Chalk Paint Challenge

I have been so intrigued by Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint--a product she invented for refinishing furniture that lends itself to an "antiqued" or shabby chic look. 

Annie Sloan

After visiting Junkstock I screwed up the courage to repaint a desk Bernice had given us. I felt confident painting this particular piece because although it had personal meaning, the wood itself wasn't it's most valuable asset. It needed perking up!

I intended to go with turquoise highlights on a black desk. Annie Sloan has a beautiful blue-green called Florence and a dark grey called Graphite. Looking back, I wish she had a black--because the piece isn't quite what I imagined. I learned a lot about chalk paint and soft wax! (chalk paint isn't chalkboard paint).

First, you paint the highlight color….

Then you paint the over color..

I painted a second coat, but many photos kind of "see through" this paint. You don't see through it that way in person, but the second coat helped. I think again its a characteristic of the paint. Also when you sand the edges, the paint falls like chalk dust! Its a fragile paint, so sanding it scuffs it  A LOT and that was the scariest moment for me because I had to hang my hopes on the soft wax bringing the shine back! Look how scuffed up it was!

This pic from Annie Sloan website shows how the paint applies…..

Sanding

I discovered a great new product at the hardware store--sandpaper sponge. Use it, rinse it, dry it! Forever :D

I then applied the soft wax, only after watching 2 full videos on the subject. The really big deal is not to apply too much. Once you do, there is almost nothing that can remedy it.
I tested it out on this frame for Nick, Nicki, Torrey and Mitch's house. I printed a picture of an Alaskan artist's Inuit design for Pendleton and love the way it looks in this Florence blue frame. I waxed it and sure enough, used too much. As a result it feels vaguely greasy and also shows fingerprints. Luckily it can be propped on a shelf forever untouched :D Cool though.

After waxing Friday, I buffed today and lined with my favorite papers of all time (from Nick and Nicki's wedding)and I am moderately pleased with the outcome. 

I think 1. It looks better than before 2. I am buying some cute new knobs to jazz it up and 3. I learned a lot about the process!

It still doesn't photograph well! You can't detect the brown at all when looking at it in natural light that is seen in these pics.  I think cute knobs will be a nice touch.