How I Refinish with Chalk Paint!

I have had a few questions about how I have used Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint.  I will try to answer them here.  If you still have a question don't hesitate to send me an email!


First the prep work, SO SO SO important.

1-Sanding
With this paint you don't necessarily have to sand as this paint does stick to just about everything, however I would recommend at least a light sand with a very fine sand paper.  You want your surface to be clean and free of EVERYTHING.  Often times just wiping it down doesn't get everything off.

2-Wipe it down
After you have sanded it you want to make sure all the dust and anything else is off.  Make sure the surface it dry before starting to paint

3-Let the painting begin
Chalk paint is a lot of fun to paint with.  It does dry quickly so make sure you finish one area before moving on.  With most paint colors I only apply one coat.  I have found with the old white, old ochre and other lighter colors I have had to apply 2 coats.  If you have to apply 2 coats make sure the first coat is dry first.  There are a couple ways to tell if the paint is dry:
             1-wet chalk paint is a darker color
             2-the paint will have a chalk like feel when you run your hand over it
I don't really wait a certain amount of time before adding a second coat I just make sure it is dry.

After everything is painted...before any sanding or waxing!

4-Sanding
Sanding with Chalk Paint is probably the biggest perk to this paint.  A lot of times when you sand down latex it can ball up but with chalk paint it sands off in the consistency of chalk, creating a nice smooth surface.  When I am sanding to antique I often think where would get more wear naturally occur.

(sanded and dark waxed I usually dark wax other the top of where I have sanded)

5-Waxes
 Dark Wax
I have fallen in love with dark wax.  However this wax is quite unforgiving.  So practice on a small piece first.  (to explain this I probably need to do a video...but I am a little intimidated of cameras!)  If you hate the dark wax you can paint over it with chalk paint.  With the wax a little bit goes a LONG ways.  I would recommend playing with it...and maybe I will get enough guts to make a video!!

Clear Soft Wax

With chalk paint you don't have to wax, but when wiped down with a wet rag the paint does rub off.  So it is good to wax your piece protect the paint.  You paint soft wax on everywhere and let it dry.  When dry it will not be as stick to the touch.  Next you want to buff it with a rag to a shine.  I then wipe it down with pledge for added protection and shine.

and you are done!!  Enjoy your piece!!

Brooke

Sofa Table

Before:

I found this table at Pebble & Twigs in Salt Lake City!  They have a beautiful consignment shop!  I love to go look around and often I find treasures like this table.  I was so excited to get this table home as there are so many details on this piece I really wanted to make stand out!

After:

I sold my other couch table that used to sit on this wall, it was a little bare!   You can imagine how happy I was when I found this table, it is perfect for the space!

I found the vintage hardware at a thrift store and I love how they go together. 

Hardware is more important than you realize, it either makes or breaks a piece!   Too often I have brought home hardware that takes away from the piece more than it adds to the nature of the piece.

The details on this piece are AMAZING!  I painted them with a different color so they really stood out!

The blue is Annie Sloan's Duck Egg and the white is Old White.  I then sanded down the piece and highlighted it with Dark Wax.  I have become addicted to dark wax it is so much fun to antique with!       

Brooke

What a Fan FREAKING tastic Day

As I have sat here and read everyone else's blogs I started thinking about my own and then those thoughts turned to my day.  WOW, what a day.

I have been DE JUNKING, like a mad women, for our garage sale on Saturday, and really because I am tired of tripping over the all the crap I feel the need to horde.  I finally finished this afternoon, WOW what a nice feeling.

One of my Besties from high school was in town and came to visit.  It was so great to see her and talk.  She has the cutest little baby boy!  (hopefully I will get one of those one day, the boy part that is)

After she left my day REALLY began.....my husband found a dresser, not any old dresser but THE dresser I had to have.  I called the lady and she still had it!  I told her I would be there shortly (HA HA) I run upstairs to find my phone which was plugged into my charger but it wasn't there.  I am running through the house frantically.  I finally found it 10 minutes later, in the basement, in my daughters toy chest.  Yes, my 1 year old has a crazy obsession with phones.  So I THINK we are ready to go.  I get the girls in the car and my wallet is missing.  I start to search for it frantically, no luck, still haven't found it, I really hope it turns up soon.  Lucky for me my husband was almost home so he gives me cash and I am off to Salt Lake to pick up the dresser an hour later.
I am trying to find this lady's house and I get lost, all I could do at this point was laugh really.  I finally find her house, she takes me into her basement and there it stands, the MOST beautiful dresser I have ever seen.  It has got to be 100 years old, it has a mirror on the top and it is silver backed!  It is BEAUTIFUL.  I think I might really dream about it tonight!  Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined this Dresser (I will post pics tomorrow)

