Shades of an Armoire

Sometimes it is not so clear what color to choose when painting a special vintage piece of furniture. Colors, Tints, and Shades can look very different from one piece to the next.  Painting a large Armoire, like the one above, involves a fair amount of time and energy, not to mention the cost of paint.  Any tool you can use to eliminate, or even narrow down, your color choice before you start to paint can save you from painting something more than once. 

The image above is a virtual representation of an Armoire painted in 6 different colors and shades (shades = color + black) of Annie Sloan Chalk PaintⒸ.  I didn't actually paint the Armoire 6 different colors.  Each armoire image was tinted with shades of one color. The color cards below each show the color I used. This is only meant to be a starting point, but sometimes having a comparison on an actual piece of furniture is helpful.

Here is the real Armoire and the colors I used when I painted it......

French Chair

This beautiful photo was found on Pinterest and is the inspiration for today's post.

French Provincial chairs, like the one above, are plentiful in vintage and antique shops in singles and in pairs. To create a similar look with Annie Sloan Chalk PaintⒸ, use Coco, and Old Violet. You can make additional strengths of each color by combining with Graphite (shades) or Old White (tints). Add a bouquet of Roses, Lilacs, and Hydrangeas, (sadly, mine never bloom at the same time), for the perfect photo op.

* I am working on Color Cards for shades: mixing each color with varying amount of Graphite. I hope they will be finished and ready to post soon.

Wearing of the Green

This secretary is truly a mix of greens. A layering of neutrals on the exterior with a surprise minty green when the desk is open. The mint green finish can be created by layering Cream over Antibes Green, or mix the Antibes Green with a little Old White until it becomes a light tint. A little Cream on the edges and worn areas and the interior will look like the one above. In addition to using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, a little Gilding Wax on the details will give it a time worn patina.

Light it Up

Even brass chandeliers can be given a new life with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. A coat of  Graphite will usually cover the brass ( I have never needed  a primer), followed by a quick coat of Coco, and Paris Grey. It is not necessary to completely cover each of the preceding  layers of paint. Purposefully  leaving gaps in the colors enhances the look of vintage patina.  Dry brushing Old White, and Pure White  on  selectively will highlight the raised portions.

Dark into Light

Sometimes you will find a vintage piece of furniture that has great structure and lines but the finish is very dark. It used to be a very long, messy and difficult process of stripping, sanding, bleaching and liming. Even then, the results could be disappointing.

Dark Walnut Finish

Here is one way to get that light, whitewashed, limed, Restoration Hardware look, that I used on my

old Stepback Cupboard shown in the above photo. Although Graphite is included, it was only used on the hardware to create a rustic zinc color and not on the wood. My first coat was Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White. French Linen and Coco were lightly brushed on in long strokes following the direction of the wood grain. It takes a little practice, but you can always add a little more of any of the colors to create the look of wood grain. After a coat of clear wax, you can also use the dark wax for a grain effect. Just remember to continue to brush in one direction. The old pulls were were painted with Graphite and Old White.

This is a very easy finish to create with Chalk Paint. I used French Linen and Coco because I like the depth created by adding additional colors.  But really you could easily create a similar look with just Old White and a second color, or Old White plus the clear and dark wax. 

Painting the inside is a matter of personal preference. In this cupboard I used Provence mixed with water, for a wash effect. 

Nordic Blue

The layering of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for a Nordic 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!

The Blues

In order to create a vintage finish similar to the one on this little chest,

start with a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue.

Once that is dry, using a light touch, add some areas of Louis Blue

and Old White to give depth to your finish. Finally, add Coco

 with a dry brush to create shadows. Use a clear wax on the entire piece

 when finished painting. The wax helps protect the paint, 

but also contributes to the look of an aged patina, like that seen

 on antiques and vintage furniture.

For more Blues, see my posts,  Duck Egg and Louis Blue,  Out of the Closet, and  Porte a Saint Emilion.

Blanket Chest

To recreate the look of this beautiful blanket chest, 

layer these colors of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Wax and gently

distress for an aged patina. 

Vintage Chest in Hues of Louis Blue

Painted in separate layers, each coat is washed,

or rubbed back to create a time worn patina 

If you can't get enough of Louis Blue, check out my posts,  Duck Egg and Louis Blue,  Ralph Lauren Blue,  and  Chair of Many Colors

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!

The Colors of Carl Larsson

A color palette from Sweden

For other ways to create a style and finish reminiscent of Swedish antiques, check out my posts Country Sideboard,  Swedish Country Style,  and A Carl Larsson Pink

Shades of grey

 A rich grey is rarely just shades of black and white.

On a door in Belgium, several hues are layered and

mixed to form greys with depth and texture.

Dark and Moody

  A somber mix of Chalk Paint neutrals, with just a hint of Paloma,

  are layered to form a well worn patina.