Thursday, July 25, 2013

PaintTips - Using Annie Sloan Soft Waxes



 Love the aged look of this dresser ? It's really quite simple to achieve if you follow these basic tips. 

Annie Sloan's Soft Clear Wax was applied over the entire front, then her Soft Dark Wax was applied just over the edges. Always apply clear wax first even if you know that you will apply dark afterwards. The dark wax will stain the paint if applied directly on the paint and then it is impossible to get back to the original color. 

With clear wax underneath, you can apply the dark wax and if it is too dark remove it with some clear wax, adjusting it until you get the right tone. The finished result of using dark wax over clear on light colored paint should look as if there is a discernible color difference, with some dark wax in any little niches or grooves in the paintwork or wood. The wax should not look streaked or smeared on.

If the piece is small, you can use a soft cloth to apply the wax, but for anything larger, we recommend the Ultimate Wax Brush to make the job easier and faster and you will use less wax.

Want more tips? Click HERE or there are lots like the one above from Annie Sloan's great book, Quick and Easy Paint Transformations

Both Annie's book and the Ultimate Wax Brush are available at Brocante Home Collection.






Happy  Painting!  Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA


To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

photo and tips via Annie Sloan and Christopher Drake

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Distressing Chalk Paint®





Today I will talk to you about several methods of distressing when using Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan. 

Some people like their furniture very highly distressed and some not at all. I am somewhere in between. I like a bit of the original wood peeking out and I also like the look of two - color distressing, that is, distressing from a top color to a different base color.  

Annie teaches us to first wax with her Soft Clear Wax prior to distressing. (Apply Soft Dark Wax after distressing - more on this later.) This is to eliminate any dust from the dried paint. Her Soft Waxes are absorbed into the paint and you will find that when you distress after waxing, you will not have a mess. (I do recommend that you paint on a drop cloth though.)

So, assuming you have painted and then waxed your piece and are now ready to distress. If you want to distress down to the wood surface, then, using a low grit (100 to 220 grit - I like 220) sandpaper, start sanding in those spots where distressing would naturally occur such as edges, corners, etc. Easy does it when distressing all over in a random manner - you don't want to get what we call the "cheetah" effect! How much pressure you apply is dependent on the end effect - start with a lighter pressure and work up to higher pressure.

After distressing you may make want to add Soft Dark Wax to further age the piece. It is recommended that you do this after you first wax with Soft Clear Wax and distressing as the distressing will take off some of the wax. You make also want to add a little more Soft Clear Wax if you need to prior to the Dark. If so, just use the cloth you used for wiping on and off the Clear Wax.



The same method as used above is used when distressing down from a top coat of one color to the base coat of another. If you don't want to distress down to the wood, again, very lightly does it! If the 220 grit is too rough, try a higher grit sandpaper. Just enough for the first color to peek through. 

I personally love to paint my pieces in two colors for that French/Swedish look. I tend to use combinations like French Linen with Old White or Country Grey with Scandinavian Pink, or Cream with Pure White, but choose your own! This is where your own style shows through!

I also find that when distressing with two colors I use less Soft Dark Wax as I can get that antiqued effect with two colors. So, if you are hesitant to use Soft Dark Wax, try this instead.

After waxing and distressing, buff as you normally would.

Chalk Paint® distresses beautifully after waxing - it's hard to describe how more natural it looks than distressing latex or acrylic paints.

There are other ways to distress without using sandpaper and Annie talks about one of them in her new book, Color Recipes. After painting on the second coat and before it dries, start rubbing some of the paint off. You will get a wonderful rubbed effect that looks as if it has aged beautifully. 

Or, if the paint has dried, try use a damp cloth to wipe of some paint. Don't wait too long to do this as the paint will harden over time. I've even heard of baby wipes being used for this, but a damp cloth works just as well.

Remember - have fun!






Happy  Painting!  Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA


To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls



Look for this logo to know you are getting the original and only 
Chalk Paint®!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Introducing.....English Yellow



Annie Sloan's newest color, Chalk Paint® in English Yellow, has arrived! 

