Today I'm sharing with you my latest adventure: painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I know I'm the very last one to the chalk paint party (as usual), but I thought that if I like painting the small box, then maybe I'd paint furniture in the future.
I selected the Bloomsbury Set Keepsake Box, Charleston.
The kit comes with everything needed to complete the box, with five samples of paint and clear wax.
According to her webswite, Annie has created three limited edition colors inspired by the joyful use of paint and color throughout Charleston farmhouse. The Paint-Your-Own Keepsake box contains all of these three Limited Edition colors.
Firle: a fresh, zesty and crisp green.
Rodmell: a dusty, damson purple.
Tilton: a deep, bright mustard.
The Keepsake box features 120ml tins of Chalk Paint™ in Rodmell, Tilton, Firle, along with two neutral colours: Original and Graphite. There's also one 120ml project pot of Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax, a wax cloth, plus the Large Round and Large Flat Detail Brushes, and an inspiration guide.
This project was a challenge to me for a couple of reasons. First of all, I love the Bloomsbury look, and I did want to recreate the feel of Charleston farmhouse. Looking closely at photos from the farmhouse, most of the painted surfaces are hand-drawn, and brushstrokes are evident.
This is not how I paint at all, but I gave it my best shot. I looked at several Bloomsbury and Bloomsbury-inspired patterns on Pinterest, and I found one I liked for the top of the lid. I was also inspired by Annie Sloan's example on the packaging for the sides.
After painting and before waxing
The fat brush I bought extra. It is an Annie Sloan wax brush, and I highly recommend it. I think you should use paintbrushes you're accustomed to, but her paint brushes in the kit are high quality, and I like them.
The photos below are after waxing and buffing.
- If I want to paint something and not have the brushstrokes show, I will definitely dilute the paint a lot and paint several coats.
- I liked having the "charcoal" color to darken colors and the "original" color for lightening. These colors mix easily, and I could easily mix my own custom shades.
- The paints need quite a bit of shaking/stirring/mixing before use.
- The oil based clear wax bothered my asthma. But everything bothers my asthma! Next time I will either work outside or in a better ventilated area.
Have you ever tried chalk paint? Please tell me about your projects in comments if you have.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
I have used a few different types of chalk paint (and also one I made myself). They have worked well as a primer, and also over old provincial style furniture and also dark wood. I don't like to wax - - and once you wax you need to always wax the item.
ReplyDeleteI have used chalk paint several times. However, I have gone back to using mostly regular paint. I like the outcome a bit better and am not crazy about the waxing needed and the finish is still not quite the way I want it. Love your box...so cute! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI've only done one chalk pain project and it was just one color, no trim. It was interesting to work with. I didn't wax mine. It wasn't for something that would get a lot of wear and tear and I didn't want to fuss. I love what you did here -- the colors are lovely and everyone can use another box! Especially a pretty one.
ReplyDeleteYour box turned out so pretty, I love the colors and the design! I love chalk paint and have painted several pieces of furniture with great results! My favorite thing about chalk paint is that you can paint right over anything and often one coat is all you need. There is also a similar paint called milk paint, that has similar characteristics and is much less expensive~ I use it often for crafts and smaller objects. Have fun exploring and painting!
ReplyDeleteJenna
I love your kit! And now you have a trinket that favors Mardi Gras colors, well done! My local Panoply sister has used chalk paints for old furniture for our booths, both Annie Sloan and Miss Mustard Seed. She liked it well enough, but hasn't used it for anything for her own home.
ReplyDeleteI hear you with the bothering your lungs part. I don't use the wax. I was late to the chalk paint party, too, but I'm not really in love with it for small, detailed projects. I do enjoy using it on larger pieces and furniture, but like you I'm not a fan of the was or anything with an odor.
ReplyDelete