When Less is Best

We see them all the time. Those before/after paint projects when you think, “I liked the before better.” Even worse are those where you say, “I wish they hadn’t painted it all.” Because once it’s painted there’s no going back without the....... Read More

French Green

A vintage sideboard is given a quick upgrade with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. Primarily painted in Florence, with highlights of Provence, sealed with...... Read More

Video #30 Let's Do Terra Cotta - Adding Age & Patina

In this last part of our terra cotta series, I show how to layer blues and greens to give age and character to our painted terra cotta garden planters......Read More

Pine Sideboard

I painted this old pine sideboard several months ago, but never posted about it. It was fairly beat up, and was about to.....Read More

Modern Chalk Paint

Use Chalk Paint for a Modern look. See the newest complete post on

Colorways at LeslieStocker.com

For more ideas on ways to use Chalk Paint in  contemporary settings, see my posts, On the Bias,  Antique and Mondrian,  and Color Studies Lime Green.

Ikea Inspiration

Color inspiration from Ikea. See the full post on

Colorways @ lesliestocker.com

If  you love Duck Egg Blue as much as I do, you can see more ideas in my posts, Duck Egg and Louis Blue, Patina and Verdigris,  and  On the Side

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Flea Market Find

See the complete post on  Colorways @ LeslieStocker.com

See more options for color schemes on Jelly cabinets, here, here, and here.

Congratulations

Head over to Colorways at lesliestocker.com to see who won the the contest/giveaway for this lovely vintage mirror, painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.

A Do Over

Many layers of shellac required to seal. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® . French Linen, Versailles, Old White on base, hardware, and trim. Followed by clear wax, dark wax and gilding wax.  For cabinet doors, sides and top: Provence, Old White, Paloma and clear wax.

Inspired by Turquoise

This photo of a pantry drawer was found on Pinterest from here. It's lovely patina, peeling layers, and  cool colors serves as inspiration for my post today.  If you layer Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®, Country Grey, with accents of Chateau Grey, followed by washes of Florence and Provence,  the result will be a beautiful, complex, rich turquoise like the one shown here.

I was a Pinterest girl even before I started blogging. It's a source for inspiration and a great way to save ideas. If you are looking for ideas for your projects, check out my Pinterest Boards, ASCP(Annie Sloan Chalk Paint),  Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint,  and Mirror Mirror

Trying Something New

There seem to be certain colors and finishes that I paint more frequently than others. So I am always on the lookout for inspirations for new ideas. The photo of this distinctive and beautiful door was found on Pinterest and it challenged me to think how I would duplicate it using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®.

In order to recreate this soft, translucent blue, each color would be applied as a wash, even the first coat. Aubusson Blue brushed on first, followed by  mixes of Aubusson Blue and Paris Grey, and Aubusson Blue and Provence also applied as washes. Primer Red would be added very sparingly in an even more diluted wash.

Whenever I am trying something new, I know I am not going to get it right in the first application. It always involves reevaluating, adding more paint, and taking off some paint. And there is never just one correct method. Different techniques in various combinations can yield similar results. Paint can be removed with a wet or dry towel, sponge, newspapers, plastic, sandpaper.... You can use a wet or dry brush to blend the colors. There are always options.

Enjoy yourself, have fun with the process. If it becomes frustrating, stop and a take a break from it. Sometimes all you need are fresh eyes, to see it differently. And sometimes unpredictable results can be even better than what you set out to do originally. That is what I love about Chalk Paint.... you can just keep painting until you  like it.

If you love blue as I much as I do, check out my posts, Chinese Apothecary Cabinet where I use a combination of ASCP blues, Country Blue Wardrobe  and how to make a Denim Blue.

I like Annie Sloan Chalk Paint  for my craft and furniture projects, but for walls nothing compares to Pure & Original Fresco Lime Paint. I love the natural variations of shades and tones the lime creates within one paint color. You have to see how gorgeous it is! Checkout my most recent interior design make overs with Fresco. It can be purchased online at www.502paint.com

P.S  Pure and Original also makes a chalk based paint called Classico in 140 colors! Its amazing too!

