond. The seller did get LOTS of inquiries but I encouraged him (barely) to stick with the first one here with the $$$ gets the pieces. He was getting offers for quite a bit more than he had listed them for but I was already at his doorstep by this time.

The finish was pretty badly scuffed and scarred and the fabric frayed but the bones on these pieces were exceptional. Solid wood frame and hand-tied coil springs with a high quality seat cushion. 

Fabrics

Before I make a decision on which color and type of finish I want to use, I select my fabric. I want the fabric to complement the finish and visa-versa.  In this case, I selected a creamish linen-blend and brass linen piping (mimics brass nail heads). I've done this combination before with a wood finish of old white with clear and dark wax over it - I knew it would look great on this set.

Once selected, I followed the following steps:

1. Removed piping around all exposed wood surfaces so that I can get good coverage.
2. Cleaned wood surfaces with Goof Off link to site which is a very strong product - I always use gloves and never use the product if I want to retain existing finish.
3. Turned the pieces upside down to start the painting processes on the bottom side - this method insures that all areas area adequately covered.

   

   Turning pieces upside down helps ensure good coverage - I generally only do this on the first coat.

   4.  Painted all areas with two coats of paint.
   5. Waited overnight to apply one coat of clear wax using clean t-shirt rag.
   6. Waited overnight to apply one coat of dark wax. To apply this wax, I used a combination of rag and old stiff toothbrush to make sure the wax gets into all crevices. I used the rag, sometimes with extra clear wax, to moderate the coverage and make sure it is consistent throughout.
   
   
   

   

   Two Settees after two coats of paint and one coat of clear wax.

   

   After reupholstering work by the great Lees at Sun's Upholstery in Norcross, GA, the pieces are ready for photographing. 

   

   
   

   I LOVED how these turned out! They are for sale on Etsy and eBay and one may already be sold. What do you think of this outcome?
   

Scott's Antiques Market Chair and Ottoman - ASCP Project!

I have now been using world-famous Annie Sloan Chalk Paints (ASCP) - link to website - for over a year and am the proud owner of the following colors and have used all but the sample size:

Old White

Old Ochre

Cream (new)

CoCo

Graphite

Duck Egg Blue

Chateau Grey

Paris Grey

Napoleon Blue (sample size)

My most recent project was a country French style chair and ottoman which I purchased in October at the Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta (every second weekend of the month).   As with every project, I learn something new and am delighted with the outcome!

This is the set as purchased from Scott's - a nice size and shape but with a finish that is a little odd!

My friend, Ouida, was trying out ASCP for the first time with a sweet table that she had purchased on one of our estate sale outings.  I did a first coat of Old Ochre.  

I achieved the distressed look by using a first coat of clear wax and then going over it with dark wax.  I find that using an old stiff-bristled toothbrush works particularly well to get into the crevices.  Next stop - Upholstery Shop!

I selected a heavy linen striped fabric which coordinated beautifully with the finish color. 

Nice neutral look!

Detail on arms and closeup of fabric.

TA DA -  Finished and enough fabric left over to do a small bolster pillow!  This set is available on Etsy and eBay and will soon be listed on my website - link to website.

On to the next project!!  This project was linked to this Annie Sloan Chalk Paint link party - Shades of Amber

Chalk Paint Mirror - Graphite and Old Ochre

For a change, for me, this is a total do-it-yourself posting featuring my favorite paint finish - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) link to website.  Most of my projects (approaching 50) are chairs with woodwork but the upholstery work on these is being completed by my professionals - Mr. and Mrs. Lee of Norcross, GA, so I can't fully claim the DIY mantle!

Mirror at sale - good not great price at $75

I picked up up this oversized round mirror at an estate sale two weeks ago for $75.00 - not a great price but a pretty good one for this size, level of detail, beveling on mirror, and overall condition.  It is destined for my newly renovated lower level (aka terrace, basement) but has not yet been hung - more on that later.

I got the mirror home and propped it on two sawhorses.  My first step is always to clean the surface as well as possible to smooth out the surface and increase the adherence of the paint.  Although ASCP claims that it will go over anything, I have had a few instances where I've had difficulties with adherence - usually in small spots.  Also, who wants to just cover over all that accumulated dirt and oils and smoke residue that is present on most furniture of any use and vintage.  

I use Goof Off link to clean most of my wooden pieces - it works well but does take off some finishes so you want to make sure you are not using it on pieces you are not refinishing.

