Decisions, Decisions....

I have a Chinese apothecary cabinet that looks almost identical to this one and I can't decide what to do with it. It doesn't quite fit with the rest of the house, so at this point it is inhabiting our basement and serving as storage for all our Christmas ornaments. Painting may help. Or it might be better to let it move on to a new home where it is better appreciated as is.

Sometimes when I am immobilized by indecision, I will try out ideas on a smaller, less intimidating piece. Which leads me to my post for today.

Although hard to see, the scale of this apothecary cabinet is quite different. It is a tabletop size, something you might use as a jewelry cabinet. It was painted with a combination of Old White and Old Ochre. A little Louis Blue was added to the Duck Egg and used on the face of the drawers. I used more Dark Wax than I usually do. It adds the shading and shadows and gives it more dimension. I like it on this, but I still don't know what to do with the large chest. Any ideas?

Console Table

A little Chalk PaintⒸ inspiration for your Saturday.....If you are looking for ideas for your console you can see more posts here

Red, White and Greek Blue

Heavy distressing in combination with the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint colors above, will result in a finish like the one on this pine cabinet.

Not So Simple

I love these old vintage chests that show traces of former incarnations in their paint colors. You know at some point it had been solidly painted all of the colors above and probably more. Using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in these colors and the tints shown below will create a similar finish. 

Usually I layer the colors, purposely leaving gaps, to create a look of wear. Another technique I use is to dip one side of my brush in one color and the other side in a different color.  Laying your paint on in this way results in areas where the colors are separate, but also where the paint mixes and becomes a third color, increasing depth and texture.

To match the colors on this piece you will have to play a bit combining Pure White, with the Greek Blue, the Henrietta, and the English Yellow in approximatly equal parts or  1:1. Being exact is not important, and you may end up with more or less white in your color combinations. If you don't have Pure White you can use Old White, although your tints will be slightly different. The character of a vintage piece is enhanced by these variations and imperfections.  Part of its charm is knowing it was painted by hand.

Take One Stepback

Called Stepback Cupboards because the top shelving piece sits "back" from the front edge of the separate lower cabinet, they are most often made of pine or oak. It is not unusual to find one where the top and bottom were not made at the same time as one complete piece, but have been put together, sometimes referred to as "married".

This one has wonderful age and patina in its deep blues and greens. If you are lucky enough to have a stepback cupboard, layering the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint colors shown above, would give you a similar finish.

In Kentucky, antique step backs are easy to find and reasonably priced. To see more of these delicious cupboards check out my posts, Another Stepback,  Dark into Light, and Colorful Storage.

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.

The Look of Verdigris

There are many techniques and products to create the look

of Verdigris. This is one of my favorites because it is easy, works on any surface

and is long lasting, even on outdoor furnishings. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, in this order:

One coat of each, leaving spots where other colors show through.

1. Graphite

*2. Primer Red 

3. Duck Egg Blue

4. Provence

 Can be topcoated with polyurethane (Do not use wax for anything left outdoors).

*Primer Red: Optional. Use to give look of rust.

For a different verdigris on an outdoor light see my post Patina and Verdigris,

 Verdigris on an Antique Door and Weathered Zinc

Portal in Arles

A door located in Arles, France, shows the

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint color named in its honor.

A Duck Egg Blue is layered on top. 

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. 

Project Journal - French Chandelier

Step by step for painting French Wrought Iron Chandelier

with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Hearts and Flowers

Subtle layering of colors combine to create depth and texture

Duck Egg Blue

Peeling layers reveal an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

color palette with Duck Egg Blue emphasized.