Dresser Makeover with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

I have no less than nine painting projects on the back burner - some for more than a year. A lot of it's been psychological because I swore off latex paint on furniture once I discovered milk paint, and using milk paint requires a certain mindset and commitment for true durability - like stripping the furniture beforehand.

I know there are tutorials that will tell you you can forego stripping or sanding when using latex paint, if you use certain primers. I did this with a stenciled dresser, before I discovered milk paint, and it will eventually need to be redone as the latex has started pulling off the top of it, despite the fact that I sanded and used a highly recommended primer. Annoying, to say the least. And milk paint can be used without sanding or priming, but it requires the addition of a bonder and it works, better than latex, but not quite as durable as the finish on the cabinet I stripped first. So I've been sitting around, waiting to get motivated enough to give each piece the care it requires.

But last week I had the pleasure (and luxury) of spending a day with Lisa Rickert at the U.S. headquarters for Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It was my first time using the paint and I learned lots of different techniques and got plenty of hands-on experience. I know it's just paint, but I left greatly inspired and I couldn't wait to wake up the next morning and start painting (a small miracle in itself!).

So I tackled this dresser project first. It was a curbside find that I put in my dining room and it was in good shape structurally, but I wanted to remove the veneer from the front and give it some color. My inspiration was the cover of a notebook, the subtle variations in the blue background. I thought that would work well in my dining room where the light is moody and picks up nuance very nicely. 

To say that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has changed my view of DIY projects is an understatement. After finishing this dresser, I'm no longer looking at the eight projects I have left, filled with the sense that I'll never get them done. Now I'm just wondering how quickly I can knock them all out. The most tedious part of my dresser makeover was removing the veneer (not difficult, just boring). The painting and waxing were a breeze and the finished piece has the same beauty and depth as my milk painted cabinet. In short, I am OBSESSED and I've already started my second project (another small miracle).

 

My Dresser Before:

 

My Inspiration: (the lower left hand side, in particular)

 

My Process:

My color recipe was 50% Duck Egg Blue and 50% Provence. After I'd painted the entire surface with that mixture, I poured a little bit of Duck Egg Blue on one side of a bowl and Château Grey on the other side. I used a damp paintbrush and dipped the left edge of the brush into the Château Grey and the right edge of the brush into Duck Egg Blue. I then offloaded the excess paint onto a paper towel and dragged my brush over the painted dresser, varying my brush strokes - left to right, up and down, etc. This mixed the colors of paint together, giving me some lighter blue areas and some brownish green areas. If my paint got too dry or the lines too distinct, I just dampened my brush again (without adding paint) and continued going over the painted areas until the paint was blended to my satisfaction.  

It's subtle, but you see the difference between the first coat of paint and the light wash I added on top (both are before waxing, which brought out the tonal variations even more):

 

 

To finish it off, I applied a thin coat of Annie Sloan Soft Wax (clear) with a brush and after it dried, distressed it lightly with sandpaper, following the indentations and areas that had already been banged up and worn down on the dresser (distressing after waxing gently removes the paint with less dust and general messiness). I waxed the distressed areas again after 24 hours, then buffed the whole piece with a rag when the wax was no longer tacky.

 

 

You're likely to hear more about this paint as I work through my projects, but here's every reason I can think of now to encourage you to try it for yourself:

 

1. No sanding, no priming - Chalk Paint covers virtually any surface you can think of (including fabric) and it doesn't require sanding or priming beforehand. No bonders or additives required, even for fabric.

2. Flexibility - I changed my mind multiple times during the process of painting, from color to technique, and I was able to work with the paint all along the way. One of the things I learned about this paint is that water's your friend. If your brush strokes or color variations are too sharp, a damp brush smooths it right out. And if you change your mind about a color down the road, after it's waxed, you can paint right over the waxed finish (as long as it's been 24 hours after application).

3. Versatility - You can create an opaque, modern finish or a heavily distressed finish. It's suitable for all kinds of applications - color washes, thick gesso like finishes, crackled, cloudy stippled effects, dry brushing, layered, etc. Water thins out the paint or you can leave it with the lid off to thicken up and give you coverage that shows off brush strokes. 

4. Easily blended - It's easy to create your own colors with the existing palette, and the paint is sold in sample sizes as well as quarts. Sometimes you'll only need an ounce of a color when you're mixing, so it's nice to have that option. I used a detailed shot glass to create my color recipes (or you can try a kid's medicine dispenser) and once I had the color I wanted, I mixed it in larger quantities.

5. Great customer support - I went to one of my local stockists to purchase a sample size of a paint color I needed. The stockist wasn't just selling it, she was using it (in all kinds of ways) and had lots of insight to offer. We worked on a custom color right there, so I could make sure I had what I needed. She's not an anomaly - all of the stockists have been thoroughly trained in using the product and most offer workshops or demonstrations. 

6. Beautiful Finish - The paint dries to a matte, chalky finish (just like milk paint) and is meant to be finished with a coat of wax. The wax deepens the color slightly and gives it a silky, velvety feel. It makes your furniture look better than latex paint does. Period.

7. Quick drying time - It dries incredibly fast and can be recoated within a couple of hours - meaning that you can finish a piece of furniture in a single day, waxing included.