In deciding how to finish this mirror, I wanted to emphasize the great details on this mirror by highlighting the carvings.  Once before I had used the technique of doing an initial coat in a lighter color and than loosely brushing an second layer of graphite over it allowing the deeper crevices to remain white/light - I thought this would work on this piece.  

Mirror after first coat of Old Ochre - a darker cream color than Old White providing a little more warmth

Mirror after brushing with Graphite over Old Ochre.

Details

I used clear wax to finish mirror and it is ready to be hung in our newly renovated terrace level.

The mirror is ready to be hung - I really like how it turned out - it almost has a "stone-like" look to it with the Old Ochre and Graphite combination.  I have even chosen a place for it to be hung over a narrow console table.  Unfortunately, I do not yet have that table and my husband refuses to hang it since it may have to be moved to center later - so it will stand here until that date - hopefully soon!

Let me know what you think and check out my facebook page here - WYDEVEN DESIGNS FACEBOOK PAGE

I am linking this posting on the following link parties - Home Stories A to Z and Savvy Southern Style and Shades of Amber Chalk Paint Link Party

DIY Upholstery Work - Not My Cup of Tea but very Possible

I have been using the professionals - master upholsterers - at Lee/Song's Upholstery in Norcross, Georgia, for over 10 years.  They have the tools, talent and space to do wonderful work - none of which I have.   I am very impressed by those who tackle this themselves and know they save a TON of money since upholstery expenses are by far my major furniture refurbishing expense.

To honor those with the inclination and the talent, I reviewed some recent blog link parties that highlight DIY projects and my pinterest boards where I try to "file away" some of the projects for inspiration - link to my pinterest board.

I t;hink this is a fabulous transformation.  The neutral fabric and brass trim gives these chairs a whole new life - Our Lake Life Blog

Painting the woodwork and adding this colorful fabric give this bench a whole new life.  I think I could do this one myself - link to Better After Blog

This blogger has at least four entries showing each step of the way in this complicated reupholstering project.  I could not find the final - the "after" is number 4 - link to Pandoras Craftbox Log

I like how this large-scale patterned fabric is laid on this modified Martha Washington style rocker chair - link 

This is clever - the look of the back is changed by omitting the back cushion - it looks more interesting this way - link 

Love this one!  Four chairs - each with different numbers painted on the back!  link to Georgia Grace and Grit Blog.  I think I saw these chairs at a Scott's Antique Show in Atlanta several months ago. 

This looks like a reasonably straight forward DIY project - although the back buttons could be tricky - link to All Things Thrifty Blog

These are all fine examples of DIY upholstery work!  I love them all!

Do It Yourself - Sofa Table with Annie Sloan Paint

I have now used Annie Sloan Chalk Paints (ASCP) on dozens of upholstered pieces (woodwork, of course) but had not tried a TOTAL piece - one just for me!  I purchased a sweet little table (slightly taller than normal for a coffee/sofa table) at an estate sale last month for $25.00.  It was solid wood but had some scarring on the surface - just the excuse I needed to redo it with ASCP old ochre paint.  I am on a mission to reduce the "browns" in my house and this was a perfect opportunity to add some lightness to this room!

Here is the finished product - I'll work backwards to the before piece and the steps I took to create this slightly distressed table for my office/den.

AFTER - love how well it matches my rug!

I cleaned the table thoroughly removing old oils and other difficult to diagnose spots.  I then applied two coats of the ASCP in old ochre.

I lightly sanded the table after the two coats had dried but before applying the wax coat.  I understand that Annie herself suggests waiting until after applying the wax to do the sanding.  I can understand why.  Before sealing with the wax, the paint is extremely brittle and "chalky" - so it is very easy to rub too much paint off - which did happen to me in a few places.  I would listen to her advice on this step the next time around.  I felt, however, that the piece turned out just fine and it was a super quick project!!

Here again - in my home office/den - I like how it breaks up the darker colors and "browns" in the room.  A definite step in the right direction!

This blog is linked to the following:  link here and Southern Hospitality and Home Stories A-Z

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!

Chateau Grey with Chelsea Linen Fabric (recently sold piece) 

Cane-sided settee in ASCP Chateau Grey (mid-way point)

French Style Chair in Duck Egg Blue with Dark Wax 

New Projects!!

Another 2012 Decorating Trend - Metallic Paints!

