When I saw lovely image on the Pure & Original Facebook Page, I was inspired to break out of my color comfort zone. Not quite bold enough for a whole room, I tried it out on this old cabinet, I’ve painted a zillion times before...... Read More
Get Your Black On
Painting only part of this vintage sideboard, emphasizes the warmth of the natural finish and creates a lovely accent. Using Pure & Original’s Classico, chalk based paint, in Black, I painted select areas and left the the edges and carvings exposed. Another technique often used is..... Read More
Nothing is Easier
Painting with a chalk based paint is so, so easy. A light cleaning and you’re good to go. Unless your finish is in a bad state, no stripping, sanding or priming. Pure & Original Classico is the most luxurious paint. It goes on beautifully, levels well, and has great coverage. And the colors are so lovely, muted and organic, nothing too bright or saturated......Read More
There's Only One Fresco
While I was in Atlanta, I had more opportunity to experiment with Pure & Original Fresco Lime Paint, this time on walls, in what’s turning out to be one of my favorite colors, Mineral White. It’s a rich creamy white thats not too....Read More
Into the Wild
Fresco Lime paint is made for walls, but I like to use it on furniture, too. In this case, my french, wrought iron chandelier in my kitchen, painted a few years ago with Duck Egg Blue Chalk Paint. I loved it, but I’m slowly moving out of my blue phase and into neutrals..........Read More
Reinvention
I worked on several projects lately for Pure & Original Paint both in Atlanta and here at home, and I’ve gotten the go ahead to share them on the blog. Wait until you see what I’ve been up to not only with furniture but also.... Read More
Made It My Own with Annie Sloan....and you can too!
I have always loved the versatility of folding screens and making one has been on my radar for a while. They are easy and inexpensive to make and I like the idea of creating one that is unique and designed to fit right into my home....Read More
Please Come In
I’ve heard it said that, “your front door is the smile of your house.” If that is the case, here are some of my favorite welcoming entryways in bold colors found........ Read More
Video 41 Painting Shadows & Highlights Part 3
In Part 3 of this video series, Painting Shadows and Highlights, I show you how to seal your chalk paint finish, and discuss the benefits of using wax vs polyurethane..... Read More and View Video
Video 40 Painting Shadows & Highlights Step 2
Video 39 Painting Shadows & Highlights Step 1
In this video, I’ll show you step 1 for prepping a chest of drawers for chalk paint. Prepping is really not complicated, so I share my thoughts about why I’m going to paint it....... Read more & Watch Video
Colorways Top 5
I launched this blog at www.lesliestocker.com, just about a year ago, and as I look forward, I also look back. I’m planning new posts, and I wanted to know which ones were the most popular, the ones you liked the best... Read More
Some Things Need No Paint
This was my first Craig's List purchase, a vintage brass chandelier. And amazingly it still hangs in my dining room, unchanged, 1 year later. But others do, like this one..... Read More
Is it Easier to Paint a Small Room?
I vote a big negatory on that one. All rational thought says that it should be, but my experience says otherwise. Less square footage should equal less paint and time, and maybe it does, but it feels like so, so much longer and harder. Perception is everything, right? Read More
Marrakech Walls on Glass
See how I transformed these ordinary glass florist vases with Marrakech Walls by Pure & Original Paint....... Read More
Video 38: White Washing with Chalk Paint® Step 3
Video 37: White Washing with Chalk Paint® Step 2
In Step 2 of this 3 part tutorial series on how to whitewash using Chalk Paint®, I apply Annie Sloan’s Old White to my small, oak, side table. More than a few things go wrong, but don’t worry....... Read More and View Video
Video 36 How to Chalk Paint® WhiteWash: Step 1
In this video, I’ll introduce this piece and show you step 1 for prepping an oak end table for a Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® white wash using Old White....... Read More and View Video
Fresco Lime Paint
After having the opportunity to work with Pure & Original’s Fresco Lime Paint a few weeks ago, I couldn’t wait to try it out for myself. Not ready to take on a whole room I chose to highlight the panel above my fireplace..... Read More
Old Jelly Cabinet - New Colors
The last time you saw this old jelly cabinet it looked like this. I recently moved to a new spot and the French Pink did not go with the rest of the room.. I’ve been working with Pure & Original Classico, a chalk based paint, focusing on their....... Read More
Pure & Original Paint Swatch Book - Whites
I am really excited today to share the first color group, Whites & Beiges, for my Pure & Original Color Swatch Book. I started making my own color cards and compiling them into charts years ago to use as reference for my own projects. When I started blogging about color........Read More
Patina & Verdigris - 1 Year Later
A New Color Card
Nothing gets me going like new paints and colors. I have collected fan decks, color cards, and swatches from almost every major brand of paint (some are no longer in existence...... Read More
Video 35 - Chalk Painting Fabric Step 3
Painting fabric can bring a much-needed refreshing without the cost of reupholstering. This video shows the final step of chalk painting fabric, as well as.... Read More
