White Washing Terracotta Tile with Chalk Paint®

I white washed my kitchen table with Chalk Paint® decorative paint in Old White last summer and have been loving the look...

And I've been wanting to paint my terra cotta tile floors ever since. I have loved having them throughout my kitchen, laundry room and sunroom for their practical use, but am not loving the color!

It's just a little too red for me so, I have been thinking of using Chalk Paint® in a wash of Old White. 

I tested the color on this sample and like what I am seeing. (It's not quite as pink as it looks here.)The question then was, should I apply Annie's Lacquer over it to protect. I asked the experts at the Annie Sloan Unfolded FB page and the answer was YES! 

This is a BIG project so I plan on painting my kitchen first and will post the results. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Happy Painting!  Rachel

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

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

Creating an Aged Patina with Chalk Paint®

There are numerous ways to create an aged and distressed finish on a piece of furniture painted with Chalk Paint®. I talked about one way in an earlier post about Annie's new Wax Paint Technique.

For this project, I have used three products, Chalk Paint®, Soft Wax and High Grit Sandpaper (600 grit) - painting, wiping and distressing to obtain the look of a nice worn patina on this table. 

I first painted the entire mahogany piece in one coat of Chateau Grey, a beautiful neutral color that Annie calls an elegant grey green - the color found in old French woodwork. Don't worry if the color does not completely cover the wood - I will be painting several other colors over this.

Next, I added a second coat in Old White, wiping the paint as I went with a clean soft cloth to take off some of the paint and achieve a bit of distressing. I did not thin the paint with water, but applied it full strength.

After the second coat dried, I then painted a third color, Old Ochre, over it, also wiping it back. Make sure to wipe back while the paint is still wet, so do this in sections. 

After letting all three coats dry, I mixed a little Dark Soft Wax with Clear Soft Wax for a softer brown color. I waxed the entire piece with this mixture and with a little pressure, wiped off the excess so that some of the original paint (Chateau Grey) and wood showed through. I did not need to use any sandpaper to distress, but if you want a more distressed look, give it a try. A little bit of buffing with the high grit sandpaper (600 grit) and a soft cloth and I was through. 

It's that easy! I'll explain the steps further at my next Chalk Paint® Class in Richmond this Tuesday, August 20th. To reserve your spot, please call DéCOR at 804-562-8326.

I still have room in my two hour Chalk Paint® Workshop in Irvington next Saturday, August 24th. For information, click HERE.

P.S. - I am now offering private Chalk Paint® lessons! For more information please click HERE.

Happy Painting!  Rachel

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

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

Chalk Paint® Workshop and Class Next Week

Chalk Paint® Workshop - Color Lab

Saturday, August 24: 11am to 1pm

Irvington, VA

Mixing and combining paint is easy if you know how color works. In addition to learning the fundamentals of painting, in this two hour class you will learn how to make new colors and how to change the tone of the colors by making them paler, darker, warmer, or cooler. The possibilities are endless. You will be playing with all her colors on sample boards.

Reservation is Required - Cost is $75.00 - No Refunds

Call 804-438-6404 to register or register online HERE

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 Chalk Paint® Class  - Primer on Waxing, Distressing & Buffing

Tuesday, August 20: 1pm to 2pm

Richmond, VA

Think you learned all you need to know in the basics class? To follow up on the basics, I will show you how to make a wax glaze, colored wax, distress with water & sandpaper and the art of using high grit sandpaper for a silky smooth finished patina.

This Class is complimentary, but please call DeCOR at 804-562-8326 for a reservation.

Happy Painting!  Rachel

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

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

A Smooth Modern Finish

Sometimes you just want a smooth, contemporary finish on the furniture you are going to paint with Chalk Paint®. It represents an opportunity to use a clear contemporary color such as Provence or Florence, or in my case, Louis Blue, since I wanted to use a soft blue to compliment the summer feel of the shop. 

Supplies You Will Need:

Chalk Paint®

High Grit (600 to 800) for sanding & buffing

Clear Soft Wax

Clean Soft Cloth for removing excess wax and polishing

Paint Brush (I like Annie's)

Ultimate Wax Brush

As always, I first cleaned the table with a gentle cleaner such as Simple Green or Method. Lightly sand the surface, if needed, to smooth out any imperfections. (Remember, we are going for a smooth finish!)

Then, I applied a first coat of Chalk Paint® in Louis Blue smoothly and evenly over the entire piece. Work the brush in one direction with the grain. The paint should be smooth and flowing - if not, adding just a little water will dilute the paint, making it flow easier. (Or, try dipping your brush first into a bowl of water, then into the paint to thin it a bit, especially for the second coat.) 

 And then I applied a second coat once the first has dried. The first coat should cover the piece and the second coat should make the color "opaque".

PaintTip: Don't overwork the paint with your brush! Long, smooth and easy strokes are best. I like using Annie's brushes because they deliver just the right amount of paint and the paint goes on extra smoothly.

Option: After the second coat is completely dry, you can lightly sand with the 600 grit sandpaper. Note: this is the only time I might suggest that you sand prior to waxing. Make sure that you are sanding over a drop cloth, or if you can, take it outside. This will help to smooth out the brush strokes, but remember, you will almost always see some of the brush strokes. (Personally, I find that I can get a nice smooth finish without this step and who needs the mess?)

Using a wax brush, I then applied a thin coat of Soft Clear Wax over the entire piece. Chalk Paint®, when dry, has a matte, velvety finish that absorbs Annie's Soft Wax perfectly. 

I like using the Ultimate Wax Brush to apply Soft Wax to my projects - it gets into all the nooks and crannies perfectly. Wipe off any excess wax with the soft cloth, polishing as you go. You should not be able to "feel" the wax after this step. If you use the Ultimate Wax Brush, you should not have any problem with over waxing. P.S. - Check out the shops for our new smaller Ultimate Wax Brushes! 

Then, when the Soft Wax has dried, I buffed with the 600 grit sandpaper for that patina we love.

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

Color Recipes

In her latest book, Color Recipes for Painted Furniture and More Annie takes us inside her idyllic country farmhouse in northern France. 

In the process of redecorating, she experimented with new techniques, using her Chalk Paint® to restore locally sourced antique furniture in French rustic style. She also incorporated bohemian, Swedish and modern influences in the house to add a contemporary element. 

Want to bring French country charm into your own home? Look for Annie's newest  book at both our shops.

Happy  Painting!  Rachel

(photos via Annie Sloan and Christopher Drake)

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®!