Before & After: Antique Mantle
We repainted and repaired an antique mantle, with Chalk Paint® Pure White plus waxes for a subtle yet fresh update!
When we were approached to rework this lovely antique mantle, we immediately said yes (for many reasons, mainly because we do this for a living duh!). This is something that we would only find in our vintage and antique-picking dreams we felt... and it needed some love and color updating for sure.
First we made sure to thoroughly clean it, plus sand and scrape away the peeling latex paint layers where applicable. Whenever working over a previously painted surface you must sand down chips and scrape away anything actively chipping, otherwise it can peel up your new paint layer. Next we assessed some cracking along seams of the 'shadow box' details:
This is not an uncommon encounter when working on old wooden pieces. Seams can split, and one common place to notice this is on everyday surfaces like doors, cabinetry, and window frames. We caulked these with 'painters caulk,' Big Stretch specifically. It's geared toward high flux of seams especially when painted over (make sure to check cure times and time between caulk and paint when using on your own). We trust this option too because once cured, Chalk Paint® decorative paint would adhere well.
Next we primed with our water-based, white-tinted Smart Prime because some old stains were evident to be popping through the Pure White. We think these may have been from old smoke that absorbed into the wood from long ago use. No matter how much you clean, sometimes a chemical or other substance might just need to be covered up durably! We learn to be flexible with these things...
And then two coats Pure White Chalk Paint® decorative paint, plus clear wax all over, and black wax in the details with a light hand. Voila! It's not a super drastic change, however it breathed new life into this piece by freshening it up and helped the uniquely carved details stand out better. Have you painted a mantle before? How did it turn out? Feel free to share! Happy Painting xoxo
What Is Chalk Paint® and Why Do We Like It So Much? (How to Paint With Chalk Paint®)
We clear up some questions about Chalk Paint® decorative paint, and talk about its benefits and how to apply paint to furniture.
We get daily questions on what Chalk Paint® is, and what it can be used for-- which is a great thing! The more questions the better, and the better that we can help you with your projects. However with so many types and brands of paint out there in the world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with choices. Besides talking about what Chalk Paint® is and why we recommend it, we'll also talk about why it stands out from imitation paint lines.
When we opened up our shop, we made the commitment to stock reputable, eco-friendly brands that anyone can work with (you heard that right, anyone!). Our stock is curated so to speak, with high-quality yet accessible options, and Chalk Paint® is one of those. Well then, what is it? Chalk Paint® is the brand founded by Annie Sloan in 1990, focusing on painting with one's own style and with a minimal-prep process. Chalk Paint® decorative paint is water-based and comes in 35 GORGEOUS colors in the USA, and Chalk Paint® waxes come in 4 colors/styles. Why is 'chalk' in the name? Well, that speaks to how the paint feels when it first dries in that it's super dry and porous, causing it to absorb its wax seal well.
How cool is it that the Color Cards come with swatches printed with REAL paint? These are very informative and accurate in helping you make your color choices, giving information about the history behind color names too.
Chalk Paint® decorative paint, waxes, lacquer, and other items are:
- low and no-VOC, and absolutely lead free
- non-toxic and eco-friendly
- certified 'Toy Safe' in the UK where the line was invented
- able to create silky smooth, modern finishes
- able to create highly textured finishes (like distressed or 'shabby-chic' looks)
- cleaned up with soap and water off brushes
- applied with a brush or roller (depending on technique)
- able to be sanded
- highly customizable, changeable, and able to be painted over to keep upcyclng
- little or no prep prior to painting- never needing to strip (prep can depend on your surface, and some techniques might require certain kinds of prep)
- able to hide surface flaws
- fixable for any unintended mistakes during the painting and waxing process
- suited for interior and exterior projects
- able to be mixed and layered with plasters, gilding leaf and waxes, crackle serums, and MORE
- suited for furniture, flooring, walls, decor, painted upholstery, stenciling
- applied to wood, metal, veneer, laminate, plaster, stone, brick, concrete, fabric, manufactured finishes (like from Ikea and Pottery Barn), glass, and MORE
Totally transforming a piece of furniture or space is still a process. This paint is not a miracle, but does help you to leave room for your design intuition to come through with playfulness, without having to worry about absolute perfection or "will this even stick to my surface?!". What's hand-painted has character, and can uplift any old piece and space!
Watch our little video demonstrating the absolute basics of applying your favorite color!
Also, there is only one Chalk Paint®. There are many alternate 'chalky-finish' or 'chalk-type' paints on the market, and there are recipes to 'make your own,' however none of these options are the same as Chalk Paint®, and they are usually acrylic or latex with additives. They do not have the same properties. Let's face it- if you're painting with an acrylic or latex, it's still just acrylic or latex (and all that plaster of paris mixing in 'make-your-own' recipes is actually quite toxic to breathe in, yuck!). There is a reason why we carry and use the Annie Sloan brand after trying many styles throughout the years. When we work with it, we are trying to get our look (or your look if we're helping you to customize your project), not just a matte/flat 'chalky' finish.
