Chic on a Shoestring Decorating: Picking out Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...


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Picking out Annie Sloan Chalk Paint...

I was so excited to get 2 big boxes of paint supplies in the mail today!  My cool aunt who happens to be an artist sent me some goodies.  The stuff I was most excited to get was some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint samples and wax! 



I don't know about you but I've been drooling over that stuff ever since it started popping up all over blogland and pinterest.  I have a dining room set that is in dire need of a makeover and the chalk paint is going to be just the thing. 
I mean really, any paint would work but I want to paint it right where it is, in my dining room... sitting on carpet.  I don't want to move it because it is SO heavy, not to mention the fact that it is about 25 degrees in my garage right now.  Brrrr!

Since the chalk paint requires no sanding or priming I can just lay a drop cloth down under the table and start painting, no advance prepping.  It also doesn't smell bad so indoor painting won't stink up my house and kill my brain cells.  Perfect for a lazy painter like me who wants to do it inside. 

You may be wondering why I didn't just go buy some samples instead of making my poor aunt send me some... well, we have no Annie Sloan dealers around here (lame), the closest dealer is about an hour and a half away.  And, you know you can't trust your computer monitor to choose a paint color, I learned that HERE when I ended up with a free sample of green paint that looked like Kermit the frog instead of a green apple. 

I went ahead and slapped some paint on one of my chairs right in the middle of my dining room (and didn't even use a drop cloth... living on the edge I tell ya!) 



I put on 2 coats except the old white because I don't think I want white.  The duck egg color is way cool but not a good choice for my living room color scheme which is open to my dining room.  I'm leaning towards Country Grey but it has a green undertone so not sure if that will be what I want. 

These are just the paint colors with no wax, I will be using the dark wax over the top to give it an antiqued look and highlight the designs in the wood which will change the color a bit. 

I also need to choose some fabric to recover the seats.  I'm thinking I maybe should choose the fabric before the paint color.  We have Joann's, Hancock and Hobby Lobby for fabric here but haven't found anything I really love. 

So, have you had any experience with chalk paint?  Any tips for a first timer?  Also, Where do you find inexpensive fabric online?

PS:  Don't forget to sign up HERE for my 2nd blogoversary giveaway!

Linking: Sunday Showcase

18 comments :

  1. I haven't tried ASCP yet, but am itchin' to! I love all the beautiful examples I am seeing. I really like the Country Grey sample you tried. With the dark wax, I imagine the green undertone will be much more subtle. I am seriously contemplating going on a real "furniture painting binge", but have yet to get started!

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  2. Hi there! I use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint literally everyday. Here are my go-to tips: 1. Use real sandpaper not a sanding block. It makes a difference. 2. Choose a decent quality brush. 3. Always paint a swatch when you have the paint out.

    Let me explain "3". I cut down many piece of scrap lumber and trim. When I am painting with a new color, I also paint one of the trim pieces. Then I have something to play around with. For example, I painted with Antibes last week. I put it on a trim piece too. On this one trim piece (about 3 feet long) I have a white washed section of Antibes, Clear wax Antibes, Dark Wax Antibes, French Linen Wash Antibes and a few sections left to play with. This way I can see what I want it to become without messing with a piece of furniture. Good Luck! Can't wait to see what happens.:)

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    1. Great tip Whimsical Perspective, I've got to go check it out and see what it looks like. I just mixed old ochre and pure white to paint my kitchen cabinets. I also purchased antibes and I am looking forward to playing with it.

