Happy Friday! Today I want to show you a quick and easy way to make a “needs a little love” piece of furniture look fabulous. My friends who spend time at my loft know that I have a thing for painted furniture. This thing happened about two years ago when I discovered Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was shopping for two small tables at an antique store when I asked the shop owner her opinion on painting old pieces. She immediately directed me to a Purple Pear, a local and online shop that sells the British made Annie Sloan paint and wax. For those of you who have not seen chalk painted pieces, I will have to tell you that there is something very European looking about it, similar to milk paint. The chalk paint is often distressed to give it a vintage feel then finished by rubbing a soft wax over the painted surface. Not only does the wax finish look luxurious and velvety, but it is so simple to do, wears very well and you can paint over it any time you like. My home now showcases 9 Annie Sloan chalk paint pieces, each picked up at a flea market, second hand or antique store and every one needing some love. Here are a few more samples of those pieces, the photo of the nesting tables being that first antique shop find.
My go-to colors are the Old White and Graphite which has a blue undertone. I even used the white chalk paint to cover the resin horse after I repaired his missing ears. For this tutorial I am going to repaint this little rattan and wood chair. I am using the Old White Chalk Paint, Clear Soft Wax, sand paper, a paint brush and an old rag. Get inspired then go give some love to your furniture! ~ Lia
Lia
Lia is a daily crafter, maker, designer and DIYer. Find more of her creative inspiration at liagriffith.com.
Beautiful pieces! I have heard so much about Annie Sloan chalk paint, it must be great!
Oh it is. . . I dare you to try. :-)
I love what you’ve done with your pieces, they are so pretty and the photos are beautifully styled.
Thanks Suzi. I love my loft. :-)
I’ve been dying to try the chalk paint for too long now. But I’ve recently been reading that the wax finish isn’t great for “sticky, greasy fingers” that leave marks that you can’t get off. With three kids under the age of 8, that could present a problem. I have some dining room chairs I’d love to try it out on, but I’m a bit trigger shy after the bad rap rumors. Any thoughts?
I’m literally up the road from the Purple Pear and have been so tempted to throw the car in park every time I drive by.
From my experience with the Annie Sloan paint and wax, once the wax cures it is really easy to keep clean. I never see water rings and it seems that the pieces wipe clean with any spills. The best thing is that if a spot does need repair, it is so easy to do. Phyllis at Purple Pear is an expert at this and could answer more questions. She is a doll too. Put that car in park! ;-)
Thank you so much for your input. Your pieces are stunning – giving me another shove to finally give the paint a whirl.
I will definitely stop in the shop sooner than later.
Read what Robin said in this comment section too. She has great feedback too. :-)
Your furniture is so beautiful, Lia! Very impressive, and I loved the post and the mention. Thank you!
I learned from the best. :-)
You did such a great job on these pieces! It all looks so beautiful. Sadly, Annie Sloan chalk paints aren’t sold in the city. I’ve wanted to try them for a while.
Hey Aggie, if you live in the U.S. then you can order through Purple Pear as she ships.
Hi – I live in Jersey (Channel Islands) and first discovered Annie Sloan paints through a library book. Then I found a local supplier and painted a gilt mirror with the graphite paint which transformed it from an overblown piece to something dramatic. I was lucky enough to be in Oxford last December and visited the shop, meeting Annie herself. I was so inspired by the pieces in the shop and the different shades that can be achieved by mixing the paints. If you haven’t read her books, then I would recommend you start there. I am about to start on a yellow pine dressing table, using a bright blue mixed with off white and then waxing. As I was concerned about durability, Annie and her team assured me that the wax would be hard wearing for a dressing table and other day-to-day items.
Thanks Robin! I am ordering her book right now. I would love to go to her shop in Oxford someday… That is now on my life list. ;-)
I have a dresser & bedside table I’d like to try this paint on. However it’s stained & varnished. Do I need to strip & sand them down first? Thanks :)
The fabulous thing about the chalk paint… No pre sanding required. The white bedside table in the photo was a 1970′s Broyhill piece with that thick varnish. I just painted over the top and it is completely sealed with the wax. I love this stuff! :-)
Thanks so much for such a well done blog Ellie. I pinned two of the pictures to my Pinterest board – My Colours and My Paint. I could have done it with all of them .
By the way, the paint you buy in the US is made in the USA. And the paint bought in the UK is made in the UK!
Many thanks again for such a great clearly done job.xx
Annie
Oh my! Thank you for the note Annie. Meeting you in person is on my life list, so getting a comment from you on my blog is fantastic! I will update the text to let people know that it is made in US if bought here. I do have a lot of UK readers as well. :-)
Hi
Really inspired by this, have just booked a painting course in Dorking to give the chalk paints a try. A smell a new hobby! Great ideas on here, keep them coming x x
It is addictive. :-)
Hi Lia,
I love what you’ve done with your furniture pieces using Annie Sloan paint. I actually went to an Annie Sloan work-shop two Sundays ago at a local shop here in the north east of Scotland (Aberdeen). It ws 3 hours of trying different techniques with the paint and it was so fun and easy! I’d recommend it to anyone, even those who have never done this before.
I’m going to do a blog post about my class and now I’ve found your tutorial I think I will provide link to it if that is ok? Your instructions are easy to follow along with photos.
Lindsey
Hello Lindsey. What a fun class and it is so surprisingly easy to use this amazing paint. Yes, link to my tutorial. I will look for your post. :-)
Great pictures and projects!! I recently helped a friend chalk paint a dresser for her little girl’s room, and it turned out great. Check it out if you would like: http://levees-lace.blogspot.com/2013/03/chalk-paint-transformation.html
I’ve just bought my first annie sloan paint for a table and chairs project that I scored on ebay (£27 for super sturdy pine table and 4 chairs). I was a bit nervous as the outlay for the paint and wax was over £50 BUT let me say it’s such great paint! A little goes a long way and NO prep. That’s a win-win in my book. It’s so fast and looks fab. Thanks for sharing xx
Its feel so nice to read this blog. I like this post. You wrote so fantastic. Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts
Can I use this paint on a bathroom vanity? Will it hold up with the steam from a shower?
i really appreciate with this post..thanks for sharing….
You have such a nice collection of furniture. Really awesome painted furniture.