What we do encourage is that your DIY creative process be about learning new skills while leaving room for your own creativity to come through- and to make connections with others! Happy Painting xo
Our Segment on Studio 512
That time we stopped by KXAN's Studio 512 for some fun with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint...
Recently we had the chance to stop by Austin's local news station KXAN's Studio 512 segment to demo our 'Vintage' Chalkboard Class. We worked with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint to create a usable chalkboard (usable if you write on it with real chalk, that is!) with a vintage look. What a fun time for us and the host Amanda! We were a but nervous going in, but always love to teach you so that helped dispel any butterflies. Here are some takeaways from the experience and the whole Milk Paint process:
- Being prepared is fabulous, because nothing will go exactly as planned. This is true in everyday life, for special events (like this video segment we did) AND in the DIY project realm.
- Milk Paint always starts at a 1:1 ratio of equal parts powder to water, and then you can add more of one ingredient or the other as needed- some days and working environments are more dry than others and you may need more water (which is why being prepared just in case is the best!)
- A great rule of thumb is to mix an equal part Bonding Agent in with your Milk Paint mix when painting over highly slick or manufactured surfaces (like the frame we used in the demo), to help that paint adhere.
- Quick projects like these are fun times to share with others, including with children (especially since it cleans up easily with soap and water and is non-toxic).
Sign up for your own date of 'Vintage' Chalkboards for a DIY take-home project as a way to learn some essentials about using Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint! And don't forget to watch the video segment. Happy Painting!
Our Brush Guide for Your Projects!
Our guide to choosing the best brushes for your projects when at our Shop & Studio!
What's the right brush to choose for your project? We've put together our simple, handy Brush Guide for selecting the best brush when at our Shop and Studio.
Annie Sloan Flat Brushes- Great for minimized brushstrokes when applying Chalk Paint® decorative paint, high-quality synthetic brushes in two different sizes.
Annie Sloan Pure (Natural) Bristle Brushes- Natural hair brushes will always possess slight texture, so you can create both subtle and enhanced texture with this brush that comes in three different sizes. Each hold a lot of paint to extend your brushstrokes when using Chalk Paint® !
Artisan Enhancements® 45mm Topcoat Brush- As a blend of fine natural and synthetic bristles, this brush is intended to minimize brushstrokes when applying liquid topcoats that otherwise might exaggerate the appearance of strokes (like glosses). They also extend brushstrokes well by holding a lot of paint, which also makes them a favorite for applying Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.
Artisan Enhancements® European Wax Brush- This lightweight wax brush is great for starting, and is versatile due to size and length of handle. Its bristlehead is flexible yet slightly firm for ideal wax application.
Annie Sloan Wax Brushes- These pointed brushes are of the highest quality, allowing you to wax in tight corners and carvings. They come in two different sizes of both bristleheads and handles, so choose the best based on the size of your project and comfort for grip! Made in Italy.
Inside the Toolbox: Using Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes for Smooth Finishes
Why we love using Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes for smooth painted finishes.
Hello in the new year! For our first blog post of 2017, we wanted to jump right in and talk about smooth, sleek painted finishes. These are the quintessential contemporary, modern, and even Mid-century Modern finishes that are not only popular at the moment but timeless. As you know, Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan is versatile for both smooth and rustic techniques. How do we achieve such looks though?
Since Chalk Paint® decorative paint is a bit thicker than other types of paint, achieving specific finishes can come down to the type of brush. Chalk Paint® is already relatively self-leveling (especially once a layer of Soft Wax is applied), so it's not difficult to use your brush for smooth finishes. To minimize the look of brush strokes, use Annie Sloan's Flat Brushes. As high-quality synthetic brushes, they've been made to specifically work well with her paint line. When painting, work the brush from one side to the next of each section of your piece, working 'with the grain.' Each layer of paint should be thin and allowed to dry thoroughly before the next. Adding a tiny bit of water in with your paint can also help spread each stroke nicely, with minimized appearance. Anytime you feel the need to slightly sand, don't hesitate! See our video below:
The Flat brushes come in two sizes, giving greater accessibility for different sized surfaces. The small size is thin and narrow, and perfect for trim and other small spaces. They're easy to clean with soap and water. We always stock both sizes in our brick & mortar shop and online.
*You may have also seen painting techniques where brushstrokes are painted haphazardly, in an almost cross-hatched effect. This is a technique that Annie Sloan displays well, which fools the eye into thinking the surface looks flat and even due to optical confusion. Try your hand with that using the Flat Brushes if you'd like as well!
Happy Painting xo.