And is available in both our Irvington and Richmond shops.



Ready to paint?

P.S. - We are now offering Saturday Workshops in our Irvington Studio and Classes in our Richmond shop on Tuesday's. Our next Workshop is Saturday, July 27 and Class is Tuesday, July 30.

For more information and to register, click HERE.




Happy  Painting!  Rachel


Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA
For directions to either shop, click HERE


To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls


Look for this logo to know you are getting the original and only 
Chalk Paint®!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Next Chalk Paint® Workshop and Class



NEW! Saturday Workshop in Irvington!

My next Workshop is 
Saturday, July 27th 
at Brocante Home Collection 
in Irvington, VA

11am to 1pm

This is a two hour hands-on workshop where you will learn how to use Chalk Paint® decorative paint and Soft Waxes. Four basic techniques for painting and waxing will be taught:

Single Color Modern Finish
Two Color Distressed Finish
Rustic Finish
Two Color Color Wash, plus,
Correct application of both Clear and Dark Waxes

All paint and supplies are provided - just come in your play clothes ready to paint.

Class size is limited and payment must be made in advance.

Cost is $75 - no refunds 

To register, stop by the shop or call or register online HERE.

__________________________

Chalk Paint® Class

I begin my series of classes on Chalk Paint® in Richmond on

Tuesday, July 30
at Brocante Home Collection at DeCOR
Richmond (Carytown), VA

1pm to 2pm

This is a basic demonstration on how to paint and wax with Chalk Paint®. Even if you have taken this before, there is always something new to learn! And, it is a perfect time to bring your questions.

This class is Complimentary, but please, call for a reservation at
804-562-8326.


Happy  Painting!  Rachel


P.S. - My complete Summer / Fall Workshops & Classes schedule is HERE

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA
For directions to either shop, click HERE


To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls




Look for this logo to know you are getting the one and only Chalk Paint®!

Friday, July 5, 2013

Painting Kitchen Cabinets with Chalk Paint®


Painting kitchen cabinets is a question I am often asked about Chalk Paint®, so here is how to do it:

 As always, make sure the surfaces are clean before painting! A little extra cleaning might be a good idea since the kitchen is where you may see a little extra grease, so you may want to use a "scrubby" brush with your cleaner. Be sure to do a final wipe off with clean water so that there is no residue from your cleaner left on the cabinets. 

Paint the cabinets with at least two coats of Chalk Paint®. Although there is no need to sand or prime the cabinets (I'm assuming you are painting wood cabinets), you may choose to lightly sand the cabinets before painting as this will help the paint to adhere even better.

 Make sure to protect the paint with two or three coats of Soft Clear Wax. Annie's Soft Wax is water repellant and strong enough to stand up to high use. Let the first coat of wax harden for a day before adding the second coat. I don't see the need to use a poly or lacquer if you use Annie Sloan Soft Wax.

 You may need to "refresh" the Soft Wax every now and then if needed, but for the most part, a periodic buffing should keep your cabinets looking good.

 Wipe with a damp cloth to clean or for tougher stains, you can use a stronger cleaner. If the cleaner removes some wax over time, then simply add a little more Soft Wax. I have had good luck with cleaners such as "Method" and "Simple Green".

Painting kitchen cabinets with Chalk Paint® is really no different than painting furniture with it. You can distress, layer color or any of the other methods we've learned about painting with Chalk Paint®. Just remember to protect with two or three coats of Soft Wax.

Although this method works best on wood surfaces, if you have a shiny surface like a laminate, go ahead and paint! You just may want to rough up the surface a bit first to get the best adhesion. 



Remember my shop counter? It's actually an old kitchen cabinet with a laminate top and, yes, I did paint it!



Happy  Painting!  Rachel

Chalk Paint® and supplies are available at my two shops:
4323 Irvington Rd., Irvington, VA and 
19 S. Belmont St. (in the heart of Carytown), Richmond, VA


To see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls