Contact Me



As a new blogger, I would love to hear from you. You can leave your feedback, comments, and questions in the comments section, or contact me by email.  I will respond as quickly as I can.


Thanks,
Leslie
lesliest4@gmail.com

29 comments:

  1. Hi love your chair with arbles green and cream. How would you paint it?Would you do a base coat of what? and would you only paint other colours in certain areas. I am confused? But its so artistic. thanks a lot. Marion

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  2. Hi Marion. I think it can be confusing because you can achieve this look in more than one way. Usually you have one color you want to be dominant On this chair it's Antibes Green, although there is also alot of Cream. You can paint 4 solid layers with the top being the green, wax it, and sand it back to allow other colors to peak through. Also, and here is how I usually get this old, antique, distressed and worn look, you can start with a solid base layer and add the other colors in spots where it would look like the base color had worn away exposing previous painting. Sometimes I water down the extra colors to make a wash. This adds depth and translucency. I like adding color rather than sanding it off but either way will work. Something else I haven't identified in the photos is the role of the dark wax which also adds patina. I tend to use only in lower spots like carvings, mouldings, corners as it changes the color of your paint. But it does add a look of texture and grain of the wood. I hope I've answered your question but let me know if its still confusing. Thanks for commenting, Leslie

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  3. Hi Leslie

    As someone who is very new to the world of Annie Sloan and all things beautiful I am loving your blog. The colours, information, ideas and illustrations are all encouraging and inspiring. I will continue to read your blog and learn with you

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    1. Thanks Ali,
      I appreciate your kind words. Coming from a graphic design background, my goal is to communicate a "how to" as simply and in as few words as possible. I plan to include other projects that use different kinds of paints and materials, but Chalk Paint seemed a great place to begin. I have no affiliation with Annie Sloan and receive no free products from her or any other company. But I do believe she has created an amazing product that results in a particular look that was extremely hard to do before. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
      Leslie

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  4. Beautiful! Love your blog! I have only recently started mixing ASCP colors and am always looking for inspiration. Your color selections remind me a little of Design Seeds if you are familiar with her work. Keep up the good work :) -- Pauline

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    1. Thank you Pauline,
      That is such a compliment, Ive been very inspired by Design Seeds,
      Leslie

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  5. I just discovered you via Pinterest and have just read every post! You have put an incredible amount of work into this and I want to thank you sooooo much for sharing! I've been using ASCP for awhile now but I haven't experimented with mixing the colors as extensively as you have. You've just opened up a whole range of possibilities for me! Prepare to become very, very popular as painting enthusiasts find you! ~ Roxanne

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  6. Hi Roxanne,
    One of the reasons I started mixing the colors was because my clients would bring me a paint swatch from other brands of paint, like Benjamin Moore for their piece. It is an excellent paint for walls, but I just don't like using latex on furniture. It took a lot of trial and error to match some of the colors (some still elude me). And I dont always use Chalk Paint,( a lacquered finish, for example). But for a vintage distressed look, its my favorite. Thanks for taking the time to find my Blog, Im such a rookie with social networking. Hopefully, I will improve. Enjoy your experimenting,
    Leslie

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  7. Thanks for your inspiration. SK Sartell

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  8. Hi.
    This is the first time I've been moved to make a comment on anyones's blog, but I just wanted to say that you've got a great eye for colour. I mix my own colours with annie sloan paint, but I really admire your colour combination.
    Keep up the good work
    Marina

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    1. Hi Marina, Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time to comment and letting me know you like my blog. I follow you on Pinterest and look to you often for new ideas. Leslie

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  9. Hi there,
    I found your blog while I was searching for a picture of Duck Egg and the progression when mixed with Old White. I would like to use the progression picture on my FB page, Simply Refreshed as I want to show others of the potential. Could I link to it and give you full credit for the picture, along with a link to your blog?
    Thanks for the inspirations!
    Cindy

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    1. Hi Cindy,
      Yes, absolutely . Thanks. I just liked you on FB,
      Leslie

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    2. Fantastic! I'll post it later today.

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  10. Hi Just found your page via Lilyfield Life... your colours are very different to the ascp I have in my tins! here in NZ. Its a problem when I see images on in the net, and then I can't replicate the look, but its fun trying!
    I have a facebook page with my furniture on it.. trinity vintageware.. if you're interested! Love your work!
    Lynley

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    1. Hi Lynley. Although there may be some variation in the colors, (You would have to ask Annie that) I think the real problem is the computer programs and display screens. Depending on the age, make and model of computer there is really no consistency. I just replaced my 8 year old iMac with a new iMac and they show the same colors very differently. Its discouraging because I began blogging to help identify the colors to use to recreate specific looks. The stockists who sell Chalk Paint in NZ are your best resource to help with any color questions. For me, Duck Egg Blue, always looks far more green when I paint it, compared to other images I see on Facebook, and Pinterest. It does help to keep your own paint swatches, Ive learned that to get what I think of or expect with Duck Egg, I need to add a little blue to it. Otherwise, Im just disappointed. Thanks for commenting, I appreciate your feedback. Im on my way to FB to check out your page and see your work. Leslie