8. Easy cleanup - The paint itself is virtually odorless and you can clean your brushes with water, no soap required.

 

Resources:

Quick and Easy Paint Transformations by Annie Soan - An invaluable resource that gives great guidance on working with this paint.

Annie Sloan Unfolded (U.S. Distributor)

About the Chalk Paint

See paint profiles (click on the name of each color) for information about the colors, see them on finished pieces, and view color swatches.

Annie Sloan's blog, Paint & Colour

Comments

[Suzonne]

Thanks, Cyndi. Chateau Gray is indeed responsible for the brownish color!

[Cyndi]

This looks fantastic! I'm a little confused, though, as to which paint added the "brown" look. I can't imagine that Duck Egg or Chateau Grey would add in that color. Can you explain?

Thanks, Cyndi

[Suzonne]

Thank you, Lee! Use what you need - it is wonderful, fabulous paint and I'm happy to help inspire!

[Lee]

Absolutely stunning, I hope to share an image in a post with a few other Annie Sloan makeovers on my blog. I will only use one image, credit you properly and link back, encouraging readers to find out your technique.

Annie Sloans chalk paint has only just made its way to New Zealand shores and I am trying to inspire my readers. In fact I am doing a makeover myself so your post will be very helpful.

Will email you a link once it's published

Now off to make a coffee and browse a little more around your blog, it looks wonderful :)

Lee

[Palmetto Home and Garden]

Well it looks like going with chalk based paint is a no brainer. Your dresser looks amazing!

[Suzonne]

Hi Kitty,
Before you purchase a book, I'd suggest researching the Internet, especially Pinterest. You can find a number of tutorials and learn from the average users experience. The good news is that it's not a complicated process to replicate what I did for the Family Circle column. Also, you can choose - if you don't want the wood grain to show, you can just paint the base coat normally, then do the dry brushing technique on top of that.

As for color, I can't judge whether the color's too dark without seeing the rest of your bathroom, but since you want to do a linen white, I think there are softer colors for the base that might be more appropriate for the bathroom. CoCo or French Linen could be good choices for the base or you can always lighten the Graphite with a little Old White.

However, most of the stockists are well trained and happy to help you! I'd suggest bringing a photograph of your bathroom and the magazine column for reference when you go to buy the paint. They can demonstrate the techniques for you and help you pick the palette. I've had great luck with this when I've had questions of my own.

Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

[kitty entwisle-sherer]

i have been wanting to paint the wood in my bathroom and want the look that you did on the treasure chest in the may issue of family circle, although i want to do a linen white for the finish look. is the graphite colour too dark. what would you recommend for the base colour? i am hoping i find annie sloans chalk paint in my area. should i order a "how to" book first? i am excited and full of questions. kitty

[Suzonne]

Hi Cathy,

You can find a retailer directory on http://www.anniesloanunfolded.com.

[cathy volk]

Where do you purchase this kind of paint?

[Suzonne]

Thanks, Natalie! My recipe was 50% Provence and 50% Duck Egg Blue. I only had a sample jar of the Provence color, so I know that it didn't take more than a sample jar size of each color for the topcoat, though I can't remember if I did a base coat of straight Duck Egg Blue (which I had a can of). I know that's not particularly helpful, but I've found that none of my furniture projects have required an entire can of paint.

My advice - when you go to buy your paint, show the stockist the piece of furniture you're painting and what you hope to accomplish. I find they're usually very knowledgeable and can give you a very good idea of what you'll need. Have fun!

[Natalie]

Hi,

I am trying chalk paint for the first time this weekend and have been trying to figure out how much I will need. How much did you use for this project (in terms of quarts)? Thanks so much - all your stuff is great!

[Steph S.]

Great piece with with some really nice detail. I love the paint job but I definitely think you should go back with a detail brush and paint in a contrasting color the design on the front of the piece. I think it would look 10x better!

[Suzonne]

Karen, I agree with you! It really has changed my life - and I'm so impressed with its durability. If I had the time, I'd paint a project every week!

[Karen Benford]

Was researching paint and came across Annie Sloan's, this paint has turned projects into therapy for me.... I am in love wouldn't use anything else now. Even if I do have to drive 75 miles to buy it.

[Suzonne]

@R Bilski - It's not something I've tried, though in theory it sounds like it would be fine since they're both water-based paints. But if you're using latex over it. you probably don't need to wax it.

[R Bilski]

Can I paint latex over the chalk paint (before waxing?)

[lezioni di Ballo]

Wow, this article is nice, my younger sister is analyzing such things, thus I am going to convey her.

[Suzonne]

Thanks, Sharon! And I LOVE that you've spent the weekend painting. I know just how good that feeling of accomplishment is.

[Sharon Oler]

Thank you for the info I've been painting all,week end! Just loving the paint! Your tips have been very helpful! Enjoyrd reading your blog! Hope you have survived the recent weather down your way!
Sharon

[Suzonne]

Teresa, I've just completed my third project with this paint and I hope I never have to use anything else!

[teresa granath]

Ok, now I want to paint everything in my house! Sheesh Suzonne, you are killing me softly with your furniture. :)

[Miss B.]

Another perfect project, just love the color and your styling is magnificent!