Rubbish Rack Rehabbed

I found this rack where la petite table was found ...just around the corner from my house....Wasn't sure if I could save this one...but I went for it...

unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of what this poor rack looked like prior....to starting the painting process....She was painted in a spring egg blue....black markings...with a sad looking heart carved out of the top...I glued a wooden carved medallion over the heart for a totally different look. I used Annie Sloan Cream colored paint and dark wax.... This refurbish rack is just looking for a new home...I will be selling her and other pieces at the Island Heights Sail Feast on September 8th...Stop by and say hello..

la petite desk

As promised I have finished the little desk we will call Claudette.....She is pretty in pink....Actually it is a dressing table.  She will not make it to market as my grand daughter Mia has claimed her as her new desk.  I tried some new techniques with Annie Sloan's Chalk paint and really did like the results....Annie's paints are so forgiving...you really can do no wrong....First I used....1 part Scandinavian Pink and 2 parts Old White 

Old Whit

Scandinavia Pink

Which created this color which is a nice soft pink...  I then rubbed on some old white with a rag along with some french linen

French Linen

The results were amazing... I finished it off with an additional coat of clear wax....hand rubbed until it was smooth as silk... I had so much fun completing this project.

Chalk Paint Crackle Project

My works shop has become a haven for mosquito's...  I had to relocate to my back yard in order to work on the pieces that I will be needing for my first show on September 8th......so I am using a spare bedroom for storage....

Having so much fun working with Annie Sloan's paint .....Most of the frame's will become chalk boards....which can be used in the kitchen, offices and bedrooms....One of my favorite effect was creating crackle....this can simply be done by applying one coat and letting it dry....then applying a second heavy coat making sure that you apply in one direction and assuring that you do not go over those stokes but once..the molecules in the paint are not to be disturbed.....immediately afterwards hitting it up with a hair dryer.  The crackle comes out beautiful after applying the dark wax... This paint is all about having fun !!!

There is nothing wrong with garbage picking

Part of the fun of using chalk paint is finding new items to paint.....While on my way back from my studio....I came across this piece on the side of the road... I was so excited, as you can imagine....  I had actually just made a trip to Magnolia Lane Designs in Point Pleasant New Jersey to purchase some supplies....I love the color of Scandinavian Pink by Annie Sloan  which I was going to use on another piece...I think it will be perfect...Since the piece was in great condition I started painting immediately...  I mixed it with 2 parts Old White and one part Scandinavian Pink....

Here is the beginning of the painting process....I will blog on the process of the dressing table named Claudette....

Le Petite Charlotte Table

I saw this table at a local Estate Sale its a Mahogany Turned Spindle Parlor Table......I couldn't pass it up, it was just too cute...I decided to paint it a french linen.  I then transported it to my studio where I inadvertently started to paint it a Paris Grey.

 I so need to get some better light in there or start reading the can's...What is amazing about Annie Sloan's paint is that no matter what you do,it comes out great...Yes it was a mistake, but I went with it....I then decided to use a dark wax, removing most of it....I sanded the top to reveal some of the French Linen.  I sanded some parts to show a tiny bit of the Mahogany....

I hand polished the top and legs with the clear wax...the results were stunning....the top feels like silk...

The important thing to remember when working with Annie Sloan Paints is to have fun, relax and just go with the results....Its a one of a kind piece...

Work Shop at Magnolia Lane Design

As some of you already know I began to dabble in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint early this spring....I'm about to embark on a kitchen cabinet job....I wanted to take a workshop prior to beginning this job to learn more about various texture and finishes.

Magnolia Lane Designs located on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey is a wonderful shop filled with eclectic mix of antiques, vintage and one of a kind painted items.  Stephanie Granit owner runs great work shop through out the year on Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Techniques.   The classes are small, up to six (6) people only.....This allows her to answer all questions and work with each participant to achieve the techniques that they want to focus on.  

We were given to lengths of different molding, a flat board, and a picture frame.  Each of these items were used to practice various techniques.  Two Color Distressed, Chalk Board, Modern Finish, and Rustic Finish.  The group were of various backgrounds...Retirees, Young Moms, Interior Designer, and Home Stager.  We all had one thing in common...We were all "Dumpster Diva's" that loved chalk paint.....As you can see from the photo below, we were allowed to experiment with the paints of our choice along with using either the dark, or clear wax... All fun and no stress....

We all became deep in thought as we achieved amazing samples....and what we would be on our next piece of furniture that we found....I decided immediately that I would finish a dresser that I found at a garage sale in   a combination of Arles and Antibes as the base with a Provence wash along with a clear color wax.

As we worked on the project we had to allow drying time...but continued to finish each project from start to finish....Each sample was completed at the end of the four hour session....How wonderful  it is that you can start a project in the morning and enjoy the piece in your home by the end of the day.... Below are the finished sample boards.

Graphite base and old white top coat - clear wax


This one and the one below is what I was experimenting with for a finish for the kitchen cabinets 

This is Old White base with another coat of Old White on Top then hit with a blow dryer to achieve a crackle affect followed by clear wax and dark wax

The next sample is the "Rustic/Textured sample where we applied Barcelona Orange thickly and unevenly to create texture followed by the application of the dark wax.

The other half of the board was used to practice the Modern Finish - using various grades of sand paper you are able to create a smooth as silk finish...( which is a bit difficult to tell from the picture...but trust me, your fingers would know)

The last project was a picture frame - which we all did differently - I choose a Versailles base coat followed by the removal of the paint over the gilded areas - then the application of the dark wax was applied...the results were beautiful of each of the participants  in the class..

Stephanie's class, was fun, relaxed and filled with smiles and self satisfaction....we all felt like accomplished artists when we were completed.  Not only did we learn so much we did some net-working and exchanges of ideas....Fun time was had by all.... Please continue reading my blog....I will keep you updated on the dresser project along with the kitchen cabinets..