Furniture and Accessories in Metallica Paint

This House and Home blog declared link to site warm metals as a major decorating trend.  Another source shouts out the trend as follows - link

It’s “in.” It’s “cool.” It’s “hot.” It’s metallic paints. Metal mania, you might call it. In corporate offices, restaurants, clubs, resorts, casinos, retail spaces and private homes, metallic paints are the latest trend.

“It’s very cutting edge and new. Metallic paints are fun, zippy and millennium-looking,” reports Tara Hill, senior project designer with HOK Architects in Atlanta. For example, she says, “Many dot-coms use their interiors as recruiting tools, and metallic paints give the spaces a cool, youthful, energetic feeling.”  

Various metal-like paints are showing up in many of the homes featured in websites, magazines and show-homes.  The paints can be on the walls as described in this Do-It-Yourself segment Link to Tutorial of How to Apply Metallic Paints or furniture or in furniture and accessories.

Color Chart - link to Krylon Site

The colors are mostly subdued, bright brass is still a no-no but a more subtle bronzed version can be seen everywhere.  I have used the spray paints to refurbish legs on chairs and have loved the results.  My local hardware store carries two brands - Krylon and Rustoleum.  I have used the latter which comes is in either a satin or bright finish - the satin is the right level of brightness for me!

The metallic look is a decorative element that goes back to Egyptian times, or perhaps even earlier. The origins of metallic coatings “are as old as people have been experimenting with pigments,” reports Scot Holland, managing director of the Gold Leaf and Metallic Powders Division of NEI Group in Los Angeles.

“Metallic powders are the raw pigment that can be added to any clear or pigmented medium, depending on the desired effect. The only rule is that the medium needs to be clear and be able to adhere. You can add metallic powders to urethanes, shellac, waxes, polyester resin, ceramic glazes, glass and more,” Holland says. source

I love some of the metallic pieces I have been seeing on websites and via pinterest and have been wandering around the house looking for items/furniture to enhance with this great look!  One reason that it is so popular according to this source (same as above), is that it shows so well with the new more energy efficient lighting that many homes and companies are now using:

With metallic paints you get translucency, depth and shimmer. And with the shift away from fluorescent lighting to more use of incandescent and halogen, “the metallic surfaces sparkle,” says Hill. “Metallics play real well in natural light, too. You can see how that is with metallic automotive paints.”

Here are some more images as well as details of the three pieces I have refurbished with these paints (all sold).

Better After reader Rebecca's method seen below. Nothing more than Rustoleum's metallic aluminum enamel paint and a foam roller. And how cool does it look against that wallpaper, huh?    link to source

Rusoleum Image on Web

source link to website

Annie Sloan Chalk Paints - Colors and Interesting Uses

ASCP color ranges mixed with off-white - link to Cirue Interiors blog

Last weekend, I picked up the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) book;  Quick and Easy Paint Transformations and have studied it cover to cover.  I must admit that the experimentation I have already done with 8 different chairs has taught me a lot.  But, there is always something new to learn.   I am concentrating on two elements of knowledge:

1)  How can I extend the color range of the paints I already have bought (graphite, off-white and duck egg blue)

2)  Besides chairs and wooden pieces, on what else can I use this marvelous paint.

The book itself shows the paint being used on ironwork lamps, candelabras and cement outdoor planters - amongst other items.  My pinterest and internet research shows me that this is just the tip of the iceberg!

First to the colors and expanding the range.  I found a website Link to Cirue Interiors that has done a marvelous job showing the range of colors that can be achieved just by adding off-white and provides strips to illustrate the variation.  I have included them in a few of this blogger's more unique projects perfectly illustrating both issues I mention above:

Refurbished Lamp Base - Using Persian Blue

Here are some of the writer's tips on creating texture in the paint  ... take more paint with the brush and brush it gently.  The options are endless you can even use your fingers; make letters, figures and so on. Once the paint is completely dry the next step is the wax. First apply a coat of clear wax and then a thick coat of dark wax. Use enough wax so you can almost not see the colour of the paint and let it dry. Use clear wax again to remove some of the dark wax excess and disclose the texture, the dark wax is what makes the texture show, so it is good to use a lot.

Refurbished Chandelier and Range of Colors from link

I found several creative uses on ASCP on another blogsite "Silver Pennies - link to site
including this great lamp redo and a very interesting application on fabric to make accent pillows.

Details of how to achieve this can be found on website - link

Emperor's Red Used on Accent Pillow - source

My own French Chair Project - Graphite Black over Off-white http://wydevendesigns.com