Two loves: Louis Blue and Old White

Louis Blue and Old White - what a purr-fect combination! I wanted to share another transformation using Chalk Paint (TM) Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan. I purchased this cherry wood-ish display cabinet and the local GW for $4.99 plus tax. Yes, $4.99 plus tax!

If you look closely you will see the mirrored backing along the shelves. I had already pulled off the drawer when I took this photo. The piece was in need of some lovin as you can see it had been neglected and was dirty, dusty and a little beat up. A good cleaning was all she needed and she was ready for some Chalk Paint (TM)!

Here she is after two coats of one of my favorites - Louis Blue. I knew when I saw her what colors I would use. I painted the entire piece Louis Blue. I couldn't wait to paint the accented areas with Old White. With Chalk Paint (TM) I didn't have to wait long at all to do so. The multi-tasker that I am, I was painting another piece while the Louis Blue piece was drying. By the time I freshened up my drink, added some more mosquito spray and "powdered my nose," I was ready.

I likey! I probably could have only applied one coat of Old White but added a second anyway. The paint drys so fast it was not a big deal to do so. I could hardly wait to get to the next step - distressing. First, I applied one coat of clear wax over the entire piece. I used my new Wax Brush by Annie Sloan (TM). Love, love, love these brushes. It is worth every penny I paid. I can't say enough about the ease of using the brush with the Soft Wax - goes on like butta! (You're worth it! Invest in one and you'll be hooked.) With a 60 grit sandpaper, I lightly distressed the areas that would naturally wear.

A second coat of Clear Wax went on. When applying the second coat, sometimes if you apply only to the distressed areas that is all that is needed. In this case I wanted to be sure the shelves (which will be used for collectibles and such) had a second coat. I knew I wasn't quite finished. Using an old white sheet to buff has really worked for me. No lint or mystery fuzzies to be seen anywhere. On to the final step - Dark Wax. 

I lightly applied Dark Wax to the Old White accented areas using another Brush by Annie Sloan. You want to be sure to use separate brushes for the Clear and Dark Waxes to avoid mixing the two. I got a little heavy handed for my taste and went back with a little Clear Wax to easily remove the excess.

See the beauty of Dark Wax? It aged the piece in a natural way. Here she is at our booth, The Shabby Chicas located at Homestead Handcrafts on Thousand Oaks.

Tell us about your Louis Blue and Old White love story! We'd love to share your photos!

--The Shabby Chicas




 

Chalk Paint French Dresser with Hutch Redo!

The Shabby Chicas love, love, love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP). Here are some pictures of our latest project - a French finished dresser with hutch circa 1970's. Here she is before and during her transformation.

I knew when I saw her what colors she would be - ASCP Paris Grey and Old White. Her original color was a yellowish tone with gold trim and off white accents. Very shiny too!

In this picture the Paris Grey and Old White contrast very nicely.

 

If you are a fan of ASCP too, you may also love the no priming, no sanding benefit of using Chalk Paint. It's true! This piece was painted with two coats of Paris Grey and Old White. It was waxed with Annie Sloan's Clear Wax which is also great to use. It is a very soft paste wax that goes on like soft butter. After a slight distressing along the edges, one of the Chicas suggested that we try using Annie Sloans Dark Wax over the Old White trim at top, bottom and along the drawers. This added a nice finish that reminded us of a French piece. Then another light coat of Clear Wax was applied to soften it all up.

Here she is all done and ready for purchase at the shop - Homestead Handcrafts on Thousand Oaks here in San Antonio, Texas. 

On to the next project... 
The Shabby Chicas