Fall / Winter Chalk Paint® Workshops

I'm always pleased to announce our new Chalk Paint® Workshops, but am really excited to tell you that we are now holding three hour Workshops in Richmond too!

These are three hour hands-on Workshops where I teach four "Basic" Techniques for using Chalk Paint®: Annie's Modern Finish, Rustic Finish, Two Color Wash, Two Color Distressed.

In addition, you will learn all about Waxing with Annie's Soft Waxes (Clear and Dark), Distressing Techniques and my secret to Buffing. I also love to tell you about how to mix the colors for fabulous new colors.

I keep the class size small so that I can answer all your questions and give you personalized attention.

This Workshop is not just for you beginners either, I cover lots of techniques that even those who have painted before are sure to learn something new.

Richmond: 
Tuesday, October 15: 11am to 2pm
Tuesday, November 12: 11am to 2pm
Tuesday, December 10: 11am to 2pm

Irvington:
Saturday, October 19: 11am to 2pm
Saturday, November 16: 11am to 2pm
Saturday, December 14: 11am to 2pm

You can register for any of the Workshops now by coming to the shops or online by clicking HERE. Cost for the Workshop is $95.00 and is non-refundable. (All supplies and a light snack and drinks will be provided.)

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, photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

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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

Conquer Your Fear of Dark Soft Wax

Dark Soft Wax and Ultimate Waxing Brush

I confess that I too was a little afraid of using Dark Soft Wax on my projects. As I have painted over time, however, I have discovered the beauty of using Dark Soft Wax and how easy it is to apply - really. In this tutorial, I will take you on a tour of various ways you too can use Dark Soft Wax to improve your projects.

Using Dark Soft Wax is quite simple, but you do need to think of what look you are trying to achieve before applying. 

Aubusson Blue with Dark Wax

This dresser is a beautiful example of how an all over application of Dark Soft Wax can enhance the colors of the Chalk Paint palette. The buffet was painted with Aubusson Blue, then the Dark Soft Wax was applied all over it to give the Aubusson Blue glow and texture.

  

Steps to a Beautiful Dark Soft Wax Finish

1) Apply Clear Soft Wax first before the Dark Soft Wax. This is to keep the Dark Soft Wax from "staining" the paint and to make it easier to remove excess wax to achieve the tone and look you are aiming for. In some instances, you may want to apply Dark Wax directly one the paint (over Graphite for instance) where you want a dark stained look. But be careful and test this first before committing to the entire project. If you don't like it, you can always re-paint.

2) Then, this is the scary part, wipe the Dark Soft Wax over all of the wood. Using a brush helps to get the wax into all of the nooks and crannies. (Use a separate brush for the different Soft Waxes.)

3) Immediately start to wipe off the excess Dark Soft Wax, leaving it only where you want it. This is where the Clear Soft Wax helps. You will be able to "move" the Dark Soft Wax as long as there is a layer of moist (still sticky) Clear Soft Wax under it. Working in small sections helps to assure that the Clear Soft Wax remains wet. And, most importantly, keep wiping, wiping, wiping. This helps to move the wax into the paint so you won't get "streaks". 

4) Let dry and buff as you normally would using a soft cloth.

Paris Grey with Dark Soft Wax

The finished product should look as if there is a discernible color difference, with some Dark Soft Wax in the grooves or niches or the wood, but not streaked or smeared on. 

Versailles with Dark Wax

Paloma with Dark Wax

Still afraid of the Dark? Then, only place the Dark Wax in areas where you want the wood to look a little aged. This works well with lighter colors such as the Old White or Pure White when you don't want the wood to look too dark. I have to say though, that Dark Wax over some of the lighter colors like Versailles and Paloma (see above) are quite beautiful!

Old White with Dark Wax Glaze

Or, use a Dark Wax Glaze. Combine 1/2 part Dark Wax with 1/2 part no-odor mineral spirits. Brush the mixture over your wood for a "lighter" look. This thins the wax and makes it easier to apply to the wood. I have used this technique often in my painting, but confess that I am now going "bolder" and applying the Dark Wax straight!

PaintTip: I like to clean my Ultimate Wax brushes with a gentle lye soap such as the one we sell in the shops. 


Happy Painting!

Rachel

Creating Color Washes

Customers often pick this photo out of Annie Sloan's book Quick & Easy and ask how this look was created. I tell them that you can create a similar effect with a Color Wash.

What, you ask is a Color Wash? Basically, it can be accomplished by layering Chalk Paint® colors, using a thinned paint, to reveal either the wood or base color paint underneath. There are two types of Color Washes that I like to use for painting with Chalk Paint®.