After I get the dresser home, I feed the kiddo's, because at this point it is 3 pm and we still hadn't had lunch.  Don't worry they got their favorite from Dairy Queen, which includes a blizzard.

After we ate it was off for more treasure hunting and I stopped by my new found favorite store, Lost and Found Thrift.  I found a few treasures and a dresser!!!  This store makes me feel like a little kid all over again!  I just love how excited I get!!!  It is helpful that I love the couple that runs it.  They are both so much fun to talk to.  And they are so willing to help and look for anything my heart desires.  Which sometimes is a little crazy.

Then out to dinner with my dad, which was delicious!

 And to top the day off I got my hair cut.  I love my hair stylist who does my hair at 9pm! she is so much fun to talk to.

Well it is late, I better get out of here.

Wish me luck finding my wallet!!!

Straight Painted Lines!!

How to get straight paint lines!!!

 Once you decide how big you want your strips, mine are 6 inches wide.  Get your tape measure, pencil, blue tape and level.

Measure over 6 inches with your tape measure and make a mark, then place your level right on your mark and move your level until your vertical line is straight.

Next run your blue tape right along the edge of your level.  This step can be tricky, I rested my level on my base to help steady it!

Once all of your tape is up run your finger along all the edges to insure the tape is good and stuck.  Now you want to paint the edges of your tape, where the other color will be, with the same color that is under the tape (below)  This helps to seal the tape, so if the paint does bleed it is the SAME color!!  Allow paint to fully dry!

Now paint your strips.  

As you can see I have a cute little helper.  She did great at staying between the lines.  She really is a mini me.  

 I applied 2 coats and removed the tape while the last coat was still wet.

And what do you get....STRAIGHT LINES!!!!!!!!!!  I am not going to lie, I was a little   scared to take the tape off.  But the results are awesome!

Full Bathroom Remodel Here

Half Bath DONE!!!

I finally found my before pictures!!!

After:

It is so fun for me to look at Before and After pictures.  When things are all said and do you sometimes forget where you started!  

I love all the moldings my husband put up, the crown, chair rail, and casing around the window.  Who would think molding would make such a difference.  

I painted the lines below the chair rail, I was so scared to take the tape off in fear my lines would not be straight, but THEY ARE STRAIGHT!!!!

(TUTORIAL)   I keep running my hand over them to feel the nice straight lines!

  I love the clean lines of this vanity with the round vessel sink and mirror!  The light fixture was already there, I just spray painted it black!  Thank heavens for spray paint, it saves me lots of money :)

I have always wanted a wall with fun vintage frames!  This seemed like the perfect   spot for them, it really helps tie all the colors together.

I am so pleased with how this bathroom came together.  It is so inviting, it kind of makes me want to go to the bathroom!!  :)

My Hutches New Home

When I sell a piece I don't usually see it again, so you can imagine how fun it was to open my email and see what Misty has done with my hutch, okay I guess it is hers now she did buy it from me!  I love her milk glass cake stands!

Misty also has a blog...http://sticksinthemud.blogspot.com/ Check it out you can see her whole living room...I am drooling over her table it is absolutely beautiful!!


Thank you Misty!!


Brooke

Made for a Princess, by a Princess

Every time I would finish a project I would ask my 3 year old, "what do you think?" Without fail she would respond, "I don't like it cause it is not PINK."   Spoken like a Princess right?!!??

Last week when she came to garage sales with me, when we bought this cute little night stand and she said "Mom, can this please be pink."  That being said this night stand is ready for a Princess!

The wording on the top is painted on and then distressed!

I am selling this piece, If you live in the Salt Lake city Utah Area and are interested send me an email!

brooke.n.larsen@gmail.com

Brooke