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  3. Hi Kate. I have only used ASCP on one table so far. I thought that the dark wax went on a little strong so start with a very lite coat and build it up to the look you want.
    I get my best discounted fabrics at Hancocks. Make sure to sign up for the mailing list and then you get the flier with coupons. Can't wait to see your finished chairs.
    Traci

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  4. Hi Kate. I use ASCP all the time. I redo furniture for my business. I actually ordered my paint from Shades of Amber. She also has a paint fan deck she can sell you. Very cool as she paints each color on both ends of a paint stick. On one end is is covered with clear wax - the other dark wax. It is so nice to have a wood fan deck with all the colors on hand to see how it will work.
    I am sure you will pick the right color- you are right about country grey being a green undertone..
    tammy

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  5. I have used all three of those colors as my introduction to ASCP just like you (paint right in my room too!) and I have to say that my fav is the Ochre. Once the dark wax goes on the old white I think it is pretty close to the old ochre. I want to try a sample of the cocoa.

    ~Bliss~ (husband bought me a drop cloth today.... I'll never paint in the garage again!)

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  6. Your gonna love the stuff. I have the duck egg blue in our guest room. I think the old white is great too. I love them all really:)

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  7. I would love to see some cabinets painted in this! Mine need some help!

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  9. try hancock fabrics. so much to choose from and not sure but poss % off if sign up for emails. cant remember for sure tho. have fun picking:)

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  10. I have been coveting AS paint! I scored some Louie chairs at a yard sale that I would love to paint with AS!
    Thanks for the peek!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

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  11. I'd pick paint and then find fabric that works with it-you'll have the paint color longer than any fabric seats( they can be changed out so easily.

    It will be fun to see the final result! Happy painting...

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  12. I have not tried this paint yet! From what I hear it looks awesome on about anything! Nancy

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  13. Hi Kate, I can't wait for Michaels to open here so that I can get my hands on some of this paint. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

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  14. Hi Kate - Welcome to the land of the chalkaholics! Your world will NEVER be the same again! First I have to ask you where are you? If the nearest Stockist is 1 1/2 hours away, contact them and tell them you need a retail partner near you! Second - the paint is pretty much a no brainer. Sometimes the wax can be a learning curve...use clear wax first! Really work it in the paint to seal it. A little goes a LONG way! Wipe back the excess - very important step, and then you can play with the dark wax, and there are lots of ways to do this as well! Making a sample board is smart and you can play with the wax on this first before your project. If the wax is too dark, you can mix it with the clear to make it lighter and easier. You can also make a dark wax glaze, and now that I have your eyes glazed over, this is where I say you can find out so much more by taking a workshop from a stockist! You will find there are so many ways to use the paint - color over color, rustic, crackled...yes it crackles on it's own!, washed look, distressing after waxing, distressing with a terrycloth before waxing, etc, etc. After you have waxed your piece, and wiped back excess, let dry and come back and buff it the next day! YOu will have a piece that is perfectly protected and you will enjoy for years! Do I sound like a commercial? Sorry, I am a Stockist, but I support buying local! I am also a painting contractor and having used lots of good paint, I can tell you this is changing the way people think about paint! Have fun!

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  15. I have used Annie Sloans and liked it a lot. I then tried CeCe Caldwells Green Chalk and Clay paint and I loved it. It Hurd on great, no VOC and the wax has no smell, unlike ASCP wax which is petroleum bases. I also loved the colors even more. You set will look gorgeous.

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  16. I just did my first project with it (after reading and reading and reading all over blogland) about it. I am looking forward to the workshop. The lady who runs the shop I sell things at is a stockist and does 1 workshop a month. It's kind of like having a "fancy" camera but not knowing how to really use all the functions. You can do so many wonderful things with it....The book is REALLY helpful too especially for waxing. I think Vicki is right there is a learning curve to the waxing. And wiping the excess is really important. If it's too heavy then you get that "sticky" feeling after buffing the wax. Have FUN!!!! It 's pretty cool stuff....

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  17. I just finished a piece with ASCP Emperor's Silk (red) and dark wax. The wax went on the red paint like a burnished dream.

    Next I am trying an old white/gray comb.

    Love this paint!

    You can see a piece on my blo with photo's of the red stool. Small House / Big Sky Donna
    http://smallhouseunderabigsky.wordpress.com

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