First Method - The Limed Effect

Old White Wash - Duck Egg Base

    
This method is used for "white washing" an unfinished or natural wood piece of wood furniture. It will bring out the wood grain in a piece while adding a subtle amount of color. If you hate the idea of loosing the wood grain, then this method is for you.  

Step 1: Thin the paint by adding water - I use about 1/3 to 1/2 water. Don't make a huge batch since it will go a long way. I use distilled water to be sure that there is nothing in the water that will change the color of the paint, but you can use tap water.

Step 2: Apply the wash using a brush (a flat brush this time works well) being sure to cover all of the wood.

Step 3: Using a soft cloth gently work the wash into the wood by wiping the surface. The more you wipe off, the more translucent the stain will look, giving it a limed washed effect. 

Step 4: Wax using Clear or Dark Soft Wax, depending on the effect. Buff gently when dry.

You have to work fairly quickly with this process so that the wash doesn't dry before you can wipe it off. As with waxing, it is best to do this in sections. If the wash does dry to much, simply dampen a cloth before wiping.

Paris Grey and Louis Blue Wash with Old White Wash

This wash looks best over lighter woods! Old White, Pure White and Duck Egg are great colors to try.

Second Method - Two Color Wash

Paris Grey top and sides with Provence Drawer Fronts and French Linen Wash

I personally love this look. It is a great way to use two colors on a piece to achieve a subtle toning of the paint. Pick any two colors - some suggest one light and one dark, but I have found almost amy two colors will work. You will be amazed at the color combinations that work. 

Duck Egg Wash with Coco Top

Step 1: Paint a first coat as you normally would in your base color. 

Step 2: Create a Color Wash of your second color by mixing with water as above and apply over the first base coat with a brush after the base coat has dried thoroughly.

Step 3: Using a soft cloth folded into squares, gently wipe some of the wash by wiping the surface, turning the cloth over as it gets the wash on it. Try to wipe more or less in a straight line, I think it looks more natural, but try wiping in circles for a more mottled look.

Step 4: Apply Soft Clear Wax alone or with Soft Dark Wax. You will get a very different look with the two waxes. Buff gently when dry.

Anntionette with Coco Color Wash - Clear & Dark Soft Wax

Here are some great Color Wash combos that I have used - but go ahead and create your own! And, try reversing the colors for a whole different effect.

Country Grey with Old White Wash
Olive Base with Provence Wash
Old White with Coco Wash
Cream with Old Violet Wash
Pure White or Old White over any Color 

For more information on this and other layering techniques, see this Layering Tutorial.

Duck Egg and Provence Base with Chateau Grey Wash

Happy Painting!

Rachel

Click to see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls

Benefits of Using Annie Sloan Soft Wax

You have finished painting your piece - now what? 

You don't need to strip, sand or prime but, you do need to finish your piece with Annie Sloan Soft Wax. Why use this and not some other? 

• Well, it is a soft wax as the name implies, which means that it will glide onto your furniture easily. 

• It was made specifically made for her paint so it will be absorbed into the paint.

• It will help to protect your project and is water resistant.

• The Clear Wax has no color and will not yellow over time. 

• This wax comes in both Clear and Dark, but you can mix it with Chalk Paint® to create a colored wax.

• The wax has very little solvent which means it dries naturally and there is almost no odor.

• It buffs to a beautiful patina. 

Remember to always wax first with the Clear Wax before applying the Dark Wax, which allows you to apply the Dark Wax where you want. If you don't, the Dark Wax will be absorbed directly into the paint and your piece will be too dark.

When would you not wax? It is not recommended on outdoor furniture and I personally do not wax inside drawers or cabinets. Otherwise, I wax most all of my projects. 

Join us at our next Chalk Paint® Workshop to learn more about waxing, sanding and buffing.

Paint & Fabric for Chairs

Here's a lovely re-do of a vintage chair using Chalk Paint.

Before

After- photos via

The Chalk Paint® used here is Paris Grey - a favorite around Brocante Home! 

The "aging" of the wood can be accomplished by using Annie Sloan Soft Dark Wax. Try using a glaze of equal parts of Dark Wax and No-odor Mineral Spirits. Don't know how to do this? We teach this method in our Workshop in Irvington. CLICK HERE for the schedule of the next Workshop.

Did you know that we also sell fabric by the yard at Brocante Home? So, if you are looking to re-upholster a chair or other items, we can help. Below are samples of fabric we carry that is similar to the one used above.

We carry over 100 different fabrics, I'm sure one is just right for your project.

Happy Painting!

Rachel

Click to see more tips, tutorials and photos: Paintbrush and Pearls
Click to see my Brocante Home Blog

Shop Hours: Irvington - Wed thru Sat from 10 to 4: Richmond - Tuesday thru Sat from 10 to 6.