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  11. Hi Leslie,

    I just found your blog via Pinterest and I am BLOWN AWAY at your work!!! I have looked around and haven't been able to find any tutorials. Do you have any? I am in the process of refinishing my kitchen cabinets and have decided to do something similar to your blue cabinet. I would love to know the process in which you layered it (painting, sanding, wax color, etc.) and how you mix your colors (ratio's, etc.). Thank you for sharing your AMAZING work! :)

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    1. Hi Kim, Thank you so much! Only recently have I thought about doing tutorials. There seem to be so many already available on FB, Pinterest, etc. But I have had some questions about layering so Im planning to do a few about subject. Hopefully they will be up on the blog in July. But, until then basically if you considering painting your kitchen cabinets a lot will depend on the condition they are in and if they have been painted before. I had really dark oak cabinets in my kitchen and painted them white about 10 years ago. I had not yet discovered Chalk Paint, so I took a very traditional approach of washing with TSP, sanding, priming and several light coats of an oil based paint.I also sanded in between coats.I think it took about six weeks, especially because of waiting for paint to dry. I will never do that again just because it was so labor intensive. But I have to say the finish held up beautifully, even with what I consider hard wear (3 boys). I just repainted them this year and I did almost no prep work other than cleaning. I used Annie's Chalk Paint in Pure White, a couple of quick coats, I considered waxing, but instead used an acrylic polyurethane to top coat. Chalk a paint was a breeze to work with but I don't know if it will wear as well as the oil based. Just something for you to consider.
      As far as the blue cabinet, I'm not sure which one you mean. But basically I start with the color that is going be predominant and paint a solid coat. After that I add light coats of the other colors with a combination of techniques, like washes, dry brushing, dabbing it on etc. until I like it. It is so easy and impossible to fail.If you make a mistake just paint over it. I don't do much sanding to reveal the under layers of color, but many people do to get much the same result. Its just what works best for you. If you let me know which cabinet you mean I can be more specific. Best of luck with your kitchen and I d love to see a pic when you are finished.Thanks for following and commenting, I really appreciate it,
      Leslie

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  12. So excited to hear that you will be doing tutorials. I love the layered look and have been sanding through to reveal the base coat. But my results are not even close to the beautiful layering you do! Can't wait!

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    1. Thanks Anne. I also have trouble controlling my sanding. So many times I would sand right through through the color I wanted to expose and be back to the bare wood. Adding paint where I want it works much better for me.
      Leslie

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  14. Favor indicar en MedellĂ­n como consigo tus pinturas. Gracias

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  15. Thank you for starting this very helpful blog that inspires me a LOT.
    You may be new tp blogging but you add something special to the internet!

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  16. Leslie in your new paint layering techniques videos, what brand of brush are you using? Would love some details on how to get one. Looks like a very helpful addition to a paint brush collection.

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    1. Hi Rebekah,
      In the video’s I’m using brushes that I bought from http://www.LeeValley.com They are made in France and I have been using them for years. Supposedly they are for oil-based paint, but I love how they stand up to Chalk Paint( I’m hard on brushes) They are available in 1″, 2″ and 3″ sizes, I think the 2″ is around $18. For wax I use the Large Annie Sloan wax brushes. I have the original brushes, one for dark wax, one for clear wax, I bought years ago. Well worth the investment.Thanks for asking.
      Cheers,
      Leslie

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  17. You are amazing. I'm certain you have heard that before. I'm looking to paint a small fireplace hearth with the chalk paint and your website came up in the search. Cannot believe the amount of work you have done with mixing the paints. Do you have your own studio? Annie Sloan should hire you! Just forwarded the link to my sister who loves to buy old furniture and paint it. She lives in your area which makes it doubly special. Wonderful job and thank you.

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  18. I just found your blog on Pinterest and will be following you to get more tips on using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Are you a Stockist and do you sell paint? I live in Northern KY and purchase paint online from a stockist in NY. What container do you use to store paint and where can I purchase it? I saw your container on one of your video's. My paint cans are rusting and I want a good container that will hold a quart of paint. Thanks

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  19. I have just started using Annie Sloan paints and this morning was looking on the internet for pictures of furniture painted in the Florence color when I found your website. Is there anyway I can get the color charts emailed to me at sonsel@att.net. I have always had a hard time mixing colors and your color charts would sure help me when trying to decide what paints to mix in order to achieve the color I am wanting. Thanks in advance for your help.

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  20. This is a very old post, but I love the work you've done and posted. DO you have a book or sell anything that list both the paint and techniques you've used along with a picture of the design. I figured, why try to recreate such detailed information if it already exists!

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