Weathered Zinc

Today's post is a follow-up to Monday's Patina and Verdigris. I appreciate everyone's patience as I continue to learn how much information is too much and how much is not enough. My mailbox was full of questions so I'm going to interpret that as not enough.

When I first started using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint there were very few retailers(stockists) in the US. Virginia Weathersby of The Southern Institute of Faux Finishing was one of the few who sold it online. Many times included in my orders were suggestions for new projects with step by step instructions.  One of the projects was for an outdoor planter. I don't remember all the details, but basically, you painted your planter with 2 coats of Graphite and maybe another color.  The instructions were very clear to not use wax on anything left outside. I tried this on a few planters and they looked great not only that summer but every year since.

I have also painted wrought iron tables and chairs, a porch swing, my potting bench, plastic pots and many light fixtures with Chalk Paint.  I am never disappointed. The light below was originally a plated brass, that had seen better days. Graphite was used as the base coat (no primer or sanding). Since I wanted this to have a weathered zinc look, more blue, I used mostly Louis Blue and Louis Blue mixed with Provence and Old White. If you want a copper, verdigris(turquoise), color you can use Florence, Provence or Duck Egg Blue. For highlights use a mix of Old White and your color and brush it on the edges.  Fast and easy.

Out of the Closet

Last week while cleaning out a closet, I rediscovered this small tray. I had painted it during the same time period (years ago), that I was working on my Chippendale Chairs so it also got a coat of Louis Blue. Not really happy with the result I stashed it in the back of a closet to deal with later.  Much later as it turns out, because I had totally forgotten about it, until finding it last week.  

Out of the closet at last, it was still looked a little too blue. Adding some different color in layers would help. I pulled out Provence and mixed in a little Old White. Adding a light layer of the Provence mix helped soften the solid blue.  But it still needed more. French Linen mixed with Old White as a last layer added the depth and texture it needed. Sometimes just a little paint makes all the difference. Finished at last!

Chair of Many Colors

After posting about my Chippendale dining chairs,  I have received numerous questions and requests for more details. A follow-up seemed to be in order.

This is one of six mahogany chairs in my dining room. Sometimes when I paint I have a clear idea of what I want for the final result. Not this time. It was more that I wanted try out a new (for me) color of Chalk Paint, Louis Blue and I needed something to paint. So I painted all six chairs before I decided maybe Louis Blue was not the best color to go with a dark mahogany table in a warm white dining room. The second coat of paint was a mix of Old White and Louis Blue. Still not right. Next, out came the Provence, then a mix of Provence and Old White. Every time I added another color of paint, I would have to paint all six chairs.  Aubusson Blue was added in the crevices. Still not quite right. The almost final coat was Old White dry brushed around the edges.  

Almost perfect. Well maybe not, but the thought of painting six chairs again was too much even for me and I love to paint. So I proceeded to the next step.....clear wax (x6), and finally the dark wax (x6 again).  Finally, finished! At least for a while......until, months later I had finished another project involving Pure White. I had paint left on my brush and rather than waste it, I did a little dry brushing on one of the chairs. Yes!  That was all it needed.... except "it" was a "they".  Five more in fact and more waxing. I am happy to say, over the course of several months, every time I had some Pure White left over I would add it to another chair. Slowly I worked my way through all six, and now they mostly match. 

Lesson Learned. Never paint one in a collection unless you are absolutely sure about the color. Repainting one is no big deal, but painting six is.  And, more importantly, you can not ruin any piece of furniture with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  If you make a mistake, or don't like it, just keep adding paint until you do. If I had used latex or oil based, I would have had to strip and sand and probably would still be doing it now.  Or more likely, I would have given the chairs away.

Chippendale Chair

Chippendale chair painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. First coat, Louis Blue. Accented with touches of Aubusson Blue and Provence. Edges, dry brushed with Old White and Pure White.

Another Step Back

Stepback pine cupboard in Annie Slone Chalk PaintⒸ colors.