Now Available Online in the USA
So excited! Pure & Original Paint is now available for purchase in the USA. Stock is very limited, but readers of Colorways have an opportunity to purchase through this link: Colorways and Pure & Original Paint. (This link will only be work while initial stock is available. Don't miss out :)
It's Here and It's Amazing
Last week I had the unbelievable experience of working with Pure & Original Paint in advance of their USA launch. I had originally received samples of their Classico, a chalk based paint, several months ago,used it in several projects and blogged about it here, here, and here. I loved working with it. It’s a rich, luxurious, highly.... Read More
Going Coastal Gray
Even furniture built to remain outdoors year round, needs to be refreshed. Originally the same color as the deck, this favorite glider had become faded and dirty. The only prep I did was spray it off with the hose and let it dry..... Read More
Wardrobe Petite
Old Fashioned and practical, wardrobes provided storage for clothing in the days before large walk in closets. On the smallish side, this vintage armoire may have been built for a child, and needed a fresh look...... Read More
Campaign Desk in Custom Lilac
Sometimes the standard pre-mixed colors in any brand of paint don’t offer what you’re looking for, but mixing for a custom color is easy to do. For a feminine take on the Campaign style....... Read More
Video 34 Chalk Painting Fabric - Step 2
In the second part of this video series on chalk painting fabric, I use a new chalk paint, Classico, by Pure & Original Paint to give a fresh look to my fabric covered chair seats....... Read more
Wistful White
Since I have tons left of the 3 original paint colors Pure & Original Paint sent me, Pigeon Grey, Storm, and White, I tried it out on another project.........Read More
Video 33: How to Chalk Paint Fabric- Step 1
Can you chalk paint fabric? Absolutely. In this video, I’ll show you step 1 for prepping a fabric seat cushion for chalk paint...... Read More
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
Florals at Robyn Story Designs
When I first took you on a tour of Robyn Story Designs, I focused on the gorgeous furniture, accessories, mirrors and lighting, but there is so, so much more to see..... Read More
Pure & Original Paint Colors - Storm
Pure & Original Paint sent me 3 of their Classico chalk paint colors to try, one of which is Storm. I would describe Stormas a warm muted brown that has deep red purple undertone. If I had to compare it to a color in the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint palette, I would say it’s........ Read More
The Secret to a WOW Painted Finish
Using reds in tandem makes for a deep rich finish that resembles a red colored leather. I started with a first coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Primer Red. Once it was dry, I added areas..... Read More
A Lovely Duck Egg Blue
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You may remember this armoire. I talked about repainting it here. I was a little tired of the blue, but still needed something that would work in my foyer (we have no coat closet). Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® Duck Egg Blue is a color..... Read More
Pure & Original Paint Colors - Black
I have to admit, I’ve missed it: Black. It’s one of my favorite colors. I think it’s the New York part of me. It’s my go to color for so many things, fashion, walls, fabric, furniture, lighting, accessories, you name it........ Read More
Swedish Linen Press
Gently colored in soft pinks and the palest of purples, this Swedish Linen Press is perfect in every way. If you are wanting to paint yours like this one, here’s how to do it...........Read More
Back in Blue
One of the great things that I’ve experienced after taking two classes from Steve Wallis is a renewed sense of creativity. Just learning new techniques and having new tools to work with really motivated me to experiment with my paint finishes. Taking some of the skills I learned in Steve’s marbling and wood graining classes, and..... Read More
Pure & Original Classico Chalk Paint
This is my first completed project using Pure & Original Paint from The Netherlands. I introduced it on the blog last week, you can read about it in this post.The process I used on this chest of drawers was a........ Read More
All Mirrors and Light
After visiting Robyn Story two weeks ago, I can’t get my mind off large mirrors, and the power they have to transform a space. Robyn’s store ( you can read more about it in my post, here), is filled with gorgeous mirrors, each more stunning than the next...... Read More
Reader Request
Louise, a reader of Colorways, found some inspiration photos on Pinterest and asked for my help in getting a similar finish..... Read More
Pure & Original Paint from The Netherlands
You know how much I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. It’s the reason I started blogging last year; the way it sticks to almost any surface, the beautiful color palette, and the ease of which you can create a variety of finishes using different techniques. It’s a tough act to follow. And although I have had ample opportunity to sample many different brands......Read More
Robyn Story Designs
Yesterday I told all of you about the wonderful class I took from Steve Wallis on paint techniques for marbling and woodgraining, and it was an amazing experience. But there is so, so much more to my adventure...... Read More